Salt Lake City is one of those places that surprises you. People think “big city in the desert” and don’t expect much, but SLC is packed with amazing things to do with kids, from quirky hidden gems to iconic landmarks. We’ve done a ton of weekend trips to SLC as a family and this is our go-to itinerary for making the most of 48 hours with the kiddos!
Saturday Morning: Ensign Peak
Start your weekend early with a hike up Ensign Peak, one of the most historically significant and rewarding short hikes in the Salt Lake Valley. At just 1 mile round trip, it’s very doable with kids of all ages, and the payoff is a panoramic 360° view of the entire Salt Lake Valley, the Great Salt Lake, and the Wasatch Mountains.
This is the spot where Brigham Young famously surveyed the valley and declared “this is the right place” in 1847. There’s something special about standing at the same viewpoint and imagining what those early pioneers saw. The hike is steep but short, even little legs can make it! Go early to beat the heat in summer and snag a parking spot.
- Distance: 1 mile round trip
- Difficulty: Easy-Moderate (steep but short)
- Cost: Free!
- Tips: Go early morning for the best light and coolest temps. Bring water, it’s more exposed than it looks.
Saturday Midday: Temple Square
Temple Square is the heart of Salt Lake City and a genuinely fascinating place to visit regardless of your background. Quick heads-up for 2025 visitors: major renovation and construction is ongoing around Temple Square as the Salt Lake Temple undergoes a massive restoration project. Some areas are fenced off, but the surrounding grounds, Tabernacle, and visitor centers remain open and there’s still plenty to explore!
Kids love the grounds, the architecture, and the history, and the free guided tours are surprisingly engaging even for younger children. The famous reflection pools and seasonal flowers (especially spring tulips!) are beautiful. Check ahead for any special events or exhibits during your visit. The surrounding City Creek area also has great restaurants and shopping for lunch.
- Cost: Free to visit
- Parking: Several paid lots nearby; the Church Office Building lot is convenient
- Note: Call ahead or check the LDS Church website for current construction updates and what areas are accessible
Saturday Afternoon: Clark Planetarium
After lunch, head to the Clark Planetarium downtown, it’s one of our absolute favorite SLC spots with kids and honestly, adults love it just as much. The main floor exhibits are free and absolutely packed with interactive science displays covering everything from the solar system to the geology of Utah. Kids can touch meteorites, explore space missions, and learn about the universe in hands-on ways that actually stick.
For the full experience, catch one of the IMAX or dome shows, tickets are very reasonably priced and the shows are spectacular. We always try to catch a planetarium show about the night sky or a nature film on the giant dome screen. It’s a highlight every single time!
- Location: 110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
- General Admission: Free (main floor exhibits)
- IMAX/Dome shows: Paid tickets, check their website for showtimes
- Ages: Great for all ages; especially amazing for ages 4 and up
- Tip: Pair with lunch at the nearby food options in downtown SLC
Sunday Morning: Gilgal Sculpture Garden
This is the hidden gem that most SLC visitors completely miss, and we can’t recommend it enough. Gilgal Sculpture Garden is one of the weirdest, most wonderful, most uniquely Utah places you’ll ever visit. It’s a small public garden tucked in a residential neighborhood containing 12 original sculptures and over 70 engraved stones created by Thomas Battersby Child Jr. between 1945 and 1963.
The sculptures are bizarre, beautiful, and totally unexpected, including a sphinx with the face of Joseph Smith, a figure in a business suit emerging from a stone, and a massive self-portrait of the artist. The whole garden is quirky, thought-provoking, and completely free. Kids are fascinated by the strangeness of it all and it sparks the most interesting conversations. It’s small enough to explore in 30-45 minutes but memorable enough to talk about for years.
- Location: 749 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102
- Hours: Open daily, dawn to dusk
- Cost: Completely free!
- Tip: Easy street parking available nearby. Pair it with a walk through the Sugar House neighborhood.
More Great SLC Options for Families
If you have more time or want to swap out any of the above, here are a few more family favorites in Salt Lake City:
- Natural History Museum of Utah, World-class dinosaur exhibits, Utah geology, and Native American history. One of the best natural history museums in the country. The dino halls alone are worth the trip!
- Hogle Zoo, A classic family outing. SLC’s zoo is well-maintained, beautifully landscaped against the mountain backdrop, and has great big cat and giraffe exhibits.
- Liberty Park, SLC’s largest city park with a pond, tennis courts, playgrounds, and the Tracy Aviary (a beautiful free-flight bird sanctuary).
- Antelope Island State Park, Just 30 minutes from downtown! Drive across a causeway to an island in the Great Salt Lake where bison roam freely. The kids absolutely lose their minds seeing wild bison up close. Swimming in the hyper-salty lake is a bonus adventure!
- Red Butte Garden, Beautiful botanical garden up in the foothills with great trails and gorgeous views. Summer concerts here are a SLC tradition.
- Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum, Hands-on museum downtown specifically designed for younger kids. Great for ages 1-10.
Where to Eat in SLC with Kids
- The Pie Pizzeria, A SLC institution. Basement pizza joint near the University of Utah that’s been around since 1980. Kids and adults love it equally.
- Iceberg Drive Inn, Classic Utah milkshake and burger spot. The shakes are enormous and legendary.
- Bruges Waffles & Frites, Belgian waffles and fries made the authentic way. A downtown favorite that never disappoints.
- Lamb’s Grill Café, Utah’s oldest operating restaurant (1919!). Fantastic comfort food and a fun bit of living history for the family.
Salt Lake City never gets old for us as a family destination. It’s close, affordable, and always has something new to discover. Whether it’s your first trip or your fifteenth, SLC has a way of delighting you every single time!
