The Weather and When To Visit Salt Lake City

It gets pretty chilly in the winter, with averages hovering around freezing. Summer, conversely, can get pretty hot, with temps in July of about 100. However, up in the mountains, it’s always about 20 degrees cooler, so it’s easy to get a break from any heatwave. Weather-wise, fall and spring are just about perfect-just remember that it gets cold at night, and always wear layers!

As for when to visit, it all depends on what you want to do! If you’re a skier, you already know that the best time to come is probably late November through April. Hikers love spring, the leaves here in the fall rival the colors in New England, and summer is a gorgeous explosion of wildflowers. Any time of year you visit, there are a ton of things to do in Salt Lake City.

Best Museums for Kids in Salt Lake City

1. Discovery Gateway Museum

The Discovery Gateway Museum is a hands-on children’s museum that is best for kids under 10, and will keep them playing for hours. It’s in the Gateway open air shopping center, along with the Clark Planetarium and Dave & Busters, so you can pretty much spend a whole day here.

The museum has a dino dig, rock climbing, a helicopter, pretend play areas, and so much more.

Did you know Utah has some of the most prolific fossil sites in the world? Check them out at the Natural History Museum.

2. Natural History Museum of Utah

If you’ve got a dino-lover, you will love Salt Lake City, and most of all, you will adore the dinosaur wing of the Natural History Museum of Utah. Here’s a fun fact: Utah is one of the world’s richest areas for dinosaur-fossil discovery. And this museum shows off some of the coolest dinosaur skeletons around.

3. The Leonardo Museum of Creativity and Innovation

Though The Leonardo is small, it’s mighty, and all the exhibits challenge you to think like Leonardo DaVinci. While it was thoughtful and fascinating, it was the play space that captured the imagination of my teenagers! We played in the airplane, with Legos, and I finally had to drag them away from the flight simulators.

After the Leonardo, visit Ken Sanders Rare Books which shares a building with the museum. It’s legendary, and you can find anything and everything here. A can’t miss for book lovers.

4. Clark Planetarium

The interactive exhibits and gift shop are free to enter at the small-but-wonderful Clark Planetarium. Duck in if you need a break from the weather, be it hot or cold, and then stay for a show in the IMAX or dome theater.

5. Museum of Natural Curiosity

The Museum of Natural Curiosity is great for kids 2-12. The highlight is the Canopy Tour, a high-ropes course that is suspended over 40 feet in the air over the museum. With over 400 exhibits that change, you can spend a large chunk of time at this museum.

It’s about a half hour south of the city at Thanksgiving Point, but once you’re here, you can also explore Ashton Gardens, the Butterfly Biosphere, Farm Country, and the Museum of Ancient Life. Makes for a fun whole-day excursion.

First thing to do at This Is The Place Heritage Park is hop on the train to see everything! Photo by Austen Diamond Photography

6. This Is The Place Heritage Park

Do not skip This is the Place Heritage Park! Learn about the history of the area in a hands-on, riveting way. Part living history museum, part hands-on activity learning center for kids, the museum is packed with activities that will take you several hours to explore.

Start with a train ride that gives you the lay on the land, and then move on to mining activities, pony rides, crafts (leather-working was a huge hit with all the kids we were there with), a playground, a splash pad in the summer, the Native American Village, demonstrations from pioneers, and more.

Best of all (for parents) is all the activities are included with admission, no nickel-and-diming you each time your kids want to try something else. Only food and trail rides cost extra.

You control how fast you zip down the mountain on the Alpine Slide at Snowbird. Photo courtesy of Visit Salt Lake

Best Outdoor Adventures for Kids in Salt Lake City

7. Snowbird

Skiers need no introduction to the wonders of a visit to ski or snowboard at the world famous Snowbird resort, but I’m here to extol the virtues to you of visiting year-round. In autumn, the fall leaves put on a spectacular show, and in the summer, summer activities take over the mountain, including an Alpine slide, mountain coaster, zip line, ropes course, climbing wall, bungee trampoline, and more.

