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utah salt flats

Unique Things to do in Salt Lake City

Dive deep into Salt Lake City's unique attractions, from historic sites to unusual spots. Check our list of the best unique things to see.

Unique Things to do in Salt Lake City

There are so many amazing things to do in Salt Lake City, from admiring fantastic artwork to milking cows! The list we put together has some of the unusual things to do in Salt Lake City to make sure you have an unforgettable vacation!

With natural and man-made wonders, there’s no need to wonder what to do in Salt Lake City! Stick close to our top things to do in Salt Lake City for an awesome trip!

Explore Kennecott Copper Mine 

Explore Kennecott Copper Mine 

The pit is more than half a mile deep, 2.5 km long, covering 1,900 acres!

The Kennecott copper mine, located near Salt Lake City, is the largest man-made hole in the world! This remarkable landmark is one of the best things to do in Utah!

The mine continues to be active today and is one of the world’s most productive mines. A visitor center is located at the mine to learn about the operation of the mining company and its past. There is also a shuttle to the mine, which can be found on the website, https://utah.com/kennecott

Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah

Visit the Natural History Museum of Utah

Since 1959, the museum has gathered its collection and is now located at Utah University. With 1.6 million specimens and research artifacts, this museum is a treasure trove of exploration!

Featuring exhibits on the formation of landmarks like the Great Salt Lake and the Middle Rocky Mountains, it’s a fantastic spot for history buffs. The museum also showcases archaeological items used to recreate the lives of the region’s first inhabitants.

If you’re looking for things to do in Salt Lake City, this museum is a must-visit. Its extensive collection and informative exhibits make it an enriching experience for visitors interested in the natural and cultural history of the area.

Create Your Own Knife

brown handle silver knife on brown wooden table

Forge your own knife at Stone Fox Forge in Salt Lake City One of the strangest but most fun things to do in Salt Lake City is certainly to become a blacksmith for a few hours!

While you’re in town, book a workshop with a specialist to learn about the blacksmith trade and how to make a knife! This is the best way to guarantee your protection while learning a new skill. You’ll have your own special knife at the end of the Lab!

Follow in the Footsteps of the Mormons

Old Desert Village

The father of the Mormon faith, Brigham Young, had a dream of where his church would meet. He and his 1300 followers marched across the desert until from his dream he saw this valley. “This is where it is!” He screamed out. The place is now a museum!

Nearby the memorial is the Old Desert Village that replicates those early Mormons’ lifestyle. Among the attractions is the Brigham Young Farmhouse, which is filled with actors in period garb bringing history to life. There are also streets, homes, and a hotel, all contributing to a vivid portrayal of the past!

Walk on Salt Flats

utah salt flats

One of the most unusual things to do today in Salt Lake City is to take a trip to the Bonneville Salt Flats. This is a rare natural salt reservoir, covering 30,000 acres!

Bonneville Salt Flats Visitor Center provides fascinating insights into this unique landscape. Bonneville Speedway, one section of the salt flats, has so much salt it appears like a frozen-coated lake of snow! Once a year, along this slippery ground, there’s a vehicle race that attracts thrill-seekers from all over!

Go to the rest stop. This area offers spectacular views of the salt flats and you can go walking on the flat, a fascinating experience in itself!

Hunt for Ghosts 

Rio Grande Train Depot

Ghosthunting is certainly not what you’re expecting from sightseeing in Salt Lake City, but it’s a lot of fun (and just a bit spooky)!

Rio Grande Train Depot is allegedly one of the city’s most haunted locations! It is home to “The Purple Lady” you will find next to the cafe. Legend has it that she’s been killed trying to get her engagement ring off the train tracks!

Ghosts can also be spotted at the Haunted Brigham Young Farmhouse, Shilo Hotel, and Capitol Theatre. Book a professional guide to get the use of their special ghost hunting equipment

Thinking of Visiting Other Major US Cities? Check out City Pass to save money.

Trace your family history 

Salt Lake City Family History Library.

Trace your ancestry through the Salt Lake City Family History Library.

The Library of Family History has millions of genealogical records for about three billion people! It makes it the largest such facility in the country, and one of Salt Lake City’s most mind-blowing places to visit — free!

The staff are friendly and keen to help. If you have written records of your ancestors in your family, carry them along to help speed up the process!

Create Your Own Jewelry 

The B Golden Jewelry School

SLC is home to a vibrant arts scene, and joining in on unique activities in Salt Lake City is the best way to experience that! The B Golden Jewelry School offers workshops to show you how to design your own jewelry, a special souvenir to take home! Link here! https://www.bgoldenjewelryschool.com/classes/

You may make pieces of jewelry with professional equipment such as a soldering torch, using sterling silver and precious stones. It is a fun activity to tie in with your holiday and one that will last for a lifetime!

Conclusion

Salt Lake City, is for those looking to slow down, a perfect weekend getaway.

Common Questions

Temple Square
 
Temple Square is the most popular tourist attraction in Salt Lake, but that doesn’t mean it’s where history stops.
Top Attractions in Salt Lake City
  • Big Cottonwood Canyon. 1,171. Canyons. …
  • Temple Square. 5,066. Points of Interest & Landmarks. …
  • Natural History Museum of Utah. 1,585. Natural History Museums. …
  • The Tabernacle. 1,354. Religious Sites. …
  • City Creek Center. 660. …
  • Utah State Capitol. 1,578. …
  • This is the Place Heritage Park. 578. …
  • Great Salt Lake. 990.
what to see in salt lake city in one day
  1. Natural History Museum of Utah. …
  2. Great Salt Lake. …
  3. Red Butte Garden and Arboretum. …
  4. Utah State Capitol Building. …
  5. Temple Square. …
  6. Tracy Aviary. …
  7. The Living Room Trail. …
  8. Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
Utah is known for:
  • The Great Salt Lake, the largest waltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.
  • Skiing.
  • National parks.
  • Mormons.
  • Sundance Film Festival.

Funeral potatoes, fry sauce and pastrami burgers are just a few of Utah’s contributions to the culinary world. American fare is well-represented in the city, but that’s not all. Add to the mix creative foreign dishes served in atmospherically pleasing settings and Salt Lake becomes a foodie’s paradise.

Utah and the Salt Lake area are renowned for their captivating natural beauty. You’ll likely notice the Wasatch Mountains when you first arrive. This rugged range forms the backdrop for this UT metropolis and contains several well-known peaks and valleys just waiting to be explored by adventurous visitors.

Safety at night:Moderate

Salt Lake City, is generally considered safe, but like any urban area, it has parts that are less safe than others. During the day, the majority of neighborhoods are safe to walk around, but at night some areas can become a bit risky.

Salt Lake City has developed a strong tourist industry based primarily on skiing, outdoor recreation, and religious tourism. It hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics and will host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

Play The Hits: Exploring Salt Lake City’s Iconic Sights

Utah’s capital city boasts a unique history. It is rich in frontier history for sure but its story doesn’t end (or begin) there. Experience the many layers of history, prehistory and contemporary culture.

The settlers came to the valley in search of a region where they could practice their religion, free from hostile mobs and persecution. When Young first saw the valley he said, “This is the right place.” On the very day of arrival, the pioneers began tilling the soil and planting crops.

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