It’s fair to say that Utah doesn’t get enough love from people looking for a fun vacation!
While it’s obviously not the first place you might think of when planning a trip, there are many fun and exciting things that you can do here that make it well worth considering.
These include a multitude of outdoor and indoor options that you and your kids will love.
Let’s take a look at a few of the most popular options in the state to ensure that you have the fun you want this year.
14 Things to Do in Utah With Kids
As you might imagine, compiling all the things to do in a single state can be a challenging experience.
Utah is a very diverse area with many fun and engaging activities that might entertain you and your family.
As a result, it’s important to look through this list fully to find the experiences that you and your kids may enjoy the most.
These include outdoor and indoor fun, as well as unique shopping and amusement park destinations that will entertain you and your kids.
1. Arches National Park
If there’s a single image that represents Utah, it’s probably the unique sandstone arch in Arches National Park.
This park is renowned for its red sandstone formations and includes multiple hiking trails, interactive presentations, stargazing, and much more.
It’s one of the most popular outdoor destinations in the state, especially during the summer.
Make sure that you bring lots of water when visiting to ensure that you stay hydrated and healthy in the heat.
2. Echo Reservoir
The Echo Reservoir is a popular spot to visit in Echo State Park.
It’s an attractive reservoir that people visit for boat rides, fishing trips, and picnics.
There are also plenty of trails that you can hike with your family, as well as swimming spots, biking destinations, and snowshoeing areas.
Even better, there are several camping destinations that may appeal to you, particularly if you don’t mind roughing it a little and staying in a tent with your little ones.
3. Cowabunga Bay Waterpark
Cowabunga Bay Waterpark is one of the most popular waterpark destinations in Utah for several reasons.
First, it has a beautiful view of the Wasatch Mountains, so even if you don’t feel like getting wet, you can relax and enjoy the mountains.
You can also enjoy over 25 different slides and attractions,
including a wave pool where you can just relax and keep out of the sun.
In this way, you can stay out of the legendary Utah heat and still be outdoors for the day.
4. Hogle Zoo
Do your kids love animals and want to see some fun and exciting species you can’t visit in North America?
Well, Hogle Zoo is a great Utah destination that will ensure you and your kids have a lot of fun!
Located close to Salt Lake City, Hogle Zoo features animal exhibits like lions, kangaroos, gorillas, tigers, dolphins, and much more.
Even better, you can visit various rides (including the popular camel ride) and attractions to get even more fun out of this experience.
5. Rendezvous Beach
In Bear Lake State Park, Rendezvous Beach is a great destination that will provide hours of fun for you and your family!
Located on a gorgeous lake with a beautiful sandy beach, your kids will love swimming in the safe swimming area while you relax on the beach and take in some rays.
You can also join in on the fun by floating on an inner tube or even renting a camping site.
Boat rental is also available if you want to take to the lake after a busy day of relaxing.
6. iFly Utah
Are you interested in skydiving but think your kids aren’t quite ready for it yet?
That’s understandable: thankfully, there’s a way around it!
At iFly Utah, you can skydive indoors in a large and exciting arena.
Here’s the catch: you won’t truly be skydiving.
Instead, you’ll be in a large indoor wind tunnel that lifts you off the ground and emulates this experience.
It’s a very kid-friendly experience, and most will love feeling like they are flying in the air.
7. Zipline Utah
At Zipline Utah, you and your kids can experience the beautiful outdoors from a unique angle: just above it but without touching it.
That’s because you’ll get the chance to ride on three different ziplines and check out beautiful red rocks, amazing trees, and much more.
Their lines range in length from 300-900 feet, meaning that you can have many experiences.
If your children are a little afraid, go with the shorter option.
Try the longer lines if you’re feeling adventurous.
8. Hebner Valley Railroad
While railroads don’t have the same kind of sway over the youth that they once held, they’re still popular with many older adults and even some kids.
