2014 Top 20 Places to Take Kids in Salt Lake City, UT

1. Lagoon 

Utah's favorite amusement park! From roller coasters and rapids to the Rocket — get ready for the ride of your life! Lagoon boasts over 45 rides that will thrill, chill, excite and delight you. It's what fun is! Located in Farmington, about seventeen miles (27 km) north of Salt Lake City.

2. Utah's Hogle Zoo

Families can see over 800 animals while meandering the zoo's 42 acres. Birthday party packages, special events, classes, and summer camps are offered at the zoo.

3. The Leonardo

The Leonardo is a contemporary museum that explores the unexpected ways that science, technology, art, and creativity connect. Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, The Leo is your place to see one-of-a-kind, interactive exhibits and participate in ever-changing programs, workshops, and classes.

4. Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake is SLC's own Major League Soccer Team. The Rio Tinto Stadium is their home base. Soccer summer camps for kids ages three to 18 are offered. 

5. Discovery Gateway

Come on, let's play! Discovery Gateway children's museum is located in the Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City. Discovery Gateway offers 60,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on fun. Come explore our engaging workshops, programs, and exhibits that invite the whole family to create, learn, and play together!

6. Natural History Museum of Utah 

For over four decades, the Natural History Museum of Utah has connected Utah residents and tourists alike with the natural wonders and native cultures that define Utah.

7. Wheeler Historic Farm 

Wheeler Historic Farm is a Salt Lake County Parks and Recreation facility, open to the public 365 days a year. A restoration of the turn-of-the-century dairy farm of Henry J. Wheeler, the farm includes demonstrations and exhibits. As an interactive working farm. Visitors can milk cows, view farm animals, and learn about the buildings and machines that made this 19th-century farm successful.

8. Thanksgiving Point

Thanksgiving Point Gardens, the Children’s Discovery Garden, Farm Country, and the Museum of Ancient Life, Emporium, and restaurants offer stimulating and engaging experiences in a safe, family-friendly setting. They foster learning, bring families closer together and provide beautiful gathering places for groups of all kinds, giving them opportunities to share their cultural heritage and common bonds

9. Boondocks Fun Center

Boondocks is an indoor/outdoor fun center, offering mini golf, bumper boats, go-karts, batting cages, laser tag, a soft play area, an arcade and a restaurant

10. The Living Planet Aquarium

Families can see river otters, sea jellies, seahorses, sharks, a sea turtle, penguins, snakes, caimans, piranhas, eels, frogs, and more at TLPA. Birthday party packages, animal feeding opportunities, and special events are offered year round.

11. Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort

Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort offers skiing, snowboarding, ski/snowboard lessons, snowmobile tours, and snowshoeing in the winter, and biking, hiking, Alpine Slide, a ropes course, tram rides, horseback tours, and climbing during the summer months.

12. Red Butte Garden 

Red Butte Garden, part of the University of Utah, has over 100 acres of display and natural gardens, walking paths and hiking trails. The whole family can enjoy activities year-round including concerts, classes, festivals, events, and exhibits.

13. Tracy Aviary

Tracy Aviary offers opportunities to view hundreds of live birds. Families can also watch bird shows, attend classes and summer camps, take guided tours, and hand feed some of the birds. Birthday party packages are available.

14. Airborne Trampoline Arena

Airborne Trampoline Arena is an indoor play center full of trampolines and foam pits. They offer dodgeball, airobics, and party rooms. Check the venue's website for information about birthday party packages and group pricing.

15. Imagination Place

Imagination Place offers music and movements classes for kids and their parent/caregiver. Classes include AntiGravity Yoga, Music Together, Imagination Workshop, Musical Bridge, chess, private music lessons 

16. City Creek Center

City Creek Center is downtown SLC's newest shopping area, featuring a retractable roof, a creek, a skybridge, fountains, and over 100 stores and restaurants. Anchor stores are Nordstrom and Macy's.

17. Temple Square  

No matter your religious affliation, Temple Square is the iconic SLC must-see. Temple Square is the headquarters of the LDS Church. The 35-acre site includes several attractions, including the Assembly Hall, the Conference Center, the Tabernacle, the North and South Visitor's Centers, and the Salt Lake Temple.

18. Jungle Jim's Playland

Jungle Jim’s is the Wasatch Fronts #1 indoor amusement park for young kids. We cater exclusively to children from infants to around 12 years old. Our entertainment center offers a unique mix of seven different amusement park rides and games.

19. Treehouse Museum

Treehouse Museum serves children and families by providing interactive, hands-on exhibits and programs focusing on family literacy, children’s literature, the arts, and the humanities. Treehouse seeks to be the magical place where children “Step into a Story.”™

20. Salt Lake Bees

The Salt Lake Bees are the triple-A affiliate of the Anaheim Angels. They play home games at Spring Mobile Ballpark.

Favorite Kid-Friendly Museum

Discovery Gateway 

Favorite Nature Center

Utah's Hogle Zoo 

Favorite Performing Arts

 Utah Children’s Theatre

Favorite Indoor Play Center

Boondocks Fun Center

Favorite Farm (agri-entertainment)

 Wheeler Historic Farm 

Favorite Place to have Fun Outdoors

Lagoon

Favorite Professional Sports Team

Real Salt Lake

Favorite Arts Education Center

Youth Theatre at the U

Favorite Sports Education Center

My Gym