The highlight of a summer visit is taking the only aerial tram in all of North America with an open air roof deck. Feel like you’re flying above it all (and be sure to look out for the moose and deer below!) and then take a hike through patches of snow with wildflowers poking through. Gorgeous.

You can escape the heat or snow while watching this furry guy prowl at Hogle Zoo.

8. Utah's Hogle Zoo

Hogle Zoo is utterly charming. While it’s not huge, the enclosures make you feel like you could just walk right up to the animals (don’t worry, kids can’t), and meet them. The friendly zoo keepers wandering the grounds, telling stories of how many of the rescued animals came to be living here, add to the accessible-feeling of the zoo.

Don’t miss the little play house with a window into the leopard enclosure, where you can sit and watch this magnificent beast prowl.

Unless it's snowing, something is always in bloom at the peaceful Red Butte Garden.

9. Red Butte Garden

Right next to the Natural History Museum, Red Butte is one of the largest botanical gardens in the area and serves as the state arboretum of Utah. It’s a serene place with miles of trails and hikes to explore, along with an adorable Children’s Garden.

Beautiful views of the mountains and city make it a great place to start exploring SLC, and it’s hard to pick between visiting in the spring when wildflowers explode into bloom and summer, when the seriously cool summer concert series takes place.

10. Tracy Aviary

In the middle of Liberty Park in the Tracy Aviary, where you’ll find every type of feathered friend imaginable. It’s a great place for kids to run around and see the birds, whether in the trees or in a bird show. The staff knows their birds and will bring out cool ones for you to meet, and the flamingos, storks, owls, and other unusual birds delight kids. You can feed the lorikeets, too!

11. International Peace Garden

This free little garden won’t take a lot of your time, but it’s worth stopping by. It’s one of only two peace gardens in the US and so far there are 28 countries with plots. It’s just a pretty, meditative spot to wander through and talk about the world and peace with your kids.

The garden is next to Jordan Park, which has several playgrounds and a skate park, so it’s perfect for kids to run around after a walk in the park.

12. Olympic Legacy Plaza

Opened in 2001 ahead of the SLC 2002 Winter Games, Olympic Legacy Plaza is at the Gateway Shopping Center, and is an easy Olympic pilgrimage if you won’t get to Park City’s Olympic Park. It’s a once and future site: it was just announced that the Winter Olympics will be back here in 2034!

13. Meet Hoodah the Troll

Head over to the Granary District to take in Hoodah, the giant troll that protects the Granary District. He’s a large wooden statue, beautifying the abandoned train tracks that run through the city. He’s big, he’s goofy, and he’s pretty darn cool.

It's finding the hidden treasures, like the Gilgal Sculpture Garden, that make you feel like you really know a city.

14. Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Another free little garden, the hidden Gilgal Sculpture Garden has 12 original sculptures and over 70 stones engraved with scriptures, poems, stories. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like there’s something special about a city, and you are one of the people in on its secrets.

15. Capitol Building

Take a tour, wander the grounds, or see some art. Time permitting, take a tour! It’s fascinating and free.

16. Temple Square

Currently (in 2024) the Temple Square is under renovation and some things are closed. For example, you also can’t see the Temple itself, as it’s under scaffolding. However, many things remain open and free, including (at various times) the Visitor’s Center, gardens, Family Discovery Center, Children’s Museum and more.

This is the heart of the Mormon Church and the founding of the city, so to understand Salt Lake, you’ve got to visit Temple Square.

17. Liberty Park

Liberty Park is Salt Lake City’s oldest park, there are loads of things to do here with kids. Home of the Tracy Aviary, paddle boats, playgrounds, a splash pad, and rides, it’s a great place to use as a jumping off spot for the day. Start with breakfast at Park Cafe and then take a ebike tour, while you’re here; see more on both these things below.

