Salt Lake City 2025 Travel Guide

When to Go

Salt Lake City is an all-season destination despite some pretty extreme temperatures. You can find something to do at any time of the year here, but certain seasons are definitely for certain activities.

Winter, running from November to April, is quite cold, with lows reaching into the low 20s(F). However, the snowy conditions make it Salt Lake City’s high season for tourists, as skiers and snowboarders from around the world descend on the city and its nearby mountains. Hotel rates and crowds go up significantly in the snowy season.

Springtime is a bit of a shoulder season, and it’s a short one. Temperatures rise pleasantly, and foliage returns, but melting snow and rain can make things a bit wet.

Things dry off, and clouds disappear by summer, from June to August, and the crowds return once again. This high season is for the hikers and outdoor sightseers, who also take to the mountains around the city, driving up prices a bit again. However, note that the summer can be very hot, with highs reaching the 90s(F).

An ideal time to visit Salt Lake City is early fall, meaning September-October. Back-to-school season cuts down on crowds, the weather is beautiful, and rates are reasonable. Obviously, this is not an option if you want to ski, but for other outdoor exploring and general sightseeing, this is a sweet spot.

Things to Do

There are great things to do in Salt Lake City for all types of travelers – families, couples, solo, adventurers, and the not-so-adventurous. Read our full guide on what to do in the city for an in-depth look, or take a look at a snapshot of some of the best below.

Skiing, Snowboarding, & Other Winter Sports

We have to start with what some people consider the main reason to visit Salt Lake City – snow sports. Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, and simply enjoying the alpine atmosphere are available on many mountains around the city between November and April (or very early May in some cases).

Park City may be the most famous in Salt Lake City, and is the largest ski resort in the United States. Just 45 minutes east of Salt Lake City, it’s definitely one of the popular ones, and it can get crowded. The combination of an endless amount of slopes, consistent snowfall, lack of wind, and an awesome base town with great shopping and restaurants make this an excellent choice for anyone.

Alta is usually a less-crowded option. Reasons for this are that there is less of a “town” when off the slopes, the drive from Salt Lake City takes about an hour, and these mountains are for skiers only – no snowboarding or snowshoeing.

Snowbird is another resort on the opposite side of Alta’s mountains, and you can buy passes that access both (if you’re a skier). Snowbird is not skiing-only, and its slopes are a bit more challenging, making it a great option for experienced visitors.

There are plenty more ski resorts around the greater Salt Lake City area, including Brighton, Deer Valley, Powder Mountain, and others – it’s not hard to find one that fits your needs. Some visitors choose to stay a night or two near the slopes and enjoy their time in the mountains to the maximum, while others simply make it a day trip from the city.

Hiking & Summertime Mountain Activities

When the snow melts in the spring, the mountains around Salt Lake City come back to life with foliage and wildlife. In fact, many hikes around the city don’t even necessitate going too high up into the mountains, meaning you could hike them in the winter if you wanted to.

For example, the beginner-friendly Bonneville Shoreline Trail runs along the northern and eastern outskirts of the city, with a number of convenient access points in town. It follows many miles of what would have been the edge of the ancient Lake Bonneville, which once filled the valley, and offers numerous lookout points and offshoots further into the mountains. Hike however long or short you wish.

For more of a challenge, you can try Neff’s Canyon, which gains nearly 2,000 feet in elevation for even more panoramic views. One of the biggest challenges of all in the region is the 9,000-foot Mount Olympus, which is taken on by the most serious of trekkers. But even completing just part of this trail will yield breathtaking vistas.

If you would rather go deeper into the wilderness for your hikes, that is definitely possible, too. Lake Blanche is accessible via a trailhead on the road to the ski resorts and brings you to a stunning alpine lake after a 3-mile climb that is most definitely worth it.

Fun on the Lake

The Great Salt Lake is the landmark that gives Salt Lake City its name and provides excellent opportunities for summertime recreation. The salty water and special circumstances make this lake a bit different than usual, though.

Snowmelt from the mountains supplies the Great Salt Lake with water, so depending on the weather conditions, the lake changes in size and depth considerably – the shore is never in the same place. And with no outlets and salty sediments, the water is between two and seven times more saline than the ocean!

That makes floating in the lake very easy and a fun experience to try at either Antelope Island State Park or Great Salt Lake State Park, the two access points to the water. Paddling is another easy activity that can allow you to stay dry (if you can balance), as are boating and kayaking. Fishing is not really an option here due to the salty water.

Antelope Island also has its own network of hiking trails, some of which get rather high and reveal awesome views of the lake. You can also take a short ride to other lakes near Salt Lake City, such as Utah Lake, which even has hot springs!

