Day Trips from Park City: Salt Lake City with Kids | Park City Moms

Why Salt Lake City Is the Perfect Park City Day Trip

One of the things I love most about living in Park City is how close we are to Salt Lake City. On days when we need a change of scenery, a rainy day activity, or just want to explore something completely different, SLC is right there, just 30 minutes down Parley Canyon on I-80. It is genuinely one of the most underrated family cities in the country, with world-class museums, beautiful parks, excellent restaurants, and a vibe that is welcoming and easy to navigate with kids in tow.

For visiting families, a Salt Lake City day trip is a fantastic way to add variety to a Park City vacation. Maybe you want a day off the slopes, or the weather is not cooperating for outdoor activities, or you just want to explore beyond the resort bubble. Whatever the reason, SLC delivers with options that will engage kids of every age and interest. We head down the canyon at least a couple of times a month and always find something new to discover.

The drive itself is easy and scenic. Parley Canyon is a beautiful stretch of highway that drops from the mountains down into the Salt Lake Valley, and on a clear day you get stunning views of the Wasatch Front and the Great Salt Lake in the distance. Just keep an eye on weather conditions in winter since the canyon can get snowy, though it is extremely well-maintained and rarely causes problems for careful drivers. Give yourself a little extra time in winter weather conditions and you will be fine.

The Discovery Gateway Children Museum

If you have kids under 10, the Discovery Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City should be at the top of your list. This interactive children museum is phenomenal, with multiple floors of hands-on exhibits that keep kids engaged for hours. The outdoor helicopter, the kid-sized grocery store, the art studios, and the water play area are perennial favorites in our family. My kids would honestly live here if I let them, and it is one of those places where they are learning without realizing it because they are having so much fun.

The museum is located in the Gateway shopping district, which means you can easily combine it with lunch at one of the nearby restaurants. There is a food court with kid-friendly options plus several sit-down restaurants within walking distance. The museum also rotates special exhibits throughout the year, so even if you have been before there is usually something new to discover. Check their website for current exhibits and any special events or workshops that might coincide with your visit.

Plan to spend two to three hours here, though you could easily spend longer if your kids are really engaged. The museum is stroller-friendly and has good facilities for diaper changes and feeding. Weekday mornings are the least crowded times to visit. A family membership pays for itself in just two visits if you are going to be in the area for a while, and it includes reciprocal benefits at children museums in other cities through the Association of Children Museums network.

The Natural History Museum of Utah

The Natural History Museum of Utah, perched on the hillside above the University of Utah campus, is one of the most impressive natural history museums I have visited anywhere in the country, and I am not just saying that because I am a local. The building itself is architectural art, a stunning copper-clad structure that emerges from the mountainside, and the exhibits inside are equally impressive. For families with dinosaur-obsessed kids, this is an absolute must-visit. The Past Worlds gallery has full dinosaur skeletons including species that were discovered right here in Utah, which adds a cool local connection.

Beyond dinosaurs, the museum covers Utah geology, Native American history, and local ecosystems in ways that are engaging and accessible for kids. The hands-on discovery areas let kids touch real fossils, mineral specimens, and artifacts. The outdoor terrace has spectacular views of the Salt Lake Valley and is a great spot for a snack break. Our kids especially love the gem and mineral gallery, which is absolutely dazzling and makes everyone want to become a geologist immediately.

The drive from Park City to the museum takes about 35 minutes and the route is straightforward. The museum has a good cafe for lunch, or you can pack food and eat on the outdoor terrace. Budget at least two hours, though science-loving families can easily spend three or four hours exploring every gallery. Bring kids headphones for the car ride down if your crew needs entertainment on the drive, though honestly the canyon scenery might be enough to keep them looking out the windows. A good water bottle for each family member is essential since the museum is large and the dry Utah air makes everyone thirsty.

Hogle Zoo and Tracy Aviary

Hogle Zoo, located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, is a solid family outing that works for all ages. It is a mid-sized zoo that is big enough to feel like a real adventure but small enough that you can see everything without completely exhausting yourself or your kids. The primate exhibits, the big cat area, and the elephant encounter are highlights, and the seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo in October and ZooLights in December are spectacular. The zoo has made major improvements and additions in recent years and continues to invest in better habitats and educational experiences.

Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park is a smaller but equally wonderful experience, especially for younger kids who might be overwhelmed by a full zoo. It is entirely focused on birds and does an incredible job making ornithology exciting for children. The bird shows are entertaining and educational, and kids can get surprisingly close to some beautiful and exotic species. Liberty Park itself is gorgeous with a big playground, a pond with paddle boats in summer, and plenty of space for kids to run around before or after the aviary visit.

Both attractions are close to each other geographically, making it possible to visit one in the morning and the other in the afternoon if your kids have the stamina. Pack a picnic lunch to eat at Liberty Park between visits and you have a full day of family fun for a reasonable price. Hogle Zoo can get crowded on summer weekends, so if you have flexibility, weekday visits are much more pleasant. Bring a travel car seat if you are renting a car for the day, since you will need proper car seats for the drive down the canyon.

This Is the Place Heritage Park

This Is the Place Heritage Park sits at the mouth of Emigration Canyon, right next to the zoo, and offers a completely different kind of family experience. This living history park recreates pioneer-era Utah with historic buildings, costumed interpreters, and hands-on activities that bring history to life for kids in a way that textbooks simply cannot. Kids can pan for gold, ride a miniature train, visit farm animals, and learn about pioneer crafts and trades. It feels like stepping back in time, and children of all ages find it fascinating.

