How many days · Salt Lake City · United States
How many days do you need in Salt Lake City?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Beneathtimp, CC0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Salt Lake City, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers Temple Square, the Capitol, the Natural History Museum and a foothill hike. A third day adds Antelope Island or Park City; in winter, add as many ski days as you like. Many travellers combine a short stay with a road trip to Zion, Arches or Bryce Canyon.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 9.3 h (Dec) to 15.1 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Temple Square, Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Little Cottonwood Canyon: Snowbird and Alta and FamilySearch Library |
| 2 days | Good | FamilySearch Library, Utah State Capitol and Natural History Museum of Utah |
| 3 days | Ideal | Red Butte Garden, This Is the Place Heritage Park and Ensign Peak |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Park City |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Park City and Antelope Island State Park |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Salt Lake City add up to roughly 19–27 hours of visiting time — about 3–4 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are Little Cottonwood Canyon: Snowbird and Alta (Full day), FamilySearch Library (1–3 hours) and Natural History Museum of Utah (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Temple Square | 1.5–2 hours | Downtown |
| Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square | 1–1.5 hours | Downtown |
| Little Cottonwood Canyon: Snowbird and Alta | Full day | Cottonwood Canyons |
| FamilySearch Library | 1–3 hours | Downtown |
| Utah State Capitol | 1 hour | Capitol Hill and Marmalade |
| Natural History Museum of Utah | 2–3 hours | University and East Bench |
| Red Butte Garden | 1.5–2 hours | University and East Bench |
| This Is the Place Heritage Park | 2–3 hours | University and East Bench |
| Ensign Peak | 1 hour | Capitol Hill and Marmalade |
| Cathedral of the Madeleine | 30 minutes | Downtown |
| Beehive House | 45 minutes | Downtown |
| Utah Museum of Fine Arts | 1–1.5 hours | University and East Bench |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Temple Square and Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Natural History Museum of Utah |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Park City and Antelope Island State Park |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 9.3 hours of daylight) than in June (about 15.1 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Salt Lake City with other destinations
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Salt Lake City?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers Temple Square, the Capitol, the Natural History Museum and a foothill hike. A third day adds Antelope Island or Park City; in winter, add as many ski days as you like. Many travellers combine a short stay with a road trip to Zion, Arches or Bryce Canyon.
+Is a week too long in Salt Lake City?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Park City and Antelope Island State Park.