What is there to see between Bryce and Park City?

Wanderlog staff
Updated • updatedJul 14, 2022

How long is the drive from Bryce Canyon National Park to Salt Lake City?

The direct drive from Bryce Canyon National Park to Salt Lake City is 273 mi (439 km), and should have a drive time of 4 hrs 10 mins in normal traffic.

If you’re going on a road trip from Bryce Canyon National Park to Salt Lake City, we did the research for you and compiled some great stops along the way — with Park City and $Provo and top places to visit like Panguitch Gem Theater and Otter Creek State Park, or the ever-popular Red Canyon.

32 stops

Cities / Attractions

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Top cities between Bryce Canyon National Park and Salt Lake City

The top cities between Bryce Canyon National Park and Salt Lake City are Park City and Provo. Park City is the most popular city on the route — it's 4 hours from Bryce Canyon National Park and less than an hour from Salt Lake City.

1

Provo

Provo is a city in Utah. It's home to Brigham Young University and its museums, including the Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum. The BYU Museum of Paleontology houses a collection of dinosaur fossils. The BYU Museum of Art is a modern venue with a large permanent collection of paintings. The Crandall Historical Printing Museum has a working Gutenberg Press replica. Trails lead up Y Mountain for panoramic city views.

18% as popular as Park City

3 minutes off the main route, 83% of way to Salt Lake City

2

Park City

Park City lies east of Salt Lake City in the western state of Utah. Framed by the craggy Wasatch Range, it’s bordered by the Deer Valley Resort and the huge Park City Mountain Resort, both known for their ski slopes. Utah Olympic Park, to the north, hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics and is now predominantly a training facility. In town, Main Street is lined with buildings built during a 19th-century silver mining boom.

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If you get to SLC and have a few hours to burn I highly recommend you check out Park City (famous for incredible winter skiing and hosting the Sundance Film Festival) or if you really want to indulge (won’t lie, we did) then check out the Kura Door Spa…their prices are reasonable and all services include access to relaxation rooms, sauna, steam room and yummy treats & tea. For food and drinks near downtown, check out Whiskey Street (21+), Red Iguana (killer classic margs and amazing mole), or Spitz (delicious donor kabobs).

Go to Park City. Walk along Main Street. Get a burger and a craft beer at the Wasatch Brewery. Check out a real Banksy.

Most popular city on this route

27 minutes off the main route, 88% of way to Salt Lake City

Best stops along Bryce Canyon National Park to Salt Lake City drive

The top stops along the way from Bryce Canyon National Park to Salt Lake City (with short detours) are Deer Valley Resort, Utah Olympic Park, and Red Canyon. Other popular stops include Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Park City Mountain, and Bridal Veil Falls.

1

Red Canyon

Desert canyon known for its rusty-red hoodoo rock spires, crossed by hiking & biking trails.

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Amazing! Good for a short walk / trail. You can imagine a lot and let your fantasie free mind. Enjoy it and all 4 free!

There's a 1 hr hike there. If you have time, you should try. There was an amazing view.

Amazing place, highly recommended, lot of short hikes..

4.9(96)

4.5(689)

2

Panguitch Gem Theater

Movie theater

Fun & Games

Cafe

Ice cream shop

Restaurant

Rock shop

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Love it!! Local small sooooo yummy ! Had a hot tamale plate And they do play movies here ! Ice cream selection is MASSIVE

We stopped at this place in the evening while the Balloon Festival was happening in the streets. They were the only place open late enough to grab food/drinks. We also had their Raspberry Lemonade sherbet and boy was it SOUR. So tart my face is still feeling the effects days later. I would recommend this place for sure. the staff was really nice and the ice cream was good.

Old school movie theater with great food. Game room, dinosaur fossils, gems, and creamy ice cream. Glad we decided to catch a movie here.

4.6(162)

4.0(77)

105 N Main St, Panguitch, UT 84759, USA

3

Otter Creek State Park

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Beautiful reservoir with fishing, swimming, camping, all available. There is a mercantile with basic supplies and a cafe for breakfast and dinner at the RV park which also has cabin rentals. The state park has RV and tent sites available as well. RV or tent spots are available first come all along the reservoir off the dirt roads leading in from main road.

This place had some great fishing. We caught some beautiful rainbow trout. The shoreline have poky weeds so bring shoes. The dock gets consistent not busy. Lake was easy to kayak for the kids.

Great little lake to go fishing. Always have a great time here.

4.5(246)

4.0(12)

22 UT-22, Antimony, UT 84712, USA

4

Eagle Point Resort

Resort hotel

Nature & Parks

Ski & Snowboard Areas

Compact ski resort offering black diamond runs & tree-lined trails, plus on-site accommodation.

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Amazing getaway. Took my young family on the most amazing ski trip. My wife and children are beginners and this is one of the best places to learn. No lift lines to wait in and the slopes are not crowded. The other side of the resort has some really nice black diamond slopes that I thoroughly enjoyed. Would be a fun place to get away to in the summer for some four wheeling or mountain biking.

Unexpected gem!! Even after weeks of no snow, the conditions were surprisingly great! The food, drinks and service were just one more amazement that we didn’t expect for such a small mom & pop ski area. We skied all day and still didn’t get to all the runs. The layout is a bit confusing at first and parking signage could be improved, but it was nice to have separation between beginner/intermediate skiing vs intermediate/advanced areas. Even on a Saturday it was not busy at all! We WILL go back!

This is our new FAVORITE ski area! What a 💎 in the rough. The terrain was amazing, the sunsets were to die for, and the restaurant provided a lovely dinner. If you have the chance and like a rustic resort, GO!

