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Planning a trip to Salt Lake City? Well, you’ve come to the right place!
After multiple visits to Utah’s capital, we’ve come up with the perfect itinerary that delivers a mix of iconic sights, hidden gems, and fun day trips. Salt Lake City is full of surprises, and we’re going to make sure that you uncover the best of them, from epic mountain views and vibey neighborhoods to quirky public art and the city’s criminally underrated food scene!
This guide is ideal for first-timers who want to experience a little bit of everything. So grab your walking shoes, charge your phone, and let’s explore Salt Lake City in just three days!
Don’t Miss Out On Our Top Choice!
The tour we loved the most and suggest booking ASAP is this one!
Our personal favorite activity was this Antelope Island sunset tour. We spotted bison, antelope, and even porcupines before hiking up to Buffalo Point for a fiery sunset over the lake. The wildlife here is unreal!
Day 1
Breakfast – Eva’s Bakery
Eva’s Bakery is a super cute, French-style boulangerie that feels like it belongs in Paris, not Salt Lake City! However, it’s very much in Utah, and it’s just a 13-minute walk or a 4-minute drive to the start point for this morning’s tour.
The tour begins at 10 am and Eva’s opens at 7:30 am (or 8 am on Sundays), so you’ve got plenty of time to sit and enjoy a yummy breakfast before you go to meet the tour. I highly recommend the almond croissants, or the savory croissant sandwiches if you’re in the mood for something savory.
Morning – Learn all about SLC on a sightseeing bus tour
For us, this guided bus tour was the perfect introduction to Salt Lake City, and so that’s how we’re kicking off this three-day itinerary! We loved it because we got to see so much in just a few hours. It was a great way to get our bearings, too—in fact, it’s basically SLC: 101.
The tour begins at 10 am outside the Radisson Hotel in the downtown area. It lasts 2.5 hours, so you’ll be finished right in time for lunch. Just note that it’s not available on Sundays, so plan your itinerary accordingly if this is a must-do!
Our first stop was the Utah State Capitol, a stunning neoclassical building perched on a hill. You get a panoramic view of the entire downtown area from here!
Temple Square was another major highlight. We were lucky enough to catch a recital on the Tabernacle’s famous organ, which is a spine-tingling experience that you can only have right here in Salt Lake City! We also got to see the Cathedral of the Madeleine, which is one of the most beautiful churches I’ve seen in the U.S., as well as landmarks from the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Whether it’s your first time in the city or you’re a returning visitor, this tour is a fantastic way to see what makes Salt Lake City special. Doing this on your first day will put you in good standing for the rest of your trip!
Read over a THOUSAND glowing reviews and book this sightseeing tour here!
Lunch – Toasters Deli
This bus tour ends at 12:30 pm, so you’ll have about an hour for lunch before you need to head off and drive to the next tour. Fortunately, our favorite sandwich shop in Salt Lake City is just a 10-minute walk from where the tour ends! So grab a sandwich, salad, or wrap from Toasters Deli. The menu changes regularly, but I highly recommend the Caprese Sandwich if it’s on offer!
Afternoon – Take a boat on the Great Salt Lake
You can’t miss the chance to get out on the Great Salt Lake while you’re in Salt Lake City! In fact, this boat tour is our favorite thing to do here.
Book the 2 pm tour. The meeting point is a 20-minute drive from Toasters Deli, so we suggest leaving the lunch spot at around 1:30 pm to ensure you get there with a little time to spare.
The boat ride lasts about 45 minutes, and it’s a small group experience. It felt really personal, and we had an amazing guide who helped us understand why the Great Salt Lake is so unique. In fact, before this tour, we had no idea the lake played such a huge role in supporting global bird migration!
The lake itself is absolutely stunning. I loved seeing the contrast between the pink and blue sections of the water—it almost didn’t seem real! Honestly, I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t enjoy this beautiful boat ride. And with over 500 rave reviews here, it seems that everyone agrees!
Book our favorite Salt Lake City tour here!
Mid-afternoon – Explore the city on your own
You’ll get back from the boat tour around 3:30 pm and have the rest of the afternoon to explore Salt Lake City at your own pace. Here are a few of our favorite spots to check out:
- Red Butte Garden – These gorgeous botanical gardens are just a 10-minute drive from downtown. It’s a peaceful place to wander and take in the mountain views, especially if the weather’s nice.
