18+ Coolest Things to Do in Salt Lake City

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Looking for some fun things to do in Salt Lake City during your stay?

Utah is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and underrated states in the entire country, and if you’re flying into Utah chances are you’re likely traveling through Salt Lake City.

When I did a big road trip through Utah, Colorado and Wyoming a couple of years ago, SLC was our starting and ending point, and it made for a great base to kick off our trip.

Since then, I’ve been back several times to visit friends in the area and I’m always pleasantly surprised by how much I like Salt Lake. First off, the scenery surrounding Salt Lake is STUNNING. The city sits in a valley (that was once the ancient Lake Bonneville) surrounded by mountains, so it’s quite picturesque.

Also, as a big foodie, I’ve been consistently impressed with the quality of restaurants here.

Whether Utah’s capital is a quick stopover or your final destination, you’re probably wondering what the coolest things to do in Salt Lake City are. Well you’re in luck, because in this post we’re going to dive into some of the best things to do here from street art and yummy restaurants to funky shops, historical sites and more.

PS – If you’re coming to Salt Lake City as a starting point for an epic Utah adventure, don’t miss my guide to 40+ amazing things to do in Utah.

But first, are you planning a trip to Salt Lake soon? Here are the best places to stay:

• Grand America Hotel – For 5 star service in an old fashioned luxury atmosphere.
• Le Méridien Salt Lake – For the best hotel design and a rooftop bar and restaurant.
• Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City – For a comfortable stay just 10 minute walk to Temple Square
• Salt Lake City Marriott University Park – An affordable and comfortable option close to the University of Utah.

The Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City 

French Breakfast at Eva’s Bakery

Located right in the heart of Salt Lake City resides a precious bakery that will transport you out of Utah and onto the patio of a true Parisian boulangerie. Eva’s Bakery is a wonderful restaurant to stop at for breakfast before exploring some fun things to do in Salt Lake City.

This photogenic French bakery serves up some of the best coffee and pastries in town, making it a very popular place in the mornings and early afternoon.

Eva’s Bakery is known for its classic Croque Madame as well as its authentic European cappuccino—and if you’re really wanting to fill your belly before your full-day itinerary, indulge in one of their cinnamon rolls.

This spot offers French bistro-style al fresco dining under the protection of a large, shady tree, which luckily means you won’t have to deal with the blistering SLC sun beating down on you while you take a bite out of your delicious croissant.

If French boulangerie doesn’t sound appealing, just head next door to Three Pines Coffee for a classic cup of cold brew and a small bite to eat in a more minimalist and modern setting.

Take a Scenic Flight Over Great Salt Lake

One of the most efficient—and exhilarating—ways to see the beauty of Salt Lake City is from the air.

On this unique small plane flight, you’ll experience the beauty of Great Salt Lake in a short timeframe that might normally take you a full day to explore by car. Guests will get to see the local wildlife, get a bird’s eye view of the lake from above, plus take in sweeping views of the Wasatch Mountains and Salt Lake City.

What’s especially cool about this tour is that the pilots fly lower to the ground for part of the flight, so you can really get up close and personal with the lake and local wildlife.

Explore Downtown’s Funky Murals

One thing that I did not expect to see during my visit to Salt Lake City was the abundance of fun street art that dresses the city.

Though you are sure to see many of the murals while simply driving around, planning a self-guided street art tour feels like a fun treasure hunt and is a unique way to explore the city.

Check out this post from Salt Lake City Tourism for a comprehensive list of each mural as you plan your excursion! Out of all of the things to do in Salt Lake City, this is by far one of the most unique.

Whether you want to see each and every piece, or you prefer to just hit up a few top spots, make sure that you check out some of my personal favorites: 

My Favorite Murals:

• “Come in & Remember What a Book Smells Like” located at Ken Sanders Rare Books (if you’re a book nerd like me, you’ll want to go in here too)!
• “Belief in the Making” by Dave Arcade located up the street from Ken Sanders Rare Books
• “Legends of Rock” (pictured above) located at The Gateway Mall 
• “Utah Jazz” by Karabo Poppy located on the side of Valter’s Osteria, 173 W. 300 South, Salt Lake City

Enjoy City Views at the Natural History Museum 

If you’re a museum geek, then the local Natural History Museum is one of the many fun things to do in Salt Lake City you’ll enjoy. It’s a great spot to experience the more cultural side of Utah’s capital if that’s something you seek out when traveling.