4.3(370)

4.5(97)

150 S W Village Cir, Beaver, UT 84713, USA

5

Always Rafting & Kayaking

Raft trip outfitter

Tours

Kayaking & Canoeing

River Rafting & Tubing

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We had a wonderful experience rafting with Paul as our guide. The kindness, professionalism and genuine love for rafting made our time on the river memorable and enjoyable for all skill levels-We will be back for a full moon rafting experience!!! Grateful to have found such a credible rafting company 💗

We had the best family day on the Sevier River! Our family of 5, Mom, Dad and 3 teens. Had a great day on the river. There was enough float time and some fun rapids. Even though we had a kid or two end up in the water, it was the best experience. We loved our instructor La'a. He was fun and knowledgeable as we peppered him with questions. All around it was a great day, and made our cross country trip even better. We even purchased the pictures and I am sure one will end up on our Christmas Card. Thank you again Always Rafting & Kayaking!

After a lot of research my mother & I decided to give it a try the reviews only boosted our confidence to do it. We arrived early & took the time to enjoy the sights, We signed our waivers & got fitted for vests, We then took a short van ride to the start of the river went through a quick & very funny orientation with “The Angry Viking” & his daughter. The actual rafting experience itself was AMAZING & We’re looking for more. We literally couldn’t believe the trip was 10 miles! It doesn’t feel like it. Our helpful & super funny guide Dan was amazing pointing out sights, giving us history of the canyon, the water was refreshing & the weather was incredible. I’m so happy we got videos & pictures, it was truly a trip to remember, We can’t wait to come back & bring our family / friends. Totally recommend!

4.7(82)

5.0(92)

38.50316 -112.259502 2540, W Deer Creek Rd, Marysvale, UT 84750, USA

6

Fremont Indian State Park and Museum

State park

Museums

History Museums

State park with trails & Native American petroglyphs & pictographs, plus a museum with artifacts.

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There are really neat petroglyphs here. We also explored other places besides the museum and loop trail. It was worth the trip to see the Indian blanket, sheep shelter, and cave of 100 hands. I wish we had more time to see more. The lady at the front desk was so helpful and shared lots of info about the area.

Im so Glad I finally checked out Fremont State Park! Living in Southern Utah growing up and traveling there frequently as an adult I have driven by signs to here for so long and never stopped. I finally did and was blown away by all of the awesome Information I got at the museum there and what they directed me to see. Start: At the museum that is actually open 7 days a week and has super friendly and helpful rangers there. There is also about a 20 minute long video with intriguing information as well as a museum of artifacts found while building the freeway you drove on to get there. There is a great campground (rock creek state park) less than a mile away with all the facilities (bathroom, BBQ, fire pit, table etc. Based along the creek that is next to The huge area from Mr. Lott estate (an earlier settler ) next to their" refrigerator " built into the rock.

We love this place! I came here with my family as a kid, and bringing my own kids was so surreal. It's the perfect, family friendly place. The trails are fairly easy, and the museum is interactive and fun for all ages. Highly recommend!

4.7(676)

4.5(92)

3820 Clear Creek Canyon Rd, Sevier, UT 84766, USA

7

Mystic Hot Springs

Hot mineral water springs from the ground at 168°F at this resort first developed in 1905.

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This place was amazing! I loved everything about my experience. I stayed in The Other One bus and it was super nice! The heater and heated blanket kept us warm on a rainy spring night and helped me sleep so good. There are cute cats that roam around and I was surprised one day by a peacock on my buses porch! The bathrooms are cozy along with the rest of the area. The hot springs were beautiful and really helped my aches and pain. It was a little crowded to get a tub with a view because there was a very large family at the same time as us but eventually we got to experience the view from the tub and it was a truly magical Utah sunset. Very relaxing and peaceful. I will definitely be back and try out a new bus!

Beautiful! The springs are nice and picture perfect. It’s quiet and serene! Some tubs are cooler if you prefer that, others are hot. Don’t forget to bring your own drinking water. They have showers/bathrooms that are a short walk from the springs to rinse off after. Only $25 for a soaking pass for 2 hours. Sooo worth it!!!!

Super fun. Great getaway. Very rustic. We stayed in the cabin and it was cozy. Everyone was super helpful and friendly. Some of the tubs are not super hot but the big pools were perfect.

4.4(941)

3.5(114)

475 E 100 N, Monroe, UT 84754, USA

8

Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum

Museum

Historical landmark

Historical place museum

History museum

Park

Picnic ground

Specialty Museums

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This is a must stop! Best museum I've been to in southern Utah! Full of information and memorabilia on beautiful grounds. Husband loved it!

My great great great grandfather was Anson Call. He supervised the construction of this building.

What an amazing piece of history and a really cool building. If you are heading out that direction it's totally worth the stop!

4.6(285)

4.5(30)

50 W Capitol St, Fillmore, UT 84631, USA

9

Topaz Museum

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They did an excellent job creating this museum. All of the artifacts and quotes worked well to help understand what it was like in Topaz and who the people were who went through this.Thank you to the people who have helped create this.

Beautiful! Thank you to Jane and all of the volunteers that initiated and have kept this place going. If you have not been, put it on your list.

This is a beautiful museum! All of the artifacts and information are well presented and the volunteers who run everything are fantastic! I highly recommend a visit to the museum and out to the site of the internment camp. It's a very informational, eye-opening, moving experience.

4.8(254)

5.0(46)

55 W Main St, Delta, UT 84624, USA

10

Great Basin Museum

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What an unbelievable museum so many antiques and artifact and rocks and minerals and fossils definitely worth the stop.

Interesting things to see and the lady at the front was extremely enjoyable to interact with, my kids loved everything. I highly recommend it as something to do in Delta.

If your in this city stop here and enjoy the relics. What a collection of antique history, arrowhead collections and semiprecious gems. The host are all volunteers that will cheer you along the history path.

