The Best Things to Do in Salt Lake's South Valley with the Family

Mountain Ridge Park

Sometimes the entire squad just needs to touch grass. Opened in 2025, this 9.6-acre park has everything you need to decompress: an all-abilities playground packed with slides, climbing structures, swings, and accessible play elements. There’s also a pavilion for that BYO picnic, restrooms, plenty of grass for running wild, and a walking trail where the bigs can stretch their legs — or attempt to get their steps in while everyone else is occupied.

• Location: 4260 W Watchmen Way, Herriman, UT 84096
• Hours: Herriman municipal parks are generally open 7 a.m.–10 p.m.
• Cost: Free
• Best for: An easy, low-key outing when kids need to run around
• Parking: Onsite lot
• Transit: Limited; Herriman is car-oriented, and driving is the most practical option for visitors
• Local tip: Year-round park; Herriman has kept Mountain Ridge’s restroom among those open in winter

Bingham Creek Regional Park

When everyone has a different idea of what “going to the park” means, Bingham Creek is your answer. Sprawling across 160 acres, this South Jordan mega-park has a destination playground for the littles, sports fields, walking trails, disc golf, and nearly two miles of bike trails with a pump and skills area for bigger kids looking to get some air. There are also plenty of grassy expanses for picnicking, cartwheeling, ball-kicking, or simply releasing whatever reserves of energy are left in the tank.

• Location: 10200 S 4800 W, South Jordan, UT 84095
• Hours: Generally dawn to dusk
• Cost: Free for general park, playground, and trail use
• Best for: Families with mixed-age kids who want room to roam, ride, climb, and play 
• Parking: Multiple onsite lots with more than 400 spaces
• Transit: Limited; driving is the most practical option for out-of-town visitors
• Local tip: Bring bikes or scooters if you have them — the pump and skills area is beloved

Wide Hollow Trailhead & Herriman Incline

Some kids are just built different. What I mean is that they’ll gaze at 234 timber steps escalating 160 feet skyward and think, Looks fun! Opened in June 2026, the new Wide Hollow Trailhead gives visitors access to Herriman’s southern hills and the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, but the headline act is the Herriman Incline. It’s short, steep, and much more of a family fitness challenge than a leisurely nature walk — with scenic views worth the sweat.

• Location: 6602 W Wide Hollow Drive, Herriman, UT 84096
• Cost: Free
• Best for: Active families with older kids
• Parking: Approximately 70 onsite spaces; restroom available at the trailhead
• Transit: Limited; this is in Herriman’s southern hills, so driving is the most practical option for visitors
• Accessibility: The staircase itself is not wheelchair or stroller accessible
• Local tip: Keep an eye out for wildlife; Herriman specifically advises trail users that rattlesnakes and coyotes live in the area

Wheeler Historic Farm

Give them a taste of farm life without leaving the suburbs. This 75-acre working farm and public park is a childhood fever dream: kids can wander past cows, goats, and other farm animals, hit the playground, and burn off steam along the trails and open spaces. It’s free to enter, though a few dollars will unlock tractor-drawn wagon rides, milking demonstrations, and tours of the historic farmhouse. Keep an eye on the events calendar, too — the Sunday farmers market, winter market, and fall Pumpkin Days are especially worth timing a visit around.

• Location: 6351 S 900 E, Murray, UT 84121
• Hours: Farm and park open daily dawn to dusk; office open Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.
• Cost: Free general admission; activities priced separately
• Best for: Toddlers through elementary-age kids who lose their minds over cute creatures 
• Parking: Free onsite parking
• Transit: Possible by bus; driving is considerably easier for visiting families
• Reservations: General farm visits are drop-in; some programs, tours, and special events require advance registration
• Dogs: Leashed dogs are allowed, but keep an eye on them around livestock
• Local tip: On summer and early-fall Sundays, aim for the 9 a.m.–1 p.m. farmers market and make a half-day of it

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium + Tuki’s Island

For kids who ask “But why?” every five minutes, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium has enough answers to keep them busy for hours. The Draper attraction includes aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, immersive galleries, and interactive experiences that make learning fun (for the adults, too). And when everyone’s reached their capacity for quiet observation, a few extra dollars will grant access to Tuki’s Island. The 4,000-square-foot indoor play center has three levels of obstacle courses, slides, and monkey bars, plus a separate toddler zone.

• Location: 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy, Draper, UT 84020
• Hours: Monday 10 a.m.–8 p.m.; Tuesday–Sunday 10 a.m.–6 p.m., with last entry one hour before closing
• Cost: Aquarium admission uses dynamic pricing; adults $17.95–$27.95; children 3–12 $12.95–$22.95; teens/students $14.95–$24.95; ages 2 and under free. Tuki’s Island is an additional $3 per child for two hours; free for aquarium members and children 2 and under
• Best for: Curious kids, rainy or scorching days, and families looking to occupy a solid chunk of the day
• Parking: Free onsite parking
• Transit: UTA service reaches the Draper area, but driving is generally the easiest option for families
• Accessibility: The aquarium is wheelchair accessible; a limited number of manual wheelchairs are available for a fee
• Reservations: Buying aquarium tickets ahead is smart because admission prices vary; limited-capacity animal encounters should be reserved in advance

The Gale Museum

This small local museum punches well above its size, delivering lessons on the region’s pioneer and mining past that the whole family might actually pay attention to. Admission is free and many of the exhibits are hands-on, but the real thrill for kiddos is “Little Town.” Here, they can cosplay adulthood by shopping and working the register at a general store, cooking and cleaning in a pioneer home, delivering mail, or playing teacher in an old-fashioned schoolhouse. 

