Strange Attractions in Salt Lake City
An Overview of Salt Lake City
Serving as the national epicenter for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, the Mormon Church, Salt Lake City is a large city with numerous influential historic buidlings. The Utah Capital is surrounded by natural beauty, including the Wasatch Mountains, the Oquirrh Mountains and the enormous, landlocked body of salt water, the Great Salt Lake. Thanks to its unique geography, interesting natural features and relationship with the Mormon community, there are many strange attractions in Salt Lake City.
Strange Attractions in Salt Lake City
Redwood Drive-In Movie Theatre
Located near the city center, this is a cash-only drive-in movie theater which seasonally screens double features.
Salt Lake Temple
This impressive, stately temple is one of the largest Latter-Day Saint temples in the world, largely reserved for special ceremonies rooted around Mormonism.
Temple Square
The Temple Square Complex is a 10-acre plaza space owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The 5-block area is borders many important buildings and temples, along with fountains, garden spaces and statues.
Antelope Island State Park
Antelope Island is the largest island in the Great Salt Lake and is home to unique features and wildlife. The area is known to be one of the best areas for swimming and floating in the Great Salt Lake. Since the Great Salt Lake’s salinity is about 12%, it’s far saltier than the ocean, making it much easier to float.
The Great Saltair
Currently, Saltair stands as a prominent historic building hosting concerts and events while overlooking the shores of the Great Salt Lake. However, the site once served a beachside resort for Salt Lake City, before fires continuously destroyed or damaged the site. The third Saltair building is the current standing structure, originally fashioned out of a salvaged Air Force hanger.
This is the Place Monument
A bold white pillar with statues standing atop marks the historical site where Birgham Young famously declared that the Latter-day Saint pioneers should settle in the Salt Lake Valley in 1847.
Snowbird Peruvian Tunnel
This 600-foot-long tunnel, open year round, is a long underground route located at Snowbird Mountain Resort. The tunnel cuts through the mountain with numerous historical pictures and objects showcasing the region’s mining history. The tunnel is often accessed by skiers using a conveyer belt.
Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point
Found in the nearby community of Thanksgiving Point, this is a family-friend education center focused on prehistoric life, dinosaurs and ancient aquatic creatures.
The Leonardo
Found in the downtown area of Salt Lake City, this is a collaborative art-and-science museum with numerous interactive exhibits.
Land Cruiser Heritage Museum
This strange museum is filled with various models of the Toyota Land Cruiser, showcasing the world’s most comprehensive collection of the automobile model.
Union Pacific Depot
This restored building is a powerful monument showcasing the importance of railroads in the United State’s western expansion.
Up House
Found to the south of Salt Lake City in Herriman, this house is a reconstructed replica of the flying building seen in the popular animated Disney move, Up. The house is private property, but photos from the outside are permitted. For visits or filming, special permission is needed.
Bonneville Salt Flats
Famed as where many of the world’s land-speed records are set, the Bonneville Salt Flats are massive dried salt-crust deposits making hard-packed, pale ground across the drylands around the Great Salt Lake.
Read more about tips while strange attractions in Salt Lake City and seeing the world by checking out the Leftfade Trails Blog
Affiliate Disclosure: Leftfade Trails contains affiliate links, so using services or products through these links supports the website, at no extra cost to the user. All links are to tested services and products designed to aid travelers on their journeys. Some links specifically connect to Amazon. As an Amazon Associate this website earns from qualifying purchases.
Merino Wool Travel Buff
I often travel with a piece of equipment called a “buff” or “magic scarf.” This simple tube of stretchy fabric is the ultimate multitool. It can be a sleeping mask, a head covering, ear covers in cold weather or a scarf. I highly recommend the Multiuse Merino Wool Travel Buff. The two I’ve used have lasted since 2016. They’re versatile, tough, handy and machine-washable.