4.8(49)

4.0(26)

45 W Main St, Delta, UT 84624, USA

11

Skydive the Wasatch

Skydiving center

Tours

Adrenaline & Extreme Tours

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I don't think my experience skydiving could have been any better! The staff was so friendly and helped me feel at ease throughout the whole process. They made me laugh and gave some pretty good pep talks, too! I will definitely be going back! Also, buy the video! It seems a little pricey but it is so worth it! I have already watched mine 50 times!

A co-worker and I were in the area today and each signed up for a tandem skydive ultra last-minute. SO much fun. Great crew, nice people. The hangar is a chill place to hang out.

My sister wanted to go skydiving for her birthday and she picked Skydive the Wasatch. And I am so glad she did! We brought my husband and my sister in law along and we all had a really great time. The cost is great, it is close by where we live, and it was beautiful. Not only that but the energy of the people there skydiving with you was so positive and happy. We will actually be going back for another jump!

4.9(261)

5.0(30)

2001 N Airport Rd, Nephi, UT 84648, USA

12

Rowley's Red Barn

Produce market

Sights & Landmarks

Gift basket store

Ice cream shop

Juice shop

Pie shop

Farms

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Loved it! We stayed here as Harvest Hosts guests in our camper van. The parking area is huge, plenty of space to spread out. We enjoyed a nice walk through the orchard - the view of the mountains is unreal! The shop has every type of local food treats you could want, and the ice cream was to die for. Would stay again! Thanks for the relaxing evening.

Loved wandering through the apple and cherry orchards. The Red Barn is incredible with all kinds of goodies to choose from. We purchased a few unique gift items and my husband bought a large container of the homemade ice cream. He says it is really good! The carriage rides were a nice added touch to the ambiance. We stayed on the property as Harvest Host guests and were thankful for the nights stay, but the proximity to the I-15 made for a very noisy night! Would definitely recommend you visit, just bring your earplugs if you stay the night!!

This place is fantastic. Very clean and organized! This is not just an ice cream and gift shop but a whole experience! The ice cream is fantastic and they have several other products of the highest quality. The place is well kept and has a cozy feeling to it. As soon as you walk in, you are greeted by a friendly smile. The prices are reasonable for the high quality of products you are getting. I really liked this place. They have done a great job. This place is a local destination for my family! If you like ice cream, you gotta give this a shot! Yumm Yumm!

4.7(1583)

4.5(45)

901 S 300 W St, Santaquin, UT 84655, USA

13

Springville Museum of Art

Art museum

Museums

Art gallery

Revamped 1930s Spanish colonial with 9 galleries that showcase historic & contemporary Utah art.

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I didn’t even know this place existed. What a beautiful museum. My daughter had an assignment for school to go to a museum with sculptures. This was the closest museum. It’s a beautiful museum with beautiful paintings, sculptures and a cute sculpture garden. I would never have known about this place If her teacher never suggested it. The building was in a great location however Google takes you to the side of the building where there’s no parking and hard to find the door. So drive past the building to the next turn on the east side and you’ll see the huge parking lot. I loved the local art and the way the rooms were designed. My favorite part was definitely the sculpture garden. It had beautiful sculptures and a beautiful garden for pictures. I will definitely return again.

Such beautiful, breathtaking works of art in here. I'm glad there's no entry charges, it was so calm. Would be nice to see more pieces inspired by other religions and cultures, there was a good amount of diverse but a loooot of Christian pieces. Still they were all very gorgeous. Glad I stopped by :)

This is the best art museum in Utah. It has a nice mix of local art and art masters. The Soviet art is truly unique. And believe it or not, it's free!! Never busy.

4.8(943)

4.5(77)

126 E 400 S, Springville, UT 84663, USA

14

Camp Floyd/Stagecoach Inn

Historical place museum

Nature & Parks

Museum

State Parks

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Wonderful place! Loved everything about it! And I really enjoyed racing my son with handcarts, being taught by my daughter in the school house and exploring the inn museum. Well worth the trip and the $15 entrance fee.

For three bucks this is really cool see the ruins of a large military camp and a very cool pony Express and stagecoach stop

Loved this place (but exception at bottom of this post). It's a drive out there on the west side of Utah Lake but worth it. Lots of history covered re: Mormons, US Army, Indians, Pony Express, Pioneers, Miners and Farmers. All is self-guided. Includes film, museum, blogs, plaques, boards, memorials, cemetery across the street, schoolhouse on another street, etc. There's also a gift shop. Found great postcards but all the candy we bought was ROCK HARD--COULDN'T EAT ANY OF IT (chocolate, gum, caramel). The ranger said the local kids buy it there all the time so that's why they take cash & CC. I don't know what's going on with that. I should've checked it before we left. Besides this, highly recommend!! (Sorry, all photos taken with camera and not phone).

4.6(117)

4.5(15)

69 W Main St, Fairfield, UT 84013, USA

15

Brigham Young University

University

Sights & Landmarks

Educational sites

Dating to 1875, this private Mormon school is known for its picturesque campus & athletics programs.

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This is one of the best Universities in the entire country! Not only do they teach great academics, but is one of the few that hasn't gone completely rediculous woke! The Wasatch mountains just behind it are some of the most beautiful as well. Football games in this stadium are so fun and the backdrop is breathtaking!

The was the Brigham Young University Commencement service, it was amazing! 6871 college graduated today!! My youngest son graduated today too at the Marriott Center!

Walking this campus will always spark great memories from the past, and make new ones. Our family loves visiting whenever we can. I hope the school and campus continue to be an inspiration to its students and alumni.

4.6(1497)

4.5(321)

16

Bridal Veil Falls

River canyon waterfall close to the highway with a paved trail & picnic area with tables.