18. Downtown Saturday Market

From 8am to 2pm in Pioneer Park all summer (June through mid-October) you can experience the best farmers market in the state. Come hungry, as you’ll want to sample all the foods, get yourself a breakfast or lunch, and bring some local produce home or to your hotel for snacks. Stock up on local honey and honey products, as this is the Beehive State!

19. Donut Falls 

This easy hike is our pick for families with little kids. It’s about 1.5 miles out and back and can be done in under an hour, and you’re rewarded with spectacular scenery and waterfalls! You will have to drive about 10 miles outside the city for this hike, up to Big Cottonwood Canyon.

20. Living Room Trail

If you’re up for a slightly more adventurous hike, the Living Room Trail is our pick. This popular hike is perfect for anyone looking to get outdoors without leaving the city. Its infamous name comes from the red rock "couches" & "chairs" that can be found at the end of the hike.

Sporty Things To Do in Salt Lake City

21. Utah Olympic Oval

About 20 minutes south of the city in Kearns, anyone can skate, year round, on the ice that holds more Olympic World Records than anywhere on earth! The price is right (under $10), the rental gear is plentiful, and it’s a chance to be part of history.

22. See the Utah Hockey Club

The new expansion hockey team is so new it doesn’t even have a name yet! But they’ll be skating in the NHL for the 2024-25 season, so by the time you read this, they may have a new name to go with their new home.

23. Catch a Utah Jazz Game

This is the true love of Utah sports fans, and catching a game at the Delta Center will make you feel like a local.

24. Real SLC

Love soccer? See a game at the America First Field, which is a beautiful soccer stadium.

25. City eBike Tour with Salt Lake eBikes

There’s no better way to see the city than walking or biking around it. It’s a fun way for bigger kids to see the whole city, and hear a little history from a local. Plus, the bikes are so cool!

Day Trips from Salt Lake City

26. Antelope Island State Park

Want to know where the buffalo roam? Right here! At the southern edge of the Great Salt Lake, Antelope Island is home to free-ranging bison, mule deer, bighorn sheep, antelope, and many other desert animals –plus literally millions of birds.

Spend the day just walking around, hiking, biking, horseback riding, swimming, or eBiking. You can even spend the night at the campgrounds on the island. As a state park, the newest in Utah, there are entrance fees for cars, bikes, and pedestrians ($15 per car and $3 per person or bike).

27. Great Salt Lake

This 20,000 square mile lake, the second saltiest in the world, is also a wildlife refuge attracting millions of birds every year. Locals suggest hiking around it, taking a boat ride to explore it, or even swimming in it. 

Swimming in the salt lake is more to say you did it, than to actually enjoy the experience. The high salt content makes it almost impossible to swim; your feet will naturally float up above your head, and you really want to keep eyes and mouths shut!

Here are the coolest places to use as a starting point to explore the Great Salt Lake:

• Antelope Island – See above!

• Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve – If you’re not sure where to go, this is a great place to start where you can watch the birds, take a walk along the boardwalk, and climb the tower.

• Spiral Jetty – The Spiral Jetty was named the official state work of art by the Utah legislature in 2017. It feels like it’s in the middle of nowhere, and this natural outdoor sculpture by Robert Smithson gives you a unique view of the land.

• Stansbury Island – This island on the south side of Great Salt Lake has a giant cave that’s really fun for kids. There's a long hiking or biking trail, but you can also just walk to the cave. If you know where to look, you can also find amazing petroglyphs.

28. Lagoon Amusement Park

Lagoon Amusement Park is one of the last independent, locally-owned amusement parks in the country. There are rides and attractions for kids of all ages, making it a great spot for families with kids who span the ages. In addition to the usual amusement park rides, there is a historic Pioneer Village, the Lagoon A Beach Waterpark, entertainment, games, and a campground.

 29. Park City

Park City is known for skiing and the Sundance Film Festival, but it’s also gorgeous for summer hikes, has an adorable little town center to walk around, and is a can’t miss spot any time of year for one reason: the Olympics. Olympic Park was built for the 2002 Olympics (and will be used again in 2034!) and it’s still the OSOC training facility for the Winter Olympics.