The real highlight of visiting the Natural History Museum for me was getting to take in the epic views that are an added bonus from the property.

Visitors are able to take in the entire city from here in addition to the mountains that surround Salt Lake City. It’s also a unique opportunity to really catch a glimpse at the modern architecture that floods SLC.

Best of all, if you are looking to kill two birds with one stone, there are a few running and walking trails around the National History Museum, so you can get a little outdoor activity in while you’re at it.

Stop by Temple Square

Temple Square is the most visited attraction in all of Utah and is an important piece of Salt Lake City’s history, as early pioneers built it to mark the center of the city. Whether you’re religious or not, it’s an interesting place to visit to get a better understanding of the creation of Salt Lake City.

During the holidays, Temple Square is also one of the best places to see incredible Christmas lights in the city.

While sections of Temple Square are undergoing renovations into 2026, there are still parts you can visit. Make sure to check their site for updates on the renovations before you visit.

Fun fact: Did you know that Salt Lake City’s gridded street system focuses around Temple Square as its origin? Addresses throughout SLC indicate the number of blocks in distance each address is from Temple Square in any direction.

Day Trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats

If you’re able to extend your trip to Salt Lake City past one day, then you absolutely must plan a day trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. This epic experience truly can’t be missed and it’s 100% worth the two-hour (max) drive that it takes to get there.

I hadn’t seen anything quite like the Bonneville Salt Flats before, and if you are as avid about photography as I am, then you will be blown away by the unreal photos that you will be able to capture as the sun sets on this ethereal landscape.

If you have any big life changes occurring such as an engagement or a new baby on the way, the Bonneville Salt Flats are a beautiful spot for portrait photos to be taken, and there are a lot of local photographers that take clients to shoot there.

While there are many nature-oriented things to do in Salt Lake City, these salt flats take the cake in terms of being the most unique outdoor experience in the area. 

Explore Sugar House

This hip neighborhood in Salt Lake is home to some great restaurants, coffee shops, breweries, galleries and nightlife. It’s one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city, but also retains its historic charm which has made it a favorite stomping ground for visitors and locals. Plus, it’s quite walkable, making it an ideal area to spend a few hours exploring.

While in the area, you can’t miss Sugar House Park which a local hangout featuring incredible mountain views.

Some other spots worth checking out while in Sugar House:

• Finn’s Cafe for a delicious Norwegian-style breakfast
• Wasatch Brew Pub for great local beers on tap.
• Sugar House Coffee for a funky, local vibe serving coffee as well as wine and beer.
• Unhinged – A fun shop to check out for unique gifts, vintage clothing and curiosities.

Take in the Architecture at the Public Library 

A public library might sound like a boring pit stop in other cities, but in Salt Lake? It’s a spectacle. Salt Lake City’s Public Library is probably one of the most beautiful buildings in the city. If I were an SLC resident, you better believe I’d be there working away on my blog every day because it’s just so pretty!

The architecture and surrounding courtyard are gorgeous here too, so don’t miss walking around the grounds. At the very least, grab a coffee and take a little stroll through during golden hour when the light sparkles off the glass windows.

Get SLC’s Legendary Mexican at the Red Iguana

If you are in the market for some amazing and authentic Mexican food while in Salt Lake City, then look no further. The Red Iguana is a legendary hot spot in SLC that has been serving locals and tourists since 1985.

The Red Iguana was started by husband and wife Ramon and Maria Cardenas, and since opening nearly 40 years ago they have won several local and national awards.

During our meal, we enjoyed a couple of incredible margaritas, the carnitas, and a fajita plate. Everything lived up to the hype, however, the Red Iguana’s biggest must-order item is their famous mole! Based on the reviews, you definitely won’t want to miss it.

Pro tip: While there are two different locations within SLC city limits, be sure to make your reservation at the original at 736 West North Temple Street!

Explore the Utah State Capitol 

If you’re a history buff, taking the time to explore the Utah State Capitol might be at the top of your list of things to do in Salt Lake City. Visiting the State Capitol is a great way to learn more about the history and culture of present-day Utah.

Though history-lovers will be the ones most interested in this activity, there also happen to be some great views of the nearby Wasatch Mountains to the east from the top of the Capitol steps. Despite the fact that it wasn’t the biggest highlight of my trip, it was a worthwhile way to spend an hour.