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Beautiful falls along U.S. route 189. Passed through at the beginning of February here while on a trip to see the Ice Castles in Midway and this was a very nice side stop during the trip. The snow and frozen sections of some of the falls made it even more breath taking! Well worth the stop!!

This a beautiful place. Nice hike along the River and has a several water falls. This is a nice ares to come with you hall family. It has picnic ares. Just a beautiful place to spend the day.

Anyone can do it. It’s a short walk, about .5 miles on a paved path from the parking lot. However, we tried climbing up to the falls and it was pretty sketchy, so be careful.

4.8(354)

4.5(459)

17

Sundance

Outdoor Activities

Hiking Trails

4.5(202)

18

Thanksgiving Point

Non-profit organization

Museums

Nonprofit complex housing gardens, an interactive farm, cafes, shops & the Museum of Ancient Life.

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If you’re not in a hurry, however, you might take the (even more) scenic drive over the mountains from Thanksgiving Point, following route 92 down through Sundance, where you pick up 189 and then rejoin I-15 for a stretch before heading east. Once you’re south of Spanish Fork, there isn’t a whole lot of population, just beautiful scenery. Arrive and spend some time exploring Arches. Get dinner in Moab, which is a lovely little tourist destination.

We went to the butterfly exhibit and it was beautiful. Our group was able to get amazing photos with the butterflies. I am a huge plant person and loved the plants they had inside. The playground indoors next to the exhibit was awesome of the kids to burn off their energy. Next time we’re in town I would love to come back.

Always enjoy the Tulip Festival at Ashton Gardens. I am impressed with their ability to maintain such a large property and to make it inviting for all every year. I also learned that most kids really like the two animatronic dinosaurs that have been placed near the entrance and are being allowed to eat the tulips. Of course, I did hear one of two kids start to cry when the sound effects recording started playing. I'm sure I will be back next year.

We had a lot of fun visiting a couple of spots around Thanksgiving point for my son's birthday. We loved the farm animals, the butterflies and the dino fossils. The only thing we didn't enjoy was the amount of unsupervised kids running around: scaring the animals, stepping on butterflies and throwing sand everywhere at the little kids. It's upsetting to see how stressed the animals and workers looked... not sure why parents would allow their kids to treat animals so unkindly.

4.6(6629)

4.5(430)

3003 N Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, UT 84043, USA

19

Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point

Museum

Children's Museums

Specialty Museums

A large glass-walled building housing more than 400 science- & nature-themed interactive exhibits.

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Museum of Natural Curiosity in Thanksgiving Point is great fun but not cheap. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper is very popular and quite impressive for a desert city.

This museum is not what I would normally think of when I hear museum. The interactive learning experience that children can have at the Museum of Natural Curiosity is amazing. We were able to learn so much science through play while here! The greatest part is that the activities here are fun for everyone which is truely invaluable when your kids are as far apart in age as mine are. We hadn't even made it out of the parking lot before my older child was asking if we could come back the next day!

Lots to do here with kids. My kids are 9, 7, and 3. They all enjoyed it. We weren't able to get to it all in one visit. But we were also only there for an hour or so. I feel like it is so fun especially if you've never been there before because there is so much to discover. But I also feel that for some of the exhibits we will quickly grow out of them. I appreciate that for the jungle gym, parents can use a walkway to follow their kids all throughout. I also came here once on a field trip with 1st graders and of course they all had a great time!

This museum has a myriad of hands-on displays that are targeted towards kids. This place is very educational, and big on science. With younger kids; ages 3 to 8, you could easily spend several hours here. For the older kids and adults there is a ropes course that was very safe, and we thoroughly enjoyed this experience. This place can be a little pricey, and a little crowded at times, so I would consider checking to see how busy it is before paying. If it's not too busy, than it is totally worth the money.

4.7(3300)

4.5(170)

3605 Garden Dr, Lehi, UT 84043, USA

20

Bingham Copper Mine

Natural feature

Sights & Landmarks

Mines

Expansive, open-pit copper mine with an overlook and a gift shop, that offers a visitor experience.

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I am so happy this is open again! It is STUNNING. Just viewing its grandeur is incredible. The bus drivers and security were very friendly and outgoing. The views were awesome! We spent about 45 minutes at the top and I could have stayed there all day. We bought tickets online. We were easily able to catch a bus and it took us right to the top. The bus driver on the way down was particularly chatty and very helpful. She answered so many of my questions and gave us so many fun facts. I took my six-year-old and three-year-old and we all had a great time.

Got a nice view of the mine from the air.

