Salt Lake City combines the best of American nature alongside incredible art, history and culture and it’s a top destination with endless activities in any season. It serves as a wonderful place for family vacations, due to its many incredible options for kids and travelers of all ages.
With so much to experience, it can be difficult to find the best activities that will excite your kids while also ensuring you have a great time as well. In this guide, we’ll go over the nine best things to do with kids in Salt Lake City to help make your next vacation unforgettable.
1. Utah Olympic Park
- Address: 3419 Olympic Pkwy, Park City, UT 84098
- Cost: Free admission, paid rentals and excursions
The Utah Olympic Park was created and used for the 2002 Winter Olympics and it now operates as a multi-use sporting facility and Olympic Museum, making it a great family destination in Salt Lake City today.
In the winter, kids can enjoy ice skating along with lessons in:
- Skiing
- Sledding
- Snowboarding
- And more
Outside of winter, you can find beautiful trails for hiking along with bicycle riding, rollerblading, plus many other activities.
There are also seasonal events here that are perfect for all ages, so make sure to check what’s happening during your stay. Plus, if there’s a major sporting event like the World Cup or Olympics, you’ll find live viewing parties which are well worth experiencing.
2. Natural History Museum of Utah
• Address: 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
• Cost: $12-$15
The Natural History Museum of Utah is in a wonderful location right along the mountainside and it connects with a number of trails that are great for all ages and skill levels.
Inside the museum, you’ll find a wide variety of exhibits from full-scale dinosaur fossils to unique indigenous artifacts and historical artwork from the local area.
Kids and adults will easily find something to love here and it’s a great way to learn more about the area’s rich natural and cultural history. With gorgeous scenery along with incredible exhibits, this is one of the best things to do with kids in Salt Lake City during your trip.
3. This is the Place Heritage Park
• Address: 2601 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
• Cost: $10-$20
This is the Place Heritage Park is a wonderful family-friendly outdoor museum with tons of activities for all ages. Here, you’ll find remnants of where the pioneers first arrived in 1847 and it’s an important location for both Salt Lake City and the Mormon religion.
Kids can enjoy a number of unique and hands-on opportunities including:
• Gold panning
• Blacksmith demonstrations
• Pony rides
• Educational events
• And more
With a wide variety of activities and attractions, this is one of the Salt Lake City top things to do for kids in any season.
The park also hosts a renowned Christmas festival every year that you can’t miss during your Salt Lake City vacation.
4. Temple Square
• Address: 50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150
• Cost: Free admission and parking
Temple Square is an iconic destination in Salt Lake City and it provides a combination of beautiful architecture alongside gorgeous landscaping and easily accessible museums.
While only Mormons may enter the temple, this is still a destination worth visiting with your family due to its beauty and historical significance. Stop by and wander around, or venture further into the museums to learn more about the city's historical culture.
5. Utah’s Hogle Zoo
• Address: 2600 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake city, UT 84108
• Cost: $5-$22
With nearly 1,000 animals from all over the world, Utah’s Hogle Zoo is a premier family destination that is likely to be a highlight of any animal lovers’ trip. The zoo offers exhibits of exotic animals, including zebras, lions, giraffes and hundreds more.
Take part in educational seminars and check out the rotating special events as well to make the most of your visit.
6. Great Salt Lake State Park
• Address: 13312 W 1075 S, Magna UT 84044
• Cost: $10 per car
The Great Salt Lake State Park is a beautiful destination featuring the largest saltwater lake in the West, along with endless activities for families to enjoy.
Go sightseeing and view the magnificent lake from many vantage points or go for a pleasant walk on the numerous trails. You can also rent bicycles for certain trails, or simply lounge and sunbathe for a relaxing day.
On a warmer day, this is a great place to play some outdoor games, enjoy nature and have a family picnic during your vacation.
7. Clark Planetarium
• Address: 110 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
• Cost: $5-$15
Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium is a wonderful family-friendly destination that children of all ages will love. It features extensive hands-on activities to help kids connect with the cosmos and it has many exhibits that will excite visitors of all ages.
Enjoy special presentations about space and related sciences, along with unique multimedia programs to help make outer space approachable and exciting for all ages. Along with an IMAX screen, the Hansen Dome Theatre, plus a nighttime laser light concert series, the Clark Planetarium is a great place to explore during your trip.
8. Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park
• Address: 589 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105
• Cost: Free to $12, depending on age
Located inside the vast and gorgeous Liberty Park, the Tracy Aviary is one of the nation’s biggest and oldest aviaries operating today. You’ll learn about and get close to hundreds of international birds, along with unique flight shows and other exciting events.
Some of the birds include toucans, pelicans, condors and swans among many others. There’s also a café inside the park along with a kid's play area making it a perfect destination for families with kids.
Afterward, enjoy walking around Liberty Park and make use of its spacious lawns where kids can enjoy outdoor sports and games, along with numerous ponds and gentle walking paths that are worth exploring.
9. Thanksgiving Point
• Address: 3003 Thanksgiving Wy, Lehi, UT 84043
• Cost: $20-$27
Thanksgiving Point is located just 20 miles outside of Salt Lake City and it’s one of the best family-friendly activities in the area that you can’t miss. As a large-scale indoor and outdoor multi-use theme park, you’ll find an assortment of museums and activities for visitors of all ages.
From giant corn mazes to goat farms, museums with dinosaur fossils, plus numerous spas and restaurants, there’s truly something for everyone in this massive complex. Enjoy a movie, hit the golf course, or stroll through the gardens and take your kids on a pony ride among other attractions.
You’ll also find historical events like a recreation of the first Thanksgiving, along with special events like the annual Tulip Festival which brings in nearly 300,000 brightly colored tulips from the Netherlands.
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