We have lived in Utah County for many years, but we often sneak across the county line to adventure in Salt Lake. There are so many fun adventures in Salt Lake Valley that we have discovered. Spring Break is here, and we know that lots of parents are looking for ways to entertain their kids who are out of school. So we put together a list of some of our favorite things to do for Spring Break in Salt Lake County. We hope you’ll find a few that your family will enjoy.
Spend a day in Big (or Little) Cottonwood Canyon
We love the Salt Lake canyons. Even a drive through these canyons is beautiful, and we love following along the river as we weave through the canyons. A lot of our favorite hikes are in Little or Big Cottonwood canyons. In the Spring, some of these hikes still have snow on them, so definitely be prepared for the conditions. Some years we have hiked in snow boots, and others we have hiked in regular gear. All of these hikes are easy, and family friendly, and most involve waterfalls!
This year (2023) these canyons will be full of snow, so we would probably recommend some of these easier Spring Hikes.
Little Cottonwood Canyon
- Rocky Mouth Falls (near Little Cottonwood Canyon)
- Lisa Falls
- Gloria Falls
- Bell Canyon Reservoir
- Temple Quarry
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Visit A Hands-on Museum
Salt Lake has some of the best hands-on museums for kids (and adults). We love spending a day at any of these museums, and wish we lived closer to visit more often. These spots are great when it’s cold or rainy over Spring Break.
- Clark Planetarium (FREE)
- Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum
- The Leonardo
- Natural History Museum of Utah
- Gale Center of History and Culture (FREE)
Explore Temple Square
Temple Square is under construction, so some buildings are currently closed.
We love visiting Temple Square all year, but it is especially beautiful in the spring with all of the tulips and daffodils blooming. There are so many fun, FREE things to do, and you can spend a day since they are all on one block in downtown SLC. We have a list about 12 Awesome Things at Temple Square for Kids, but here are our favorites.
- Church History Museum
- Conference Center
- Church Office Building (the roof opens mid-April, so check before you go)
- The Tabernacle (organ concerts every day at 12:00 pm)
Play at a Park
Salt Lake County has a lot of awesome parks, and we keep finding more. Let us know what your favorites are in the comments below, but here are a few of our favorites. For our full list, check our our Best Parks in Salt Lake County post.
- Legacy Park (North Salt Lake)
- Sugarhouse Park (Salt Lake)
- Magna Regional Park (Magna)
- Wild West Park (West Jordan)
- Copperton Park (Copperton–out west)
- Wheadon Farm park (Draper)
- Wardle Fields Regional Park (Bluffdale)
- J. Lynn Crane Park (Herriman)
- Lodestone Park (West Valley)
Adventure with the Animals
We have so many favorite places in Salt Lake Valley where we can visit animals. And in the spring there are baby animals everywhere. We love all of these places, and think they are a great way to get up close and personal with animals.
- Hogle Zoo
- Baby Animal Days Cross E Ranch
- The Farm at Gardiner Village ($2 Tuesdays)
- Tracy Aviary
- Wheeler Historic Farm
- Living Planet Aquarium
Learn Some Utah History
Utah has a very rich history in Salt Lake. There are tons of spots to learn about the Pioneers who arrived in this valley, and made this area their home. We definitely admire those brave men and women, and we love learning about their stories. Here are a few of our favorite places to remember the Pioneers.
- This is the Place Heritage Park (baby animals in the Spring)
- Pioneer Memorial Museum
- Ensign Peak
- Fort Douglas Museum
- Brigham Young’s Grave
Enjoy Some Unique Spots
Salt Lake Valley has a lot of fun, unique adventures to try, and we are constantly finding more and more. The adventures listed below didn’t fit in the other categories, but they are some really great ones for Spring Break. If you have a fun adventure that we have missed, leave us a comment and we will give it a try.
- Gilgal Gardens
- International Peace Gardens
- Cherry Blossoms at the Capitol Building
- Scheels
- Hike the Bear Canyon Suspension Bridge
- Mrs. Cavanaugh’s Chocolate Factory Tour
- Hike the Jungle Trail
- Hike the Living Room
- Up House
We love all the awesome adventures in Salt Lake Valley. We hope you are able to find something fun for your family this Spring. You can also check out our list for Spring Break in Utah Valley.
