Updated July 27th, 2023

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Everyone knows to go see the White House in DC, the Statue of Liberty in NY, and the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. Do you know the can’t miss things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah? This Salt Lake City itinerary will show you the best of the city.

Salt Lake City (SLC) may not be as well known as other large US cities, but it is worth a visit for sure. I love the mid-sized modern city tucked in a valley surrounded by towering mountains. This Salt Lake City itinerary is geared towards 5 days in Utah’s capital city. It is organized by the best things to do in Salt Lake City and by location, but mix and match the activities to fit your schedule and interests!

Salt Lake City Itinerary

Salt Lake City Itinerary FAQs

Before we get into the day by day Salt Lake City itinerary let’s go over some general trip planning!

What is Salt Lake City known for?

Salt Lake City is best known for the surrounding mountains, outdoor activities, and the large presence of Mormons.

When should I visit Salt Lake City?

The perfect time to visit SLC is before or after a trip to any of the big five southern Utah National Parks: Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion. Combine a trip to explore the best of the state’s hiking, culture, scenery, history, and food.

The parks are best visited in the spring and the fall, and so is Salt Lake City. Prime fall foliage is the first two weeks of October. If you are a hiker this is an ideal time to visit.

How many days do you need in Salt Lake City?

I am all about slow travel, not rushing from place to place, and really getting to know each destination I visit. That is why I made this Salt Lake City itinerary for five days. Many people only visit Salt Lake City for a day or two though. As I mentioned you can use this itinerary as a list of things to do in Salt Lake City and choose what appeals to you the most.

How do I get to Salt Lake City?

Delta has a hub in Salt Lake City so it’s easy to reach from smaller cities in the west and larger cities throughout the country and even many abroad.

How do I get around Salt Lake City?

In the Salt Lake City itinerary below you can walk and take public transportation. TRAX, the light rail system, runs directly from the airport to downtown. There are a few routes that go in and out of downtown. There are also public buses that use the same fare system. In the downtown region transportation is free.

Having a car on days 3 and 4 will be more convenient, but not necessary. When going places downtown and in Capitol Hill leave the car behind if you have one.

How do I save money in Salt Lake City?

Many of the activities in this Salt Lake City itinerary are free. All of the activities that require an admission are included on the Connect Pass. It offers 365 days of access to 18 attractions. If you live in SLC you can easily get your money’s worth and visit all 18 places. Even if you are only in Salt Lake City for five days you’ll save at least $39 by buying this pass and following this Salt Lake City itinerary.

Where should I stay in Salt Lake City?

Stay downtown to be in walking distance or a short light rail ride away from everything there is to see and do in Salt Lake City.

The five star Grand America is an excellent choice. The majestic hotel always receives rave reviews, especially the bathrooms!

The Little America hotel across the street also is a great choice, but not quite as expensive as Grand America.

Booking.com

Day 1: Learn About the Latter-Day Saints

One of the main reasons to travel is to experience and learn about different ways of life. Before visiting Salt Lake City my knowledge of Mormons was limited to the musical, The Book of Mormon. Needless to say I really knew nothing about the religion.

Salt Lake City is heavily influenced by the Mormon religion (Latter-Day Saints). Temple Square is the heart of the church. You’ll find the majority of the buildings open to visit and tour. When planning your Salt Lake City itinerary you must include time to learn about and visit the buildings central to this faith.

I do have to say the “Hello” song from the musical is comical, but built on some truth. Mormons all around Temple Square will be saying “hello” to you. Every single person was very warm and welcoming. I was asked to listen to a scripture a couple of times on tours and the religious beliefs were of course highlighted, but they were never pushed. Be prepared that you will be asked where you are from no less than a hundred times!

All of the following places are free to visit! There are restrooms at the Church Museum, near Assembly Hall, and at the Conference Center.

Church History Museum

If you are like me and know nothing about the religion the best place to start is at the Church History Museum. The main exhibit goes through the early days of the religion from the beginning when Joseph Smith received his first vision to when Brigham Young led the Saints out west to what is now Salt Lake City.

While the museum is of course based in the religion, the information is full of history and easy to understand and follow. Volunteers throughout the museum are more than happy to answer questions. Regardless of your beliefs you will gain an understanding of how the religion started, the movement west, the persecution the Saints experienced in the Midwest, and the ultimate journey to establishment in SLC.

