Things To Do in Salt Lake City

Lagoon Amusement Park USANA Amphitheatre Olympic Village Miller Motorsports Park Hogle Zoo Salt Lake City

Enjoy a lovely vacation to a place unlike any other on earth: Salt Lake City, Utah. This metropolis offers what other traditional cities do, but with its own unique spin with all types of sports and recreation, art and culture, shopping and attractions.  You are but minutes from lush forests where you can explore nature's playground on horseback, mountain bike or hike.  You can play a round of golf; enjoy sport car events at Miller Motorsports Park or major concerts at USANA Amphitheatre.   No visit to Salt Lake is complete if you don't take the opportunity to explore the museums and galleries, attend world-class ballet, opera and symphony performances or explore the terrific shopping options.  With plenty of other things to do in Salt Lake City and greater Utah, your travel party definitely has the best of all worlds. One thing to be sure - you’ll never be bored -- especially around the holidays! The Comfort Inn Salt Lake City Airport hotel is a choice location to begin your many outings, including the ones listed below. 

Christmas holiday activities -- from Brigham Young University to The Cathedral of the Madeline, Christmas is a wonderful time to visit Salt Lake City.  There are concerts and plays to be enjoyed by young and old alike. Check venues to confirm dates and times; fees may apply.

JANUARY 2012

1/14 - MOMIX's "Botanica" at the Dolores Dore Eccles Center for the Performing Arts.

1/19-29 - 2012 Sundance Film Festival with screenings in Park City, Salt Lake City, Ogden and Sundance, Utah.

1/21-29 - Verdi's Rigoletto at Capitol Theatre, Salt Lake City.

FEBRUARY 2012

2/9-12 - The Winter Drew Tour in Ogden, Utah.

2/13 - Harlem Globetrotters at EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City.

2/14 - Lady Antebellum at EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City.

2/18 - Salt Lake 2002 Stars on Ice at EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City.

2/24 - Monster Jam at EnergySolutions Arena, Salt Lake City.

Drew Tour Toyota Challenge!  The four-day action packed sports event at EnergySolutions Arena on September 9-11 was the third stop of the world's premier season-long action sports tour and featured the world's best in skateboard vert, skateboard street, BMX dirt, BMX vert, FMX and a live concert!   The Winter Drew Tour 2011-12 schedule has been announced and concludes with the Toyota Championship at Snowbasin, a Sun Valley Resort, in Ogden, Utah on February 9-12, 2012.   

Lagoon Amusement Park. Lagoon Amusement Park is Utahs premiere family entertainment park featuring 46 thrilling rides eight roller coasters and is located only 26 minutes from the Salt Lake City Comfort Inn. Divided into five main areas the amusement park provides high-quality family entertainment and special events for young and old alike. 

The Midway contains the majority of the rides and carnival type games as well as food outlets while Kiddie Land has several rides for small children. Pioneer Village contains over two dozen buildings with mementos and historical artifacts dedicated to the pioneers of the 1800s. The X-Venture Zone features more extreme rides that cost extra while Lagoon-A-Beach has a water park which is included in the regular admission. The BomBora dynamic coaster is the most recent new ride.  Check it out!  Lagoon offers thrills and provide high-quality family entertainment all season long For more information, visit www.lagoonpark.com.

Capitol Theater. Salt Lake City’s premiere venue for live theater and the arts, the opulent Capitol Theater is a beautiful locale to see a play, a ballet, an opera, a concert and more. Home of Ballet West and the Utah Symphony and Opera, this historic downtown building is itself a treasure, from its gorgeous chandeliers to its tasteful décor. With a year-round schedule showcasing a variety of artists and performances, the Capitol Theater is Utah’s key destination for the arts with performances ranging from Young Frankenstein to Les Miserables to Mamma Mia to Mary Poppins.  During the holidays there are other specials such as the Nutcracker during the Christmas season and Elixir of Love near Valentine's Day.   For more information, visit www.finearts.slco.org/facilities/capitol/capitol.html.  [Top]

Museum of Natural History of Utah.  This newly reopened $103 million museum is located on 17-acres adjacent to Red Butte Garden in the foothills above Salt Lake at the Rio Tinto Center on the campus of the University of Utah.  The Museum's mission is "to illuminate the natural world and humans place within it" and this is accomplished as visitors explore science and nature in the 10 themed galleries.  Collections form the basis for museum activities supported by public exhibitions, programming and research.  Visitors will be able to view over 500 objects from the Museum's collection, enjoy the Museum Store and Cafe or access the Bonneville Shoreline Trail outside the Museum's front door. 

USANA Amphitheatre. When the major tours of music headliners and legends hit Salt Lake City, USANA Amphitheatre is where they come to entertain the crowds. The largest outdoor venue in Utah, the Amphitheatre has hosted everyone from Prince to Kenny Chesney to Metallica to James Taylor.  Every year, a fresh and varied new lineup is sure to please concert fans of all stripes.  For further information, visit www.usana-amp.com.

