Fun things to do in Salt Lake City

The main and largest city park was built at the end of the city back in the 1800's.
The main street through the park was closed to cars, but the large cottonwood trees still line the pathway.

You can find a pond where you can paddleboat in the summer, a small carnival, the Tracy Aviary, the Folk Life Museum, tennis courts, picnic spots, playground, swimming pool, and the wonderful Seven Canyons Fountain along with plenty of open grassy areas for frisbee throwing, jogging paths, etc.

Through out the year special events occur here as well such as the Tribal powwow on the 24th of July and fireworks.

I almost hesitate to include this as a thing to do. They try hard, but it is a small zoo and resources are limited. Hogle Zoo is okay for here, but it cannot compare to any of the nice and large zoos of the world. It is still packed on summer days and you can wander the Emigration river gully looking for lions and tiger, giraffes and monkeys.

I haven't been to see our baby elephant "Zuri" whose birth really was a great treat. Nor have I seen the new Aisian Highlands exhibit.

The bears are gone until they can get a better space for them, but the giraffe are nice, the apes are good.

One thing nice about Hogle Zoo is that because it is smaller you can see it without becoming exhausted.

The place for all things space. Located in the Gateway Mall entrance to the planetarium is free. There are plenty of exhibits, a foucault pendulum and a nifty store. The planetarium also offers "star shows" which are focused on some scientific space concept. They also have "laser shows" which are completely for fun. Or you can watch a current movie on the huge IMAX screen

This is a botanically based gathering place at the mouth of Red Butte Canyon. The garden features native and exotic trees, plants and flowers and is beautiful almost any time of year. They have a wonderful shop and offer classes in gardening and plants. Their yearly plant sale is widely popular.

Many people come to Red Butte for their summer concert series. It is a rather eclectic offering with jazz, soft sounds, new and well known artists. They have improved the concert venue due to its popularity but it is still lawn seating with a blanket or short chair.

This museum has been updated, moved and re-envisioned and is now open in a brand new facility near Red Butte Garden. I will add more after I have visited the new digs. Lots of excitement and buzz about it.

I haven't been to see this new science museum, so can't write much about it. I just wanted to put this in for now so that I will remember to come back later with more info. It is using the refitted space from the old library (though it was the new library back when I was growing up and the old old library was what became the Hansen Planeterium- since replaced by the Clark Planeterium,,,which is another tip I need to add,,, and the Hansen Planeterium/old library is now home to the OC Tanner Jewelry. I know lots of unneeded info, I just felt like sharing.) I'll be back with more when I've actually visited the Leonardo, but take a look at the website to see what it is all about.

A few blocks east of Temple Square on South Temple Street is the Catholic Cathedral of the Madeleine. The Cathedral is a gem of beauty. There are numerous stained glass windows, murals and wood carvings and more create a small center of energy. The Children's Cathedral Choir is active and has regular concerts.

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Want a quick get away from the noise of the city? Memory Grove is the mouth of City Creek Canyon. City Creek runs just east of Capitol Hill. A short walk up North Temple past State Street bearing left around the City Creek Park on to North Canyon Road will lead you to the entrance of Memory Grove. It is a small memorial to veterans of all wars. City Creek runs through it, there is a pagoda and small chapel, plaques and tended flower gardens. A small meeting house can be rented. It has been the scene of weddings and funerals, socials, and more. No cars are allowed through Memory Grove.

Leading north from Memory Grove City Creek Canyon continues for several miles and is a popular jogging and biking path, in the summer cars are only allowed with prior reservations and on alternating days.