Many people have come to discover Utah as one of the hidden gems of vacation in the U.S., a surprise given its somewhat warranted reputation for barrenness and Mormonism.
But when most wax nostalgic about their adventures in Utah, they go on about the immense landscape or the rugged trail they found in the middle of the desert. Of course it’s true that Utah is a beautiful place to see and experience the best of America’s great western landscape. But for whatever reason, you may be in search of a more sun-protected vacation, or at least want to experience things aside from the natural beauty. Maybe you’re with the family and won’t have the energy to partake in full excursions every day of your trip.
For all you indoorsmen out there, here are the top five attractions Utah has to offer.
Sundance Film Festival
One of the most internationally renowned film festivals takes place in one of the least internationally renowned locations: Park City, Utah. Sundance is a phenomenal chance to see some of the best films of the year, in an atmosphere that is incredibly rich and unique.
The festival, which takes place in January, is complete with a mixture of shorts, independent films of all genres, even some music. A well-curated film festival is always a good way to expand your cinematic horizons, and Sundance is one of the absolute best in the world. A great excuse to go to Utah—even if you’re sitting on your tush the whole time.
LDS Conference Center
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, the main faction of which is commonly known as Mormonism, has its headquarters in Salt Lake City, Utah. Whether or not you are a member of the church, it is well worth the time investment to go check out the headquarters.
The interior is pretty majestic, and it’s interesting to compare the styling of this relatively modern church to the more historical catholic churches and synagogues you may be used to seeing while on vacation in other cities.
Casinos
So this may be considered cheating if you’re being strict with your geographical parameters, but if you’re at all interested in gambling, you probably don’t mind breaking the rules a little bit anyway. Although casino-style gambling is not legal statewide in Utah, you can take a 90-minute daytrip from Salt Lake City to Wendover, Nevada where you can hit the tables, take some chances, and make some stories.
Virgin Trading Post
If you’re interested in the Wild West or want to experience the small-town feel of America’s remotest regions, take a detour into Virgin, Utah. This town is small but hospitable, with a bunch of local businesses that cater to tourists and show them (and their taste buds) a good time.
The Old West Village section of the town is a reconstruction of an old-fashioned town Western town, equipped with a saloon and jail. It’s a solid option if you’re looking for something fun and novel.
Haunted Houses
With Halloween right around the corner, you may find yourself in Utah during the height of the scare season. Utah is known for having some of the best haunted houses in the country. If you’re looking to have some fun during the Halloween season, Utah provides a wonderfully eerie setting for checking out some great, terrifying attractions.
So as you can see, having a good trip to Utah does not necessarily require roughing it on back roads or hiking through the desert. Not that those aren’t great activities, mind you. But sometimes you need a little inside time, and in that case you will want to take a look at some of these recommendations if you want to have the best Utah trip possible.