Your Guide to Northern Utah

Outdoor activities

Alpine Scenic Loop

This beautiful loop takes you around the backside of the iconic Mount Timpanogos (or Mt Timp, as the locals call it). You’ll have stunning views of aspen trees and wildflowers as you wind your way through the mountains. Whether it’s spring, summer or fall, the natural beauty of the area will make for some amazing photos and a new appreciation for nature. There are numerous turnoff points, trailheads and campgrounds for however long you choose to spend along this route.

Bridal Veil Falls

Bridal Veil Falls is one of the best-known hikes in the Wasatch Valley. It’s an easy hike with a great pay off, the thundering Bridal Veil Waterfall. It’s a short, low-impact hike that’s perfect for a family with a range of mobility needs, including being stroller friendly.

If you aren’t able to hike it, that’s fine! You can still get a great view from US-189 or the turnoff for the trailhead. It’s a thrilling site for the whole family.

Bonneville Salt Flats

The 300,000-acre salt flats are truly one of the most unique sites in Utah. This free experience allows you to walk or drive on the stark white flats that have been left from Bonneville Lake. The striking white of the crystallized salt against the mountains ringing the valley makes for a one-of-a-kind moment.

But be careful, any water you see along the way is NOT safe to swim in and actually illegal. It’s a concentrated salt brine that could cause serious damage to the skin.

Snow tubing in Soldier’s Hollow

The best activity to do in the winter, especially if you have kids. Soldier’s Hollow has a great set up where you rent the tubes from them, take the conveyor belt up the hill, and enjoy racing your family down the hill. It’s all the fun of tubing without the work of hauling kids and tubes up a steep hill.

Shopping

Fashion Place Mall

This mall has a lot of your usual stores like Zara and H&M, but also plenty of great local boutiques or Utah-founded businesses like Bohme and Roolee. All those cute clothes that the Utah mommy bloggers are known for can be found here. And it’s weird to say, but this mall is beautiful. It’s got cozy, bright hallways and warm polished floors. It makes you want to take your time wandering from store to store.

Park City outlets

If outlets are your vibe, Park City has some great options in an outlet mall built into the foothills of the all those ski resort mountains this town is known for. These outlets have the usual suspects like Nike and the Gap, but it’s also got some harder-to-find outlets like Abercrombie.

Gaming

Round1

If arcade games are your vibe, look no further than Round1. This nationwide chain offers lots of great classic, new and Japanese-style arcade games. You can load up a card with credits and earn tickets for some prizes that are actually really cool. You won’t have to leave the prize shop with another cheap plastic army man.

Good Moves Cafe

If you’re a board game fan, this cafe right in the center of Provo offers shelves and shelves of options. Pick a game, order some snacks, and enjoy real quality time with your travel companions.

Other Activities

Gem Studio

Make your own sterling silver jewelry, from rings to bracelets to bolo ties. It’s a great stop for a girls’ trip or couples and the perfect way to get a unique keepsake from your travels. They have several locations in Utah, so check their website for openings in their studio.

Evermore

This fantasy adventure theme park is truly unique. The theme changes seasonally, so even if you’ve been before there’s always something new. There are lots of mythical creatures and engaging characters wandering the park and helping to immerse you in the fantasy experience.

Temple Square

The religious center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons as most people know them) and one of Utah’s most iconic sites. It has the beautiful architecture and houses several historical buildings and museums in the area, including the Church History Museum, the Beehive House and the Family History Museum. If you’re interested in learning about the early settlers and their religious exodus that shaped the development of Utah, this is the perfect place to go.

Sicilia Mia

If you do nothing else in Utah, go to this restaurant! It is the BEST Italian food I’ve ever had and I’ve been to Italy three times. This hole in the wall restaurant is located in a strip mall next to grocery store but don’t let that fool you. They make a delicious fettuccine alfredo right in a cheese wheel and the most mouth watering florentine steak with a crisp salty crust and tender inside. Anything you order off the menu is guaranteed to be delicious. But be warned, this is a pretty popular spot so make sure to secure a reservation in advance.

Eight Settlers Restaurant & Distillery

This distillery is located at the mouth of Cottonwood Canyon with great views of the mountains and a cozy mountain cabin vibe. They’ve got great cocktails and a menu full of satisfying Americana food with a new twist.

Sapa Sushi

This place has a great selection of high quality sushi rolls. It’s a busy spot for good reason; the fish is fresh, the atmosphere is chic and the flavors are delicious.
Rowley’s Red Barn
Located about an hour south of Salt Lake City in Payson, Utah, this farm themed food spot is the perfect fall stop. It’s not a restaurant but has a delicious ice cream selection (try the cider slush) and lots of farm fresh products from produce to cheese to jam.

Five Sushi Bros

What started as an after midnight sushi delivery place has grown into a delicious restaurant with unique rolls.

Bohemian Brewery

This restaurant offers tasty German food and a great selection of locally brewed beer.

Cafe Rio

Ask anyone from Utah and they’ll tell you this fast casual chain is what they miss the most about moving away from the Beehive state.

Sodalicious

If you want to up your soda game, try out one of Utah’s most popular soda shops. They’ll show you five different ways to try a Dr. Pepper.