There are also other ongoing and temporary exhibits. One exhibit is on all the former presidents of the church. When I visited there was a unique art exhibit that featured artwork done by artists from around the world. Through a variety of mediums the pieces showed how we “all are alike unto God”.

If you are interested in learning more about your family history, visit the Family History Library next door.

Temple Square Tour

Temple Square is made up of the Assembly Hall, Tabernacle, and Temple.

The historic Assembly Hall was the original place of worship from 1882. The Tabernacle was built in order to hold large conferences. Now it is mostly used for the Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra.

Until 2025 the Temple is under construction. When it reopens there will be a six month period where the public can visit the Temple. Other than that, temples are not open to non-Mormon members.

You are free to visit the grounds and inside of the Assembly Hall and Tabernacle on your own. You can also take a guided tour with two sister missionaries. Many of the missionaries are very open to questions. Learning about their missions and lives was just as interesting to me as visiting the buildings.

Lunch at CityCreek

As a break from everything you are learning about Mormons and to fuel up to learn more, head to the food court at City Creek. Across from Temple Square the mall at City Creek is a convenient stop. There are a mix of national fast food chains such as Chick-fil-A and Sbarro and more local places.

There is A Taste of Red Iguana, which is the street food version of the popular restaurant. If you can’t make it to dinner at Red Iguana, try the fast casual version.

Bocata is a local spot with salads and sandwiches. I didn’t know it when I ordered, but the Cuban Pork is their most popular. After tasting it I could see why!

Conference Center Tour

Now the semi-annual gatherings of the Latter-Day Saints takes place in the Conference Center. The auditorium can seat up to 21,000 people! You can tour the conference center with two sister missionaries or on your own. There are missionaries stationed around the building that will ask if you have any questions.

The building is of course huge to hold such a big auditorium, but it also contains several floors with different seating areas and small art galleries. The outdoor rooftop offers a nice view of the rest of Temple Square and downtown. There is a separate guided tour of the rooftop gardens. It’s a nice little stroll along the roof, but I wasn’t overly impressed. It is a good time to ask questions though!

If you are touring on your own don’t miss the replica of the Temple that offers an inside look of the Temple’s rooms.

Beehive House Tour

The Beehive House is the former home of the second president of the church, Brigham Young. The house is restored to look like the late 1800s. On the guided tour you will learn more about Brigham Young and the furnishings in the house.

It is currently closed for renovations until 2025.

Brigham Young Historic Park

This small historic park was created to show what lives and trades where like at the time Brigham Young lived in the area. The short, paved loop trail takes you around the park to the different sculptures and plaques. There are numerous shady benches along the perimeter.

Dinner at Red Iguana

Head to the best Mexican in Salt Lake City for dinner. The colorful spot just west of downtown is a casual place with really good Mexican.

From your first bite of the chips and salsa you’ll be in love! The menu is huge so it will be hard to decide, but everything is delicious. I ordered the Chile Verde Chimichanga and it came with a big portion of their yummy guacamole. As the guacamole by itself is $12.99 it is a good way to try it with your meal!

To reach Red Iguana from Temple Square you will need to walk about 20 minutes or hop on the green Trax line for a short 5 minute journey. As Red Iguana is the highest rated Mexican restaurant in the city you will want to make a reservation, especially on weekends.

Day 2: Head to Capitol Hill

On day two of your Salt Lake City itinerary visit Capitol Hill. This neighborhood just north of Downtown is home to the state capitol of course. It is also close to several trailheads into the nearby mountains.

Utah Daughters of the Pioneers Museum

This free museum is packed with artifacts from the pioneers. There are four floors of artifacts grouped into categories. The small collections include quilts, eye glasses, dolls, clothing, sewing machines, pottery, and anything else you could imagine the pioneers owning.

I was given a bingo card when entering. It seemed like a fun activity for children. I’m not sure if they give it to everyone or I just seemed like someone who would enjoy doing it! In case you are wondering I most definitely played and found every object on the card except for one. Let me know if you see the fire engine!

It was interesting seeing all the objects, but it was almost a bit overwhelming. There was so much stuff! Everything is labeled and there are a handful of descriptions, but I would have liked a little more information to go along with the artifacts.

