Discover The Best Activities For Your Next Adventure With These Things To Do In Utah

Utah is a state with stunning natural scenery and outdoor recreation opportunities. There is something to appreciate for everyone, regardless of whether you are an enthusiastic hiker, a history enthusiast, or just trying to chill. We will explore the top things to do in Utah, from national parks and museums to cultural landmarks and outdoor adventures.

Visit the Mighty Five National Parks

The Mighty Five National Parks in Utah are among the most breathtaking natural wonders on earth. These parks are a must-see for every outdoor enthusiast, offering everything from massive canyons and mesas to towering red rock formations. There are five parks:

  • Arches National Park: Home to over 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the famous Delicate Arch.
  • Bryce Canyon National Park: Known for its unique rock formations called hoodoos and stunning night sky views.
  • Canyonlands National Park: Features dramatic canyons, towering mesas, and scenic overlooks.
  • Capitol Reef National Park: Offers stunning views of colorful sandstone cliffs, canyons, and natural bridges.
  • Zion National Park: Features towering red rock formations, narrow slot canyons, and scenic hiking trails.

Take a Scenic Drive

Some of the most beautiful roads in the nation may be found in Utah. A scenic drive is the ideal way to accomplish so, whether your goal is to tour the national parks or is simply to take in the breathtaking scenery. The following are a few of Utah’s top drives:

  • Alpine Loop Scenic Byway
  • Mirror Lake Scenic Byway
  • Logan Canyon Scenic Byway
  • Highway 12 Scenic Byway

Explore Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is Utah’s largest city and offers a variety of attractions for visitors. Some of the top things to do in Salt Lake City include:

  • Visit the Temple Square: The headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and one of Salt Lake City’s top attractions.
  • Explore the Utah State Capitol Building:  It provides free guided tours and breathtaking city vistas.
  • Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah: Contains a range of exhibitions, including interactive exhibits and dinosaur bones.
  • Visit the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum: a 100-acre botanical garden with spectacular views of the Wasatch Mountains and thousands of different plant types.

Go Skiing or Snowboarding

Utah boasts some of the premier skiing and snowboarding destinations globally, catering to enthusiasts of all levels, from neophytes to experts. With over a dozen high-caliber ski resorts, there is something for everyone in Utah’s snow-covered slopes. It is no surprise that Utah houses some of the finest ski terrains in the nation.

  • Park City Mountain Resort
  • Deer Valley Resort
  • Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
  • Alta Ski Area

Visit Park City

Situated a brief distance away from Salt Lake City is the scenic mountainous hamlet of Park City, renowned for its superior skiing facilities, in addition to offering an array of diverse activities, including:

  • Visit the Utah Olympic Park, which hosted the Winter Olympics in 2002 and today provides a range of activities such as zipline tours and bobsled rides.
  • Discover Main Street, a lovely avenue dotted with eateries, art galleries, and specialty stores.
  • Visit the Park City Museum, which has displays on the history of mining in Park City and the growth of the ski business.

Rafting and Kayaking on the Green River

Some of the best rafting and kayaking in the nation can be found in Utah on the Green River. A trip down the Green River is likely to be a remarkable experience because of the breathtaking canyon walls and thrilling rapids.

Explore the Great Salt Lake

The Great Salt Lake is a singular natural wonder and the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. In addition to hiking in Antelope Island State Park and floating in the lake’s buoyant waves, visitors can explore the lake’s beaches.

Discover Utah’s Native American Heritage

Visitors can learn more about Utah’s extensive Native American heritage at a number of different locations across the state. Among the top websites are:

  • Numerous Native American ruins and rock art can be seen at Bears Ears National Monument.
  • Exhibits about the Ancestral Puebloan culture can be found in the Edge of the Cedars State Park Museum.
  • Numerous Native American tribes regard the Four Corners Monument, which marks the intersection of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona, as a sacred place.
  • Have a look around Brigham Young University
  • Utah’s top-ranked university, Brigham Young University, gives free tours of its breathtaking campus. The university’s buildings, grounds, and museums are open to visitors.

Go Stargazing

Due to its clean skies and minimal light pollution, Utah has some of the best stargazing in the nation. The following are some of Utah’s top locations for stargazing:

  • Bryce Canyon National Park is renowned for its breathtaking vistas of the night sky.

Providing views of the Milky Way and other cosmic delights is Antelope Island State Park.

  • Dead Horse Point State Park offers expansive vistas of the neighboring valleys and the night sky.
  • Ride in a hot air balloon

Experience Utah’s breathtaking scenery in a novel and exhilarating way by taking a hot air balloon trip. For a bird’s eye perspective of the state, travelers can take a ride over the canyons, mesas, and red rock formations.

Experience the Sundance Film Festival

One of the biggest independent film festivals in the nation, the Sundance Film Festival takes place every year in Park City. Visitors can see new film screenings, participate in Q&A sessions with the directors, and take in the exciting festival atmosphere.

Try Utah’s Unique Cuisine

The diverse, distinctive cuisine seen in Utah is a reflection of the state’s historical and cultural heritage. In Utah, some of the best dishes to taste are:

  • Ketchup and mayonnaise combined to make fry sauce, which is frequently served with fries or onion rings.
  • A casserole dish made with potatoes, cheese, and cream of chicken soup is known as “funeral potatoes.”
  • Jell-O: In terms of consumption per person, Utah leads the world.
  • Purchase items at City Creek Center
  • A number of upscale shops and eateries can be found at the City Creek district, a retail district in downtown Salt Lake City. Shops, restaurants, and even a rooftop garden with breathtaking city views are available to visitors.

Conclusion

Visitors may enjoy a wide range of attractions and activities in Utah, including natural wonders, outdoor activities, historical sites, and specialty foods. Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, Utah always has something fresh and fascinating to offer.

FAQs

What parks make up Utah’s Mighty Five National Parks?

The Mighty Five National Parks are Capitol Reef, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, and Arches.

When is the ideal season to visit Utah?

Your interests will determine the ideal time of year to visit Utah. The greatest seasons to travel are spring and fall because of the pleasant weather, which is ideal for outdoor activities. World-class skiing and snowboarding are available at Utah’s ski resorts if you choose to travel there in the winter.

What activities besides skiing are available in Park City?

In addition to skiing, Park City provides a range of other activities, such as hiking, mountain biking, shopping, and visiting the town’s museums and art galleries.

Is the Great Salt Lake swimmable?

The Great Salt Lake is open to swimming, although visitors should be careful of the lake’s high salt content and buoyancy.

What is the state dish of Utah?

Jell-O is frequently served at social events and family get-togethers and is the state food of Utah.