Salt Lake City things to do lists can get long in a hurry, as there are tons of interesting ways to spend your time while in town. This is just part of the reason why Salt Lake City tourism is only increasing in popularity. Whether you love the great outdoors or you prefer manmade attractions, staying busy on a trip to Utah's largest city won't be difficult. The various attractions cater to just about everyone, so everyone in the group is likely to stay happy. There's arguably never been a better time to visit Salt Lake City, and you might just need to enjoy a return visit if you want to fit everything in.

Temple Square

Visiting Temple Square is easily one of the top things to do in Salt Lake City, and for good reason. It is at this ten-acre complex where the beautiful LDS Temple and the Mormon Tabernacle can be found, for starters, and that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the attractions. Listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir perform at Temple Square is one of the most rewarding Salt Lake City things to do, and you might choose to take in the Temple Square Lights display during the holiday season.

Great Salt Lake

Few natural attractions in the United States are as fascinating as the Great Salt Lake, and every year, scores of Salt Lake City visitors venture to the near west of town to lay eyes on what has been labeled America's Dead Sea. This is the Western Hemisphere's largest salt lake, and as you may have heard, the heavy salt content allows bathers to float with ease. If you're not up for a swim, you might choose to visit one of the islands to do some sightseeing. Antelope Island is the largest of the Great Salt Lake Islands, and it is an ideal place to take in the sights.

Skiing

One of the fun things to do in Salt Lake City is go skiing, and if you prefer snowboarding, that is possible as well. Some of the best ski resorts in the country are less than an hour's drive from the airport and the heart of town, and on most days, the lift lines are short. Utah claims to have the Greatest Snow on Earth, so if you like to hit the slopes, it might be time to plan that Utah escape.

Hiking

Thanks largely in part to the area mountains, hiking sits atop the list of fun things to do in Salt Lake City. Between the nearby canyons, the area state parks, and the regional national forests, there are tons of hiking trails to choose from, and you can tackle significant elevation changes if you please. When you're not hiking during your Salt Lake City trip, you might try rock climbing, mountain climbing, or mountain biking.

Golfing

For those who like to tee it up, golfing figures among the most enticing Salt Lake City things to do. A number of excellent courses can be found in the Salt Lake Valley, and they include some very scenic mountain courses. Thanks to the relatively warm year-round weather, you can golf most months out of the year in the Utah capital region. Purchasing a Golf Salt Lake Super Pass might also be worth looking into. This pass offers discounted rates on greens fees, some free time on the driving range, and the option to book rounds at participating courses well in advance, among other things.

Family History Library

Should you be interested in learning more about your lineage, spending some quality time at the Family History Library can be one of the most rewarding things to do in town. Many Salt Lake City visitors come for this attraction alone, and this has a lot to do with the fact that it is one of the largest libraries of its kind in the world. Staff members are on hand to help visitors with their research, and it is free to use this library.

Shopping

Shopping is definitely one of the fun things to do in Salt Lake City. When you're not enjoying all the great natural and manmade attractions in the Salt Lake City area, shopping can fill hours on end. One of the best places to shop in Downtown District is the Gateway Center, where the variety of shops is impressive. There's also the historic Trolley Square area, and should time allow, venturing up to the resorts to check out their unique stores can be a joy.

Tours

Many tourists add one or more tours to their Salt Lake City things to do lists, with Temple Square tours and the more comprehensive city tours figuring among the most commonly enjoyed options. You might also take a tour that includes a trip to the Great Salt Lake, and guided hiking tours can be arranged, as can guided skiing tours that include plenty of time in the backcountry. Most of the Salt Lake City tours are reasonably-priced, and since the majority last four hours or less, they are relatively easy to fit on the agenda.