Salt Lake Attractions and Historic Sites

From Red Butte Garden to Thanksgiving Point, Salt Lake is home to private and public gardens that are accessible, beautiful, and make exploring the outdoors easy. Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, and the Tracy Aviary make it easy to get up close with animals from around the world.  

Salt Lake knows that there’s more than winter sports to get the heart going. And that’s where nearby amusement and water parks pick up the summer fun. Trampoline parks and go-kart racing abound along with local amusement parks like Lagoon and Seven Peaks. You’ll also find plenty of fun centers, like Dave & Busters and Boondocks, for kids of all ages to play.

The Great Salt Lake isn’t just what gives our fair city its name; it’s a truly one-of-a-kind experience. A day at the lake here is guaranteed to be an adventure. From Great Lake State Park, you can hike Antelope Island and see the animals that call the area home. The flight patterns of the migratory birds are almost as awe inspiring as the views of the lake. And if you’re truly feeling brave, you can even go for a float in some of the saltiest water in the world.

Just a short drive from the city center, the Utah Olympic venues rest on both the west and east sides of the valley. You can skate at the rink where world records were made, or you can ride a bobsled on the mountain where the 2002 Winter Olympics were held. And don’t worry if athletics just aren’t your thing, they also offer tours of the facilities along with other activities.

Temple Square is the most popular tourist attraction in Salt Lake, but that doesn’t mean it’s where history stops. On the contrary, it’s an excellent jumping-off point for further exploring the state’s evolution over time. To truly experience what life was like for early settlers in Utah, visit This is the Place Heritage Park and dig for treasure, ride ponies, and enjoy old-fashioned treats.

Adventure is always a short excursion away in Salt Lake, even on the snowiest of days. The valley is home to clean, well-cared for recreation centers that offer all kinds of activities from rock climbing to tennis to swimming and more. You can find rec centers for any athlete in your family.