As of April 2019, you can now go inside the copper mine pit. From 2013 to early 2019, visitors were not allowed inside the pit due to a landslide that destroyed the visitor overlook area. A new visitor overlook has been built and April 1 to October 31 you can go inside the mine. BE ADVISED: ...The visitor center isn't fully built out yet and currently there's just a small gift shop and a two-level scenic overlook of the pit with a few pieces of equipment on display. Plans are to add more exhibits, displays, possibly a visitor center building of some kind in the years to come. Right now it's really a bare-bones visitor experience and everything at the overlook is outdoors. It feels kinda half-baked, as far as tourist attractions go. But remember it just barely opened up and they're still in the process of building it out. This is just "phase one" of a three phase plan. The pit is very impressive, but the visitor experience definitely feels underdeveloped at this point. THE OLD VISITOR CENTER: For those who visited prior to the 2013 landslide you will remember there was a visitor center with a museum and a theater with a 15 minute movie that explained the whole process. That is no longer there. There is no museum, no theater/movie. The current gift shop is about half as big as the previous one and is located not at the overlook but down in the valley at the bottom of the road. SELF-GUIDED, LITTLE INFO This is a completely self-guided experience that is very much lacking in things to help you interpret what is going on. You're mostly just left to look at the hole and some equipment, without knowing how any of it works or the amazing history behind this century-old mine. There is a security guard or two on site and they sometimes try to act like they know what they're talking about but the information they provide is inaccurate and they don't have much to say. Their job is to make sure nobody jumps in the hole or has a heart attack. They are not docents/guides...at all. FYI, reservations are required, you buy tickets online and they charge per person, no refunds. Weather is a big factor as they will cancel at last minute if it's raining. You wouldn't want to be up there in the rain anyway, you wouldn't be able to see anything as it's in the mountains and clouds block the view...and it's all outdoors. Fortunately there are very few rainy days late May through October (April is a very rainy month for SLC). GUIDED TOURS AVAILABLE There are some sightseeing bus tour companies that do fully narrated, guided tours departing from downtown, 3 recommendations: City Sights, Tours of Utah, and Attraction Explorers. You can drive yourself to the mine and pay a per-person entrance fee and do your own self-guided visit, which locals and families would probably choose to do and in a few years when the visitor center is built out then it will be a much better self-guided experience. But if you're from out of town, you're only going to be in Utah once, the sightseeing bus tour is worth the money because the tour companies narrate everything, explain what everything is, give you history, stories and facts/trivia that you otherwise would have no way of knowing. Without the guided tour, you save some money but you'd just show up and look around for 10 minutes, take some photos and feel like it was kind of a half-baked experience...left with the sentiment of "Cool...but what's the big deal? It's just a big hole??"

4.1(136)

4.0(164)

21

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Aquarium

Nature & Parks

Non-profit organization

Airy facility with marine-life displays of 2,400+ animals including penguins, seahorses & stingrays.

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Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper is very popular and quite impressive for a desert city. Looking for another US itinerary?. Check out the one we wrote for northern Michigan (and no, it doesn’t include Mackinac.)

Wonderful place. A bit on the pricy side but there is so much to do and some unique animals to see. Has a lot of ways kids can interact and an amazing park on the outside before going into the main exhibit. Great place for adults too. Has a tasty cafe! Buy tickets ahead of time so you don't have to wait in line.

Its so super cool here! I really appreciate the animal information panel next to each exhibit, the fish usually have many on 1 panel so its fun to search for each like a little game. Also AMAZING fries, the food was AWESOME, id dare say they have "McDonald" level of sprite. Its a unique taste to get and they nailed it, how funny is that!

Loveland living planet aquarium offers so many features that keep me and my child entertained for hours. One of our favorite parts of seeing the sharks in the large tank and being able to see them swim over our heads as we go through the tunnel. It is always very neat and clean and the staff is friendly! I do feel that a day pass is overpriced, but they do offer a student and military discounts. I also believe that seniors and children get discounts as well.

4.6(14360)

4.0(588)

12033 Lone Peak Pkwy, Draper, UT 84020, USA

22

Heber Valley Railroad

This old-fashioned train ride with scenic views offers trips with sing-a-longs, live music & BBQ.

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Was scheduled for the North pole express but due to weather was unable to make it on time. Decided to go to the station and wait for my family to exit the train. The young man at the desk informed us that because we missed our train ride they would give us an 80% credit towards another train ride and the credit was good for 2 years. It's nice to know that in these trying times there are still good business practices happening. No matter what time of year the Heber Valley Railroad is always a fun family activity!

When we were getting ready to board with my handicapped mother who relies completely on her walker to walk, we were so rudely greeted by a woman who said they aren't ADA compliant and walkers weren't allowed on the train. I told her my mother couldn't walk without it and she didn't care. My mother struggled to her seat by holding onto the seats along the way and we were told that her walker would be waiting for her at the station when we returned. This same lady changed her tone once boarded and was a great guide. The train ride was very entertaining with several different people telling about the sites, telling jokes and playing music. Very entertaining and a good value for the price paid of $25/per adult. I looked back at the website after returning to see if I had missed on the website where it said that walkers weren't allowed and no where did it mention this. It said that wheelchairs and strollers were not allowed but nowhere did it mention walkers. Had it, I would never have booked this trip knowing my mother's limitations. It all worked out ok but was a poor start to what ended up being a great train ride. I encourage the staff to be more understanding and polite when dealing with issues such as this in the future.

The Polar Express train was a hit with our kids. They had fiddlers, a guitarist, dance parties, a visit from Santa, hot cocoa and cookies. My kids all thought it was magical.

4.5(2323)

4.0(262)

450 S 6th W, Heber City, UT 84032, USA

23

Gardner Village

Shopping mall

Shopping

Day spa

Escape room center

Event venue

Historical landmark

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The Witch Fest is such a cool experience at Garner Village. The street parties, prizes, actors, food, and animals are all wonderful. I actually went to Garner Village outside the Witch Fest and was surprised to see a lot of creative activities for kiddos. A super cool place. I hope after the pandemic they get back to rocking with festivals again.

I love Gardner Village! I’ve been to work dinners here and just shopping. But my daughters and my favorite time is Witches Night Out!! We love dressing up and getting out. They have so many fun activities and shopping. It’s so fun to meet other fun people out there. Definitely recommend coming here during October.

Fun time during the Witches festival at Gardner Village! This was our first time and holy moly, the amount of people was INTENSE. Almost like a concert, intense..cars lining up on the busy street for a long while. We found parking somewhere random and walked over. It was a fun time, seeing all the decor and the cute shops. Lots of Harry Potter references, which I very much appreciated. My kids loves it and the face painting was wonderful. We hope to be back for their next event, probably going to strategically pick a day and time when less people will be there. Overall, so worth a visit.

4.6(4661)

4.5(196)

1100 W 7800 S, West Jordan, UT 84088, USA

24

Wheeler Historic Farm

Working farm where guests can visit animals & milk a cow, take wagon rides or tour a Victorian home.

