5 Underappreciated Attractions in Salt Lake City
When many people picture Salt Lake City, they think of a destination only suited for outdoor enthusiasts. However, there are many attractions throughout the city that would appeal to a variety of people. The following are some attractions that don’t get as much recognition as they should.
City Creek Center
Image via Flickr by Ken Lund
City Creek Center is one of the best shopping centers in the city. This complex, which recently received the “Best Retail Development in the Americas” award, has a running creek, waterfalls, fountain shows, and a fully retractable glass roof. The center also houses 110 restaurants and stores including Gap, Sephora, Johnny Rockets, and The Cheesecake Factory. Additionally, City Creek Center is close to Salt Lake City hotels, restaurants, and the downtown area.
Natural History Museum of Utah
Located on the campus of the University of Utah in the Rio Tinto Center, the Natural History Museum of Utah explores the fascinating world around us. Many of the exhibits focus on Utah’s natural history, such as showcasing the history of the area’s five native nations, exploring the unique Great Salt Lake, and pondering what the future holds for the area. Other popular exhibits include the 30 dinosaur skeletons, almost 4,000 rocks and minerals, and close to 400,000 specimens of mammals, insects, birds, and plants.
Professional Sports Teams
Salt Lake City is home to two professional sports teams that always know how to give fans a thrilling game. Located just a few blocks away from the incredibly popular Temple Square, the EnergySolutions Arena is home to the NBA’s Utah Jazz. Additionally, soccer fans can head over to Rio Tinto Stadium and watch the Real Salt Lake.
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is a botanical garden that’s open to the public year-round. The park takes up over 100 acres and has several miles of hiking trails that weave throughout it. However, the hiking trails aren’t the only way to explore the beautiful gardens around the park. Guests can also hop onboard the complimentary tram tours that typically last one hour. Additionally, the Red Butte Garden Amphitheater will host outdoor concerts throughout the summer. Guests are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair, relax on the lawn, and listen to some great music.
Clark Planetarium
In downtown Salt Lake City, Clark Planetarium features an ATK IMAX Theater for nature and science films during the day, and Hollywood-oriented films at night. Shows in the IMAX Theater include Deep Sea 3D and Island of Lemurs: Madagascar 3D. Shows at the Hansen Dome include Ultimate Universe and Supervolcanoes. Clark Planetarium also has free exhibits where visitors can learn about telescopes, see a Foucault pendulum in action, and view some of the best images ever taken by the Hubble Space Telescope.
While the outdoor scenery around Salt Lake City is certainly some of the most beautiful in the country and deserves to be explored, it’s not the only thing visitors should focus on when they come to this city. What are some of your favorite underappreciated attractions in Salt Lake City?
