How to Spend 3 Days in Salt Lake City

With three days in Salt Lake City, there’s plenty of time to see all the main attractions in and around the city, from the historic sights and museums to Olympic venues, ski resorts, and the Great Salt Lake. Here are some suggestions for how to make the most out of three days in Salt Lake City.  

Day 1: Salt Lake City Sightseeing

Get a quick introduction to the history of Salt Lake City with a tour of Temple Square, the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (formerly known as the Mormon Church). Explore the gardens, religious buildings, and visitor centers on your own, or opt for a guided tour. You can also enjoy a free organ recital in the Tabernacle (performances occur every day of the week); if you’re visiting on a Sunday, make sure to catch a live performance of the Tabernacle Choir. Afterward, stroll over to the Lion House Pantry, in the former home of Brigham Young, and enjoy some traditional ‘Mormon comfort food.’ 

In the afternoon, take a hop-on hop-off bus tour of the city to see other notable attractions, like the Utah State Capitol, Red Butte Garden, and This is the Place Heritage Park. In the evening, return to the downtown area for dinner or a brewery tour.

Day 2: Natural History and Art

Spend your second day exploring Salt Lake’s vast selection of arts and cultural museums. If you want to learn more about Mormon history, check out the Church History Museum near Temple Square. The museum is dedicated to the Mormon pioneers' trek to Utah and contains artifacts related to church history as well as a collection of art by Mormon artists.  

Alternatively, head to the Natural History Museum of Utah to see life-size dinosaur displays and explore a fascinating archaeological collection, or spend some time admiring the huge collection of American Indian art at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. If you’re visiting with children, spend the day at the Leonardo (a museum dedicated to creativity and innovation), Discovery Gateway, Clark Planetarium, or Utah’s Hogle Zoo for some family-friendly fun. You can also opt to spend the afternoon visiting Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake.  

Day 3: The Wasatch Mountains and Park City

On your final day, head up into the Wasatch Mountains and see why Salt Lake City is one of the country’s top outdoor recreation destinations. Depending on the season, you can ski, snowshoe, hike, mountain bike, or just enjoy the views of the Wasatch Range. For some of the best vistas, take a scenic ride on the Snowbird Aerial Tram to the top of Hidden Peak. 

Next, visit Park City, a former ghost town turned resort town that is home to the annual Sundance Film Festival. You can also take a tour of nearby Utah Olympic Park to see many of the venue’s used in the 2002 Winter Olympics. Visitors can stand on top of the world’s largest ski jump and even book a bobsled ride. Browse the high-end galleries and boutiques on Park City’s Main Street, and enjoy dinner in one of the town’s famed restaurants.