The park is in use year round, and in the summer you can see people ski-jumping into pools of water at the freestyle shows and even put your own athletic abilities to the test with a summer bobsled ride or other activities like the Alpine slide, extreme tubing, ziplines, and more. In the winter, you also definitely want to take a sleigh ride and visit the ice castles!

If you have any more time in Park City, try to take a tour that focuses on the fascinating history of the local silver mines. You can take a hiking tour through Deer Valley Resort, a walking tour with the Park City Museum, or a Park City Ghost Tour (if your kids ain’t afraid of no ghosts).

30. Bonneville Salt Flats

I admit we were mainly interested in Bonneville because my husband is a car guy. However, we all quickly became fascinated with the salt flats. Where the Salt Lake has evaporated there are now over 30,000 acres of land that is flat, barren, and crusted with salt. It’s so flat and so immense, you can see the earth begin to curve! 

While many people do visit for racing events, you can also just drive out and walk around. A great place to do that is at the Salt Flats Rest Area near milepost 10. Don’t wear sandals here, as the salt is sharp enough to leave cuts. Learn more about visiting this natural wonder here.

Famous Salt Lake City Events To Plan Your Trip Around

31. Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series

From the beginning of June to the end of September, the Garden hosts eclectic artists of world renown in the spectacular outdoor amphitheater. Locals say it’s worth planning your visit around!

32. Pioneer Day

Pioneer Day is on July 24, and celebrates the settling of the region by Mormon pioneers in 1847. There are parades, drone shows (fireworks are prohibited in many neighborhoods in SLC), festivals, and rodeos. Some locals call it Pie and Beer Day, which is also a fantastic way to celebrate the day!

Hike through wildflowers in the mountains, as they peek through the last of the snow.

33. Wildflower bloom

Peak wildflower season in the Salt Lake City foothills is early June through mid-July, and it's a gorgeous time of the year to visit and do some hiking.

34. Oktoberfest at Snowbird

Oktoberfest is weeks of fun for the whole family, featuring activities, live music, traditional Bavarian food, and over 50 varieties of beer from mid-August to mid-October.

It's not just about beer and brats. Oktoberfest has plenty of family-friendly activities with face-painting, street performers, and all of the incredible summer activities Snowbird is known for. Shoot to visit in October, when you get all the fun plus fall colors in the mountains that are so striking and bright, it seems unreal.

35. Christmas!

You might not think of Salt Lake City as a typical Christmas Village, but with a snowy winter wonderland as far as the eye can see, Zoo Lights, the lights at Temple Square, and the Christmas Market at This is the Place!, SLC is magical during the holiday season.

Red Iguana has so many mole sauces to pick from, plus a fantastic kids menu! Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Best Family Restaurants in Salt Lake City

36. Swig

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints specifically prohibits alcohol, tobacco, tea, and coffee-but not soda. Sugar seems to be a stand in here for all other vices, and soda-fountain chains, usually also serving cookies, are a real thing in Salt Lake City. With several locations, including drive-thrus, Swig is king of the mountain.

If you want to swig at Swig like a local, try a dirty soda, which is a sparkling beverage with something creamy added to it. 

37. Caputo’s Market 

Caputo’s is the perfect place to pick up the makings of a great picnic to fuel a hike or day trip. Load up on fantastic sandwiches and salads, plus gourmet goodies like chips and drinks, and while you’re here check out the cheese cave and amazing wall of chocolate bars. Some of the chocolate bars are made by Caputo’s in partnership with farms in the Rainforest - they’re amazing!

38. Park Cafe

Near Liberty Park, this friendly cafe serves up huge portions of delicious breakfasts. You might see some of the Utah Jazz players hanging out here, as it’s a popular refueling spot for the team. Locals in the know, who can’t eat as much as a professional athlete, recommend asking for a half portion.