Culture & History

Salt Lake City is famously the capital of the Mormon religion, formally known as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It was Mormon pioneers who founded the city, and even if that’s not your faith, it’s very interesting to learn about how it formed Salt Lake City over the past 175+ years.

It’s essential to visit Temple Square, where much of this heritage is on display. The ornate 1893 Salt Lake Temple is the stunning centerpiece of this square, and next door is the famous Salt Lake City Tabernacle Choir. Other landmarks include monuments to Brigham Young and the founding pioneers, as well as several buildings housing church leadership.

Across the street, you can learn more about all this at the Church History Museum, including a real log cabin residence of the pioneers of the 1800s. The Mormons are famous for their genealogy research facilities, available to everyone, and the FamilySearch Center provides a unique opportunity to find out more about your family roots no matter where you come from.

There’s more culture and history at This Is The Place Heritage Park in the eastern part of the city, including more Mormon heritage, but also a Native American village to pay homage to the first true residents of this land. It’s also more kid-friendly, with pioneer activities to try yourself.

Museums

There are a number of great scientific, historical, and art museums around Salt Lake City. Next to the Utah State Capitol, the Pioneer Memorial Museum combines a bit of all that with photographs, writings, artifacts, and the stories of Salt Lake City’s settlers.

The University of Utah operates the fantastic Natural History Museum of Utah to provide fun education on the state’s breathtaking natural scenery and where it came from. This includes dinosaur skeletons, native tribe history and artifacts, animal and plant life, and geology, among other subjects.

The university also houses the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, which boasts more than 5,000 years of pieces. Or, get off the planet at the Clark Planetarium near downtown, displaying some of the most state-of-the-art extraterrestrial exhibits in the western US.

How to Get There

It’s not hard to get to Salt Lake City, thanks to its major international airport. SLC is a major hub for Delta Airlines, but you’ll find just about every US airline you can think of serving the airport, connecting it with cities small and large across America. There are also both year-round and seasonal routes to Europe, Canada, and Mexico.

However, many visitors like to road trip to Utah. It’s definitely an advantage to have a car in Salt Lake City if you plan on visiting the mountains, and it’s essential if you’re continuing south to the big national parks of the state. It’s about a 5-hour drive from Boise, 6 hours from Las Vegas, and 8 hours from Denver – some of the major city waypoints nearby. Renting a car from the airport is always an option if you’re too far away.

Finally, if you’re not one for flying or driving long distances, you can take the method of transportation that helped build Salt Lake City when it was founded by the pioneers – the railroad. Amtrak’s California Zephyr line, which connects the Bay Area to Chicago, passes through the city, connecting it with many western and central states along the way. It’s a long and expensive form of transportation, but it sure is scenic.

Once you’re in town, it’s easy to get around via public transportation or even just walking around the central parts of the city. Bus and tram passes are available if you’ll be using them frequently. The mountain stations and resorts also run shuttles to bring visitors in.

Where to Stay

Many of the best Salt Lake City hotels are located in the northern part of the city, close to downtown and Temple Square. However, budget travelers might get a deal in the more distant parts of town.

Snow seekers might prefer to stay in the mountain resorts if hitting the slopes for more than one day – check out our individual reviews of places like Alta and Park City for more on those. Below are a few top recommendations for staying within the city limits.

Our Favorite Budget-Friendly Hotel: The Kimball at Temple Square – You don’t have to sacrifice quality or location with this all-suite budget hotel steps from all the sights of downtown.

Our Favorite Mid-Range Hotel: Kimpton Hotel Monaco Salt Lake City – The always-trendy Kimpton brand’s SLC property has bike rentals, ski services, and stylish rooms just steps from the city center; get the current secret password for a surprise gift.

Our Favorite Luxury Hotel: The Grand America Hotel – This large hotel brings European opulence and luxury to the west, just blocks from Temple Square, and offers amenities like a world-class spa and indoor pool.

Where to Eat and Drink

Salt Lake City is an international place that has brought together immigrants from all over the place. And thanks to being a major population center with many business travelers and tourists, it supports a thriving food scene, ranging from hole-in-the-wall casual eateries to high-quality fine dining.

Pacific Seas Restaurant – Some of the freshest traditional Polynesian food you can find outside the South Pacific, appropriately serving the many islander locals that the church has brought to the city, as well as anyone else curious about unique flavors.

Caputo’s Market & Deli – An immigrant family’s highly successful effort to bring artisanal, high-quality meats and cheeses to dishes like sandwiches, salads, and more in a casual atmosphere.

