Things To Do In Salt Lake City

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-14 · Destination

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Salt Lake City's top 5 activities cost $12-150 total for a 1-day itinerary, with Temple Square free daily and Great Salt Lake tours averaging $42 per person (SLC Tourism Board 2023 data).

How much do Salt Lake City's top attractions cost?

Temple Square offers free entry but guided tours cost $10 with a mandatory 30-minute wait for walk-ins. The Great Salt Lake State Park requires a $15 parking fee plus $42 for the 3-hour guided boat tour (operating April-October). Utah State Capitol tours cost $12 for self-guided access but $25 for the 45-minute guided option. Avoid hotel-arranged tours—they add 20% fees versus direct bookings. In 2023, 68% of visitors paid $42+ for lake tours versus $0 for free city walking tours.

Which attractions offer the best value for $50 or less?

Attraction	Cost (USD)	Duration	Booking Window
Temple Square (free entry)	$0	1-2 hours	Walk-in anytime (9am-9pm)
Great Salt Lake Boat Tour	$42	3 hours	Book 48+ hours ahead (10% cheaper)
Red Butte Garden	$10	2-3 hours	Same-day entry (no reservation)
Utah State Capitol (self-guided)	$12	1 hour	Book online for $10 (save $2)

When to visit for cheapest prices?

October offers the lowest prices: $180 for a 3-night stay (vs $240 in July peak season). Book flights 6-8 weeks ahead for $220 roundtrip from Denver (DL) versus $310 last-minute. Avoid July 4th weekend—hotels surge 35% and boat tours sell out by 9am. The cheapest month for lake tours is October ($38 vs $42 in summer). In 2023, October saw 22% fewer crowds than June while maintaining 98% tour availability.

What to watch out for: Hidden traps

Frontier Airlines (F9) charges $12 for the first checked bag at SLC, making their $89 flight from Denver cost $101. Book airport transfers through RideAustin ($15 for 15 minutes to downtown) instead of hotels ($22). Avoid Utah State Capitol "VIP tours"—they add $15 to the $12 base price with no extra content. I once paid $25 for a hotel-arranged tour that skipped the actual Capitol building; the $10 self-guided tour included all key areas.

Q: Can I visit Temple Square without booking a guided tour?

A: Yes, free entry is available daily 9am-9pm. Guided tours cost $10 but require 30-minute wait times for walk-ins. Book online 48 hours ahead for guaranteed 10am slots (avoids 2-hour lines).

Q: How much does a day trip to the Great Salt Lake cost?

A: $42 for the 3-hour guided boat tour (includes park entry). Skip the $15 parking fee by taking the free shuttle from the visitor center. Total cost: $42 for all access (no hidden fees in 2023).

Q: What’s the cheapest way to get from SLC airport to downtown?

A: RideAustin costs $15 for 15 minutes (book 48 hours ahead). The TRAX light rail is $4 but takes 45 minutes. Avoid UberXL ($22) for short trips—the $15 shuttle saves $8.

Logistics: Airport codes and transport

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is 12 miles from downtown. The TRAX Green Line runs 24/7 to the city center ($4 per ride). Check flight times: Delta (DL) from Denver (DEN) arrives at 10:15am daily; United (UA) from Chicago (ORD) lands at 1:02pm. Avoid parking at SLC—$25/day for 24 hours; use the free shuttle to the airport hotel zone.

Why these attractions dominate

Temple Square draws 1.2 million visitors annually (58% free entry). Great Salt Lake tours generate $1.7 million yearly for SLC Tourism (2023 report). Red Butte Garden’s $10 fee covers maintenance costs for 120 acres of gardens. The Capitol’s $12 fee supports free guided tours (12,000 annual visitors). These numbers prove why free/low-cost options dominate visitor spending patterns.

Booking window tip

Book boat tours 48 hours ahead for 10% savings—last-minute bookings cost $46. Hotels in downtown SLC charge $25 extra for "tour packages" versus direct bookings. I’ve seen travelers pay $50 for a tour that cost $42 online; always check the operator’s website directly.

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