If you’re planning a trip to Utah for your spring break or summer vacation and are looking for fun unique things to do in the Beehive State that would be a perfect idea for families and friends, then make sure you read our list of 10 places you can visit!
10. Imagine You’re in a Western at Monument Valley
If there’s someone who loves classic western movies, then make sure one of the things you do in Utah is visit Monument Valley. This drop-dead-gorgeous landscape is part of the Colorado Plateau near the Utah-Arizona border. Known for its cluster of sandstone buttes, Monument Valley has been a part of movies since the 1930s. This has made the area synonymous with the American Wild West. Movies shot on location in the valley include: Stagecoach, The Searchers, Back to the Future Part III, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Easy Rider, Forrest Gump, and so many more. But it’ll work for your selfie, too.
9. Set a New Land Speed Record at the Bonneville Salt Flats
If you’re looking for a thing to do in Utah that’s distinctly unique, then visit the Bonneville Salt Flats. The seemingly endless flat land has been used in film shoots for Top Gear, Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End, and Knight Rider. But the flats are most famous for Bonneville Speedway, where people have been setting land speed records in vehicles since the early 1900s. It was here in 1970 that Gary Gabelich drove the “Blue Flame” to a speed of 622 miles per hour. Since the public can drive on it, even you can attempt to beat it… in the family minivan.
8. See a Show at Tuacahn Amphitheatre
If you’re looking for a thing to do in Utah that involves a show, then make sure you catch it at the Tuacahn Amphitheatre located in Ivins. This 1,920-seat open-air amphitheater is set within the mouth of the Padre Canyon. The rear of the stage is exposed, allowing attendees to see the natural desert landscape and red rock cliffs. The stage is used for many theatrical productions, tribute bands, and other performance art productions.
7. See Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum of Utah
If you’re looking for a thing to do in Utah that will expand your mind, then visit the Natural History Museum of Utah. Located in Salt Lake City at the University of Utah, the museum holds more than 1.6 million objects in its collection – most of it from public lands within the inter-mountain region of the United States. There are 10 permanent exhibitions on display: Past Worlds, Great Salt Lake, Life, Land, First Peoples, Gems and Minerals, Native Voices, Sky, Out Backyard, and Utah Futures. There’s also a special exhibition gallery that features rotating special exhibits.
6. Get Wild at Hogle Zoo
If you’re looking for a thing to do in Utah that gets in touch with your wild side, then visit the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City. The zoo has around 800 animals and nearly 250 different kinds of species from all sorts of diverse ecosystems. In all, there are eight different exhibits to explore: African Savanna, Rocky Shores, Asian Highlands, Elephant Encounter, Great Apes, Primate Forest, Small Animal Building and the World of Flight. Hope aboard the Zoofari Express Train Ride that takes riders between the lion exhibit and savanna animals before continuing around the perimeter.
5. Get Your Wings at Hill Aerospace Museum
If you’re looking for a thing to do in Utah to cater to any aviation fans in your group, then explore the Hill Aerospace Museum. The museum holds over 90 aircraft in its collection and a variety of munitions, equipment, auxiliary vehicles, and other historical items. Highlights include a B-17 Flying Fortress, the only SR-71C Blackbird (pictured above), an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and one of the first operational F-16 Fighting Falcons. The collection is divided into five exhibits: The Beginnings, World War II, Dawn of the Jet Age, The Cold War, and Keeping the Peace. Plus, the museum is free so what’s not to like?
4. Dive Into Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
If the Hogle Zoo made you want to gander at more animals, then stop by for a dip at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper. This thing to do in Utah currently houses 4,500 animals that represent 550 species. The aquarium features five different exhibits to peruse: Ocean Explorer, Journey to South America, Discover Utah, Antarctic Adventure, and Expedition: Asia. Animals include seahorses, sharks, sting rays, electric eels, and piranhas.
3. Experience Some of Nature’s Best at Zion National Park
If you’re looking for things to do in Utah that involve nature, then visit the stunning Zion National Park located near Springdale. The national park includes numerous plant species, 75 species of mammals (19 of which are different bat species), 289 species of birds, and 32 species of reptiles. The park is divided into four life zones: desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest. Visitors will see mountains, canyons, buttes, mesas, monoliths, rivers, sloth canyons, and natural arches. One of the highlights of the park is Zion Canyon – a 15-mile long and up to 2,640 feet deep canyon flanked by Navajo Sandstone walls.
2. Take a Pilgrimage to Temple Square
Utah is known for having a large Mormon population. And if that religion is interesting to you, then check out Temple Square in the center of Salt Lake City. The largest landmark of the square is Salt Lake Temple. At over 250,000 square feet, this temple is the largest of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church) and took over 40 years to construct. Also at the square is the Salt Lake Tabernacle (Mormon Tabernacle), Salt Lake Assembly Hall, the Seagull Monument, and two visitors’ centers. The square also serves as the headquarters of the LDS Church.
Photo: K1 Speed
1. Experience Authentic Go Kart Racing at K1 Speed
If you’re someone that craves excitement and Unique experiences, then a trip to K1 Speed in Salt Lake City / Sandy should definitely be on your Utah list of fun things to do. Known as the world’s largest and premier indoor go-karting operator, K1 Speed features go-karts are all-electric . This means you don’t need to worry about breathing in exhaust fumes or leaving with stinky clothes. Plus, the power is instant, giving these karts a much faster acceleration than any gas-powered kart you’ve driven before. Junior karts speed up to 25mph and delight kids 4’ or taller, while adult karts rocket to 45mph for racers 4’10” or taller.
The location is immaculate and features motorsport memorabilia fit for a museum, meeting spaces for group events, an arcade for all ages, and an onsite eatery that serves food & beverages. And since everything is indoors, it doesn’t matter if it’s pouring rain or scorching hot. You can still enjoy this popular worldwide attraction, open seven days a week. If you’ve never experienced go-kart racing before, stop in for an Arrive & Drive race. If you’ve been to a K1 Speed, try out their track layout – exclusive to this Salt Lake City location.