Thankfully, you can give your train-loving son or daughter a wonderful experience by visiting Hebner Valley Railroad.
Here, you’ll get the chance to experience the golden age of railroading in authentic locomotives handled by skilled crews.
It’s an actual functioning railroad that will bring back this amazing and forgotten history.
9. Natural History Museum of Utah
The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the biggest and most exciting museums in the state.
It has 10 permanent exhibits on various topics, including the settlement of the state and the Native American population.
However, it also has many kid-friendly aspects that make it a more enjoyable experience.
These can help to immerse you and your children in a fun and engaging learning atmosphere that will ensure you have fun together while studying Utah history.
10. Clark Planetarium
Are you or your children in love with the stars and want to explore them in more detail?
Well, Clark Planetarium features three floors of free exhibits that you can explore together.
Many of these are hands-on activities, which means you can interact with them however you want (within museum guidelines, of course).
This amazing destination is the kind of place that you’ll come back to multiple times, especially as it changes up its activities throughout the years.
11. Discovery Gateway
Children’s Museum Do your children love museums but want a change up from adult-oriented options?
Well, Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum has over 60,000 square feet of amazing and interactive exhibits.
These include activities like the I Dig Dinos exhibit, a story factory, a sensory room, a garden, and much more.
It’s interactive and engaging museums like these that can stimulate children and teach them that learning is fun and well worth their time as people.
12. Utah Olympic
Park The Utah Olympic Park was built when Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.
After the event was over, it was converted into a fun attraction that might engage you and your children.
It includes multiple activities that highlight the history of this event, as well as an authentic bobsled and alpine slide that you can check out.
The in-depth museum also provides a unique insight into this event that will help you feel more connected with American history.
13. Dinosaur National Monument
At Dinosaur National Monument, you and your children can explore the always cool world of dinosaurs and archaeology.
Over this 210,000-acre monument, you’ll see hundreds of amphibian and marine fossils, learn more about archaeological concepts, check out the Quarry Exhibit Hall, and even explore a 12-mile Fossil Discovery Trail.
It’s a great way to learn more about ancient history.
14. Sound and Light Show Moab
The Sound and Light Show available in Moab is one of the most popular Utah attractions.
It features various images, music, and multimedia presentations that bring you right into the area’s history.
For example, it includes multiple narrators and storytellers who tell interesting stories while the light show creates beautiful and memorable designs.
Utah Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Utah Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: MEDIUM
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Newspaper Rock?
Newspaper Rock is one of the biggest archaeological finds in North American history.
It’s a unique rock where various etchings were added by Native American tribes over 2,000 years ago.
They detail the day-to-day events of these tribes and are an amazing look into their culture.
It’s the kind of thing that you can only find in out-of-the-way places like Utah and Arizona.
Should I visit the Great Salt Lake?
It’s hard not to take a trip to the Great Salt Lake when visiting Utah!
It’s the largest salt lake in the west and has a surface area of about 1,700 square miles.
It’s so salty that you will float in it due to the extra buoyancy added by the salt.
In fact, if you’ve already been to the ocean with your kids, here’s an amazing fact: the Great Salt Lake is nine times saltier than the sea!
What does it mean to be a Four Corner State?
Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico have a unique geographical design: they’re the only four states that touch at a single corner!
In fact, you can drive to this destination and check out the display there.
You and your family can technically stand in four different states while being no more than a few feet apart.
It’s the kind of cool thing that your kids will always remember.
Is the Sundance Film Festival kid friendly?
The largest independent film festival in the country, the Sundance Film Festival is a major draw for Utah and a big tourist destination.
That said, it’s not always a great place to take kids because many of the films have suggestive or even violent content.
It’s also a very busy area and may cost a lot of money.
In fact, it might be best to avoid Utah until this event is over.
Utah is often overlooked as a vacation destination, but in my opinion, it offers a wide range of fun and exciting activities for families to enjoy, from outdoor adventures to unique museums and attractions.