HSL – An upscale spot just east of downtown that crafts creative takes on American classics, including adding subtle international flavors and styles to familiar favorites.

If you know anything about the Mormon community, you may be aware that alcohol is a big no-go. Accordingly, Salt Lake City definitely has its share of restrictions around the sale of it. But that does not mean there is no bar or nightlife scene here! In fact, there’s a growing craft beer movement, and there are plenty of pubs and clubs to entertain tourists and locals alike.

Squatters Pub Brewery – Casual and always busy, this popular microbrewery may not serve food and drink well into the wee hours of the morning, but the atmosphere is great for a drink and some fun.

Lake Effect – Another craft drink spot with small plates plus live music that goes a bit later into the night, including a performance calendar with frequent talent performances.

Sky SLC – The true nightclub experience in Salt Lake City, complete with DJ parties, lots of lights, and even a retractable roof to reveal the night sky.

What to Know Before Going

If you’ve made it this far, you shouldn’t feel too intimidated in planning your Salt Lake City vacation – it’s easy to reach, has plenty of great dining and accommodation, and has no shortage of fun things to do. But make sure you’re safe, respectful, and overall well-informed about this place before you head off to the slopes or Temple Square.

A Short History

Native American tribes, including the Shoshone and Paiute people, lived in the region of present-day Salt Lake City for thousands of years. But when Mormon pioneers led by Brigham Young came in July 1847 in search of a private place to practice their religion in peace, they found no evidence of humans in the Salt Lake Valley.

That made it ideal for them to settle there, and it’s said that Brigham Young even saw the place in a vision before arriving. The Salt Lake Temple was one of the first projects after their arrival. The US government recognized the development of the city in the years following, and in 1856, it became the capital of the new Utah territory.

The gold rush of the American West and more Mormon religious settlers brought an influx of new residents to Salt Lake City in the decades that followed. The transcontinental railroad, which passed through the city, brought many more, including many international arrivals from Europe and Asia. This contributes to the diversity found in Salt Lake City today.

This heritage resulted in the nickname “The Crossroads of the West,” which remains today. Hispanic and Polynesian people have established other notable minority groups more recently that shape local culture. Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, thanks to its ideal mountain slopes, and is bidding to do so again in 2030 or 2034.

Current Travel Information

Salt Lake City continues to be a major business and population center, as well as a tourist destination for winter sports, religion, and Western culture. It has a major international airport, making it easy to come from just about anywhere, and is located on some of America’s greatest road trip routes.

Being in the United States, domestic travelers won’t need to familiarize themselves with any language besides English, bring an international power adapter, or convert any currency. But if you’re one of the growing numbers of foreign tourists, most major hotels will be able to do all of that for you, and many even employ bilingual or trilingual staff – especially in ski resorts.

Online sources like US News and NeighborhoodScout classify Salt Lake City as rather unsafe. However, most travelers don’t really feel that way. Keep in mind that their rating systems compare it to other major cities in Utah – which don’t really exist! If you follow the usual safe travel practices, you should be totally fine in Salt Lake City.

And remember, Salt Lake City is the capital of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormonism), so some things are done differently here. Be a respectful traveler when observing these lovely people, and familiarize yourself with some basics – more on those below.

Tips for Travel

• Weather can be very hot or very cold in Salt Lake City, so pack appropriately:
  • November to April see lows approach 20 degrees (F)
  • June to August see highs in the 90s(F)
• Salt Lake City and the rest of Utah have very large Mormon populations. They’re wonderful people, but know some basic facts to be respectful:
  • The term Mormon is mostly tolerated, but the proper name for their religion is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; the abbreviation “LDS” is also tolerated but technically improper.
  • Mormons do not use alcohol, drugs, tobacco, coffee, or tea; as with all religions, there are people who observe these rules more strictly than others.
  • You’ll find Mormons mostly dress, speak, and act conservatively.
  • The stereotype that Mormons are polygamous is mostly untrue, as this applies to a very small minority.
  • Joseph Smith and Brigham Young are two important original leaders of the religion. You’ll see various references to these names around important sites.
• If you plan to visit any of the winter sports resorts, know that they are at least 30 minutes away. Day trips are possible if you aren’t staying there, and there are many shuttle services offered.
• The national parks in southern Utah are too far for day trips, as it’s more than 3 hours on the road each way. Plan to spend a night or more somewhere else if you want to road trip to these beautiful places.
• There are exceptionally strict alcohol laws in Utah – you can only buy liquor from licensed liquor stores, bars, and restaurants have to pour smaller amounts than usual, and the DUI limit is extremely low