Best Attractions in Salt Lake City (2025)

Utah’s striking hilltop museum pairs award-winning architecture with deep dives into dinosaurs, the Great Salt Lake, Native voices, and hands-on science. Frequently recommended by Condé Nast Traveler and local press, it continues to debut timely exhibits like Mysteries of the Ice Ages in 2025. Open daily with extended hours midweek.

The Intermountain West’s premier botanical garden doubles as a beloved summer concert amphitheater. It’s a regular on best-of lists from travel editors like Lonely Planet and U.S. News Travel, and it’s woven into community life with classes, seasonal blooms, and miles of foothill trails. Hours and light showtimes vary by season.

Downtown’s non-collecting contemporary museum champions brave new work and community access (suggested-donation admission). Supported by national funders like the Warhol Foundation and VIA Art Fund, UMOCA hosts ambitious exhibitions and artist residencies that local critics regularly spotlight.

The state’s flagship art museum presents 5,000 years of global art alongside Utah-focused galleries and smart rotating shows. Recognized by U.S. News Travel and local media, UMFA anchors the University of Utah arts corridor with family days, talks, and evening hours midweek.

One of the nation’s oldest freestanding aviaries, this nonprofit blends conservation, keeper talks, and playful nature spaces across eight leafy acres. It’s routinely recommended by family travel editors and remains open year-round with seasonal evening hours in summer.

A singular visionary art environment tucked behind homes, Gilgal offers symbolic stonework and scripture-carved boulders created mid‑century by mason Thomas Child. Celebrated by city cultural guides and open daily, it hosts a 25th anniversary as a city park in September 2025.

An all-ages garage venue that launched countless bands and still books tomorrow’s favorites. Lauded by local critics and tied to the nationally noticed Kilby Block Party, it remains the city’s indie heartbeat—intimate shows, early set times, and serious scene cred.

Locally owned and loved, this 299-capacity listening room draws national touring acts with great sightlines and sound. Regularly highlighted by Visit Utah and local magazines, it’s a quintessential Salt Lake night out—grab dinner nearby and settle in for the show.

A craft distillery built over an historic artesian well, offering guided tours and tastings that spotlight Utah’s spirited past. Featured by state tourism editors and industry guides, it’s a flavorful look at grain-to-glass production just minutes from downtown.

A historic 1884 brewery reborn as an employee‑owned taproom anchoring the Granary District’s creative surge. Cited by Visit Utah and local media, Fisher’s rotating drafts, food‑truck lineup, and dog‑friendly patio make it a social hub for visitors and neighbors alike.

A nonprofit gallery showcasing street-to-studio work by Utah artists at The Gateway, with monthly community shows and the long-running Urban Arts Festival. Named Best Art Gallery by Salt Lake Magazine readers in 2025, it’s a reliable pulse check on local creativity.

An enduring literary salon for Western Americana, Utah history, and collectible titles—now open inside The Leonardo building. Celebrated by local journalists and book-world organizations, it’s a multi-level browse with staff who know the shelves and the stories behind them.