Sights in Salt Lake City
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Antelope Island State Park
White-sand beaches, birds and buffalo are what attract people to the pretty, 15-mile-long Antelope Island State Park. That’s right, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake is home to a 600-strong herd of American bison, or buffalo. The November roundup, for veterinary examination, is a thrilling wildlife spectacle. And then there are the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that descend on the park to feast on tiny brine shrimp along the Great Salt Lake’s shore en route to distant lands during fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) migrations. The island is a year-round home to burrowing owls and raptors as well as namesake antelope, bighorn sheep …
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University of Utah
The university contains two interesting museums and an arboretum. The fine Utah Museum of Natural History features gems and stones, dinosaur bones, a butterfly collection and more. The new, architecturally-intriguing Utah Museum of Fine Arts has a broad permanent collection and hosts changing exhibits in the Great Hall.
For a dose of fresh air, the Arboretum spreads beyond campus to the Red Butte Garden which is full of walking trails, water features, plant collections and outdoor sculpture.
Self-guided trail brochures are available from the Museum of Natural History. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the campus was the Olympic Village, while the Rice-Eccles Stadium held t…
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Thanksgiving Point
Fifty-five acres of gardens, a petting farm, a golf course, a giant movie theater, dining and shopping: what doesn’t the Thanksgiving Point infotainment complex have? The on-site Museum of Ancient Life (adult/child $10/8) is the highest-tech and kid-friendliest dinosaur museum in the state. Little ones can dig for their own bones, dress up a dinosaur, play in a watery Silurian reef… Interactive exhibits teach about fossils found all over the world. Take exit 287 off I-15; Lehi is 28 miles south of downtown SLC.
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This Is the Place Heritage Park
Dedicated to the 1847 arrival of the Mor mons, This Is the Place Heritage Park covers 450 acres and marks the spot where Brigham Young uttered the fateful words, 'This is the place.' The centerpiece is Heritage Village, a living-history museum where, June through August, costumed docents depict life in the mid-19th century. Guests can wander the village at a cheaper price (adult/child $5/3) the rest of the year.
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Tabernacle
The egg-shaped 1867 Tabernacle is again the highlight after the completion of an extensive seismic retrofit and renovation in 2007. Some preservationists grumbled about the replacement of its pine pews, but a few rows of the originals were left in the back. To show off its fabled acoustics, pin drops are held every 15 minutes - the sound can be heard all the way in the back, more than 200ft away.
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Joseph Smith Memorial Building
On Main St at South Temple St the Brigham Young Monument marks the zero point for the city. East of the monument is the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, which was, until 1987, the elegant Hotel Utah. Inside there’s a large-screen theater with nine daily screenings of the 65-minute Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration, about Mormon beliefs.
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State Capitol
The grand State Capitol rises majestically from a hill north of Temple Sq. Inside, colorful Works Progress Administration (WPA) murals of pioneers, trappers and missionaries adorn a portion of the building's dome. Outside, views of the city and the Wasatch Range are fantastic. Free tours (from 9am to 4pm) start hourly at the 1st-floor visitor center.
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Temple Square
The city's most famous sight, the 10-acre Temple Square is certainly awe-inspiring, but it's the disarming helpfulness of the square's Mormon volunteers and docents that will leave the biggest impression. Docents can be found at the visitor centers inside the two entrances (on S and N Temple); they give free 30-minute tours of the grounds.
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Olympic Legacy Cauldron Park
The University of Utah, or ‘U of U, ’ bounded by 1300 East, 2 miles east of downtown, was the site of the Olympic Village in 2002. The Olympic Legacy Cauldron Park has giant panels detailing the games. A heavy-handed but heartfelt film booms with artificial fog and sound effects.
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Tabernacle
Drive north on I-15 from Salt Lake City, past Ogden, a gateway to the Wasatch Mountains ski resorts, and after 50 miles you’ll get to the turnoff for Brigham City. The old Mormon town is pretty small, but the 1896 Tabernacle, with 16 spires, is considered one of Utah’s finest.
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American West Heritage Center
A 19th-century frontier community comes to life with hands-on activities at the American West Heritage Center, south of Logan. The center hosts the popular weeklong Festival of the American West in July, a must for frontier buffs and great for families.
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Red Butte Gardens
In the nearby Wasatch foothills, the lovely 150-acre Red Butte Gardens has trails, 25 acres of gardens and gorgeous valley views. In summer, during its popular outdoor concert series, check online to see who's playing - from Neko Case to Deathcab for Cutie.
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Utah Museum of Natural History
Here you can watch technicians clean fossils and wonder at allosaurus eggs in the Utah Museum of Natural History. It’s not the most high-tech place, but there are a few hands-on exhibits for kids. it's on the University of Utah campus
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Main Library
Moshe Safdie's architecturally stunning Main Library has a gently curved glass-and-steel structure complete with sleek glass elevator, rooftop views of the city and loads of natural light. There's also a gallery, coffee shop and deli.
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Discovery Gateway
Discovery Gateway is an enthusiastic, hands-on children's museum and possibly the best city attraction for families. The mock network-news desk in the media zone looks particularly cool for budding journos.
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Family History Library
Research your genealogy at the Family History Library. The library holds genealogical records for more than 3 billion deceased people from around the world. Searching its vast resources is free.
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Tracy Aviary
The Tracy Aviary, located in the southwest corner of Liberty Park, delights bird-lovers with winged creatures from all over the world. Kids can feed pelicans and mohawk-sportin' guira cuckoos.
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Pioneer Memorial Museum
Daughters of Utah Pioneers (DUP) museums are located throughout Utah, but the Pioneer Memorial Museum is by far the best, a vast four-story treasure trove of thousands of pioneer artifacts.
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Wheeler Historic Farm
Kids can help farmhands milk cows, churn butter and feed animals at Wheeler Historic Farm, which dates from 1886. There’s also blacksmithing, quilting and hay rides in summer.
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Hogle Zoo
Asian Highlands, combining big cat habitats with architecture of the East, is the newest exhibit at Hogle Zoo. Kids still love the petting zoo and miniature-train rides ($1).
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Beehive House
Brigham Young lived in the Beehive House until his death in 1877, and the house has been meticulously maintained with period furnishings and artwork.
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Lion House
Next door to the Beehive House , the 1855 Lion House, now a restaurant, housed many of Brigham Young’s other wives.
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Gilgal Garden
Gilgal Garden is a quirky green space. The tiny sculpture garden is home to a giant stone sphinx wearing Joseph Smith’s face.
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Museum of Church History & Art
Adjoining Temple Square, the Museum of Church History & Art has impressive exhibits of pioneer history and fine art.
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Clark Planetarium
See the stars at Clark Planetarium, home to the latest and greatest 3-D sky shows and Utah’s only Imax theater.
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