The park is particularly magical during their seasonal events. Pioneer Day celebrations in July, the Haunted Village in October, and Candlelight Christmas in December are all fantastic family experiences that we try to hit every year. The Haunted Village deserves special mention because it offers different scare levels, including a no-scare option for young kids, which is thoughtful and means the whole family can participate regardless of age or bravery level.

Plan to spend about two to three hours here on a regular visit, longer during special events. The park is spread out and involves a fair amount of walking on unpaved paths, so wear comfortable shoes and bring a stroller for little ones. There is a cafe on-site with basic food options, or you can bring your own snacks and find a shady spot to eat. The combination of Hogle Zoo and This Is the Place makes for an epic full-day Salt Lake City adventure that covers both nature and history in one geographic area.

The Great Salt Lake: A Truly Unique Experience

You cannot visit Salt Lake City without experiencing the lake that gives the city its name, and it is unlike anything your kids have encountered before. The Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, and its salinity means you literally cannot sink in it. Kids are absolutely amazed by the floating sensation, and it is a genuinely unique experience that you cannot replicate anywhere else in the country. The lake is accessible from several points, but Antelope Island State Park is the best option for families with facilities, beaches, and the added bonus of free-roaming bison herds.

A few things to know before you go: the lake has a distinctive smell, especially in summer. It is a natural sulfur odor from the brine shrimp and algae, and while it is not overwhelming, prepare your kids so they are not shocked. The lake bottom is rocky in most areas, so water shoes are recommended. And bring fresh water for rinsing off because the salt will cake on your skin and hair in a way that feels pretty wild. Despite these quirks, it is one of the most memorable experiences we have had with our kids, and they still talk about the time they floated without even trying.

Antelope Island itself is worth exploring beyond just the lake. The bison herd is impressive and kids are thrilled to see these massive animals roaming free. There are easy hiking trails, a visitor center with interesting exhibits about the island ecology, and picnic areas with lake views. The drive across the causeway to the island feels like entering another world, with the vast salt flats and lake stretching out in every direction. Budget a full half-day for an Antelope Island trip, including drive time from Park City of about an hour.

Shopping and Dining: Family-Friendly Favorites

Salt Lake City has a surprisingly excellent food scene that extends well beyond the stereotypes. For family-friendly dining, The Pie Pizzeria near the university is a beloved local institution with huge portions and a casual underground atmosphere that kids love. Red Iguana in the Marmalade district serves what many consider the best Mexican food in Utah, and while the wait can be long at peak times, it is absolutely worth it. For something quick and delicious, Pretty Bird Hot Chicken has taken SLC by storm with Nashville-style hot chicken at various spice levels.

City Creek Center in downtown Salt Lake City is a beautiful outdoor shopping mall with a retractable glass roof, a creek running through it, and a fun fountain that kids love to watch. It has all the major retailers plus some nice dining options, and the architecture alone makes it worth a stroll. For a more eclectic shopping experience, the 9th and 9th neighborhood has indie bookshops, boutiques, and the beloved Bruges Waffles and Frites food truck. It is a charming walkable neighborhood that feels very different from Park City and gives you a taste of SLC local culture.

If your kids are into books, The King's English Bookshop in the 15th and 15th neighborhood is a treasure. This independent bookstore has been a Salt Lake institution for decades and has an excellent children section with knowledgeable staff who love making recommendations. Pair it with lunch at Caputo's market deli nearby for an artisan sandwich that will make you consider moving to Salt Lake City for the food alone. These neighborhood experiences give you a feel for Salt Lake City that goes way beyond the tourist attractions and show you why locals genuinely love this city.

Practical Tips for the Park City to SLC Day Trip

The I-80 drive through Parley Canyon is straightforward but a few tips will make it smoother. Traffic heading into SLC is heaviest on weekday mornings around 8 to 9 AM and heading back to Park City in the late afternoon from 4 to 6 PM. If you can time your trip to avoid these windows, the drive is quick and painless. On ski-season weekends, the reverse commute pattern means the canyon is busy heading up to Park City in the morning and back down in the afternoon, but the SLC direction is usually clear.

Parking in downtown Salt Lake City is generally easy and often free or inexpensive, which is a refreshing change from most cities. The museum and zoo areas have dedicated parking lots. For downtown exploration, the City Creek parking garage offers free parking with validation from most stores. The TRAX light rail system is also a great option for getting around downtown without dealing with parking at all, and kids usually enjoy the novelty of riding the train.

Salt Lake City is at a lower elevation than Park City, which means it is generally warmer, sometimes significantly so. A day that requires a heavy jacket in Park City might be comfortable in just a sweater in SLC. In summer, Salt Lake City can be quite hot while Park City stays pleasant, so pack accordingly. And do not forget that the return drive gains about 2,000 feet of elevation, which means you might drive back into snow or cold that was not present when you left that morning. Always have warm layers in the car just in case, because mountain weather is nothing if not full of surprises. Always pack a compact first aid kit - with kids, you never know when you will need it. We swear by packing cubes to keep the family organized.

Family Travel Essentials

Here are our tried-and-tested picks for this trip: