5 Fun Things to Do in the Salt Lake City Area [Non-Outdoorsy!]

i’ve lived in Utah for the last 20 plus years, and this state has some AMAZING national parks and outdoor activities. From rock climbing to skiing to taking the ATVs out to boating on Lake Powell – “outdoorsy” activities abound.

But I don’t always FEEL like going to REI or Patagonia to have fun, so here are 7 fun family activities to do in the Salt Lake City Area:

#1: Mystery Escape Rooms in SLC

Have you heard of “Escape Rooms”? An escape room is “a game in which a team of players cooperatively discover clues, solve puzzles, and accomplish tasks in one or more rooms in order to progress and accomplish a specific goal in a limited amount of time. The goal is often to escape from the site of the game.”

If you love big games or are looking for a way to bond with a group, be sure to check out Mystery Escape Room in Salt Lake City. The venue has different kinds of themed games, and the whole event will take about an hour.

#2: Tracy Aviary, Hogle Zoo and This is The Place ++ Thanksgiving Point

I’m lumping these four together because they’re sort of “No duh!” types of activities for the state. You can view birds and exhibits at Tracy Aviary, or split a day between Utah’s Hogle Zoo and This is The Place Park. The latter is a sort of “pioneer town” where you can experience what Utah was like in the 19th century!

Thanksgiving Point is about an hour south in Lehi, Utah, and has a dinosaur museum, farm where you can pet animals and learn about agriculture and beautiful gardens!

#3: Hale Centre Theatre

Hale Centre Theatre is a Utah institution, and the company recently built a brand new theatre in Sandy, Utah! This theatre is about 30 minutes from downtown SLC, and has fun broadway shows!

There are matinees and later performances available, and I may end up snagging season tickets for next year!

#4: Bodega Speak Easy in SLC

Looking for a fun restaurant experience? Bodega seems like a taco shop, but it’s actually a speak easy! You must be over 21 to enter, but you don’t have to drink! The upstairs is a fun NYC-inspired bodega, and the speakeasy feels like something out of a steampunk novel!

#5: iFly Utah

This last one is a good cheat code for adventurers who are looking to stay in the SLC area. iFly Utah is an indoor wind tunnel that mimics sky diving! A fun adrenaline rush without getting in an airplane!

That rounds out my list! What fun activities do you enjoy doing in the Northern Utah area? Let me know in the comments!