Things to Do in Salt Lake City: Neighborhoods, Food, Museums, and Outdoor Activities.
Sep 8, 2026 / Public Storage
Salt Lake City offers mountain access, museums, historic landmarks, local dining, shopping, sports, and outdoor recreation near the Great Salt Lake. Plan your visit around Downtown, Sugar House, 9th & 9th, the University of Utah area, and nearby canyons to combine activities by location.
Salt Lake City Travel Essentials:
- Start Downtown with Temple Square, Gallivan Center, and City Creek Center.
- Visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Natural History Museum of Utah near the University of Utah.
- Explore Sugar House and 9th & 9th for local restaurants, shops, murals, and cafés.
- Visit Red Butte Garden for botanical displays and foothill views.
- Plan a separate day for Big Cottonwood Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, or the Great Salt Lake.
- Use TRAX, buses, walking, biking, rideshare, or a car based on your itinerary.
- Check current weather, trail conditions, event schedules, and attraction hours before visiting.
Salt Lake City Travel at a Glance:
What Are the Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City?
The best things to do in Salt Lake City include exploring Temple Square, visiting local museums, walking Downtown, trying local restaurants, and spending time in the nearby Wasatch Mountains. Visitors can also shop at City Creek Center, attend a performance at Eccles Theater, or plan a day trip to the Great Salt Lake.
Group activities by area to reduce travel time. Pair Downtown landmarks with dining and entertainment, or combine museums and Red Butte Garden near the University of Utah.
What Can You Do in Downtown Salt Lake City?
Downtown Salt Lake City offers historic landmarks, public spaces, shopping, restaurants, live events, and cultural attractions. Temple Square, Gallivan Center, the Salt Palace Convention Center, and City Creek Center are common starting points.
Downtown attractions include:
- Temple Square: Historic buildings, gardens, and visitor experiences
- Gallivan Center: Concerts, festivals, and seasonal ice skating
- City and County Building: Historic architecture and civic events
- City Creek Center: Shopping, restaurants, and indoor-outdoor public spaces
- Eccles Theater: Broadway productions, concerts, and performances
Check official schedules before visiting because events, tours, and seasonal programming change throughout the year.
What Museums and Cultural Attractions Are in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City museums include the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Natural History Museum of Utah. The city also offers performing arts, local galleries, public murals, and cultural events in Downtown and surrounding neighborhoods.
Visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts for art from different cultures and time periods. The Natural History Museum of Utah features exhibits focused on Utah’s geology, paleontology, ecosystems, and cultural history.
What Outdoor Activities Can You Do in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City provides access to hiking, biking, climbing, paddling, scenic drives, gardens, and winter recreation. Big Cottonwood Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, Red Butte Garden, and the Great Salt Lake offer outdoor options close to the city.
Popular outdoor activities include:
- Hiking or scenic driving in Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Walking, running, or hiking in Millcreek Canyon
- Visiting Red Butte Garden
- Exploring Antelope Island and Great Salt Lake viewpoints
- Biking through city neighborhoods and park routes
- Skiing or snowboarding at nearby mountain resorts
Bring water, sun protection, and layers for mountain weather. Check canyon road conditions and trail guidance before heading outdoors.
What Food and Neighborhoods Should You Explore in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City food includes local restaurants, international cuisine, coffee shops, breweries, farmers markets, and seasonal food events. Downtown, Sugar House, and 9th & 9th offer convenient places to explore dining and local businesses.
Consider these areas:
- Downtown: Restaurants, cafés, shopping, entertainment, and cultural attractions
- Sugar House: Local restaurants, parks, shops, and neighborhood events
- 9th & 9th: Cafés, boutiques, local food, and murals
- University area: Museums, gardens, cafés, and campus-adjacent dining
- Central City: Restaurants, breweries, music, and local businesses
Build meals into your daily route. Pair Downtown attractions with nearby dining, or add a coffee stop while exploring Sugar House or 9th & 9th.
What Shopping and Sports Can You Find in Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City offers shopping centers, local boutiques, sports venues, and concert spaces. City Creek Center provides shopping and dining in Downtown, while neighborhood districts offer local businesses and independent shops.
Sports and entertainment venues include:
- Delta Center: Utah Jazz games, concerts, and major events
- Rice-Eccles Stadium: University of Utah football and other events
- Eccles Theater: Broadway productions, concerts, and performing arts
- Gallivan Center: Outdoor events and seasonal programming
Review venue calendars and ticket information before attending an event.
How Should You Get Around Salt Lake City?
Use TRAX light rail, buses, walking, biking, rideshare, or a car to get around Salt Lake City. Downtown is walkable for many attractions, while a car can make mountain, canyon, lake, and ski-resort trips easier to organize.
Plan by neighborhood and avoid scheduling distant destinations on the same day. Check transit routes, parking options, and weather conditions before traveling to canyons or mountain areas.
Plan Your Salt Lake City Visit or Move.
Explore Salt Lake City by combining Downtown landmarks, local food, museums, neighborhood walks, and nearby outdoor destinations. Public Storage can help you put away permitted, clean, dry household items while you organize a move or settle into a Salt Lake City home.
Start downtown. Head for the mountains.
Salt Lake City Travel FAQs
What Are the Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City?
Popular Salt Lake City activities include visiting Temple Square, exploring Downtown, touring museums, shopping at City Creek Center, and spending time in nearby canyons and parks. The Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island are also common day-trip destinations.
What Outdoor Activities Are Near Salt Lake City?
Outdoor activities near Salt Lake City include hiking, biking, scenic drives, skiing, snowboarding, and lake visits. Big Cottonwood Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, Red Butte Garden, and Antelope Island provide common options.
What Museums Should You Visit in Salt Lake City?
Visit the Utah Museum of Fine Arts for art collections and the Natural History Museum of Utah for exhibits on Utah’s natural and cultural history. Both are near the University of Utah.
What Neighborhoods Should First-Time Visitors Explore in Salt Lake City?
First-time visitors can explore Downtown, Sugar House, 9th & 9th, Central City, and the University of Utah area. These areas offer museums, restaurants, shopping, public art, and outdoor access.
Do You Need a Car to Visit Salt Lake City?
You can use TRAX, buses, walking, biking, and rideshare services for many city destinations. A car is useful for Big Cottonwood Canyon, Millcreek Canyon, the Great Salt Lake, and nearby ski areas.
