Salt Lake City Weekend with Kids

Salt Lake City might just be the most family-friendly big city in the country. Family is emphasized everywhere you go, so it's easy to find activities that include both parents and children. The city is super easy to navigate, with big broad avenues that all lead to the center of town. The entire city is surrounded by stunning natural beauty, from the Great Salt Lake to the Wasatch Mountains. Definitely a great place to spend a weekend with the family.

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Hilton Garden Inn
A recently built hotel in the downtown area, with affordable family-friendly suites. Clean and spacious, and the kids will love the pool.
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Mayan Restaurant
You don't go to the Mayan Restaurant for the food, which is just kind of average. No, you go to the Mayan for the atmosphere. The interior is made up to resemble a Mayan temple, with robotic birds and jungle vines. But the highlight of your meal is the cliff diving show, where divers jump off a 36-foot cliff into a pond. There's al... More >
You don't go to the Mayan Restaurant for the food, which is just kind of average. No, you go to the Mayan for the atmosphere. The interior is made up to resemble a Mayan temple, with robotic birds and jungle vines. But the highlight of your meal is the cliff diving show, where divers jump off a 36-foot cliff into a pond. There's also an angry tiki god and singing lizards. In other words, it's quite the spectacular that kids will absolutely adore. They probably won't even eat their food.
A recently built hotel in the downtown area, with affordable family-friendly suites.
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Lagoon
Lagoon is a rip-roaring amusement park AND water park. With a little county fair thrown in for good measure. There's a wide enough variety of rides to please kids of all ages, from roller coasters to water slides. Hey, it's not Disneyland, but you're in Utah not California.
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Museum of Ancient Life
The Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point is 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, but well worth the drive. I'd go so far as to say it's the best museum of its kind I've ever seen. It has the largest collection of mounted dinosaur skeletons in the world, and the emphasis on hands-on exhibits makes it enthralling for kids. This i... More >
The Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point is 30 miles south of Salt Lake City, but well worth the drive. I'd go so far as to say it's the best museum of its kind I've ever seen. It has the largest collection of mounted dinosaur skeletons in the world, and the emphasis on hands-on exhibits makes it enthralling for kids. This is a must-visit place if you're in the Salt Lake City area. Admission is $10 for adults, $8 for kids 3-12.
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Clark Planetarium
Part science center, part state-of-the-art planetarium, this is the place to go to learn about the planets and the stars. Admission, and access to the exhibits, is free. Shows in the IMAX and the Hansen Dome cost extra, but are well worth the experience. The free exhibits include a rocketry display and a real moon rock. A very cool... More >
Part science center, part state-of-the-art planetarium, this is the place to go to learn about the planets and the stars. Admission, and access to the exhibits, is free. Shows in the IMAX and the Hansen Dome cost extra, but are well worth the experience. The free exhibits include a rocketry display and a real moon rock. A very cool place, your kids might just want to spend an entire day here.
Shows in the IMAX and the Hansen Dome cost extra, but are well worth the experience.
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This is the Place Heritage Park
A fascinating state park that sends its visitors back in time to when the Mormon pioneers settled Utah. This "living history" park features adobe houses, farms, and trade shops from the 1800's. Kids can help out with different chores, or sit in on a lesson at the old school house. There's also an Indian Village and pony rides! Admission is just $5 for adults, $3 for kids.  More
A fascinating state park that sends its visitors back in time to when the Mormon pioneers settled Utah. This "living history" park features adobe houses, farms, and trade shops from the 1800's. Kids can help out with different chores, or sit in on a lesson at the old school house. There's also an Indian Village and pony rides! Admission is just $5 for adults, $3 for kids.
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Phil Corless
Phil Corless
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