21 Things To Do in Salt Lake City Utah in Winter
Published May 5, 2025
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Salt Lake City's winter offers a plethora of activities, so join me as I welcome the chill and discover a ton of enjoyment.
Here are 21 things to do in the winter in Salt Lake City.
1. Explore Hogle Zoo
It might sound unusual to consider, but visiting this zoo during winter is equally enjoyable as during the summer.
There are 8 unique displays in the zoo that provide people the chance to approach the animals.
Even, with reduced crowds in the winter season, your children can get closer effortlessly.
You will also enjoy how vibrant the animals are during the winter months rather than concealing under the shade as they frequently do on warmer days.
Additionally, you'll enjoy watching the polar bears, giraffes, and elephants.
Try to arrive early at the zoo and obtain the timetable for their daily activities.
Also, Hogle Zoo frequently provides discount days throughout the winter.
So, if you intend to travel to Salt Lake, check the website of the zoo to know if you’ll be able to grab tickets starting at just $5!
2. Have Fun in Clark Planetarium
Clark Planetarium ranks among Salt Lake City's best attractions during winter.
The planetarium provides a selection of very remarkable interactive learning displays showcasing our planet, the moon, the cosmos, climate, and beyond.
Additionally, it’s always pleasant to get a space for you and the children to have the freedom to discover and remain cozy.
Indeed, you will really enjoy yourself a great deal here.
You can be able to get in a tornado, observe lightning bolts, observe the planet's spin, and feel genuine geological objects from the planet.
Even, the Planetarium's most enjoyable aspect is that entry is free, though certain films are available for viewing that do necessitate a ticket.
Without a doubt, Clark Planetarium is among Salt Lake City's amazing free activities.
3. Dine in La Caille
This is among the most enchanting and distinct dining establishments you will ever experience.
It's an elegant French restaurant that is tucked away in Sandy, UT's foothills, roughly thirty minutes away from Salt Lake.
The restaurant structure looks like a large storybook cottage.
It is gorgeous and highly elaborately adorned, and its aura is quite calm and affectionate.
It does not follow a particular dress code, although the atmosphere is at least business casual.
Dinner and brunch are the main meals offered here, with each meal showcasing a varied menu.
Their menus frequently shift with the changing seasons too.
Also, following your meal, make sure to take some time to enjoy the lovely premises.
There are large trees, tiny bridges, and delightful ponds across the restaurant that, in the winter season, will be glistening with snow.
4. Attend a Performance in Eccles Theater
This theater stands out as part of Salt Lake City's most remarkable venues for entertainment.
The theater features a range of shows such as Broadway performances, musical events, and comedic shows.
An exhibition here can create a unique evening for couples or a chance for the entire family to put on fancy clothes and savor the enchantment of theater.
So, remember this choice when you're seeking an activity to enjoy in Salt Lake during the winter.
5. Try Snowshoeing
Skiing is a skill that is developed over time, and not everyone might be ready for the challenge.
However, snowshoeing is an easier activity that provides much of a similar enjoyment.
Park City Utah, a journey of 40 minutes inside the mountains away from Salt Lake City, is where you will discover various commercially run trails for snowshoeing.
These paths are an excellent spot for beginners to begin, and they are clearly marked and kept in good condition.
Also, equipment rentals are frequently provided here.
This guarantees that all individuals should enjoy a secure and enjoyable experience.
Indeed, snowshoeing is among Salt Lake City's most enjoyable activities during winter.
It also provides an excellent chance for family connections.
Strolling beneath the snow layer together, encircled by the brisk air in the mountains, is an adventure that the entire family will cherish.
6. Explore Loveland LivingPlanet Aquarium
This aquarium is located in Draper, approximately 20 minutes from Salt Lake South, and the journey is definitely worthwhile.
It’s a delightful method to enjoy a day of winter sheltered from the chill, and it boasts more than 4500 animals from 550 species.
There are 5 distinct exhibits in the aquarium, and one of my favorites is the 300000-gallon display for sharks.
Within the display, there exists a glass passage you can traverse for an up-close look at the sharks, ocean turtles, rays, and aquatic creatures.
The penguins here are equally amazing and are extremely engaged in their display and quite enjoyable to watch.
7. Visit the Stunning Gallivan Center for Ice Skating
Nothing conveys winter joy like just ice skating.
So, embark on an adventure to the lovely Gallivan Center situated downtown for an unforgettable experience on the frozen ice water.
This skating rink operates from November through March.
Its entry fee is $12 for adults and $10 for children, and the fee covers skating leases.
