Salt Lake City is an ideal destination for family fun all year-round but in the summertime when the weather is warm and the sun is out, there are plenty of great ways to entertain the little ones. Check out the following list of kid-friendly activities to guarantee the whole family has a memorable vacation.
Get your splash on …
The Cowabunga Bay Water Park, located just 10 minutes south of Salt Lake City in the town of Draper, is a great place to beat the summer heat. Prices are determined by height rather than age — kids and adults over 48 inches tall are $21 while those under 48 inches are only $15.99.
Go exploring …
Take advantage of the natural beauty of the area and explore Timpanogos Cave National Monument in American Fork Canyon. Entrance to the cave includes a guided tour from a park ranger. Tickets cost $12 for teens and adults, children get in for $7. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance through the website. The cave, visitor center and trail are currently undergoing renovations and should be open for visitors by July 2019.
Go bird watching …
Visit the Tracy Aviary for a day of bird watching. The aviary is home to birds from around the world and has educational and interactive exhibits that will get your little ones excited about nature. Admission is $11.95 for teens and adults and $7.95 for kids under the age of 13. Children under the age of two receive free admission. The grounds are open daily (except on Thanksgiving and Christmas) and hours of operation are 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Antelope Island State Park, Utah. Photo: Irina Kozhemyakina | Dreamstime.com
Observe the local wildlife …
A visit to Antelope Island State Park
will be a unique outdoor experience for your family. Located on the Great Salt Lake, this beautiful wilderness park is a great place to watch wildlife in their natural habitat. The park covers 28,800 acres of land and is home to a free-roaming herd of bison along with mule deer, antelope, bighorn sheep and a variety of birds and reptiles. The island is perfect for hiking, mountain bike riding, horseback riding and camping.
Visit the village …
Spend some time at Gardner Village, a quaint shopping and dining experience that offers a little bit of everything for the whole family. There are plenty of shops to explore, like the Spoiled Rotten Children’s Boutique, the Chocolate Covered Wagon and the Utah Sports Authority. There are also great dining options and even some things that are just plain fun like an escape room or The Farm, a non-profit animal rescue center where the kids will love visiting the petting zoo or taking a pony ride.
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