Utah State Capitol Tour

The Utah State Capitol is one of the prettiest capitols I have toured. Guided tours take place weekdays on the hour from 10am – 3pm. On the guided tour I had access to places that aren’t available on a self-guided tour as well as learning more than I would have on my own. Visit April – December when the legislature is not in session for better access to more rooms. Self-guided tours are an option during the capitol business hours.

The tour will highlight the artwork and architecture of the building as well as the chambers for the three branches of government. After the tour you can explore more on your own and check out more of the art and exhibits. When I visited there was an exhibit on the Japanese Americans who were forced to an internment camp in Utah during WWII.

Picnic Lunch

There are not a lot of places to eat around Capitol Hill. While it doesn’t look that far away from Downtown, it is called Capitol Hill for a reason. Due to the big hills it can take longer than expected to head back to Downtown.

The benches around the Capitol or at Memory Grove Park make for nice picnic spots. The park contains many different memorials and leads to the City Creek Canyon Trailhead.

Siegfried’s Delicatessen is a good spot if you would like to dine somewhere. The counter service place is popular with locals and visitors alike. There can be lines, but overall you receive your food very quickly. You’ll find all your German favorites here such as wursts, wiener schnitzel, and spaetzle. I liked the wiener schnitzel more than the wursts.

Hike

If you aren’t Mormon (and maybe even if you are), one of the biggest draws to living in Salt Lake City is the close proximity to hiking.

The City Creek Canyon Trail is close to the capitol. Walk through Memory Grove Park to reach the trailhead. The park has a paved and a dirt path. The dirt path involved some treacherous incline paths. It seemed to eventually end. You can walk on it, but when you reach the bridge across the creek to the paved path you may want to take it!

There is a parking lot and restroom just up the road a couple of minutes from the City Creek Canyon Trailhead and sign. The trail is part of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) which runs through the eastern side of the city. This part of the trail is fairly narrow and doesn’t have an overlook. It’s a nice trail through some meadows and trees.

The Ensign Peak Trailhead is north of the capitol. It’s a popular 1 mile out and back hike with great views. Even though the hike is known as one of the easiest hikes in Salt Lake City, there is 400 feet of elevation gain. If you are walking from the capitol there is about another 400 feet of elevation gain just to reach the trailhead.

It’s a popular hike so you most likely won’t be alone. It offers great views of the city at the top. The closest restrooms are at the capitol or at the visitor center across the street from the capitol.

Dinner at Cafe Shambala

This Tibetan restaurant may be my favorite restaurant in all of Salt Lake City. Located in The Avenues it is fairly close to Capitol Hill. The menu items do not have descriptions. For the most part dishes like chicken and broccoli, are fairly straight forward, but you never know exactly what you are going to get. If there are any vegetables you don’t like make sure to ask for your dish without them.

The main dishes are delicious, but the fried veggie momos and the passion fruit smoothie are the best parts!

Day 3: See the Beauty of Salt Lake City

On day three head to the east near the University of Utah. Several of the city’s cultural and historical attractions are located in this area as well as close access to the mountains.

Red Butte Garden

Red Butte Garden is the perfect spot to see the beauty of Utah. The garden is located on the eastern edge of the city along the mountains. Salt Lake City’s mountain views are beautiful and even more so alongside the colorful plants and flowers within the gardens. The switchback paths in the Water Conservation Garden lead to many viewpoints and seating areas to see downtown SLC.

It’s hard to decide my favorite garden, but the Rose Garden may have been at the top of my list. If the vibrant shades of pink and red roses don’t draw you in, the sweet fragrant smells will. Speaking of good scents the Fragrance Garden and the Herb Garden also provide a treat for your senses.

In addition to the walking paths within the gardens there are miles and miles of nature trails. If you plan to visit the main gardens and do some hiking on the nature trails make sure to allow several hours.

Free tram tours are offered daily. Similar to the Capital Hill area there are not a lot of restaurants directly around the area. You can bring a picnic lunch or eat at the Canyon Cafe at the Natural History Museum.

The garden is included on the Connect Pass.

Natural History Museum of Utah

I admit my least favorite type of museum is a natural history museum. I obtained a free pass through the SLC library so I figured I might as well check it out. My favorite exhibit was Native Voices about the different Native American tribes in Utah. I’m much more interested in learning about people, than most science topics so I didn’t spend a lot of time in the rest of the museum.