• Location: 10300 S Beckstead Lane, South Jordan, UT 84095
• Hours: Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m.–6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.–4 p.m.; closed Saturday–Monday and major holidays
• Cost: Free; donations are welcome
• Best for: A low-key indoor outing for younger kids who learn best by touching, pretending, and playing
• Parking: Free onsite parking
• Transit: UTA bus service operates in South Jordan, but driving is the simplest option
• Accessibility: Accessible ramps and parking are available, with room for wheelchairs and strollers in educational spaces
• Reservations: Families can drop in; organized tours should be booked in advance, ideally with about two weeks’ notice
• Local tip: Depending on the day, there may be scavenger hunts, coloring activities, or marbles available for the museum’s marble run

Boondocks Food & Fun

My younger self would have freaked out here. And actually, who am I kidding? I still want to go bowling, blow a small fortune in the arcade, battle it out in bumper boats and laser tag, play mini golf, rip around the go-kart track, and wobble my way through the ropes course. In other words, Boondocks is the place to go when nobody can agree on an activity. There’s a full restaurant onsite, too, so you can make an entire afternoon or evening of it without piling everyone back into the car for dinner.

• Location: 75 E Southfork Drive, Draper, UT 84020
• Hours: Generally 10 a.m.–10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and until midnight Friday–Saturday; hours and occasional closures vary by date. The restaurant opens at 11 a.m. and closes one hour before the park
• Cost: A four-hour attraction pass is typically $40; an indoor pass with $20 in arcade play is $30; bowling is $40 per lane per hour plus $3 shoe rental, or $7 per game plus shoes
• Best for: Parents determined to send everyone home thoroughly exhausted
• Parking: Free onsite parking
• Transit: Limited; driving is the easiest option for visiting families
• Reservations: General attractions are drop-in. Bowling can be reserved up to 30 days in advance with a 50% nonrefundable deposit; parties require advance booking
• Food: Full-service restaurant onsite, with pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads, and kid-friendly options
• Local tip: Outdoor attractions are weather-dependent, but bowling, laser tag, arcade games, and other indoor activities make this a solid year-round backup plan

Clip 'n Climb South Jordan

For kids who are constantly scaling the hotel furniture anyway, you may as well give them something designed for the job. Clip ’n Climb splits the difference between an indoor play center and a proper climbing gym, with a collection of colorful challenges that gamify scrambling up a wall. Standard sessions run about 90 minutes including the safety briefing, and automatic belay systems mean kids can tackle challenges without a parent standing below managing the rope. There’s also a soft-play area for the under-fours and an onsite café.

• Location: 11196 S Redwood Road, South Jordan, UT 84095
• Hours: Summer climbing sessions run daily. First climb is at 10:30 a.m.; last climb is at 6:30 p.m. Monday–Saturday and 4:30 p.m. Sunday
• Cost: Climbers ages 2+ are $20.99 Monday–Thursday and $24.99 Friday–Sunday; soft play for ages 5 and under is $11.99 per child. Prices include sales tax
• Best for: Active kids who love climbing, obstacle courses, and testing their nerve
• Parking: Free onsite parking
• Transit: UTA bus service runs along the broader Redwood Road corridor, but driving is generally easiest
• Reservations: Prebooking is recommended. Walk-ins are welcome when space is available; allow about 90 minutes for a standard climbing session 
• Food: South Ridge Café onsite for drinks, snacks, and casual eats
• Local tip: Closed-toe shoes are the move, and arrive with enough time for everyone to get harnessed and complete the safety briefing before the climbing portion begins

America First Field

Got a kid who considers “inside voice” more of a suggestion? Take them to a soccer match, where yelling is actively encouraged. America First Field is home to both Real Salt Lake and the Utah Royals, giving families plenty of chances to catch professional soccer in Sandy. Sports and snacks are the main events, but the stadium also hosts occasional concerts and festivals, so it’s worth checking the calendar while you’re in town.

• Location: 9256 S State Street, Sandy, UT 84070
• Hours: Event-specific
• Cost: Ticket prices vary by match, seating section, and event
• Best for: Sports-loving families and high-energy kids
• Tickets: Advance purchase recommended, particularly for popular matches
• Parking: Paid and permit-based event parking options vary by match; check your event information before arriving
• Transit: TRAX Blue Line to Sandy Expo Station, with a walk to the stadium
• Local tip: An evening match gives you the full stadium atmosphere plus sunset over the Wasatch

The Ballpark at America First Square

Your kiddo doesn’t need to be harboring Babe Ruth aspirations to enjoy a visit to the home of the Salt Lake Bees. The Ballpark at America First Square in South Jordan was dreamed up to be so much more than a place to catch a Triple-A baseball game. Here, you’ll find a strong lineup of family-friendly programming, from youth baseball clinics and live music and dance to drone shows and on-field movie nights. Think of it as a baseball-adjacent entertainment district, where catching a few innings is only a fraction of the fun.

