Where to Visit in Salt Lake City: The Best Guide for Families
Nestled at the base of the Wasatch Front, Salt Lake City has so much to offer. Not only is Salt Lake City a great place to live, it’s a great place to visit! Many visitors starting or ending trips to Utah’s Might Five National Parks or the wonders of Yellowstone and beyond end up in Salt Lake at some point. If you find yourself in the area and don’t know where to visit in Salt Lake City, consider some of the following itineraries for families. I’ve broken them into three spending categories, but of course, feel free to pick and choose from any category you want!
Whether you have a long layover, are stopping through on your way elsewhere, or are here to see what Utah and the area have to offer let me help you figure out where to visit in Salt Lake City. Heck (good Utah slang), even if you live here there are lots of options here for you as well.
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Where to Visit in Salt Lake City with a Splurge Budget
This is for those less concerned with budget and who prefer luxury, ease, and unique experiences. Check out these accommodations, restaurants, and activities to help you determine where to visit in Salt Lake City with your family.
Luxury hotels in Salt Lake City for families
Just walking around the lobby, hallways, and stores of the Grand America makes you feel just that – grand! Every detail is exquisite and your family is sure to enjoy not just the rooms, but the indoor and outdoor pools, spa, and afternoon tea. Even if you choose not to stay at the Grand America, consider stopping by just to marvel a little.
A global hotel brand known for its luxury and comfort, Hyatt Regency is a great place to call home while traveling. The Salt Lake City hotel is located downtown and is within walking distance of the convention center, Temple Square, and City Creek Center.
Where to Eat in Salt Lake City with a Splurge Budget
Price: Costs about $20 or more per entree
Breakfast:
Lucky H Little America Breakfast Buffet
Whether you stay at Little America or not, their breakfast buffet is an excellent option to fuel up for a busy day of activity and sightseeing. Lucky H also serves a Lunch and Dinner Buffet.
Open Monday – Friday 7 am-9:30 am, Saturday & Sunday Brunch 8 am-1:30 pm
Ruth’s Diner is a Salt Lake City legend located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. Open since the 1930’s, Ruth’s serves traditional diner fare and more. Although they are famous for their biscuits, Ruth’s serves plenty of satisfying options.
For reviews of Ruth’s Diner on TripAdvisor, click here.
Open Sunday, Monday, and Thursday 8 am – 9 pm, Friday & Saturday 8 am-10 pm, CLOSED Tuesday and Wednesday
Lunch:
Offers a fantastic Italian menu including gourmet pizzas, pasta, and salads, there is sure to be something for everyone in your family to enjoy.
Open Sunday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday & Saturday 11 am-11:30 pm
Here you will enjoy locally sourced ingredients in your choice of salads, sandwiches, burgers, or entrees like rainbow trout or a bahn mi bowl.
Open Monday–Friday 11:30 am-3 pm / 5 pm-10 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10:30 am-3 pm / 5 pm-10 pm
Dinner:
Voted Best of Utah ten different times, Sawadee Thai has an extensive menu that is certain to have something for everyone. Children are welcome, and they even have a small children’s menu if they prefer.
Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-3 pm / 5 pm-9 pm, Friday 11 am-3 pm / 5 pm-9:30 pm, and Saturday 12 pm-9:30 pm, CLOSED Sunday
About a 15-20 minute drive from Downtown SLC, Tuscany is both charming and delicious. Located near the mouth of Big Cottonwood Canyon, Tuscany offers a variety of tasty Italian dishes in beautiful surroundings.
Open Sunday-Thursday 5 pm-9 pm and Friday-Saturday 5 pm-9:30 pm
Activities for higher budgets in Salt Lake City
Day:
With several five-star reviews, a trip on the trolley is sure to be fun for all your family members. This is not your ordinary sightseeing bus, and you will be entertained by actors, given treats, and taken to several great photo ops throughout the downtown area. It’s sure to be a blast for everyone.
Cost: $69.99/adults, $35/children
Night:
An event at the Delta Center
Home to the Utah Jazz, the Delta Center also hosts concerts, family shows, and other popular events. Check the venue’s website for specific dates and see if there’s something you might want to experience.
Utah Symphony
The Utah Symphony periodically performs concerts that include the musical scores of popular movies (think the Harry Potter series, Star Wars, etc.) Check out their website and see if there is a family-friendly performance happening during your visit.
Where to Visit in Salt Lake City with a “Sensible” Budget
For those still wanting some comfort and are willing to spend some money to get it.
Best mid-range hotels in Salt Lake City
Hyatt Place Salt Lake City Downtown/The Gateway
This location offers rooms with either a King or two Queens and a sofa bed, which is perfect for many families. On top of that, there is a complimentary breakfast and an outdoor pool. Located right next to the Gateway Shopping Center and close to the Delta Center, there is plenty to do within walking distance of the hotel.
