Utah has long been associated with the origins of the Mormon church, but the state’s history doesn’t end there. Visitors to the Beehive State rave about the mountainous terrain and exciting attractions. Utah undeniably has some amazing sites to offer. Let’s take a look at the top 10 Utah bucket list attractions you’re not going to want to miss!
(featured image via Flickr)
10. ‘Spiral Jetty’
(image via Flickr)
Great Salt Lake
Probably Robert Smithson’s most well-known artwork, Spiral Jetty is a sculpture made entirely of natural materials in the Great Salt Lake. Built in 1970, this unique work uses mud, rock, and water to create a 1,500-foot-long spiral. The construction of Spiral Jetty was also chronicled in a short documentary of the same name.
9. Sundance Film Festival
(image via Flickr)
Park City
Each January, thousands of people in the film industry flock to Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. Independent filmmakers showcase their work in the hopes that major distributors will buy the rights to them. This is a great place to see diverse films long before they hit theaters.
8. Ice Castles
Midway
If your kids love Frozen, they will lose their minds when you take them to the Midway Ice Castles. Each winter in the city, a team of builders constructs a giant ice structure, each one more spectacular than the previous year’s. You won’t believe your eyes as you walk through a building completely made out of ice.
7. Alpine Loop Scenic Drive
Utah State Route 92
Passing through American Fork Canyon and Uinta National Forest, the Alpine Loop Scenic Drive offers views of some of the nation’s most breathtaking scenery. As the road winds its way through the mountains, you will have opportunities for pictures at each turn.
6. Temple Square
(image via Flickr)
Salt Lake City
For more than 150 years, this gorgeous church has stood as a testament to architectural prowess. Visitors love to tour Temple Square, but the surrounding area offers even more information about the church’s history. Be sure to check out the Family History Library, Church History Museum, and Church History Library.
5. Warner Valley Dinosaur Track
Hurricane
While the Utahn landscape is beautiful, that alone isn’t what draws in the visitors. The Warner Valley Dinosaur Track sits on what was once a prehistoric stomping ground. More than 400 different dino footprints have been discovered along the trail. At only a fourth of a mile long, this makes for a great afternoon hike.
4. Edge of Cedars State Park Museum
Blanding
If you are looking to find an authentic look into Pueblo culture, look no further. The Edge of Cedars State Park Museum documents the history of the state’s indigenous people by sitting on an ancient Pueblo site. There, you will be able to learn how communities cultivated the land before Europeans came.
3. Eat Some Fries with Fry Sauce
(image via Instagram)
When you get French fries in Utah, you can’t forget the fry sauce. With one part mayonnaise and two parts ketchup, this local treat will change the way you eat fast food. While many restaurants serve fry sauce, Arctic Circle claims to have invented the condiment back in 1948.
2. Skiing at Powder Mountain
(image via Flickr)
Eden
Accurately named, Powder Mountain sees an average snowfall of 350 inches each year. Naturally, the resort is a favorite among skiers. By area, Powder Mountain Resort is the largest skiing facility in the United States, with more than 7,000 acres of recreational terrain.
1. Zion National Park
Washington County
No Utah bucket list is complete without a trip to Utah’s first national park. With pathways that were once walked by the region’s indigenous people, Zion National Park is truly a piece of history. The picturesque views are enhanced by the colorful peaks. Zion is home to many native animal species, including endangered species such as the California condor and the Mexican spotted owl.
