The Best Summer Activities in SLC

School’s almost out, so it’s time to start thinking about what you want to do this summer. Utah has something for everybody to do during the summer months, so I thought I’d round up some of the best activities for you. Go ahead and get that calendar out and start planning!

Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series

The Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series is filled with some pretty incredible musical talent.  This year’s lineup includes Seal, Steve Miller Band, the B-52s, and more. Tickets for some of these shows are selling out, though, so you’ll want to get a jump on the shows you most want to see. There are also ticket packages available here.

There’s nothing like enjoying good music in this beautiful outdoor environment. You bring a chair or blanket (or buy a chair from the merchandise tent) and enjoy the entertainment in a low-key setting. Food and non-alcoholic concessions are also available from the café.

Redwood Drive-in Theatre

Yes, you can still go to a drive-in movie here in the Salt Lake area, and I highly recommend it! It’s a nice change from a regular theater. The Redwood Drive-in Theatre was opened in 1948, so this is definitely a step back in time.

A $9 adult ticket (or $1 kid ticket) gets you two movies playing one after the other on the same screen. You’ll play the sound through your car’s radio. If you have a truck, you can pull in backwards and enjoy the movies that way. You can also set up lawn chairs in your parking area. The theater has a snack bar with treats, but you can also bring as many of your own treats as you’d like.

Sundance Mountain Resort Zip Line

Ready to experience some stunning mountain views from up high? The Sundance Mountain Resort Zip Line is the place to do it. Plus, this is just a really fun zip line. It has a vertical drop of over 2,100 feet—the most of any zip line in the U.S. You can ride side-by-side on double cables, and you’re also able to control your speed. That means that you can go at around 65 miles an hour if you want to, or you can stop and take in the breathtaking views.

There are several tour options to choose from, and each is a different distance. Ticket packages include scenic lift rides. You can also fill out a waiver from the website so that you’re ready to go when you arrive.

Barefoot Tubing

When you want to be outside but it’s just too hot to do it, it’s time to bring some water into the mix. Barefoot Tubing is ready to give you an adventure on the Weber River. This is a class II mild whitewater river, full of excitement and fun for everyone.  (This is NOT a lazy river.) As a bonus, the scenery is stunning.

Barefoot Tubing takes care of the entire experience from beginning to end. They’ll give you a life jacket and tube, and they’ll even take care of shuttling you to and from the river.

Discovery Gateway

Discovery Gateway is the perfect stop with little kids, especially ones who are restless with school out of session. The museum is filled with all kinds of exhibits, like a water play station, a place to fix cars, and a kid-sized helicopter.

The museum also has all kinds of summer camps, including art, drumming, and more, for children from Kindergarten through 6th grade. You just go here to register your kids. You can also book your kid’s birthday party at this fun spot.

Utah Olympic Oval

If you want to add a little winter to your summer fun, why not head to the Utah Olympic Oval? This five-acre venue was built to accommodate the 2002 Olympics, but now it’s just a fun spot to play.

Choose from public skating, cosmic curling, cosmic skating, or the running track. Any of these activities sounds like a great way to get a break from the heat!

Fort Douglas Military Museum

Have you been to the Fort Douglas Military Museum? It was a small military garrison, and then it opened as a museum way back in 1976 and eventually came under the sponsorship of the Utah National Guard. It’s undergone several renovations over the years, and it’s currently in the middle of a substantial renovation project.

However, it’s still a great place to take in some history, especially since admission is free. There is a wide variety of exhibits and events that focus on some aspect of our military history. It has artifacts from many different time periods, including tanks and helicopters outside.

Ledgemere Cave

Utah has a lot of caves, but did you know that there’s a cave near the bottom of Big Cottonwood Canyon? It’s right near the Ledgemere Picnic Area. The entrance to the cave is pretty small, so don’t walk right past it. It’s the perfect little cave for exploring with young kids.

To get there, you’ll just go up Big Cottonwood Canyon 1.5 miles. Cross the bridge over to the picnic tables and then take the paved path to the right. The entrance to the cave is just past the last table, off of the trail.

Salt Lake City Friday Night Flicks

Do you know about Salt Lake City’s Friday Night Flicks? These family-friendly movies are hosted at different Salt Lake City parks each Friday night. The movies are shown on large, inflatable screens, and they even serve free popcorn (while supplies last, that is).

Show up any time after 7:30 to get a spot for the movies that begin around 9 p.m. There’s plenty to do while you wait for the show to begin, including music, games, giveaways, and more. The 2019 schedule isn’t out yet, but when it is, it’ll be here.

SLC Sightseeing Tour

Want to see Salt Lake City in a whole new way? US Bus Utah has a bus tour that takes you to all of our top landmarks, including Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol building, the Natural History Museum, Red Butte Garden, Liberty Park, the University of Utah, and more. You’ll also get to enjoy a wonderful dining experience as part of the tour. Pretty soon, you’ll have the option to do the tour in a double decker bus.

This is a great thing to do with family or friends who want to see Salt Lake City in a different way.

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