Also, there’s always somewhere you can relax with hot chocolate together with other delicious snacks on location.
Indeed, an evening here is among Salt Lake City's most unforgettable experiences.
8. Enjoy a Fun Sleigh Ride
While sleigh rides aren't common inside the city boundaries, a short drive traveling to the countryside offers a charming experience of winter sleigh rides.
Park City Utah is an excellent place for this recreation, including Eden and Jordanelle Park, UT, all of which are within a one-hour drive from Salt Lake City.
9. Check Out International Peace Gardens
This is a park of 12 acres located inside Jordan Park, merely a few miles beyond Salt Lake City's center.
Walking through these gardens is among Salt Lake City's top activities during winter when you want the kids to play outdoors.
The route in the gardens is tiled, making it ideal for riding scooters and bikes or pushing strollers.
Also, a beloved aspect of the garden is its nation's parade. Various nations are showcased and celebrated across the garden.
Children can enjoy the opportunity to discover the layout of a new country and observe the flora and artwork that symbolize that region of the globe.
Peace Gardens is an excellent method to experience a fresh breeze while simultaneously gaining knowledge about locations such as China, Greece, Denmark, and Switzerland via botanical science.
10. Try Skiing
Skiing is an enjoyable pastime for the entire family, and a day skiing as grown-ups is rejuvenating and extremely fun.
A few of Salt Lake City's leading ski resorts are Deer Valley and Woodward ParkCity, all located inside Park City.
Then, other excellent ski resorts beyond Park City comprise Alta, Brighton, and Snowbird.
So, go ahead and savor the snowfall, the sunshine, and the refreshing mountain breeze as you dedicate a day to carving the trails.
11. Shop for Christmas
You can embrace the essence of Christmas at the stunning City Creek Center.
The open-air shopping center provides top-notch retail and dining experiences located in Salt Lake City's center.
The mall changes into a snowy paradise during the festive season filled with delightful window decorations and twinkling lights stretching into the eye.
Also, Santa is accessible here for visitations with the children.
Additionally, make sure you don't overlook the fountain display in Richard's Court right at the hour's beginning.
Indeed, it's an enjoyable and amusing method to embrace the festive atmosphere at this place.
12. Explore Utah Museum ofFine Arts
If you seek an artistic cultural touch while you are inside Salt Lake, think about visiting this museum.
It is situated on University of Utah's campus and showcases a gathering of 20000 artworks.
Also, the museum featured a unique exhibit investigating the cultural importance of Samoan tattoos.
It welcomes visitors of every age group, although based on if your child is interested in art, it might be appropriate to visit or skip this one.
Indeed, Utah provides incredible outdoor activities throughout the year, which renders museums and various intriguing indoor locations essential here too.
13. Visit Utah State Capitol
Having a trip to this capitol is among Salt Lake City's more distinctive experiences during winter.
The revival building in neoclassical style is among Utah's most notable landmarks, and the architecture is stunning.
Indeed, discovering this area is among Salt Lake City's most enjoyable activities, and a lovely structure is located at this capitol building center.
Even, if you're traveling during the festive season, you will not only experience the magic of the sparkling tree but also enjoy a festive concert.
Numerous musical performances occur in the lovely Rotunda area during the holidays.
14. Explore Park City
This is an excellent location to enjoy some fun in the stunning Wasatch Mountains.
Regardless of the season, this location offers something for everybody to appreciate.
You can enjoy your time at the Park City Mountains and the Olympic Park, which hosted part of the Winter Olympics of 2002.
However, due to the journey to Utah Park City having several mountain landscapes and together with the uncertainty of the climate throughout the winter, a few travelers might feel hesitant about taking this trip.
Still, if you truly wish to travel here, you can book a private drive into the city.
When you arrive, you should certainly take some time to explore Main Street.
Park City remains a real winter wonderland destination and this season here is enchanting, making the atmosphere truly captivating.
Also, remember to savor a meal at a restaur
15. Discover Red Butte Garden
This is a beautiful botanical garden situated inside Salt Lake City's hillsides.
The garden includes nature paths, classes, and open-air performances in the warmer seasons, and in the winter, it is enchanting when loaded with heavy snowfall.
In fact, your children will feel as if they're exploring Frozen’s Arendelle.
Also, this garden is famous for its remarkable collections of plants and trees, which are always radiant and thriving.
These plants and trees are impressive even in their naked shapes.
Without a doubt, a walk in this garden is among Salt Lake City's most calming experiences during the winter.
You will enjoy discovering the wilderness in winter since it provides such a unique viewpoint compared to the other periods of the year.
