Free things to do · Salt Lake City · United States
9 free things to do in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Beneathtimp, CC0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Salt Lake City without paying an entry fee: Temple Square, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, FamilySearch Library and Utah State Capitol are all free. Use the downtown free-fare zone and TRAX from the airport instead of taxis.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Moderately priced
- Lowest hotel prices
- November
Free sights and experiences
Religious site · Downtown
1.Temple Square
Ask a volunteer guide for a short tour, and step inside the Tabernacle to hear a pin drop demonstrate its acoustics.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Experience · Downtown
2.Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Arrive early for the Sunday broadcast; doors close before it begins and do not reopen until it ends.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- Rainy day
Museum · Downtown
3.FamilySearch Library
Create a free FamilySearch account and enter what you know about your grandparents before you go to save time.
- Time needed
- 1–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
- Off the beaten path
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Architecture · Capitol Hill and Marmalade
4.Utah State Capitol
Walk up through Memory Grove Park and City Creek, then continue to Ensign Peak for the best view.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- History
- Views
- Rainy day
Viewpoint · Capitol Hill and Marmalade
5.Ensign Peak
Go at sunset in summer or on a clear winter morning; bring water, as there is no shade.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Active
- History
- Photo spot
Religious site · Downtown
6.Cathedral of the Madeleine
Visit on a sunny afternoon for the windows, and check the cathedral's choir schedule for free concerts.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Art
Historic site · Downtown
7.Beehive House
It is one block east of Temple Square on South Temple; combine it with the Eagle Gate arch across the street.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Rainy day
Garden · Central City
8.Gilgal Sculpture Garden
The entrance is a narrow walkway off 500 South between 700 East and 800 East; it is easy to miss.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
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Market · Downtown
9.City Creek Center
Use the skybridge over Main Street and stop to watch the fountain show by the creek.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Shopping
- Rainy day
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Downtown | Temple Square, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, FamilySearch Library, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Beehive House and City Creek Center | 1.5–2 hours + 1–1.5 hours + 1–3 hours + 30 minutes + 45 minutes + 1–2 hours |
| Capitol Hill and Marmalade | Utah State Capitol and Ensign Peak | 1 hour + 1 hour |
| Central City | Gilgal Sculpture Garden | 30 minutes |
Worth a small ticket
Gallery · University and East Bench
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Check for free-admission days and evening events before you go.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- Rainy day
Museum · Downtown
Clark Planetarium
The exhibit floors are free; pay only if you want a dome or IMAX show.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
More ways to save
- Use the downtown free-fare zone and TRAX from the airport instead of taxis.
- Temple Square, the Tabernacle Choir, the Capitol, Beehive House, Ensign Peak and the Family History Library are all free.
- Buy ski passes or lift tickets online well in advance; window prices are much higher.
- Staying in Salt Lake and driving or bussing to the resorts is far cheaper than slopeside lodging.
- Shoulder months of May, October and November have the lowest hotel rates.
- Avoid General Conference weekends and big conventions, when downtown hotel rates spike.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Salt Lake City expensive to visit?
Salt Lake City is moderately priced for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Salt Lake City?
Temple Square: Ask a volunteer guide for a short tour, and step inside the Tabernacle to hear a pin drop demonstrate its acoustics.