Salt Lake City boasts all kinds of cultural events such as the Utah Twilight Concert series during the summer months, and Pioneer Day. If you’re visiting Salt Lake City in July, Pioneer Day is truly one of the best events in Utah to attend to because of all the beautiful parades and firework displays.
To give you an idea of what to see and do in Salt Lake City (SLC), see below:
Salt Lake Visitor’s Center
If you’re visiting Salt Lake City for the first time, or are visiting Salt Lake City on a short trip, you’ll want to make Salt Lake visitor’s center your first stop in town!
The visitor’s center is located at the Salt Palace Convention Center and it’s a great place to plan your trip and find out what’s on town on that day.
Salt Lake City Gallivan Center
The Salt Lake City Gallivan Center is the entertainment hub of Salt Lake City and the place where many popular events are held such as the Twilight Concert Series in summer (one of the most popular free events in SLC). Even during the winter, you can still have fun in Salt Lake City at the Gallivan Center since it boasts an ice rink.
The Salt Lake City Gallivan Center is located near Arrow Press Square shopping center, right opposite a light rail station.
Church History Museum
The Church History Museum is one of the few attractions in Salt Lake City that won’t cost you anything to visit.
The History Museum is located opposite the Church of LDS and it’s a museum intended for a Mormon audience, though whether you’re a believer or a non-believer, if you’re interested in learning about pioneer life and seeing interesting Mormon art you’ll enjoy spending time there.
Temple Square
Temple Square is located adjacent Main Street Plaza, and it’s another of the places to visit in Salt Lake City, especially during the holiday season to see the wonderful light displays.
Temple Square is the main hub for LDS believers since you’ll also find there Salt Lake Temple.
You can’t actually access the inside of the temple unless you’re a LDS member, though there are two visitor’s centers open to the public with interesting displays and educational movies to watch.
University of Utah
The University of Utah (pictured) is another of the places to visit in Salt Lake City as it’s home to top attractions that you can visit free of charge. They include:
- the Utah Museum of Fine Arts
- Fort Douglas Military Museum
- the Utah Museum of Natural History
The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is a great place to spend a few hours seeing cool art works such as traditional paintings, stone sculptures, etc; while at the Utah Museum of Natural History, you can see interesting exhibits on fossils and insects that kids can even enjoy!
The Fort Douglas Military Museum boasts an immense variety of information and exhibits such as fighter planes, cannons, military weapons and uniforms on display so, if you're a war buff, don't miss visiting this place.
Utah State Capitol
There is no doubt that Utah State Capitol is one of the most interesting places to visit in Utah. A visit to Utah State Capitol is another of the great places to visit in Salt Lake City, and the best thing is that he State Capitol offers free guided tours every hour, which allow you to explore the Utah’s Capitol unique architecture.
Tracey Aviary
Tracey Aviary is another inexpensive attraction in Salt Lake City where everyone can have a fun day out seeing many interesting kinds of birds such as flamingos, bald eagles and even vultures!
Tracey Aviary is located in Central City on Liberty Park, around 10 minutes drive south of the University of Utah.
Clark Planetarium/ IMAX
The Clark Planetarium is located a short walk down the road from Gate Mall, and it’s another of the top places to visit in Salt Lake City with the family.
The Planetarium has both educational and fun exhibits which will keep the little ones busy and entertained for a couple of hours, especially watching one of the IMAX’s 3D movies!
Discovery Gateway
Discovery Gateway is literary minutes away on foot from Clark Planetarium, and it’s Salt Lake City’s children’s museum.
If you’re looking to spend a morning out with kids where they can burn some energy, Discovery Gateway is one of the best places to visit in Salt Lake City to do this. There are many different play areas for kids to interact with other kids, jump around and build things.
See: Things to do in summer in Utah
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Interesting places to visit in Colorado
Interesting places to visit in Nevada
Interesting places to visit in South Dakota
Interesting places to visit in Wyoming
Interesting places to visit in Montana