If you’d like to take a docent-led or virtual tour of the Capital, make sure to schedule a visit here.

Eat the Best Pizza in Town at Settebello

For me personally, there is nothing quite like a classic Neapolitan-style pizza to hit the spot. That’s why Settebello in Salt Lake City was one of my favorite eateries—if not my favorite—of the entire trip. Settebello truly blew me away with some of the best pizza that I’ve had in a while.

I got the “Settebello pizza” which had crushed tomatoes, pancetta, sausage, mushroom, pine nuts, basil, and olio.

All of their pizzas are Verace Pizza Napoletana certified, meaning that the entire operation of cooking the pie is in-line with the same integrity that is utilized during the pizza-making process that was invented in Napoli, Italy, hundreds of years ago.

The brick ovens are the real deal, resulting in the most perfect texture and crust that will make you sad you’re not staying in Salt Lake longer to get Settebello a second time. Luckily, they now have locations in places like Pasadena, Oxnard and Las Vegas as well.

After grabbing a bite, don’t skip the brewery right next door where you can wash down your pizza with a cold beer.

Also, if you missed any of the aforementioned street art, this is an easy opportunity to see the “Utah Jazz” mural that I wrote about earlier! It’s located only a block away from the Settebello across the street.

Ken Sanders Rare Books 

One of my all-time favorite pastimes no matter what destination I’m visiting is to find and explore unique and funky bookstores in the area.

To my delight, we happened to stumble across Ken Sanders Rare Books while driving through downtown SLC, and we were drawn in by the “free book wall” that was out in front of the store. We immediately pulled over and decided to check it out.

Upon walking in, we were even more intrigued to find a maze of bookshelves that were stacked to the brim; even the aisles are piled high with books.

This antiquarian bookshop is the definition of a hidden gem, and I’m beyond thrilled to have discovered such a special spot while looking for unique things to do in SLC. 

Try the Best Biscuits at Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade

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A post shared by Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade (@sweetlakebiscuitsandlimeade)

As soon as our plane landed in Salt Lake City, our stomachs were rumbling with hunger. Thankfully, due to glowing recommendations by several local food bloggers, we knew that we needed to make a pit stop at Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade before hitting the road.

Sweet Lake Biscuits and Limeade is definitely one of the yummiest things to do in SLC when hunger strikes. The biscuits were a solid 10/10 and their limeade hit the spot—however, I’d recommend requesting it with half the sugar for the perfect amount of sweetness in my opinion.

There was something about the combo of sweet and tart that totally brought me back in time to my small hometown summer festival days in Maine, where I used to indulge in the festival’s famous Lime Rickies.

More of the Coolest Things to do in Salt Lake City

Of course, if you’re lucky enough to have more time in SLC, be sure to check out these places below: 

• Ensign Peak – Ensign Peak is a great hike in SLC that offers spectacular views of the city! 
• Red Butte Garden – Acting both as a botanical garden and amphitheater, Red Butte Garden is a wonderful attraction with a versatile list of possible to-do’s. 
• Ruth’s Diner – Ruth’s Diner is a beloved Salt Lake City restaurant that has been in business for over 91 years. It is the second oldest restaurant in all of Utah! 
• Hatch Family Chocolates – Grab a decadent hot chocolate here to warm you up during the winter months.
• Living Room Lookout Trail – Hiking the Living Room Lookout Trail is a great opportunity to get some exercise in and maybe even see some local Utah wildlife. The out and back trail is 2.4 miles in total.
• Do a day trip to Park City – Located only about 40 minutes east of SLC is the beautiful and affluent Park City, Utah. Here you’ll find more gorgeous mountain views, skiing in winter, and plenty of fun bars and restaurants.
• Sugar House Park – Sugar House Park boasts more than 110 acres of lush greenery and rolling hills, making it a stunning sight on your list of things to do in Salt Lake City. 
• Chip Cookies – Indulge in a warm, gooey house-made chocolate chip cookie from famous delivery bakery, Chip Cookies. 
• HSL – This restaurant is an amazing dinner spot for sharing a bunch of small plates with friends. Everything we ate here was incredible.
• Oquirrh – I went here for dinner with friends on my most recent trip to Salt Lake and it was one of my favorite spots yet. It’s a more upscale American joint with incredible flavors and the yummiest sourdough bread.

Did this post inspire you to plan a trip to Salt Lake City? Let me know in the comments below!

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