Free Things To Do In Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City has a secret. It’s basically a playground for people who hate opening their wallets. You can fill a whole day here without spending a dime, and no, you don’t ha...
Salt Lake City has a secret. It’s basically a playground for people who hate opening their wallets. You can fill a whole day here without spending a dime, and no, you don’t have to pretend to be a pioneer to do it.
Temple Square Is Still Free (Even With Construction)
Temple Square remains free, though Salt Lake Temple is under renovation. You can wander the grounds, peek at the spires, and chat with friendly missionaries. They won’t charge you, but they might ask about your soul.
The Tabernacle organ recitals are free too. The acoustics are so sharp you can hear a pin drop from the back. It’s nerdy and delightful.
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The Conference Center Roof Is a Hidden Park
The Conference Center has a roof. Not a boring roof. A four-acre roof with trees, flowers, and a waterfall.
Free tours take you up there. You get skyline views and a fun fact: it’s one of the largest roofs of its kind.
Weird Statues, Dead Poets, and a Sphinx
Gilgal Sculpture Garden is small, free, and wonderfully strange. Think stone carvings, a sphinx with Joseph Smith’s head, and Bible verses tucked into a backyard. It’s odd in the best way.
The Salt Lake City Cemetery is free too. It’s peaceful, hilly, and full of pioneer graves. Some headstones have wild stories, making it a history walk without the ticket booth.
Free Views That Cost Zero Dollars
Ensign Peak is a short hike with a big payoff. Brigham Young reportedly climbed it to survey the valley. Now you can climb it for the same view and a better phone camera.
It’s steep-ish but quick. Wear shoes, not flip-flops.
Memory Grove Park leads into City Creek Canyon. Both are free. The canyon has a road for walkers and bikers.
Things To Do Downtown Salt Lake City 15 Best Things To Do In Salt Lake
It’s a green escape minutes from downtown.
Liberty Park, Peace Gardens, and a Rooftop Library
Liberty Park is free and packed with stuff. There’s a pond, playgrounds, tennis courts, and a walking loop. The Tracy Aviary costs money, but the park itself does not, so you can picnic like a king on a budget.
The Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts sits inside Liberty Park. It’s free and full of local crafts. The International Peace Gardens are free too.
They’re tucked into Jordan Park and split into global garden plots. Some are lush. Some are hilariously earnest, and all are free.
The Salt Lake City Main Library is a free attraction pretending to be a library. It has a curved glass wall, a rooftop terrace, and great mountain views. You can read, people-watch, or just ride the elevator—no purchase required.
The Utah State Capitol is free to tour on your own. The grounds are free, the views are free, and the marble halls are fancy. You might see a protest, a wedding, or a field trip, because democracy is a spectator sport.
More Free Fun You Didn’t Expect
Clark Planetarium has free exhibits. The shows cost money, but the space stuff downstairs is free. You can touch a meteorite? Maybe—or just stare at cool science displays.
The Church History Museum is free. It has pioneer artifacts, art, and a children’s area. You don’t need to be religious to enjoy the history.
Free Things To Do In Salt Lake City | Utah Activities
The Pioneer Memorial Museum is free. It’s a glorious clutter of pioneer stuff. Think spinning wheels, prairie dresses, and hair wreaths made from dead relatives—weird, wonderful, and totally free.
The FamilySearch Discovery Center is free too. You can explore your family tree, play with touch screens, and maybe discover a scandalous cousin.
The Downtown Farmers Market is free to browse. You can smell the peaches, listen to music, and people-watch. Just don’t buy the $9 jam if you’re broke.
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is free and endless. It traces an ancient lake shoreline above the city. You can hike, run, or pretend you’re a mountain goat.
The views of the valley and Great Salt Lake are ridiculous.
The Jordan River Parkway Trail is free and flatter. It’s great for bikes, strolls, and birdwatching. You might see a heron, or you might see a shopping cart—both are part of the ecosystem.
The Real Magic: Zero-Dollar Days
Salt Lake City doesn’t require a fat wallet. It requires curiosity and decent walking shoes. You can tour a roof, hear a giant organ, hike a peak, and meet a sphinx.
All for free. Pack a snack, fill a water bottle, and go. Your budget will thank you, even if your camera roll will not.
