What should we do when we go to Salt Lake City...

[WTMindy]

we'll be there in June. We have already been to the Morman temple and the Museum of Natural History. What should we not miss? Should we try to float in the lake?

[Blue Hen]

Will you have a car so you can go outside the city? If so then try these items which we enjoyed when we were there in June, '06:

Timpanogos Cave National Monument (http://www.nps.gov/tica/) EXCELLENT

Kennecot Copper Mine (http://www.utah.com/attractions/kennecott.htm) It was nice, spent about 1hr there. The boys have been more excited about the place afterwards, for instance when they have seen it on TV then being there, but I'm glad we made the drive.

Driving west on 80 across the salt flats was fun.

We visited 'This is the Place Heritage Park' but were not there when it was open. Looked like an interesting place.

[WTMindy]

We actually did the copper mine the last time we were there also. Very cool!! I'll look into the cave site. Thanks so much!

[Dana in OR]

and there are a couple of things that are very fun.

SOUTH OF TOWN:

1. Thanksgiving Point, just south of Draper. Beautiful rose gardens, vegetable gardens, many animals on display in pens, and pony rides for little ones. After being outdoors, there are many lovely shops and places to get ice cream sodas, etc.

2. Near Thanksgiving Point, there is a fairly new hands on science/natural history museum. I can't remember the name but my kids had a wonderful time there.

IN SLC:

1. They have a nice zoo. Many hills, though, so it is quite a hike.

2. There is a great planetarium downtown. You can call ahead for showtimes, they have quite a few programs.

[Melinda in VT]

Salivate over the new library? :p

We'll be there in April, mostly visiting family and friends, but we are also looking at these ideas:


Red Butte Botanical Garden
This Is the Place heritage park (although we did this last visit)
Liberty Park--nice park with a pond, playground, and an aviary


Park City is also fun, although we've never taken our kids. I like window shopping on Main Street. I think they have an Alpine slide too, and you used to be able to tour the mine. I'm not sure if you still can.

Lagoon is a small amusement park north of SLC. I haven't been in years, but it might make a fun day.

[Luanne]

for me while you are there. LOL :D

[Sara R]

If you are willing to drive about an hour and a half north, you can go to Promontory Point where the transcontinental railroad was proclaimed finished. They have the two trains that met there, and every hour (or so) on Saturdays in the summer they recreate the ceremony. From Salt Lake you travel north for an hour to Brigham City, and then head west for 20 minutes or so.

Antelope Island is a lot of fun. It's the big island in the Great Salt Lake. From Salt Lake City you drive north a half hour or so and then drive west onto a levee that takes you to the island. Herds of buffalo roam the island. They have a good museum about the Great Salt Lake and they have a good beach there if you want to float in the lake. Friendly tip: wear sandals on the beach! The salt crystals in the sand tear up your feet, and when we went there was a loooong walk to get to the water. We are getting a ton of snow this winter so the water level will probably be higher this summer when you come.

If you go west on I-80 to see the salt flats, read up on the Donner Party first. That's the path they took, and part of the reason they had trouble in the Sierra Nevadas is that they had to leave a lot of things behind to get across that desert fast.

If your kids like planes, there is a plane museum on Hill Airforce Base in Ogden.

[Sara R]

Take a tour of Welfare Square (http://www.lds.org/placestovisit/location/0,10634,5305-1-1-1,00.html). I think it's even cooler than Temple Square. Plus you get free chocolate milk and cheese at the end of the tour. Yum.

[DIY-DY]

Should we try to float in the lake?

OK, it heebed out our friends who live there. But there are showers and bathrooms lakeside - out on Antelope Island (I think that's the name of it). The drive is fun, and we had a BLAST there. I think we meant to stay for half an hour or so, but ended up staying several hours.

The flies right on the edge of the lake can be... well, there aren't words. Just don't leave your car doors open for long if the flies are bad. ;) But you get about 10' out into the water, and there aren't any at all. It's wild. The museum and gift shop there are pretty neat, too.

We've been to SLC several times, and I think of all the tours and stops we've made, this was the best family-fun we've had there.

[Soph the vet]

Definitely float in the lake! If it is anything like the Dead Sea it should work!:D