Destination guideUtah · United States
35 Things to Do in Salt Lake City (2026)
Salt Lake City, established in 1847 by Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young, is situated in a valley between the Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges.
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The city's layout follows the Plat of the City of Zion, a grid system with ten-acre blocks and streets 132 feet wide. Historical heritage is centered at Temple Square, a ten-acre complex containing the Salt Lake Temple (completed 1893), the Salt Lake Tabernacle (1867), and the Assembly Hall (1882).
- 35 spots
- 6 must-try dishes
- Researched October 2026
- 24 sources
Must-try in Salt Lake City6 dishes
Pastrami Burger Where to order it in Salt Lake City
Funeral Potatoes Where to order it in Salt Lake City
Fry Sauce Where to order it in Salt Lake City
Navajo Taco Where to order it in Salt Lake City
Tibetan Momos Where to order it in Salt Lake City
Soft Pretzels with Provolone Fondue Where to order it in Salt Lake City
The short answer
- The top things to do in Salt Lake City, from 24 sources researched October 2026, start with:
- Museum of Utah (Capitol Hill)
- Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (Rio Grande)
- Salt Lake City Public Library (Central City)
- Liberty Park (Central City)
- Red Butte Garden and Arboretum (University)
- 6 must-try dishes are on the map, each with the places to order them.
35 places worth your time in Salt Lake City
Things to see and do
Museum of Utah
Why it’s on the map
Opened on June 27, 2026, this state-of-the-art history museum serves as the 'Smithsonian for Utah,' housing over 900 artifacts and fine art objects across four galleries. Located within the Michael O.
450 N State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84114, USA
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
Why it’s on the map
This venue is a non-collecting institution that focuses on the 'here and now,' featuring a rotating schedule of provocative exhibitions like the current 'Time, Truth, and Other Immeasurables.
20 S W Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
Salt Lake City Public Library
Why it’s on the map
Designed by world-renowned architect Moshe Safdie, this 240,000-square-foot architectural marvel is defined by its sweeping five-story curved 'crescent wall' and a triangular main building.
210 E 400 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
Liberty Park
Why it’s on the map
This historic 80-acre urban green space is the city's second-largest park and a central hub for local recreation. It features a large pond with two islands where visitors can rent paddle boats, a 1.
600 Harvey Milk Blvd, Salt Lake City, UT 84105, USA
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
Why it’s on the map
During the latter half of October, this expansive botanical garden hosts 'Garden After Dark,' a localized fall festival where the natural landscape is transformed by elaborate light displays and illuminated pathways.
300 S Wakara Wy, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
Place to see · Capitol Hill
Park · Capitol Hill
Apartment Complex · Rio Grande
Park · East Central
Concert Hall · Magna
Place to see · Salt Lake County
Tourist Attraction · University
Art Museum · University
Art Museum · Central City
Place to see · Sugar House
Where to eat
See the full Salt Lake City food guide: where to eat and what to order.
American Restaurant · Ballpark
Dessert Shop · East Central
Restaurant · Ballpark
Turkish Restaurant · Ballpark
Coffee Shop · Capitol Hill
Bakery · Central City
Market · Sugar House
Fast Food Restaurant · Liberty Wells
Hamburger Restaurant · South Salt Lake
Hamburger Restaurant
Tibetan Restaurant · The Avenues
Restaurant · Rio Grande
Restaurant · Rio Grande
Sushi Restaurant · Rio Grande
Coffee Shop · Central City
Restaurant · South Jordan
American Restaurant · Downtown
Shops and markets
Shopping Mall · Rio Grande
Womens Clothing Store · Bonneville Hills
Salad Shop · Millcreek
30 more places on the map
17 to eat · 10 to see and do · 3 to shop · 6 must-try dishes with where to order each
Start
When is the best time to visit Salt Lake City?
- The best time to visit Salt Lake City is from September to October for pleasant hiking weather and fall foliage, or from December to March for world-class skiing. Summer (July–August) can be intensely hot with temperatures often exceeding 90°F, while winter brings cold, snowy conditions ideal for mountain sports. Peak tourist seasons align with the ski months and summer holidays, so visiting during the "shoulder" months of May or September offers lower prices and fewer crowds.
How do I get around Salt Lake City?
- Air and Amtrak Most visitors arrive via Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), a major hub located just five miles from downtown. Alternatively, the Amtrak California Zephyr provides daily rail service from Chicago and San Francisco, stopping at the staffed station in Salt Lake City.
- UTA TRAX Light Rail The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) operates the TRAX light rail system, which is the primary way to get around the city. The Green Line connects the airport directly to downtown in about 20 minutes, while the Blue and Red lines serve the wider valley and University of Utah.
- FrontRunner and Bus Network For regional travel, the FrontRunner commuter train connects Salt Lake City to Ogden and Provo. Within the city, an extensive bus network complements the rail lines, and a 'Free Fare Zone' allows passengers to ride for free within a specific downtown perimeter.
What should I know before visiting Salt Lake City?
- Navigate the city easily by using the grid system centered at Temple Square, where street numbers indicate how many blocks you are north, south, east, or west of the center.
- Drink significantly more water than usual to combat the high-altitude dry air and prevent altitude sickness, especially if you are visiting from sea level.
What’s new in Salt Lake City in October 2026?
- Culinary Dropout: A massive new 10,000-square-foot restaurant and live music venue that opened in the Granary District on September 2, 2026.
- World Climbing Series: A major international competition taking over Smith's Ballpark from October 16–18, 2026, featuring the world's top climbers.
- Sweetgreen Sugar House: The health-focused chain's first Utah location, which opened in early September 2026 and remains a viral local hotspot.
- Avenues Street Fair: A popular community festival returning to 1st Avenue on October 10, 2026, featuring local vendors, food, and live performances.
Research receipt
How this Salt Lake City guide was researched
- Live web search, 14 of 14 research areas completed.
- Places verified against real place data — address, hours and coordinates come from the place record, not the article.
- Researched October 2026. A newer build for Salt Lake City replaces this page automatically.
Sources checked
Planning questions
What are the top things to do in Salt Lake City?
Start with Museum of Utah, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, Salt Lake City Public Library, Liberty Park, and Red Butte Garden and Arboretum: the places Varedelo's research (from 24 sources researched October 2026) puts first, each with its reason in the list on this page. All 35 places are pinned on the Salt Lake City map.