About Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City, often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC, is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. It is the county seat of Salt Lake County, the most populous county in the state. The population was 199,723 at the 2020 census, while the Salt Lake City metropolitan area has an estimated 1.3 million residents and is the 46th-largest metropolitan area in the United States. It is also part of the larger Salt Lake City–Ogden–Provo combined statistical area, an urban corridor along a 120-mile (190 km) segment of the Wasatch Front with a population of approximately 2.8 million. It is one of the principal urban centers within the Great Basin, along with Reno, Nevada.
Places to visit in Salt Lake City
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Temple Square
Religious · 1 mi from centreThe headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with gardens, the historic Tabernacle and visitor centers explaining the faith and the city's founding.
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Utah State Capitol
Landmark · 2 mi from centreA neoclassical capitol on a hill above downtown, with free tours, impressive murals and wide views over the valley and the Wasatch Range. Spring cherry blossoms frame it.
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Natural History Museum of Utah
Museum · 3 mi from centreSet in the foothills, the museum is known for its impressive dinosaur displays and exhibits on Utah's geology, ecosystems and native peoples. Its terraces offer valley views.
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Red Butte Garden
Park · 3 mi from centreA botanical garden in the foothills with themed gardens, natural trails and a summer outdoor concert series in an amphitheater with mountain views. Spring tulips are a highlight.
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Antelope Island State Park
Nature · 22 mi from centreThe largest island in the Great Salt Lake, with free-roaming bison, pronghorn and abundant birds, plus beaches and trails with sweeping lake views. Sunsets over the lake are memorable.
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Big Cottonwood Canyon
Nature · 11 mi from centreA canyon close to the city with alpine lakes, hiking trails and ski resorts, an easy escape to the mountains in any season. Summer hikes are cool and shaded.
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This Is the Place Heritage Park
Historic · 4 mi from centreA living history village with reconstructed pioneer buildings, costumed guides and activities, located where early Mormon settlers first viewed the valley. It is especially engaging for families with children.
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Cathedral of the Madeleine
Religious · 1 mi from centreA Romanesque and Gothic-style Catholic cathedral with richly painted interiors, stained glass and an active music program. Visitors are welcome outside services, and its concerts and choir performances showcase the fine acoustics.
Things to do in Salt Lake City by type
7 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Day Trips & Excursions 4 experiences Bonneville Salt Flats Adventure - Half-Day Tour -
City tours 2 experiences Explore - Salt Lake City Driving Tour
- 3-6 hours 4
- 1-3 hours 3
Top experiences in Salt Lake City
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays.
Explore - Salt Lake City Walking Tour
From $33 per adult
Explore - Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island
From $121 per adult
Bonneville Salt Flats Adventure - Half-Day Tour
From $124 per adult
Explore - Salt Lake City Driving Tour
From $49 per adult
Salt Lake Compass Rose Dark Sky
From $121 per adult
Explore - Park City and Olympic Heritage Excursion
From $108 per adult
NBA Game: Utah Jazz at Vivint Arena – Ticket
From $45 per adult
Where to stay in Salt Lake City
Popular hotels in Salt Lake City, out of 176 properties you can book.
Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City Airport
From $100 per night
Little America
From $171 per night
Grand America
From $334 per night
Holiday Inn Express Salt Lake City Downtown
From $98 per night
Hampton Inn Salt Lake City-Downtown
From $129 per night
Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites
From $125 per night
Salt Lake City Marriott City Center
From $220 per night
Hotel SLC
From $93 per night
Courtyard by Marriott Salt Lake City Cottonwood
From $134 per night
Hilton Salt Lake City Center
From $168 per night
Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites Midvalley
From $95 per night
Home2 Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City-East
From $129 per night
Best time to visit Salt Lake City
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Salt Lake City is September, when average daytime highs are around 82°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Salt Lake City weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 75° 56° 12%
- Thu 22 Oct 76° 57° 87%
- Fri 23 Oct 59° 53° 87%
- Sat 24 Oct 60° 50° 49%
- Sun 25 Oct 63° 51° 2%
- Mon 26 Oct 66° 53° 6%
Know before you go
- Currency
- United States dollar (USD)
- Language
- English
- Calling code
- +1
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/DenverUTC−6
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
Upcoming public holidays in United States
- Veterans Day
- Thanksgiving Day
- Christmas Day
- New Year's Day
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
- Presidents DayWashington's Birthday
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Salt Lake City
These are the airports closest to central Salt Lake City. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- SLC Salt Lake City International Airport6 mi (9 km) from the city centre
Getting around Salt Lake City
Derived from Joseph Smith's ideas around urban planning from the "Plat of Zion," most of the Salt Lake Valley uses a consistent street grid radiating out from the southeast corner of Temple Square, downtown. Major streets run precisely east-to-west or north-to-south. Addresses are coordinates within the grid, and streets represent intervals of 100 in each direction.
By car
Salt Lake's wide streets make it quite easy to navigate by car; one-way streets are rare. Outside of downtown, on-street parking is relatively easy to find, though traffic slows to a crawl during the morning and evening rush hours.
By bus
The Utah Transit Authority (UTA), +1 801-743-3882, operates an extensive network of bus lines that collectively reach the entire Wasatch Front, with especially comprehensive service in and around Salt Lake City, where some lines operate at a 15-minute frequency during the day. Almost all light rail stations in the valley are connected to bus routes. Only a select handful of important routes operate at night or on Sundays and holidays, and even nighttime routes usually end service around midnight or 1AM.
By train
UTA's light rail system, TRAX, connects many of Salt Lake City's most popular tourist destinations, including Temple Square, Downtown, the University of Utah, and the airport. There are three lines, designated by the colors blue, red, and green.
Salt Lake City travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Salt Lake City?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Salt Lake City is September, when average daytime highs are around 82°F and rain falls on about 3 days a month.
What is the weather like in Salt Lake City?
July is usually the warmest month in Salt Lake City, with average highs of 96°F (35°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 22°F (-6°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 102 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Salt Lake City?
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is the closest airport, about 6 miles (9 km) from the centre of Salt Lake City.
What time zone is Salt Lake City in?
Salt Lake City uses the America/Denver time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Salt Lake City?
Derived from Joseph Smith's ideas around urban planning from the "Plat of Zion," most of the Salt Lake Valley uses a consistent street grid radiating out from the southeast corner of Temple Square, downtown. Major streets run precisely east-to-west or north-to-south.
What are the best places to visit in Salt Lake City?
Top sights in Salt Lake City include Temple Square, Utah State Capitol, Natural History Museum of Utah and Red Butte Garden. The headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with gardens, the historic Tabernacle and visitor centers explaining the faith and the city's founding.
What are the top things to do in Salt Lake City?
Popular experiences you can book in Salt Lake City include Explore - Salt Lake City Walking Tour, Explore - Great Salt Lake and Antelope Island and Bonneville Salt Flats Adventure - Half-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 7 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Salt Lake City?
The most popular types of experiences in Salt Lake City are day trips & excursions (4), city tours (2) and shows, sports and special events (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Salt Lake City?
Popular areas for hotels in Salt Lake City include Salt Lake City International Airport and Downtown. Well-reviewed options include Doubletree By Hilton Hotel Salt Lake City Airport and Little America.
How many hotels can I book in Salt Lake City?
Destina Holidays currently lists 176 properties in and around Salt Lake City, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
