A Quick Guide to Fun in Salt Lake

With all the fun things to do in Salt Lake City, UT, narrowing down your list can feel a bit challenging. Here’s a quick rundown of some of the most celebrated things to do and places to see to make your visit as memorable as possible.

Near Downtown

With the majestic Wasatch Mountains providing a dreamlike backdrop, downtown Salt Lake City is a remarkable place filled with more than enough fun to go around. 

Take advantage of our bike-share program, GREENbike, for an enjoyable way to explore the area. You can easily find one of the GREENbike docking stations sprinkled throughout downtown. Next, follow the kiosk's instructions, and you're on your way in style! 

 

Pop in the state-of-the-art City Creek Center for an unparalleled shopping and dining experience. This beautiful, open-air shopping mall has waterfalls, a massive glass ceiling that opens with good weather, and a fish-stocked stream. 

 

Across from City Creek Center, you'll find Salt Lake City's iconic Temple Square. Take in the temple's awe-inspiring gothic spires, enjoy a free tour of the grounds, and soak in the magnificence of this historic site.

Home to the best indoor concert scene in Utah, The Depot, located in a historic Union Pacific depot, is an intimate way to catch your favorite touring band or performer.

 

You don’t see many libraries in guides like this, but you don’t see many libraries like the Salt Lake Public Library. Designed by internationally celebrated architect Moshe Safdie, the building and grounds are works of modern art. Take the six-story crescent-shaped walkable wall to the rooftop garden and enjoy a 360-degree view of SLC.

 

Foodies won’t want to miss Red Iguana's authentic Mexican menu. The mole is unrivaled, the margaritas refreshing and delicious, the atmosphere bright and bustling. If you go after 5 p.m., we guarantee the wait will be worth it.

Unassuming outside, stylish and intimate inside, celebrity-owned Bar X is known for its spicy ginger beer and top-shelf spirits. If the dark, sultry atmosphere isn't your thing, step over to Beer Bar for sunshine, gourmet brats, and a rotating menu of local, national, and international beers.

 

For a more peaceful dining experience, head to Finca for an evening of exquisite Spanish tapas and an exclusive Spanish wine list in a stylish setting.

Off the Beaten Path

If you can fit it in, visiting the Great Salt Lake should certainly be on your list of fun. Time your visit to coincide with a breathtaking sunset for a natural souvenir you’ll never forget. 

 

A haven for skiers and snowboarders in the winter, in the off-season, Snowbird keeps serving up action-packed adventures with the Alpine Slide, Mountain Coaster, a ropes course, scenic tram rides, and more. 

 

About 30 minutes outside the city, Utah Olympic Park provides year-round fun with zip lines, a bobsled ride (registration required), and guided tours, to name a few of the many enjoyable activities.

Locals' Favorites

Bars

The combo of a hip lounge vibe with an impressive list of whiskeys and a scrumptious menu makes local favorite Whiskey Street on South Main Street a must on any bar hopper's checklist. 

 

Excellent acoustics and an intimate ambiance are two of the many things that helped The State Room win the title of Salt Lake’s best live music venue. With a 299-person capacity, there’s not a bad seat (or standing area) in the house. 

 

The Urban Lounge is a little divey, a little hip, and a lot of fun. They are known to book some of the best bands that come through town, and Rye Diner next door serves late-night plates for concert goers. 

Beer connoisseur? Squatters Pub Brewery has been pouring award-winning beer for decades, and is right in the heart of downtown. The giant pub is a great place to have beers and dinner with a group of friends or colleagues. Also be sure to head to Epic Brewing Company on State Street. From IPAs to saisons to stouts, there isn't a beer this brewery doesn't knock out of the park. The tasting room lets you sample the goods, as well as a soup, salad, and sandwich menu. 

Eateries

If you’re looking for food, look no further than Salt Lake’s food trucks! Every Thursday from 11 to 2, a rotating cast of delicious food trucks descend on Gallivan Center Plaza for Food Truck Thursdays. While still a local favorite, this savory weekly event has gained in popularity, so get there early if you want to beat the lines.

Food-lovers and cooking enthusiasts will want to visit Caputo's. Featuring a state-of-the-art cheese cave, an old-world butcher shop, and the nation's largest selection of ultra-premium chocolate, Caputo's regional Italian and Southern European market is a lovely place to take cooking and tasting classes.

There’s nothing like Les Madelines Cafe’s rich pastries, flaky croissants, artisan espressos, delicate crepes, savory sandwiches … and the cafe's buttery, caramelized masterpiece: the Koing Aman. Whether it’s for breakfast or a midday snack, you won’t want to skip this one.

And More … 

Founded in 1980 by self-described bibliophile Ken Sanders, Ken Sanders Rare Books is the place to find obscure and interesting books you won't likely find anywhere else. Fellow bibliophiles will want to budget an hour or more for browsing.

 

Visit Antique Row on 300 South to find vintage board games, retro sweaters, mid-century modern decor, and excellent coffee. Plan on browsing for hours.

 

If you’re a cinephile, don’t miss Broadway Centre Cinema or Tower Theatre. These two cozy, quirky venues are the best places to catch an indie flick, have a snack, and meet other film buffs as they host the Salt Lake Film Society.

 

Spend time outdoors with a short, moderately challenging hike, aptly named Living Room Hike, that begins at Red Butte Garden and ends with a stone "sofa" and "chairs" and an awesome view of the valley.