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A very cool spot to go get pumpkins, check out the animals, go on a few rides, and simply feel like your living back on the farm. The maze with the option to pick your pumpkin at the end is really the best part. A great way to enjoy Fall in Salt Lake with the family.

Historic farm in the middle of a busy city with large trees and some flowering plants too. The park features a pavilion, playground fort, large grassy areas and picnic tables among the working historic farm and its barn animals. A very nice location for photoshoots year round. It has trails around it for leisure morning or afternoon walks.

I love this place because it’s dog friendly and they throw some dog friendly events. They have their farmers market, also dog friendly. You can see cows, horses, goats, sheep, pigs, peacocks, chickens, rabbits, ducks and more. There is a creek going through and several spots you can walk right up to it. Also, several trail options too. They really keep up the grounds too!

4.7(4318)

4.5(191)

6351 S 900 E, Murray, UT 84121, USA

25

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Ravine

Nature & Parks

Canyons

Scenic canyon in the Wasatch mountain range offering hiking, climbing & camping, plus skiing.

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The drive through the canyon was incredible, despite the haze from the California wildfires. We made a few stops along the way and hiked up to Twin Lakes from the Silver Lake Education Center. The hike was steep (for us, as novice hikers) but the views were well worth it.

This area is magnificent! Be it Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter. It offers a plethora of sights and scenes for your senses to experience and wonder, places for fun activities and an awesome and scenic drive too. Go have fun and make sure to leave it more exquisite than when you first show up 🏞

If you're ever looking for a location to take any sort of photos in the mountains, this would be the place I would recommend as a photographer. It's so beautiful, easily accessible (about 30 minutes from Salt Lake City), and a great opportunity to get some fresh air as well! I got to take some bridal photos in Big Cottonwood Canyon near Solitude Mt. Resort and loved the scenery. Photos below! Photos by Marina Rey Photography LLC - marinareyphoto.com

4.7(40)

5.0(1065)

26

Deer Valley Resort

Ski resort

Outdoor Activities

Ski resort featuring houses, condos & hotel rooms along with restaurants, shops & many activities.

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Hop on the free city-wide transit bus from the Old Town Transit Center on Swede Alley (parallel to Main Street) and head to Park City Mountain or Deer Valley Resort for a scenic chairlift ride. The resorts burst with beautiful autumn colors this time of year. Enjoy the crisp air as you hike back down to one of the resort centers. Stay at one of the resort centers for lunch, or catch the free bus back to Historic Main Street to enjoy an al fresco meal with a gorgeous view.

There are many beautiful lakes around Park City, but many people don’t know that there is actually a small series of ponds that are incredible for stand-up paddle boarding. Also known as Pebble Beach at Deer Valley- it is the such a great place for SUP because there are no speed boat wakes to mess up your perfect form. You’ll be surrounded by gorgeous views of mountains and can seriously spend so much time here.

This beautiful tree lined 18 hole public golf course is a real gem with 8 driving range stations, plus practice & putting greens. Built in 1963 with only 9 holes, this Park City golf course was originally designed by William Neff and then later expanded in 1976 to 18 holes. Today the course is municipally owned to help keep fees down and ensure access for everyone.

The slopes at this iconic resort are just as epic in the summer as they are in winter—and just as steep. Ski a black diamond in December, then hike it, bike it or horseback ride it in August. Take a dip in the pool or try to stay dry on a paddleboard, then towel off, grab a picnic basket, and watch one of Deer Valley’s summer concerts as the sun smolders low.

Renowned for its upscale amenities and ambience, the delightful Deer Valley is regularly ranked among the best ski resorts in the States. Besides boasting a staggering number of ski slopes, it also has luxurious lodges, restaurants and boutiques to enjoy. Spread across six mountains are over 100 runs which cater to beginners, intermediates and experts alike.

With hot chocolate and cookies available on winter afternoons, you’ll feel at home on this family-friendly hotel property. They have children’s activities, and single room to three-bedroom condos available, too. It’s an inviting place to spend a weekend where you’re close to the ski runs and have everything you need at your fingertips.

Deer Valley is a ski only resort offering 2,000 acres of both summer and winter fun. At scenic Deer Valley Resort, embark on a host of uncommon experiences. Traverse miles of ski and snowboard runs across six mountains; even challenge yourself to some of the same runs Olympians competed on during the 2002 Winter Games.

Get your group on the city bus early to Deer Valley’s Snow Park Restaurant (2250 Deer Valley Dr S, 435.645.6520), where the breakfast options range from oatmeal and made-to-order eggs to the must-have cinnamon challah French toast served with banana butter and Vermont maple syrup. Kids lessons or all together, now

Among the most popular ski resorts in the Park City area, Deer Valley is located 36 miles from Salt Lake City. It was the site of several events in the 2002 Winter Olympics, including freestyle moguls, aerial, snowboarding, and alpine slalom. Opened in 1981, it is renowned for its luxurious amenities.

Offering events all year round Deer Valley Resort hosts concerts with Grammy-nominated artists as well as the Utah Symphony. Additionally, various athletic and cultural events are held like the Twilight Ride Series and guided historical tours.

The second of Park City’s two major ski resorts, Deer Valley Resort offers miles and miles of fresh white slopes. Activities include skiing, snowmobiling, and more. Winter isn’t the only time that you can enjoy the great outdoors, either.

Head to the slopes because your feed’s about to get really cool. Utah is known for its fresh powder and impressive ski resorts. Deer Valley Resort is a great place if you want to ski and take impressive photos.

Our family favorite is the St. Regis Deer Valley. You can see their website here Saint Regis Deer Valley Park City.