39. Red Iguana 2

Salt Lake City’s most popular Mexican spot is always so packed it had to open a second location, where you’re more likely to find a table. Start with the addictive chips and salsa and move on to a mole - there are about 10 different kinds which you can order on anything, and they’re all great. The kids menu is a winner and the margaritas are a perfect pairing with the food.

40. Pizza Nono

If you’re hanging out in the 9th and 9th neighborhood, which is a cool shopping and foodie destination, swing by Nono Pizza for some wood fired pizza that you can eat indoors or out. Kids and pups are welcome.

41. Eva

Hands down the best food I had in Salt Lake City was at Eva, a small plates restaurant. The sister restaurant is Eva’s Bakery, which is a wonderful breakfast spot. You can order some of Eva’s Bakery’s incredible bread with dinner, alongside a smattering of plates with tastes from all over the world. While there’s no kids menu, there are loads of things kids adore that they can build a meal from, like pizza, french fries, bread, and more. The menu changes, but try whatever your waiter recommends. And a hand crafted cocktail, too.

42. Rockwell Ice Cream

The third time an Uber driver asks if you’ve tried Rockwell yet, it makes you think you should really try Rockwell. The G.O.A.T. flavor won best ice cream in America in 2019, but my family preferred the fresh mint chip, the Muddy Buddy that magically stayed crunchy, and my favorite, the Honey Comb. If you’re really hungry, you can get a warm cookie that comes in a mini cast iron skillet with a scoop of ice cream on top. If you don’t get a chance to try it on your trip, you can get a scoop at the airport!

43. Normal Ice Cream

If you’re more into soft serve, try Normal. It’s anything but. You pick a flavor, which includes unique ones like guava or hojicha green tea, a dip, and toppings. You can also get “Composed Cones” where they pick interesting flavors that you might not have imagined tasting good together or ice cream bars or sandwiches.

44. RubySnaps Fresh Cookies

With all the cookie shops in Salt Lake City, it can be hard to know where to go. So we asked local friends and everyone with kids said RubySnap Fresh Cookies. Not only are these cookies sinfully delicious, they encourage you to sample as many flavors as you want before selecting your cookies. My advice: be sure to try the cookie of the month! And also get the Cowboy Crunch, if available. It’s truly unique.

Yes, this is the lobby at the Evo Hotel, and you get day passes for this and the indoor skate park when you stay!

Best Salt Lake City Hotels for Kids and Families

45. Evo Hotel

Super dog-friendly, with a cool local coffee roaster coffee shop in the lobby alongside the rock climbing gym and skate park that guests can use, this hotel is catnip for active kids. The rooms are a little small, so book a family bunk room or room with a patio for a little extra space.

46. Hilton Salt Lake City Center

Great location, gorgeous views, fantastic pool that’s open late - a super solid, reliable, easy option when traveling with kids.

47. Grand America Hotel

This hotel was built for the 2002 Winter Olympics.  It is a large and elegant hotel in the middle of the city and it’s 100% kid-friendly. There’s an indoor pool, and outdoor pool, and all the amenities you could need for your kids - simply tell them when booking if you’ll require a crib, bath accessories (lotion, shampoo, baby bath tub), a bottle warmer, diaper disposal system, outlet covers, or a humidifier!

48. Hotel Monaco

Hotel Monaco is a sophisticated high-rise that caters to families by having anything you might need, including a complimentary Family Fridge Program to safely store breast milk, kid-sized Micro Kickboard scooters and Nutcase helmets that you can borrow, and pets stay free.

49. Cliff Lodge at Snowbird

Talk about a room with a view. Though technically this isn’t in Salt Lake city, it’s worth the 40 minute drive to spend the night in the mountains. While it’s an iconic ski lodge, prices are higher and the lodge is busier in the winter, and I’d recommend staying here if you’re in Salt Lake City for the summer. The rooftop pool has spectacular views, you can wake up and hike out the front door, child care is available for kids 6 weeks to 12 years old, and the hotels restaurants are fantastic (check out the bathrooms, especially the men’s room, at SeventyOne!). It’s not the cheapest option in town, but it’s worth it.

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