There are plenty of things to do for free in Salt Lake City, Utah. Salt Lake City is a repository of fine museums, historic sites, and a bevy of activities that are merciful on the pockets. Part of the focus in the city is its family friendly environment, and many of the places you can visit for free will be entertaining for the whole family.
If you’re interested in how the west was won, a must see is the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum. You’ll find numerous interesting artifacts dating back to the early settlements in Utah, and can get lost in thinking of how challenging it was for these early explorers and settlers to make life livable. Another place to explore the life of the pioneers is the Pioneer Memorial Museum.
With history on your mind, don’t miss a visit to the Museum of Church History and Art. Key to the settling of Utah was the large Church of Latter Day Saints population, and you’ll find much to interest you regarding the history of this branch of Christianity. Also take a free tour at the beautiful Beehive house, home to Brigham Young and his family in the 1800s.
Temple Square is a place you can always visit for free in Salt Lake City. In fact, they offer guided tours of the Square every ten minutes. You’ll be awed by the monuments, and the many creative buildings of the early Mormon Church. Don’t forget to take advantage of the free guided tours of the city’s historic downtown, weather permitting. It’s a must to take a quick or a long look at the Tabernacle, arguably one of the most impressive buildings in the city. You can listen to the Tabernacle choir rehearsing, or even hear a performance by attending a church service as a visitor.
If the kids are getting restless or want a sweet treat, you can, by making reservations, take them to Taffy Town, where they’ll receive a guided tour and a special presentation on how taffy is made. You will have to buy some candy of course, but you can tour for free and have fun watching workers make toothsome confections. On the first Monday of every month, you can also gain free admission to the Utah Museum of Natural History.
If you’re looking for activities in the evening, check the July and August schedule of Monday night concerts at Liberty Park. These are very family friendly. Alternately, if you want to cool off for free, let the kids run through the fountains at The Gateway, an open air shopping plaza, with plenty of window-shopping opportunities.
