Vacations are for spending time with your family. And it turns out you don’t have to go far for a fun vacation. If you’re visiting Salt Lake City, or want to try a ‘staycation’ in your own town, we’ve got some ideas for you.
1. Play tourist
Salt Lake City boasts plenty of landmarks and buildings that are perfect for sightseeing. There are also a lot of different tours you can take if you want a little more guidance.
City Sights has tours in Salt Lake that range from an hour and a half to four and a half hours. You can see the Great Salt Lake, Temple Square, or all around the city. There’s even a trolley tour available for the more theatrically minded.
A bicycle or walking tour is a unique way to see the city. These tours generally range from an hour to three and a half hours. You can experience the architecture of the city and see some historic sites.
For those who want a tour that’s a little more off the beaten path, there are also ghost tours. Grimm Ghost Tours have seasonal tours, as well as tours that are available year round. They take you around the city to locations of different hauntings and let you use ghost hunting equipment.
2. Special Events
Salt Lake City has events going on all the time. It’s easy to find something that interests you. There are festivals, conventions, concerts, farmers’ markets, etc. Depending on what you’re looking for, there are different places to find events, but Now Playing Utah is a good place to start.
3. Take a Class
Whatever you’re interested in, there’s a class for you. And what better time to take a class to learn a new skill than on vacation (or staycation)? We have another post about all sorts of different classes you can take to learn a new hobby in Salt Lake City, but Petersen Art Center and Harmon’s cooking classes are a nice starting point.
Harmons Grocery Cooking Classes
4. See the animals
Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh my! If you come to Salt Lake before winter hits, the zoo is always a safe bet. Nearly everyone enjoys walking around the zoo and seeing all of the animals. Even if you’ve been to the Hogle Zoo before, it’s always fun to revisit and see your favorites.
5. Factory Tour
This wouldn’t be a lot of people’s first thought, but Salt Lake City has several factories that have tours open to the public. If you’re traveling with kids, there are tours of candy factories such as Sweets Candy, V Chocolates, or Mrs. Cavanaugh’s. You can also tour Heber Valley Artisan Cheese to see the farm-to-table process of cheese making, or Cox Honeyland to see the bee nursery, walk through the manufacturing plant, or pick up some delicious honey. For a more adult tour, there’s the High West Distillery and Saloon, where you can see how whiskeys are made behind the scenes. Whatever your interest, there’s a factory tour for you.
6. Hikes
If you and your travel buddies are looking for something more active, hiking could be just the ticket. There are dozens of hikes in the Salt Lake Area, ranging from easy, family friendly hikes, to strenuous, workout hikes. No matter what level of hike you’re most comfortable with, there’s sure to be a perfect fit for you. Get some exercise while also taking in the beautiful sights of Utah.
Whether you’re coming from out of state, or just down the road, Salt Lake City offers so many options for your next vacation or staycation. Even if you’ve lived in Salt Lake your whole life, there are probably a few things you still haven’t done.
Are you planning your next vacation to Salt Lake? Tell us your plans in the comments below!