• Location: 11111 S Ballpark Drive, South Jordan, UT 84009
• Hours: Event-specific
• Cost: Ticket prices vary by game, seating section, and event
• Best for: Families, fans, and kids who need more entertainment than nine innings
• Tickets: Advance purchase recommended
• Parking: Event parking is available around The Ballpark and America First Square
• Transit: TRAX Red Line to South Jordan Downtown Station
• Local tip: Check the calendar for special events before booking

Mountain America Expo Center

The Mountain America Expo Center is less an attraction in itself and more a reason to check the calendar before your trip. Its five enormous exhibit halls host a rotating lineup of conventions and specialty shows, which can mean anything from LEGO creations and gems to tabletop games, crafts, collectibles, and holiday displays. If something aligns with your kid’s latest hyperfixation, they’re going to totally lose it.

• Location: 9575 S State Street, Sandy, UT 84070
• Hours: Event-specific; there are no standard visitor hours
• Cost: Varies by event
• Best for: Families who luck into a weather-proof event that matches a kid’s niche obsession
• Parking: Approximately 1,700 onsite outdoor parking spaces
• Transit: The TRAX Blue Line’s Sandy Expo Station is directly across the street
• Local tip: Check the event calendar first; the Expo Center is only as interesting as whatever has moved into those five halls

Slackwater Sandy

Find me a kid who doesn’t like pizza. And here you’ll find some seriously good pies: This local chain was recently named the ninth-best restaurant in the country, according to Yelp. The menu runs from cheese and pepperoni to far more adventurous creations — think tikka masala, gyro, and hot-honey — plus sandwiches, salads, and a dedicated kid-approved menu. There are vegan and gluten-free pizza options, too.

• Location: 10290 S State Street, Sandy, UT 84070
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 11 a.m.–10 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 11 a.m.–11 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.–9 p.m. Sunday brunch runs 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Cost: Pizzas are generally around $12.50–$14.75; kids’ menu items run $7.50–$8.75
• Best for: An easy family lunch or dinner
• Reservations: Available; you can also join the online waitlist, which is worth doing during busy periods
• Takeout: Available
• Transit: UTA service runs along the State Street corridor, but driving is generally easiest for visiting families
• Local tip: If your crew includes picky eaters, don’t be intimidated by the specialty pies — the kids’ menu includes mac and cheese and all the classics

Village Baker

Sometimes the best restaurants are the ones centered around bread. Utah-born Village Baker has been feeding locals since 1994, milling its own wheat and baking loaves fresh every morning. The counter-service menu covers the family-food holy trinity — pizza, sandwiches, and baked goods — plus soups, salads, and breakfast. 

• Location: 11192 S Auto Mall Drive, Sandy, UT 84070
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 7 a.m.–8 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 7 a.m.–9 p.m.; closed Sunday. Breakfast is served until 11 a.m.
• Best for: A quick, inexpensive, and crowd-pleasing breakfast or lunch 
• Reservations: None; counter service
• Takeout: Available, along with online ordering and delivery
• Parking: Free onsite lot
• Transit: UTA service is available in Sandy, but driving is easiest
• Local tip: Don’t leave without checking the bakery case, and optimize around the Cinnaburst bread, which is baked on Fridays and Saturdays

Los Garcia Méxican Restaurant

When chips and salsa become a family emergency, head to this family-owned Sandy institution. Los Garcia has been around for more than a decade, serving Jalisco-inspired home cooking alongside scratch-made flour tortillas and fresh chips. The menu is sprawling in the best family-restaurant way: tacos, quesadillas, enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, chimichangas, birria, and plenty of cheese-and-tortilla combinations for cautious eaters.

• Location: 8745 S 700 E, Suite 1, Sandy, UT 84070
• Hours: Monday–Thursday 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Friday–Saturday 10 a.m.–10 p.m.; closed Sunday.
• Best for: A relaxed sit-down family meal with plenty of choices 
• Reservations: Accepted; particularly worth considering for larger groups
• Takeout: Pickup, takeout, and delivery are available
• Parking: Free onsite lot
• Transit: Possible by UTA bus, but driving is easiest for visiting families
• Local tip: Do not sleep on the soft and chewy homemade flour tortillas 

The South Valley may sprawl, but that’s also what gives families so many options. It’s far more varied than you might expect — and that, reader, is part of the fun. In a single day, you can catch a LEGO convention, take a tractor ride around a working farm, watch the kids scale climbing walls like human-shaped geckos, and smash cheesy quesadillas at a family-owned institution. Dress for adventure, pack more snacks than you think you’ll need, and enjoy this foothill-lined pocket of chaos.