Salt Lake City: 4 Days Is Too Short

Depending on where you are coming from and what airlines are in your budget, you also have the option to fly into Provo if you are going to be exploring both SLC and Provo. For this itinerary, Provo will be a day trip from SLC. Once you land, head over to your hotel to drop off your bags and refresh yourself for your first day.

If you arrive in the morning or afternoon with enough time to go out and staying in downtown, walk (or rent a scooter) over to Temple Square and City Creek Mall. The grounds of Temple Square are teeming with beautiful flora in the warmer months and festive lights during the winter.

If you are curious or a history buff, you can stop by the temple visitor center or the LDS history museum across the street.

Sometimes there will be music or concerts going on in the adjacent buildings depending on when you visit!

Another sight is also the Utah State Capitol building. With beautiful grounds to walk around, the capital is a must-see for most visitors. Many couples have wedding and engagement photos here. High School Prom is often held here and throughout the warmer months, friends and family gather on the groomed lawns for games and picnics

If sightseeing isn't your thing, you can roam around the City Creek Mall directly across from the temple as well before calling it a night after traveling to get to SLC.

Check out Sol Agave for some dinner, and you cannot miss their famous and delicious Butter Cake!

If not having breakfast at the hotel, check out The Park Cafe for some delicious breakfast/brunch. Now that you're a little more acquainted with the city, you may want to head over to the canyon. You can enjoy some day hikes or mountain biking if you are in town over the spring and summer.

If you’re in town for winter, you’ll have already gotten a head start on the day you head up the canyon to your resort of choice.

If not spending the day on the slopes and wanting a moderate hike (to get used to the elevation, of course) head up to Bell Canyon Hike. This gives a beautiful view into the Salt Lake Valley, as well as has a lake at the top. If extra ambitious, continue the hike northward and upward an additional two to three hours to a beautiful and very cold waterfall.

After hiking, depending on how long you hiked for, you can call it a day. If you choose to stay, drive a little further up the canyon to the Dogwood Picnic area for a fire and dinner.

If that's not quite your style, you can head into Sandy or Cottonwood Heights for dinner at either VIA 313 for pizza or Tsunami for some out-of-this-world sushi (is it possible in Utah. It doesn't seem so, but it is!)

Note: There are tons of hikes along Little Cottonwood Canyon. You can take your time exploring each one, as there is a large roaring river and many waterfalls to explore.

It wouldn't be a complete vacation without donuts in my book, so if you are feeling like splurging, head over to Donut Star (they have multiple locations) and grab a dozen or so, depending on your party. The Maple Cronuts are a must-try, and will have you coming back for more as they’ll be gobbled up much too soon. Make sure to swing by early enough in the morning as they do sell out of the Maple Cronuts. In Salt Lake City, Branbury is also known for their donuts, especially their maple bars. Once stocked up with some sugary sweets or other alternative breakfast, start driving north. A trip to Salt Lake City wouldn't be complete without a stopover at the Great Salt Lake itself. You can check out Antelope Island, Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve or even Spiral Jetty at Rozel Point Peninsula and/or Stansbury Island to see the iconic pink water in the late summer and early fall (when it's most vibrant).

If you're not in a rush and you're wanting to check out another iconic Utah spot, head over to the Bonneville Salt Flats. They are free to visit, have a fun history and you can even drive on them. They are definitely a must for anyone wanting to see all the highlights and uniquities of Utah.

If too tired or wanting to slow down your travel, the Salt Flats can always be saved for another day, or swapped with the great Salt Lake day.

Whether visiting in the spring, summer, fall or winter, spending a morning, afternoon, evening or all three in Park City is a must.

Beautiful hikes, flora, foliage, snow, shopping, hiking and biking. What more could you ask for in one city? There is something for everyone, every season.

Check out Olympic Park, downtown for shopping and the Alpine Slide.

Hike or bike through some of the trials, and then grab lunch or dinner anywhere along the downtown strip.

If in town for it, also check out the Sundance Film Festival in the winter!

Unless you have customized an itinerary with me, this is where your journey ends! Three full days in Salt Lake City is not nearly enough to see all the beauty Utah and the Valley has to offer. Hopefully this itinerary gives you an insight into some of the many wonders Utah holds.

Pack up your things and head back to the airport, and we know you’ll be coming again for the mountains real soon.