Zion National Park. While the Grand Canyon may rightly hold the crown as the premiere National Park of America, Zion National Park arguably comes in as a close second. 300 miles from Salt Lake City, Zion is a worthwhile destination as you enter into the prehistoric natural wonder of the place. Hugh canyon walls rise and the earth changes color as you literally walk amid these striking, beautiful monoliths. To learn more about the Zion experience, visit www.nps.gov/zion.  [Top]

Olympic Village. While taking a break from skiing in Park City, Utah, visit the Olympic Village, created in 2002 for the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics. Tourists might be able to see future hopeful medal-winners while they train, as the Village serves as a year-round training facility. Enjoy the recent history that was made during those 2002 Olympics, when the Village became the most populated of any Winter Olympics site, before or since. For additional information, visit www.olympic.org/uk/games/slc2002/index_uk.asp.

Sundance Film Festival.  On January 19-January 29, 2012, all of Hollywood’s eyes - and, increasingly, the world’s as well - are turned to the little ski village called Park City and the film festival known as Sundance. An important and trendsetting festival in the world of independent film, Hollywood insiders and film lovers alike descend on this Salt Lake City out-skirting town to experience the next wave of indie cinema. See your favorite stars, and perhaps your next favorite film. For more information, visit www.sundance.org/festival.  [Top]

Miller Motorsports Park. NASCAR events are but one of the motor racing sports attractions to be held at this $100 million outdoor motorsports stadium -- the largest race track of its kind in North America. In addition to NASCAR events, other annual competitions at Miller include those of ALMS, FIM/AMA Superbikes, GT LIVE, Sunchaser 1000, among others. Recently it has been drawing interest from automotive companies and developers of unmanned vehicles who want to utilize the track for product development and testing.  Don't miss out!   For a full schedule and further information, visit www.millermotorsportspark.com/3.0/index.php.

EnergySolutions Arena.  Home to the NBA’s Utah Jazz and the Arena Football League’s Utah Blaze, Energy Solutions Arena is a state-of-the-art venue for watching live your favorite basketball or football teams’ games. In addition, musical artists and other entertainment events use the Arena.   The full service Comfort Inn hotel is the perfect lodging choice for you, your family and friends when attending events such as the Trans-Siberian Orchestra  on December 28, 2011.  If planning ahead  the Harlem Globetrotters are playing on February 13, 2012, Lady Antebellum is scheduled for February 14, 2012, Salt Lake 2002 Stars on Ice for February 18, 2012, and Monster Jam for February 24-25, 2012.   This is followed by Disney on Ice: Toy Story 3 - March 7-11, 2012 and Cirque Du Soleil "Michael Jackson The Immortal World Tour" is scheduled to open at the EnergySolutions Arena on August 21, 2012.   For a complete schedule, fees and general information, visit www.energysolutionsarena.com.  [Top]

Hogle Zoo. Beyond the scope of traditional zoos, Salt Lake City’s Hogle Zoo has a different approach to its mission as a sanctuary for animals. The 42-acre Zoo combines a respect for its more than 800 animals, a commitment to education and conservation, and a development of imaginative programs. All the while, it is just a great zoo! From the Bornean orangutan to the white rhinoceros, Hogle Zoo features these plus multiple varieties of birds, mammals, reptiles, and more. Animals native to Utah also are onsite. The zoo also hosts monthly events for visitors including book clubs and animal encounters.  From Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve Hogle Zoo is transformed into a winter  wonderland.  Special events including Breakfast with Santa, Dinner with Mrs. Claus, Fairy Tails, Breakfast with the Bunny, and Mother's Day Brunch.  Seating for special events is limited and tickets must be purchased in advance for special events. The wine and pub events are for responsible adults 21 and older and valid ID must be presented at check-in.  For dates, fees and additional details, visit www.hoglezoo.org.

Ski Salt Lake/Alta/Snowbird/Brighton. Experience the competitive slopes and slaloms of the Salt Lake City area’s ski resorts that have brought avid skiers and snowboarders back to Utah year after year. All seven Salt Lake City and Park City ski resorts are less than an hour from the SLC airport - and the Comfort Inn Airport hotel.  The ski areas of Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, Park City, and others, all welcome ski enthusiasts who crave a challenge. See why Salt Lake City was chosen to host the 2002 Winter Olympics and why Utah continues to rank at the top for best snow!  For more information see our Ski Special and visit www.skiutah.com or www.skisaltlake.com.  [Top]

Downtown Salt Lake City. Perhaps more than any other American city, Salt Lake City uniquely combines history, culture, and class. Do visit Temple Square to experience the history of the Mormon Church, and see the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Or, visit lovely Trolley Square, the epitome of leisurely outdoor mall shopping and dining.  In the evenings, over 100 restaurants and private clubs welcome you to their classy environments. For more information, visit www.downtownslc.org.

Other Nearby Attractions

• Wingpointe Golf Course
• Utah State Fairgrounds
• International Center
• University of Utah
• Utah State Capitol
• Gallivan Center
• Rampton Salt Palace Convention Center
• EnergySolutions Arena (formerly Delta Center)
• The Gateway (including Clark Planetarium and Discovery Gateway children's museum) 
• Temple Square
• Great Salt Lake
• Brigham Young University
• Maverik Center (formerly E Center)
• Museum of Natural History of Utah  [Top]