Little America is part of the Grand America hotel group and is known as one of the best hotels in the area. With two pools (outdoor and indoor/outdoor), comfy beds, and a beautiful setting, Little America is a Salt Lake City jewel. This is a perfect fit for families of four, but any larger and you will need to book two rooms.
Best food in Salt Lake City to try on a sensible budget
Price: The cost is between $10 and $20 for an entree
Breakfast:
Eggs benedict, omelets, french toast, pancakes, breakfast bowls…there are so many delicious options you might need to come back the next day!
Open Daily 7 am-2 pm
Hearty, southern-inspired food including chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, and ham hash. If you’re looking for comfort food, look no further.
Open Daily 8 am-3:30 pm
Lunch:
Sandwiches, pasta, and salads that are fresh and filling. This family-owned market and deli prides itself in preserving traditional methods of preparation and they even host an annual chocolate festival.
Open Monday-Saturday 9 am-7 pm and Sunday 10 am-5 pm
Enjoy the quiche of the day, paninis, soup, or salad from the cafe portion of Gourmandise. But be sure to leave room for dessert and select one (or five) different bakery treats to top off your meal.
Lunch is served Monday-Friday 11 am – 4 pm
Dinner:
A Napoletana-style pizzeria, Settebello has some of the best pizzas in town. Wood-fired and made fresh, you truly feel like you’re getting the Italian experience. Hop next door to Capo Gelateria and enjoy an after-dinner gelato. Divine.
Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-10 pm, Friday-Saturday 11 am-11 pm, and Sunday 12 pm-9 pm
A staple in the Salt Lake City food scene, Red Iguana will almost certainly have a wait. But if you plan ahead, you can make a reservation online. They have been in business since 1985 and are known for their many different moles, tacos, and enchiladas.
Open Sunday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm and Friday-Saturday 11 am-10 pm
Activities in Salt Lake City that won’t break the bank
Day:
SLC Connect Pass
The Salt Lake City Connect Pass is offered in 1, 2, 3, or 365-day options. If you are only here for a short time there is no need to get the year pass, but if you are local or plan to return within the year it’s the best deal. The pass offers one entrance for each holder to 18 different activities that include, the Hogle Zoo, Natural History Museum of Utah, and This is the Place Heritage Park. You are also able to use it to watch a movie at the Planetarium and get access to several children’s museums. You would probably need to visit at least three locations for a one-day pass, four locations for a two-day, and five for a 3 day to make the cost worth it (rather than purchasing each ticket separately). Make sure to pay attention to open hours, locations, and restrictions before purchasing.
1 Day Pass: Adult $55 / Child $45
2 Day Pass: $65/$55
3 Day Pass: $75/$65
365 Pass: $100/$90
Night:
Dave and Busters Salt Lake City
A restaurant and arcade for kids and kids at heart. Save money and eat before, then purchase a game card and let the kids run wild (while you watch them carefully). Located at the Gateway Mall which has many other restaurants and entertainment options as well.
Pro Tip: If your little ones are little enough, you may not even need to pay for an arcade card. Just let them play with the console controls and let them think they are controlling the screen. This worked for us for almost five years.
Where to Visit in Salt Lake City When You’re Trying to Save
You don’t have to spend much when visiting Salt Lake. There are plenty of hotel options, inexpensive eateries, and lots of free things to do. For more on free things to do in Salt Lake City with kids, check out my post here.
Best budget hotels in Salt Lake City for families
There are definitely some cheaper options, but these are the types and prices I personally would select when trying to go cheap, but stay comfortable. I would not consider these “budget” hotels, but they are the least expensive/best deals that I personally found. All three offer swimming, breakfast, and suite-sized rooms for larger families. They are all close to downtown as well. Check each one out and find the right fit for you!
Springhill Suites by Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown
Crystal Inn Hotel and Suites – Salt Lake City
Homewood Suites by Hilton Downtown Salt Lake City
Best places to eat in Salt Lake City when trying to save money
Price: Cost is up to or around $10 per item. No sit-down restaurants that require tipping servers.
Breakfast:
A Salt Lake institution that serves homemade donuts in a variety of traditional flavors.
Open Monday-Saturday 5 am-5 pm and Sunday 6 am-1 pm
Their Chunky French Toast is a crowd favorite, and you can go back for seconds (or thirds) if you dine in! Other offerings include breakfast sandwiches and delightful pastries and breads.
Open Monday-Saturday 8 am-9 pm, CLOSED Sunday
Lunch:
A Salt Lake City icon, Hire’s was started in 1959 and serves up burgers, fries, onion rings, and milkshakes. Make sure to try some fry sauce – a condiment known and loved by many Utahans.