Although the exhibits on organisms, ecosystems, past worlds, and the land of Utah aren’t that interesting to me, the exhibits were well done. It’s cool to understand the science behind the land and then look at the windows and see the stunning scenery for yourself!

If you have an interest in natural history I would encourage a visit. The modern museum is set up well to start at the fifth floor and then slowly make your way back down to the main floor. One exhibit leads into the next. The museum is included on the Connect Pass.

Living Room Trail

If you include one hike on your Salt Lake City itinerary, you may want to choose the Living Room hike. It’s one of the most popular for a reason.

If driving, park on Colorow Rd and take the pedestrian access point from the road. If you are taking a bus you will be able to get about 10 minutes walk away from the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. This trail runs right past the Natural History Museum of Utah and Red Butte Garden. The gardens and the museum are a good place to make a restroom stop before the hike (both are before you pay admission).

The Bonneville Shoreline Trail (BST) connects with the living room hike. The BST runs along the eastern edge of SLC at the base of the mountains. Various trails head up the mountain. The Living Room hike is marked by a large yellow sign with the number 174 on it.

The Living Room trail is about 2.5 miles out and back. It is a bit rocky in parts, but overall fairly easy terrain. There is 1000 feet of elevation gain in a pretty short time. Especially on really hot days this can make the hike quite challenging. The view at the top is well worth the effort. Plus you’ll be able to enjoy the view on rock seats that look like they are living room furniture! It’s a good one to save for sunset at the end of the day.

Dinner at Skewered Thai

Skewered Thai near Trolley Square is only a 10 minute drive away. It is a cute brick building with a large menu of all the best Thai dishes. It was one of those places where I had a really hard time deciding what to order. My choice of Pad Woon Sen was a good one!

Day 4: Mix History & Art

Spend the day back on the eastern side of Salt Lake City near the University of Utah. Then finish up day four in downtown SLC.

This is the Place Heritage Park

Brigham Young exclaimed “this is the place” in the site of the current This is the Place Heritage Park. There is a large monument commemorating this moment and the Mormons decision to stay in what is now Salt Lake City.

There are a few other statues within the park including the Pony Express statue. The small exhibit explains the short role the Pony Express played in America’s great west history. The grounds are free to visit along with the Pioneer Center and gift shop (with restrooms).

The Heritage Park Village requires a paid admission, included on the Connect Pass. The historic village is set up to resemble what the city looked like in the early days of the pioneers. Most of the buildings were real buildings and businesses or homes that were moved from their original locations.

It is a big place so if you want to see it all and take your time you will need at least 3 – 4 hours. All the buildings have signs out front describing their historical significance, but you can go inside most of them. Docents in historical dress or actual skilled craftsmen will give you more information. A free train makes loops around the village. It’s a nice way to learn more about the buildings and save some time from walking from place to place.

If you have been following this Salt Lake City itinerary you know there are not a lot of places to eat in this part of the city. There is a restaurant at This is the Place. You may want to consider eating there or bringing a picnic lunch to save time, especially if you are taking public transportation.

Hogle Zoo

The zoo is the only place I included in this Salt Lake City itinerary that I haven’t had a chance to visit yet. I have heard great things about it and it is near This is the Place so can easily be added to your day 4 itinerary. It is included on the Connect Pass as well.

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

I really enjoyed the museum. It isn’t one of the largest art museums in the country, but you can easily fill several hours taking your time through the various galleries. My favorite was the European paintings. Several rooms take you through centuries of European artwork, including one on portraits. I’m always so impressed with the detailed paintings of people.

There are also exhibits with artwork from other cultures including art from Africa, the Pacific, China, and Mesopotamia. Downstairs the small gallery on regional art is a nice way to see some paintings from Utah.

There’s also a rotating exhibit. When I visited there was a large exhibit on Air. It focused on many aspects of air through art. It covered the BLM protests and how some individuals are less likely to have access to clean air. There was also information about the uranium mines and the air pollution they cause on Native lands.

The museum cafe serves soups, salads, sandwiches, and beverages. It is included on the Connect Pass.

