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What To Do In Salt Lake City

January 23, 2026

Planning to move to Salt Lake City? Then you’re in luck — not only does Utah’s capital city offer a terrific job market, a family-friendly atmosphere, and a better cost of living than other Western cities, but it also offers more attractions and activities than you can shake a stick at.

From historic sites like Temple Square to some of the best National Parks in the country, there’s always something to do in Salt Lake City. Indeed, it’s so jam-packed with fun activities that many first-time visitors end up looking at Salt Lake City rentals with a view to moving here permanently.

If you’re moving to Salt Lake City soon, or you’re just planning to be one of the many tens of millions of travelers who visit each year, then this page is for you. On this page, we’ll outline some of the best things to do in Salt Lake City. Let’s dive in.

Attend a Utah Jazz Game

If you’re a sports fan, then attending a Utah Jazz game is a must. They play their home games in downtown Salt Lake City, at the Delta Center, which is known as one of the best stadiums in the NBA. Tickets are relatively easy to get, and comparatively affordable compared with other teams in the league, with upper-level tickets often on sale for between $20 – 40. Win or lose, you can be sure that the raucous Jazz fans will create an unforgettable atmosphere.

Explore Salt Lake City’s Street Art

Outsiders usually don’t associate Salt Lake City with urban art, but take a walk around downtown SLC, and you’ll find plenty of fun, inspiring, and all-around top-quality street art adorning the city’s walls. Some of the most famous pieces include the Rock Legends Mural, which features a who’s who of famous rock and roll faces, and the Utah Jazz Mural by South African artist Karabo Poppy. Click here for a self-guided mural tour.

Visit Temple Square, One of the Most Historic Sites in Salt Lake City

Whether you’re religious or not, you can’t visit Salt Lake without visiting Temple Square, the home of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Covering an area of some ten acres, Temple Square isn’t just a part of Salt Lake City — it’s the reason the new city was founded in the first place. During your visit, you’ll learn a lot about the city and the people who call it home. The standout attraction is the stunning Salt Lake Temple, which can be visited for free (with no extra cost for guided tours).

Enjoy the Beauty of Red Butte Garden

Even in a city that has no shortage of stunning natural areas and spectacular views, Red Butte Garden, a botanical garden, stands out for its sheer beauty. Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, it offers more than twenty acres of manicured gardens, concert venues, and several hiking trails. It offers plenty of family fun, particularly the Children’s Garden, where little ones can learn about horticulture in a beautiful, engaging environment. Pay a visit, and you’ll likely find that it’s a personal favorite of your time in the city.

See the Bonneville Salt Flats

Visiting the Bonneville Salt Flats is more than just another day trip. It’s a journey into an otherworldly landscape. Once there, you’ll see the remains of Lake Bonneville, which dried up thousands of years ago. All that remains is the white, salty crust that’s so flat that you can see the curvature of the Earth. If you’re visiting out of town, then the best way to travel to the great salt lake is by rental car, though you can also get there through a mix of public transport and taxi/rideshare.

Spend a Day at the Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum of Utah spans five floors and is full of fascinating and fun things to do. It’s always a firm favorite with both kids and adults alike. During your visit, you’ll learn about Utah’s ancient geology, dinosaurs, and people. It’s also around the corner from the Red Butte Garden (mentioned above), so we’d recommend checking to see if any concerts are being held during your stay. They sometimes hold events once the sun sets, which means you can spend a day exploring history and the evening enjoying a quality concert in a stunning environment.

Shop the Stores at City Creek Center

City Creek Center is more than just a shopping center. It’s an architectural wonder. It features a fully retractable glass roof, a sky bridge, waterfalls, fish ponds, and fountain shows. Those details alone make it worth visiting, but it’s especially worth adding to your itinerary if you’re looking to shop till you drop. You’ll find stores from world-famous luxury brands at City Creek Center, making it the perfect place to pick up a few souvenirs (if visiting) or items for your new home (if moving).

Hit the Slopes at the Nearby Ski Resorts

Salt Lake City’s many nearby ski resorts have made the city one of the top ski destinations in the country. During your stay, you’ll be within easy reach of some of the greatest snow on the planet, with nearby ski resorts Snowbird, Park City Mountain, Snowbasin Resort, and Alta Ski Resort known for having outstanding ski conditions. If you’re not a skier but still want to enjoy snowy activities, then pay a visit to Olympic Park, which offers a range of Olympic-themed activities.

Drink Up At Soda Shops

Did you know that Salt Lake City has a thriving soda scene? They’re known as ‘dirty sodas,’ and they’re all-out delicious. When you’re looking to quench your thirst, pay a visit to one of the city’s leading soda stores, which include Thirst Drinks, Swig, FiiZ Drinks, and Rocket Fizz.

Explore the Universe At The Clark Planetarium

The Clark Planetarium, one of the best attractions in Salt Lake City, is a local favorite. Offering three floors of free exhibitions as well as two theatres — including an IMAX theatre — it’s the perfect place to spend a rainy afternoon with your family. With hands-on, interactive displays and breathtaking shows, you’ll quickly discover why this downtown attraction is so popular.

Visit the Beautiful State Parks

Salt Lake City is an outdoor wonderland. In the city itself, you’ll find outstanding urban parks such as Sugar House. Those willing to make a short drive out of the city, however, will find that they can access even more spectacular outdoor areas. Antelope Island State Park is particularly worth visiting. Located around a 50-minute drive north of Salt Lake City, Antelope Island offers wild, free-roaming bison, a seemingly endless array of hiking trails, and some truly spectacular views.

Take a Scenic Drive To Big Cottonwood Canyon/Wasatch Mountain Range

It takes only around 30 minutes to reach Big Cottonwood Canyon from downtown Salt Lake City, but it can feel like you’re stepping into another world. This scenic canyon is full of stunning beauty and plenty of fun recreational opportunities. You can ski, snowboard, hike, cycle, rock climb, or fish in this area, though don’t worry if you’re not feeling overly active — even just taking a scenic drive through this area can be worth your time.

Enjoy the Birds at Tracy Aviary

Don’t have a car, yet still want to experience some of the natural wonders of the Salt Lake City region? Then plan a trip to Tracy Aviary, which is one of the oldest aviaries in the country (it was founded in 1938) and remains one of the best. Located within Liberty Park, it’s home to some 300 species of birds from all corners of the planet.

TL;DR

Salt Lake City offers a near-endless amount of fun attractions and activities, both for visitors and locals alike. Whether you’re interested in the great outdoors, cultural sites, or are just simply looking for fun things to do as a family, Salt Lake City more than provides, with attractions like Big Cottonwood Canyon, Temple Square, the Natural History Museum of Utah, and the Bonneville Salt Flats ensuring there’s always something to do.

Moving to Salt Lake City? Search rental listings at Rentler today.

FAQ

What is Salt Lake City’s Most Visited Attraction?

Temple Square, with five million annual visitors, is Salt Lake City’s most visited attraction. Other widely-visited Salt Lake City attractions include the Natural History Museum of Utah, Big and Little Cottonwood Canyon, and City Creek Center, an open-air shopping mall.

What Are The Main Things To Do In Salt Lake City?

Salt Lake City offers an abundance of outdoor adventure activities, cultural sites, and annual events, including enjoying the hiking trails of nearby National Parks, historic sites such as the Utah State Capitol, and the Utah State Fair, which takes place in September.