Also, your children will have an enjoyable moment uncovering concealed colors and patterns on the plants and trees here that they may not notice during the summer and spring seasons.
You will even notice some lovely holly flourishing throughout the festive season.
16. Climb Ensign Peak
This ranks among Salt Lake City’s most enjoyable and popular hikes.
It provides an incredibly accessible urban spot, and there's no need to drive very distant from town to reach it.
Its out-and-back path is merely a mile in length, though it remains consistently steep during the entire ascent.
Still, this trail is certainly manageable for kids who have experience with hiking, though considering the tight sections of the path ascending to the peak, I suggest going during summer or spring if you wish to involve the children in this hike.
You will definitely cherish the adventure, and the perspective from the summit is stunning.
It is surely among Salt Lake City's top activities to experience during winter.
17. Walk Through Temple Square
This is a complex of 10 acres belonging to LDS Church.
It is located in Salt Lake City's heart and serves as the foundation for the street names across the city.
In the year 1964, the complex was established as a historic district to honor the Mormons establishing residence inside Utah.
There are numerous activities and attractions to explore in Temple Square, particularly during winter.
The whole block is decorated with countless vibrant Christmas lights, transforming a walk through this area into one of Salt Lake City's finest free activities during winter at nighttime.
You can enjoy the lights starting after Thanksgiving day up until New Year.
You're also free to do a self-led tour of this Temple Square.
18. Relax at Grand America Hotel's Spa
This spa is the destination for Salt Lake City's finest and revitalizing indulgent experience.
So, in case you’re feeling overwhelmed by the burden of life's responsibilities, a spa day for couples is among Salt Lake City's best activities to enjoy during winter.
It will provide you the chance to relax and reestablish your bond in an incredibly opulent setting.
Grand America provides couples massages, skin treatments, and body shrouds.
19. Go Sledding
Sledding is among Salt Lake City's most enjoyable activities to engage in during winter.
So, go ahead and wear warm clothes and look for the highest hill to enjoy an amazing sledding experience.
In case you wish to remain in the area, there’s no finer hilly paradise to sled than at Sugar HousePark inside Salt Lake.
Also, if you are ready to travel beyond the city and invest some money, Soldier Hollow NordicCenter inside Midway is approximately one hour from the city.
Their snow tubing setup is very convenient for households since the center supplies tubes and includes a conveyor rising belt that transports participants up into the hill during every run.
It is a highly sought-after attraction that necessitates prior bookings to guarantee a place in a scheduled session.
Even, their piping runs are quite smooth, allowing the tube to travel quickly.
Sledding is indeed an enjoyable and exhilarating encounter in Salt Lake City, though you should ensure that your children are completely informed about it prior to going for a run.
20. Discover Thanksgiving Point
This is undoubtedly among Salt Lake City's top spots to discover.
Their site is located in Lehi, Utah, though not every one of their facilities is available throughout the winter.
So, make sure to return in the warmer months to fully appreciate the adventure.
Ashton Gardens stands as a section of Thanksgiving Point that is usually not open in the wintertime, yet if you’re traveling during the festive season, you're fortunate.
The vibrant gardens are fully adorned with countless vibrant lights and various festive decorations for guests to delight in Luminaria, the garden's festive winter celebration.
Also, there are numerous engaging activities available here for children along with bonfires for heating up and tasty festive treats to gobble.
Then, if you're seeking additional family-friendly activities in this region, think about proceeding to the south for roughly 20 minutes to reach Provo.
In the Provo region, there are many enjoyable activities to experience.
21. Check Out Discovery Gateway
This is a fantastic museum for children located inside Salt Lake.
It's a paradise for kids’s play and stands as an ideal spot for young children and infants to discover and enjoy.
The museum showcases play areas of 60000 square feet, farms, supermarkets, scientific exhibits, initiatives, and many more.
Its engaging displays assist children in fostering creativity, exploration, and experiential learning, all while enjoying themselves.
The museum is an excellent illustration of how playing can be enjoyable and, simultaneously, very essential for the development and growth of children.
Your kids will also enjoy its water play area, which features a sizable water table having various interactive elements.
They will likewise enjoy the museum's kid’s eye exhibit, which contains a house for children, a supermarket, and many more.
Conclusion
These are my top activities to enjoy inside Salt Lake City during the winter.
I assure you that despite the harsh chill, Salt Lake is abundant with family-welcoming escapades that are ready to unfold.
So, let this guide assist you in maximizing your time well in the city throughout the winter season.