- Downtown street art and shops – SLC has some seriously cool murals scattered throughout downtown. We loved strolling the blocks to spot them and checking out unique shops, local galleries, and cute cafes along the way.
- Salt Lake City Public Library – This massive library is truly a sight to behold. It’s huge, with floor-to-ceiling windows and a curving crescent wall. It’s definitely worth a visit even if you’re not much of a bookworm, and it’s pure heaven if you are!
- Gilgal Sculpture Garden – This quirky outdoor art space is a quick and fun stop. It’s a bit of a hidden gem tucked into a quiet, residential area, and it’s filled with strange and fascinating sculptures. It’s perfect for a short, offbeat adventure!
Dinner – Red Iguana
Red Iguana is a local favorite spot that we happened across on our first trip to Salt Lake City. It’s family-run and serves the most amazing Mexican food. The traditional enchiladas and tacos are incredible, but they serve a lot of other authentic dishes such as rich pozole, chilaquiles, and homemade sopapillas!
Related Read: Heading south next? Don’t miss our 2-day Las Vegas itinerary here! It’s packed with must-see shows, unique attractions, and local tips to help you make the most of your time in Sin City.
Day 2
Breakfast – Over the Counter Cafe
We’re heading out of the city this morning, so grab a quick breakfast at Over the Counter Cafe! It serves up lots of yummy breakfast favorites, but personally, I’m partial to the breakfast burritos or the raspberry pancakes. This spot opens at 7 am ,and we recommend getting here at around 8 am so that you have time to explore Park City properly.
Morning – Park City and Utah Olympic Park
Just a 30-minute drive from Salt Lake City, Park City is a scenic mountain town known for its outdoor adventures, especially in the winter when it turns into a ski lover’s dream. But even in warmer months, there’s plenty to do. And trust me, the views here are incredible, no matter what time of the year you visit!
Utah Olympic Park
We’re starting off at Utah Olympic Park, where the US hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics. And the space hasn’t gone to waste since then. Today, it’s a full-on adventure hub where you can go ziplining or bobsledding, tackle rope courses, or enjoy a guided tour of the Olympic facilities. We recommend spending 2-3 hours here, taking advantage of all of the fun activities on offer. The park is open from 9 am until 6 pm, and you can buy tickets and activity passes in advance here.
Park City
Once you’ve had your adrenaline fix, head into the heart of Park City itself. Start at Main Street, which is lined with boutiques, galleries, and cafes and set against a beautiful alpine backdrop. In fact, we recommend stopping here for lunch.
A lot of the restaurants around here are pricey, but we stopped at Top of Main Brew Pub as it was one of the more affordable choices on Main. It’s also ideal for lunch today because it serves big, hearty meals, and dinner tonight will be a lighter bite. This is certainly not the most upscale spot on the street but it offers a big menu, good food, and relaxed vibes. If you eat here, I recommend trying one of their jalapeño beers!
Afternoon – Natural History Museum of Utah
Aim to be back in Salt Lake City for around 2 pm, ready to head to the Natural History Museum of Utah. It’s a stunning building that was built to blend in seamlessly with the mountains behind it, and the interactive exhibits will keep you busy for a good 2–3 hours! You can learn about everything from dinosaurs to Native cultures and Utah’s wild landscapes here.
You’ll need to be at the meeting point for tonight’s tour by 5:50 pm, and it’s a 15-minute drive from the museum. The tour doesn’t include dinner, and it ends late at 11 pm, so we stopped by Spitz for a quick bite beforehand. It’s just a 5-minute drive or 11-minute walk from the museum, and they serve delicious wraps and bowls that will tide you over for the rest of the evening.
Evening – Antelope Island sunset and wildlife experience
Salt Lake City is home to some incredible wildlife, but how do you find it? With this wildlife tour, that’s how!
It starts at 6 pm and there are two different pickup points available. However, our dinner stop, Spitz, is right in the middle of them, so just choose which one works better for you!
The tour takes you to Antelope Island in the middle of the Great Salt Lake. It boasts a breathtaking landscape and a massive herd of 600 American Bison. Who wouldn’t want to visit?
And honestly, this experience is just incredible right from the start. We saw tons of bison, as well as coyotes, antelope, porcupines, and big-horn sheep. Our guide, Cramon, was excellent. He ensured that we stayed safe and respectful of the animals’ space so as not to disturb them.
After viewing the wildlife, we set off on a short hike to Buffalo Point. It was steep at points, but only 0.9 miles (1.4 kilometers) long, so it was totally manageable, and definitely worth it for the incredible sunset views from the top. It was the perfect end to our adventure!
This is an absolute must for any wildlife lover visiting Salt Lake City, and an epic way to end your second day here. We’re not the only ones who think so, either—check the hundreds of glowing reviews here!
Book this tour here and enjoy FREE cancellation up to 24 hours before you go!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
Day 3
Morning – Visit the Bonneville Salt Flats
The Bonneville Salt Flats have to be one of the most beautiful places we have ever seen. You cannot miss them while you’re in Salt Lake City, so this morning we’re heading out to see the breathtaking salt pan on this small group tour!
The tour includes hotel pickup, and you’ll be collected around (or just before) 8 am, so grab breakfast at your hotel and then head out on this epic adventure. We had so much fun taking perspective photos on the Bonneville Salt Flats—our favorite is the one where I’m stepping on Dan!
But that’s not all we got to do. We also stopped at the Gate Salt Lake State Park and visited the Tree of Life, a kooky sculpture which rises dramatically right out of the Great Salt Lake Desert. And we learned so much about Utah in general from our guide, Dmytro, who told us a ton of fascinating stories about life in the Beehive State.
We had so much fun on this tour, and we certainly got some amazing photos out of it! When you only have a few days in Salt Lake City, this adventure is a surefire way to make the most of your time here.
Book this Bonneville Salt Flats tour here and enjoy FREE cancellation!
Late Lunch – Vessel Kitchen
After our morning tour, we wanted to freshen up, so we headed back to our hotel to take a break and get changed. Then, we headed to Vessel Kitchen on our way towards Liberty Park, as it’s just two blocks away. They serve yummy Indian and Japanese-inspired bowls and salads, and delicious naan tacos.
After you’ve eaten, spend some time strolling through Liberty Park. It’s super scenic and a real Salt Lake City must-see, so enjoy the views before you meet the bike tour, which meets right here.
Afternoon – Explore the city on a bicycle
A beautiful place like Salt Lake City deserves to be explored in the open air, which is why we love this bike tour! It’s a 3-hour tour, so we recommend booking it for 4 or 5 pm so you’ll be finished by 7 or 8 pm, ready to head to dinner.
Salt Lake City is pretty spread out, so having a local guide made all the difference. We started in Liberty Park, cruised past the towering Salt Lake Temple in Temple Square, and took in the views at City Creek Canyon. From there, we explored the quirky sculptures at Gilgal Garden and pedaled through the historic South Temple district, passing some of the city’s oldest homes along the way.
The small group size makes the whole experience feel intimate, and the pace is nice and easy, even if you haven’t been on a bike in a while. Finishing at the Salt Lake City Public Library, with a surprise rooftop view over the skyline, was a memorable way to end the ride.
From there, it’s a relaxed pedal back to Liberty Park, just in time for dinner. The entire tour lasts around three hours, so we recommend booking it for 4 or 5 p.m.—you’ll be done by early evening and ready to head straight to your next stop. It’s a perfect way to wind down the day while seeing the city through a local’s eyes!
Read all of the five-star reviews and book this cycling tour here!
Alternate option: Sunset Hike at Ensign Peak
We know that cycling isn’t for everyone, so if a two-wheel tour doesn’t sound like your thing, then you can always go for an easy sunset hike at Ensign Peak instead. This is a chilled hike that’s doable for all levels.
The trailhead is just a 15-minute drive north of Liberty Park, so head there after lunch at Vessel Kitchen and either enjoy the 1-mile (1.6-kilometer) hike to the view or the 2-mile (3.2-kilometer) loop around the peak. This is a great activity for families, and it’s an ideal way for travelers of all ages and fitness levels to catch a beautiful sunset in Salt Lake City.
Dinner – White Horse Spirits & Kitchen
It’s your last night in Salt Lake City, so treat yourself to dinner and cocktails at White Horse Spirits & Kitchen! It’s a bit of a splurge, but the food is absolutely amazing and oh-so worth it! It’s all made from locally sourced produce, and the craft cocktails are absolutely delicious. I especially love the “liquid dessert” cocktails, as they really satisfy my sweet tooth.
This spot is open until 1 am, so you can arrive back from your tour or sunset hike and still have plenty of time for a leisurely dinner and maybe a few drinks afterwards. It’s the perfect place to toast the end of a great trip.