Amazing ski resort. Amazing terrain. I was able to make it on a beautiful blue bird week. They had enough snow to make it worth it. Great conditions. Steep terrain, but enough for everyone. If you are a skier it is a place you must visit. Worth the price. It can be over the top but the terrain and conditions are worth the price of admission even if it is for one day.

Family friendly ski (only) resort. This place was so much fun. The best groomers and a great balance of greens/blues/blacks. I found the weekday traffic to be lower than other places so there was plenty of room to roam all day. Would do again.

Though the base lodges can give you the impression the place is super crowded the mountain is big enough so skiers are spread far and wide. Like Alta this resort is skiers only. Lots of great trails for all abilities. Lines for the most part are short to non existent... during the week at least. We don't do weekends.

4.6(2460)

5.0(2335)

2250 Deer Valley Dr S, Park City, UT 84060, USA

27

Park City Main Street Historic District

Historical landmark

Sights & Landmarks

Points of Interest & Landmarks

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The Park City Main Street Historic District is a wonderful testament to metal mining towns of yore. After a fire in 1898, the structures were rebuilt in diverse architectural styles, including Queen Anne, Mission/Spanish Revival, and Victorian, to name a few. Often touted as the main attraction, the district consists of 47 historic buildings set on 13 acres along Main Street, which today houses over 100 boutiques, 50 restaurants, and ample outdoor adventure companies.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Main Street Historic District consists of more than 40 buildings built in Victorian, Queen Anne, and Spanish Revival styles. Interestingly, all of these are recreations of even older buildings; a fire destroyed much of the neighborhood in 1898, and everything had to be built again. Today, however, you won’t even know that the district had been touched by flames.

Centered around Main Street is Park City’s handsome Historic District, a picturesque place to stroll around. Home to beautiful old buildings, it has countless shops and restaurants, as well as several excellent art galleries. Following a fierce fire that swept the city in 1898, many brick buildings were rebuilt in an array of architectural styles.

Cool town to visit. Lots of shops to check out. Great views. Plenty of restaurants to choose from, great coffee shops. Lots of souvenir shops too. There are quite a few local arts shops too.

Wow. So many amazing art galleries in one place! And plenty of shopping and great food options as well. I was very impressed that even while looking at photographs, paintings and fur coats that cost more than my car (and some more than my first house) that everyone was so nice and friendly. Not even one person was like that sales lady on Rodeo Drive in the movie Pretty Woman, and many seemed to genuinely enjoy my South Carolina drawl and comparing stories of our travels. I didn't get to ski, but there were plenty of families there that seemed to be having a blast. We found really beautiful views, a wonderful atmosphere, and a truly welcoming group of people.

Leisurely walking around town. Lots of galleries, shops, restaurants. Visit the museum, worth the price of admission. (Cost of admission discounted with coupon)

4.7(137)

4.5(1259)

Main St, Park City, UT 84060, USA

28

Park City Mountain

Ski resort

Outdoor Activities

Renowned resort with skiing, snowboarding & other activities, plus hotels, restaurants & shops.

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Hop on the free city-wide transit bus from the Old Town Transit Center on Swede Alley (parallel to Main Street) and head to Park City Mountain or Deer Valley Resort for a scenic chairlift ride. The resorts burst with beautiful autumn colors this time of year. Enjoy the crisp air as you hike back down to one of the resort centers. Stay at one of the resort centers for lunch, or catch the free bus back to Historic Main Street to enjoy an al fresco meal with a gorgeous view.

Located Slope side within the Canyons Resort Village of Park City Mountain Resort, Hyatt Centric Park City, offers a true ski in ski out experience. Canyons Resort and Park City Mountain Resort recently merged to form one mega ski resort, with powder-filled bowls and dozens of groomed runs. When it’s winter in Park City, ski the slopes, zip line over the landscape, enjoy a 30-minute night ride via a horse-drawn sleigh, or try cross-country skiing.

Locals often start their days by flocking to our picturesque mountains where they connect with visitors from all over the world looking to experience our world-renowned ski resorts and conditions. But the fun doesn’t end when the lifts stop for the day!. Read on to learn where you can keep the party going with friends and family at some of the best après ski bars and restaurants in Park City.

Summon your chauffeur (or, you know, get your Kia from the parking garage) and take to the mountains for some Nature TV. Watch the drama unfold on your screen — er, windshield — as you ogle the aspens near Guardsman Pass or take a two-lane highway up to bucolic Mirror Lake, where the leaves will be in full effect and the evergreens will be ever-green. Mirror Lake Highway / Ray Boren

Park City Mountain Resort is one of the two major ski resorts in Park City, and during the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City, many competitions were held here. It has TV-ready slopes that will absolutely dazzle you when you’re gazing at the world from 10,000 feet high. Trails number in the hundreds, and there are also pipes, lifts, and terrain parks.

Park City has long been among the most chic U.S. ski destinations. Set high in the Wasatch Mountains to the east of Salt Lake City, the Park City Mountain Resort is consistently ranked as one of the top ten North American ski resorts by industry experts. It has more than 50 groomed runs on 3,300 skiable acres that offer a good mix of beginner to expert runs.

Diversions include lounging on beach chairs and around the fire pits making up the Canyons Village ski beach, enjoying live music, roasting s’mores at the Umbrella Bar (Saturdays at 3 p.m.), and mingling with Park City Mountain Patrol’s cute rescue pups (Fridays at 4:30 p.m.). Dinner, games, and dessert at Kimball Junction

Park City Mountain Resort is the Swiss Alps of Utah without all the hassle of customs. This high-alpine hotspot is always bumping with farmers markets, outdoor concerts and extreme rides in the summer, and snowboarding, skiing and hot-cocoa-sipping in winter. Because fun knows no season.

