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. 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. 30 minutes down Parley's Canyon on I-80 in good weather. Genuinely one of the most underrated family cities in the country. World-class museums, beautiful parks, excellent restaurants, and a vibe that is welcoming and easy to navigate with kids in tow.

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Salt Lake City skyline from Parley's Canyon — The Parley's descent into the valley — 30 minutes door-to-door, the same view I send to friends still trapped in 280 traffic.

For visiting families, a Salt Lake day trip is a fantastic way to add variety to a Park City vacation. Maybe you want a day off the slopes, 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.

The drive itself is easy and scenic. Parley's Canyon is a beautiful stretch of highway that drops from the mountains down into the Salt Lake Valley. 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 - the canyon can get snowy. The locals' line is to check the Parley's webcam before leaving. If it is white-out, postpone. We have all turned around at the Jeremy Ranch exit at one point or another.

The Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

If you have kids under 10, the Discovery Gateway in downtown Salt Lake should be at the top of your list. Interactive children's museum, multiple floors of hands-on exhibits that keep kids engaged for hours. The outdoor helicopter, the kid-sized grocery store, the art studios, the water play area are perennial favorites. Wyatt would honestly live here if I let him.

Children's museum interior — Discovery Gateway on a snow day, where Wyatt has never once asked for the iPad.

The museum is in the Gateway shopping district, easy to combine with lunch nearby. There is a food court with kid-friendly options plus several sit-down restaurants within walking distance. The museum rotates special exhibits throughout the year. Plan two to three hours, easily longer if your kids are really engaged. Stroller-friendly with good facilities for diaper changes and feeding. Weekday mornings are the least crowded.

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. The building itself is architectural art - a stunning copper-clad structure that emerges from the mountainside. 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 discovered right here in Utah.

Natural history museum exhibit hall — The Natural History Museum copper-clad, hillside-perched, the architectural flex Salt Lake quietly pulled off while no one was looking.

Beyond dinosaurs, the museum covers Utah geology, Native American history, and local ecosystems in ways that are engaging and accessible for kids. Hands-on discovery areas let kids touch real fossils, mineral specimens, and artifacts. Outdoor terrace has spectacular views of the Salt Lake Valley and is a great spot for a snack break. Charlie especially loves the gem and mineral gallery. Dazzling.

The drive from Park City takes about 35 minutes and the route is straightforward. Museum has a good cafe for lunch or you can pack food and eat on the outdoor terrace. Budget at least two hours - science-loving families can easily spend three or four. Kids headphones for the car ride if your crew needs entertainment. Water bottle for each family member - 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. Mid-sized - big enough to feel like a real adventure, small enough that you can see everything without exhausting yourself. Primate exhibits, big cat area, elephant encounter are highlights. Seasonal events like Boo at the Zoo in October and ZooLights in December are spectacular.

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

Both attractions are close to each other geographically. Possible to visit one in the morning and the other in the afternoon if your kids have stamina. Pack a picnic lunch at Liberty Park between visits and you have a full day. Hogle Zoo can get crowded on summer weekends - weekday visits are more pleasant.

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. Living history park recreates pioneer-era Utah with historic buildings, costumed interpreters, and hands-on activities that bring history to life. Kids can pan for gold, ride a miniature train, visit farm animals, learn about pioneer crafts.

Great Salt Lake shoreline — Antelope Island the first time — Charlie called the bison "weirdly buff cows," which is the most Park City sentence a 9-year-old has ever produced.

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. The Haunted Village offers different scare levels including a no-scare option for young kids - thoughtful and means the whole family can participate.

Plan two to three hours on a regular visit, longer during special events. The park is spread out and involves a fair amount of walking on unpaved paths. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a stroller for little ones. Cafe on-site with basic food, or bring your own snacks. The combination of Hogle Zoo and This Is the Place makes for an epic full-day Salt Lake adventure.

The Great Salt Lake: A Truly Unique Experience

You cannot visit Salt Lake 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. Genuinely unique experience that you cannot replicate anywhere else in the country. Antelope Island State Park is the best access for families. Facilities, beaches, plus the added bonus of free-roaming bison herds.

Plated restaurant dinner — A long Sugar House lunch after the museum loop — the kind of meal where you order a glass of something local and pretend the rest of the day is unscheduled.

A few things to know. The lake has a distinctive smell, especially in summer. Natural sulfur odor from the brine shrimp and algae. Not overwhelming but prepare your kids so they are not shocked. The lake bottom is rocky in most areas - water shoes recommended. Bring fresh water for rinsing off because the salt will cake on your skin and hair in a way that feels pretty wild. Lake flies along the shore in summer can be intense but they are harmless.

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. Treat the bison the same way we treat our Round Valley moose - 50 yards minimum, do not approach for a photo, and never get between a cow and her calf. Easy hiking trails, a visitor center with exhibits about the island ecology, and picnic areas with lake views. Budget a full half-day, including drive time of about an hour.

Shopping and Dining: Family-Friendly Favorites

Salt Lake 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 kids love. Red Iguana in the Marmalade district serves what many consider the best Mexican food in Utah - the wait can be long at peak times, absolutely worth it. The locals' line is to put your name in, walk to the second Red Iguana location across the lot, grab a drink while you wait. Pretty Bird Hot Chicken has taken SLC by storm with Nashville-style hot chicken at various spice levels.

City Creek Center in downtown is a beautiful outdoor shopping mall with a retractable glass roof, a creek running through it, and a fun fountain kids love to watch. 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. Charming walkable neighborhood that feels very different from Park City.

If your kids are into books, The King's English Bookshop in the 15th and 15th neighborhood is a treasure. Independent bookstore that has been a Salt Lake institution for decades. Pair it with lunch at Caputo's market deli nearby for an artisan sandwich. These neighborhood experiences give you a feel for SLC that goes way beyond tourist attractions.

Practical Tips for the Park City to SLC Day Trip

The I-80 drive through Parley's is straightforward but a few tips will make it smoother. Traffic heading into SLC is heaviest weekday mornings around 8 to 9 AM and heading back to Park City in the late afternoon from 4 to 6 PM. Time your trip to avoid these windows. 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 SLC is generally easy and often free or inexpensive. 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 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. 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, SLC can be quite hot while Park City stays pleasant, so pack accordingly. The return drive gains about 2,000 feet of elevation - you might drive back into snow or cold that was not present when you left that morning. Always have warm layers in the car. Mountain weather - if you do not like it, wait twenty minutes. It is real.

One more local note. In winter, the SLC valley sometimes gets a temperature inversion that traps cold air and pollution. Park City is up above it - we get blue sky while the valley is in fog. Check air quality before driving down on a still January day. Sometimes the better play is to stay up here and ski the powder.

Pack a compact first aid kit. Packing cubes for the trip. And if you need a coffee on the way home, hit Vinto on Main when you get back. Only acceptable coffee in town. My opinion. I will defend it.