The Leonardo

Finish the day off in downtown SLC at the Leonardo, a unique museum that was inspired by Leonardo Da Vinci. Just as Leonardo wasn’t interested in only one subject, the museum is also a mixture of areas. The Da Vinci lab is a fun area that gives some information about Da Vinci, but also offers a variety of hands on activities that connect to the innovator’s interests. There are a lot of fun challenges for both children and adults.

The main exhibit “Flight” is about the history and science of flying. You can climb inside an enormous C-131 aircraft, try out a flight simulator, and have fun with several other interactive activities. Another exhibit “Black Wings” is also about the history of flight, but focused on African American aviators. I enjoyed this exhibit and found it very informative and interesting.

There are art installations and another small exhibit about innovators from Utah. The Leonardo also has immersive experiences such as Van Gogh 360, that can be found in several cities around the country.

The Leonardo is included on the Connect Pass.

Salt Lake City Library – Main Branch

If you have extra time and a love of architecture or books, visit the SLC library next to the Leonardo. The six story curving structure is one of the most unique buildings in the city. Free tours focused on the building and library resources are available at 12pm the first Wednesday of every month.

Dinner in Downtown Salt Lake City

Unlike other SLC neighborhoods, there are numerous places to eat in the southern part of downtown. For Thai dine at Krua Thai. Salt & Olive is a delicious pizza spot. Himalayan Kitchen is great for Indian. If you are craving Chinese, head to Red Lotus Bistro. Arempas is the place to go for fast casual Venezuelan food. Those are just my top choices within an 8 minute walk of the Leonardo!

Day 5: Explore More in SLC

If you have a 5th day in your Salt Lake City itinerary you can explore Liberty Park and the happenings at The Gateway on the western side of downtown.

Liberty Park

Liberty Park is the second largest park in the city. It is a nice place for a short walk.

If you visit on Wednesday through Saturday take a look inside the Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts. It is a small, free museum that features contemporary folk art from Utah artists. I never thought of Utah as an overly diverse state, but the museum changed my perspective. It features artists from many different cultures and countries that are now living in Utah.

In addition to the art inside, the building itself is a historic site. There is a timeline inside the museum that explains more about the home and the history of Liberty Park. Note that there are no restrooms inside the museum, but there are park restrooms nearby at the playground.

Tracy Aviary is another place to visit in Liberty Park. Keeper talks, bird shows, bird encounters, and exhibits with over 300 birds showcase the aviary’s birds from around the world. The aviary is included on the Connect Pass.

International Peace Gardens

If it is a nice day and you want to spend more time outdoors, take a stroll through the International Peace Gardens. The free gardens have small sections for different countries. Each area is set up to represent a country or has flowers, plants, or structures dedicated to the country. It makes for an interesting tour of the world right from Salt Lake City!

Brunch at Hub & Spoke Diner

Hub and Spoke Diner is one of the best brunch places in Salt Lake City. I have had some of the best chicken and waffles in Atlanta, but the ones here were just as good. I was impressed with the chicken and liked how an egg and potatoes also came with the meal. I was utterly stuffed when I left though!

Reservations are only available weekdays and at the beginning and end of day on weekends. Despite having a reservation we waited for more than seemed necessary when the restaurant was half empty.

Gateway

If you have read my post on Atlanta Food Halls & Mixed-Use Complexes, you know I always seek out cool mixed-use developments like The Gateway in Salt Lake City. The Gateway is located downtown and full of shops and restaurants.

You’ll find a lot of street art and color here, as well as nice places to sit outside. Many events take place throughout the week, such as free sunset yoga on Wednesday nights in the summer. There are also free movies at the plaza on Thursday nights in the summer.

Clark Planetarium

Located in The Gateway, the Clark Planetarium is a fun place for kids of all ages to learn about space. The free exhibits are educational and interactive. I would say there was a lot more playing than reading going on though! I sure had fun trying to disturb a tornado, make a seismic jump, and stop asteroids from hitting the earth.

The Dome theater and Imax theater on site both play a few different shows every day for an added cost. They are included on the Connect Pass.

Dinner at HallPass

Another spot to check out in The Gateway is HallPass, Utah’s first food hall. The food hall is small, but with several good places to eat. I enjoyed my meal at SkinnyFats and liked the concept of offering both healthy and happy meals!

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