The phenomenal Park City Mountain Resort is an absolute must-visit when in town. Spread across a staggering 17 mountain peaks are 348 runs for you to shoot down, aimed at beginners, intermediates and experts alike. Since being founded in 1963, the resort has expanded considerably.

One can explore the mining trails with a tour from Park City Mine Adventure, or go back in time at the Park City Museum, which was once the City Hall and is still home to Utah’s Territorial Jail, although no longer in function. Day 2: Ski Park City & Après On Mountain

Park City Mountain is great for so many reasons. The mountain itself is huge especially after the recent connection with The Canyons. It’s also very easy to get around for such a large mountain. There’s a ton of terrain for every level of experience. The town of Park City is also a great ski town with everything from cool dive bars to high end art galleries. Highly recommended!

Amazing routes. All skill ranges. Relearned boarding the hard way. Spent a couple days on Park City Mountain. Highly recommended Canyons Village for Intermediate- Advanced as it’s always a little less crowded with the kiddos and beginners. Or stay near the tops of the peaks and send harder routes. Favourite had to be monkey powder (black) where you ski through some tight forest and tree line. Can get very skill heavy. Had amazing fresh powder and snow days the week of Christmas through new year. Routes in the morning were a little delayed on opening. Cause of heavy snow fall. If you’re going to park at the base of the mountains by the lifts plan on getting there early, like 7:30am. Gear up and get in line by 8. Otherwise be prepared to be behind hoards of people in line for the base lifts.

So, I’m definitely more of a Brighton girl, but Park City is starting to grow on me. It’s truly a different experience every time you’re there. I mean, it’s so big, how can it not be?? If it’s your first time here, I’d recommend starting at Canyons Village. I just think it’s more fun over there. Work your way over to the other side of the mountain if you need to. The coolest part about that side is the Town Lift, which takes you right into town. And, there’s a free shuttle that takes you to each base, so you can get lost and still make it back to your car.

4.5(3826)

4.5(1841)

1345 Lowell Ave, Park City, UT 84060, USA

29

Canyons Village at Park City

Resort hotel

Outdoor Activities

Home base at Park City ski resort with lodging, equipment rentals, dining & chair-lift access.

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Day 3: Ski The Canyons & Catch a Flick Connected to the Park City base area by the new eight-passenger Quicksilver Gondola, Canyons offers 4,000 acres of terrain and 182 runs for skiers and boarders to explore. Beginners will enjoy exploring the scenic upper mountain green runs located off of the High Meadow chair, while intermediates will delight in the blue cruiser runs off of the Dreamscape and Tombstone Express lifts.

The heated outdoor pool and hot tubs, spitting-distance proximity to the lifts, and an on-site day care center are just a few reasons to stay at the newly renovated Grand Summit Hotel at Canyons Village (4000 Canyons Resort Dr, 435.615.8040). Post-renovation, the Grand Summit is now part of RockResorts, a property collection renowned for both service and respect for the environment.

Make sure to use Hᴏᴛᴇʟʙᴏʟʟʏ.ᴄᴏᴍ when booking any resort. This web site will compare hundreds of booking web sites and usually will have rooms much cheaper compared to others! Thank me later! This place is one of the best in this area. I've been coming here for a long time. If you stay for a few nights you definitely won't regret it. Wonderful food and great selection. Has a awesome pioneer and western theme and ambience. Great for the whole family. A little expensive but well worth it.

Had a great time! I just wish that the green hill wasn’t the end of other runs. You have lots of beginners mixed with more experienced skiers. I’m sure they won’t change anything over this review, but just for anyone who is at a beginner level I would look for a more beginner friendly mountain.

I love that they have fireplaces outside for guests. It would be awesome if they had a little coffee/tea/cocoa stand, so you don't have to go inside the restaurant, especially now 2022. I saw something like that but it only seem to sell alcohol. Still would recommend

4.6(2583)

4.5(1164)

4000 Canyons Resort Dr, Park City, UT 84098, USA

30

Utah Olympic Park

Sports complex

Outdoor Activities

Sprawling park built for the 2002 Olympics featuring ski jumps, bobsled rides, a zip line & museums.

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As host to the 2002 Winter Olympics, Park City has held onto its Olympic legacy in many ways, but especially when it comes to the Utah Olympic Park (UOP). An afternoon spent at the UOP is the perfect opportunity to channel your inner athlete with activities such as zip-lining, bobsled rides, and adventure ropes courses. Professional athletes use the facility to train as well - perhaps you will see a future Olympian practicing his or her aerials above the newly renovated pool!

Visit the site of the 2002 Olympic ski jumping, bobsledding, skeleton, Nordic combined and luge events, which continues to host national competitions. There are 10m, 20m, 40m, 64m, 90m and 120m Nordic ski-jumping hills as well as a bobsled-luge run. The US Ski Team practices here year-round – in summer, the freestyle jumpers land in a bubble-filled jetted pool, and the Nordic jumpers on a hillside covered in plastic. Call for a schedule; it's free to observe.

We did the bobsled experience and it was awesome! So much fun! That being said, if you're having second thoughts, it really isn't as scary as you might think. Very similar to a wooden rollercoaster ride. The park itself is amazing in the winter. Lots of cool things to see!

Our visit the Olympic Park proved to be a highlight our visit to Park City. Three members of our family participated in the Bobsled experience and they were so happy with it. They all came off the mountain sporting wide grins and giggles. The museum which is free to the public proved to be an exceptional display. I loved every exhibit! We all said we would visit again given the chance.

Had so much fun bobsledding! Went so quick but glad I can check this off my bucket list. Only complaint was that they did not enforce mask wearing, which was mandated by the state when I was there. Several people were not wearing their masks on the bus ride up and in the safety video room.

4.6(3056)

4.5(2261)

3419 Olympic Pkwy, Park City, UT 84098, USA

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