Trip Advisor will tell the average tourist that sites such as Temple Square, the Natural History Museum, and the Utah State Capitol building are the must-sees in Salt Lake. But you don’t want to be just an average tourist, do you?
Utah has so much beauty, we even have our own hashtag #beUTAHful! You could miss out on that if you only focus your attention downtown. While there are many potential day trips from Salt Lake City that one could take, I’d like to personally suggest three that we locals love!
#1 Zion National Park
Just a 4.5 hour drive, Zion National Park could take a whole day or your whole weekend! I personally visited Zion over a long weekend! I stayed at an Airbnb,* Zion View Bed and Breakfast, which I recommend whole-heartedly. The most popular hike is Angel’s Landing (pictured above). Start the day early (i.e. leave SLC around 6am) if it’s a just a day trip. Southern Utah has a charm of its own that must be experienced at least once in your lifetime.
#2 Park City
A quick 30 min ride from the Salt Lake City International Airport, Park City is a celebrity hotspot and skier’s paradise. With world-famous powder, the Sundance Film Festival, and a charming Main Street, you can’t help but fall in love with Park City.
Pro Tip: Look up a parking map online before you go. Street parking is expensive but there’s free parking garages behind Main Street on the east side.
#3 Alpine Loop
This is a scenic drive that is at its best in autumn. I went in October. Just follow Highway #92 up through American Fork Canyon, you’ll end up back in the city of Orem. The loop takes about an hour without stopping. Simply mention that you’re just driving through at the entrance of the national forest to save money on the entrance fee!
Now you’re all set with the best day trips from Salt Lake City! Before you leave, check out my 3-day guide. We Utahns LOVE our state, and after you visit Utah, you will too!
*Save on stays with Airbnb by using the coupon below!