Open Monday-Thursday 10:30 am-8 pm, Friday-Saturday 10:30 am-10 pm
City Creek Food Court
Combine your visit to the City Creek Center (described below) with lunch. While there are the food court staples like McDonald’s, Sbarro, and Chick-fil-A, the City Creek Center Food Court also offers unique dining choices like sandwiches from Bocata, curry bowls at Zimbu, and Kabobs from Jeeva’s Greek Cafe. They even have a Taste of Red Iguana, mentioned earlier, with a more selective menu than its original location.
Open Monday-Thursday 10 am-8 pm and Friday-Saturday 10 am-9 pm, CLOSED Sunday
Dinner:
A household name in Utah, Cafe Zupas serves sandwiches, salads, and soups with plenty of options for everyone. The Nuts About Berries Salad is a fan favorite as are the Wisconsin Cheddar and Tomato Bisque soups.
Open Monday-Thursday 11 am-9 pm and Friday and Saturday 11 am-10 pm, CLOSED Sunday
A well-known fast-casual chain that got its start in Utah. Their shredded pork burritos and salads are extremely popular, and their house creamy tomatillo dressing is legendary. There are several locations in Salt Lake City, including the City Creek Center.
Open Monday-Thursday 10:30 am-9 pm and Friday and Saturday 10:30 am-10 pm, CLOSED Sunday
Pro Tip: Order a tostada instead of a salad and ask for a flour tortilla. Slightly smaller, but still filling, this is almost always what we order to save a little money. Heck, we even share one usually!
Best free or inexpensive activities in Salt Lake City
Day:
All you need is a smartphone and an excited group in order to spend some family time running around Salt Lake looking for different items on your list. The clues are not location-specific, so you can start anywhere in the city. The point is to get you out exploring, and spending time as a group. You only need to purchase for one person. (When it asks how many you want to purchase, you just need to enter “1”.)
Family History Center Discovery Experience
The Discovery Experience is an awesome destination and perfect for families. The helpful volunteers at the center will guide you through the process of setting up a FamilySearch account, allowing you to uncover connections to your ancestors. By linking to this account, you can uncover intriguing connections to famous individuals within your family tree, trace your family’s origins, and engage in various interactive exhibits tailored to your unique family history.
Pro Tip: If you’re keen on exploring extended family connections, make sure to visit the center armed with the names and birthdates of a few deceased relatives, particularly your parents or grandparents. This will enhance your experience and reveal even more intriguing family ties.
City Creek Center
City Creek Center is a fantastic shopping destination located across the street from the famous Temple Square. This center pays homage to the nearby City Creek with a charming stream meandering through a significant portion of the area, complete with inviting benches and hidden animal prints to spot. Even during the winter chill, you’ll feel like you’re outdoors thanks to the transparent retractable roof above.
Kids can release their pent-up energy at the children’s play area within the food court or enjoy a mini splash pad in the summer months. Meanwhile, parents can unwind while watching an hourly fountain show—a perfect opportunity for some relaxation amidst your adventures.
Night:
You’ll find a delightful outing for the whole family at the planetarium located at The Gateway in Downtown Salt Lake. Whether you visit in the morning or afternoon, there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained. Kids can explore interactive displays while parents delve into fascinating information to share with their little ones. This attraction is not just for space enthusiasts; it’s perfect for the entire family.
Additional Costs: Keep in mind that there’s a fee for shows in the theater, but even without them, you can have a fantastic trip.
Open Sunday-Thursday 10 am-7 pm and Friday-Saturday 10 am-10:45 pm
Pro Tip: Don’t miss the super-sized Rube-Goldberg machine—it’s a captivating spectacle of various contraptions working together to move an assortment of balls from start to finish. Your family won’t be able to resist its charm!
Getting Around Salt Lake City
The Utah Transit Authority Trax green line can get visitors from the Salt Lake International Airport to downtown in 20 minutes. One-way tickets cost between $1.25 and $2.50 and a day pass is $5. A group pass for up to 4 people traveling together costs $15. Other options include rideshare and taxi service. Driving will only save about 5 minutes (if there isn’t a lot of traffic) but will save you the hassle of carrying your luggage around. A regular Uber will cost around $19 (as of publication). We’ve taken Trax to and from the airport several times, even with strollers and babies and it has been just fine!
Once you get to downtown Salt Lake you won’t need a car unless you are traveling outside of the downtown area. You will want to rent a car if traveling to Park City, or if you plan to explore any of the nearby canyons. Otherwise, the Trax line and your feet will get you where you need to go!
Pro Tip: Check the free fare zone in Salt Lake City. Many of the locations listed below are within this free fare zone or very close by.
Where Will You Visit in Salt Lake City?
Whether the sky’s the limit for your budget or you need to save as much as possible, Salt Lake City is a great place to spend time with your family. With lots of accommodation options, fantastic restaurants, and plenty of activities for all budgets, consider extending a layover, planning an extra day before or after a trip to Yellowstone or Moab, or making Salt Lake your actual vacation destination.
What do you love about Salt Lake? Any questions about visiting? Share your experience or ask for help in the comments below!