Related Read: Want more ideas for your trip? Check out our guide to the best things to do in Salt Lake City here—from scenic hikes to hidden local gems and everything you shouldn’t miss in between..
Where to Stay in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is a vibrant and historic destination with plenty of options for where to stay. That said, we highly recommend staying in downtown Salt Lake City. This lively area puts you within walking distance of the city’s top attractions, including Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol, and the bustling City Creek Center.
Plus, downtown is super convenient because many of the best tours and restaurants are right on your doorstep. It’s the perfect base for exploring this vibrant and varied city. Below, I’ve picked out the best hotels for every budget!
Luxury – $$$
Le Méridien Salt Lake City Downtown is luxury done right! We love the modern design and fantastic amenities of this hotel, especially the rooftop pool with stunning city and mountain views! Plus, with Temple Square and Vivint Arena just steps away, you’re in the perfect location to explore, and the comfy beds will ensure that you sleep like a baby.
Prices here vary according to the time of year, but you’re typically looking at between $300 and $600 USD per night. Check out all of the options and reserve your stay on Booking.com!
Mid-range – $$
Hyatt House Salt Lake City Downtown offers a comfortable stay just a short walk from Temple Square. The hotel features spacious rooms with free WiFi, flat-screen TVs, and some with full kitchens. Breakfast is also included, which is always a winner in our book! In terms of value for money, we think that this hotel offers a lot of bang for your buck.
Prices here typically range between $150 and $350 USD per night, including free 24-hour cancellation. Check availability and book this hotel on Booking.com!
Budget – $
Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites offers a comfortable and convenient stay, just a short drive from Temple Square and the airport. The rooms are spacious, clean, and come with free WiFi, a flat-screen TV, and modern furnishings. There’s also a free breakfast, an indoor pool, a sauna, and a hot tub! Some rooms even offer a luxurious spa bath.
You’re looking at between $150 and $220 USD per night here. Check prices and availability over at Booking.com!
For more options, explore all of Salt Lake City’s listed hotels here!
Renting a Car in the USA
The United States is a vast country with diverse landscapes, from bustling cities to scenic national parks. While public transportation exists in major cities, renting a car is often the best way to explore the country’s wide-open spaces and hidden gems.
We always book with Discover Cars and can’t recommend them enough. It’s super easy to compare prices, check company ratings, find the right vehicle for your needs, and add affordable full coverage insurance. If you want a full breakdown, check out our Discover Cars review here.
Tips for Renting a Car in the USA
- Drive on the right: In the U.S., vehicles drive on the right-hand side of the road, and the driver’s seat is on the left. If this is different than your home country, take some time to adjust before hitting busy streets!
- Know the local rules: Speed limits, road signs, and driving laws can differ between states. For example, turning right on red is generally allowed after a complete stop, unless a sign indicates otherwise. Always check the specific rules for the states you’ll be driving in.
- Add full insurance: We always recommend full coverage rental insurance, especially in the U.S., where long distances, varying road conditions, and unpredictable weather can lead to unexpected situations. Discover Cars makes it easy (and affordable!) to add this peace of mind when you book.
- Choose the right car: Consider the nature of your trip. For city driving, a compact car is convenient, while for road trips or national park visits, an SUV might be more comfortable. With Discover Cars, it’s easy to filter by vehicle type, transmission, fuel efficiency, and more to find the perfect fit.
What You Need to Rent a Car in the USA
- A valid driver’s license from your home country.
- An International Driving Permit (IDP) is recommended if your license is not in English or uses a non-Roman alphabet. Some rental companies may require it, so it’s best to check in advance.
- A credit card in the driver’s name is typically required for the security deposit.
- Most rental companies require drivers to be at least 21 years old, with a young driver surcharge applicable for those under 25. Some companies may have higher age requirements, so make sure you double-check.
Ready to hit the road? Book your car with Discover Cars here and discover the freedom of exploring the USA on your own terms!
From mountain views to lakeside sunsets and quirky city stops, Salt Lake City surprised us in all the best ways, and we hope this itinerary helps you experience it just as fully. Whether it’s your first visit or you’re coming back for more, this three-day plan blends must-see sights with off-the-beaten-path gems we’ve grown to love over multiple trips.
Still planning the rest of your travels? We’ve got plenty more inspiration in our other USA blogs here, or scroll down to explore a few of our most-read guides below!
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