Melissa & Billy
Things To Do
Big Cottonwood Canyon
To reach Big Cottonwood Canyon from Salt Lake City, take I-215 to the 6200 South "Canyons" exit and then continue east on U-152, following signs to Solitude and Brighton. This 15-mile scenic byway takes about one hour round trip. From the main road, this canyon narrows almost immediately into dramatic alpine scenery. This 15-mile drive provides access to excellent hiking, fishing, picnicking, rock climbing, and camping. During the mid-1800s, Old West miners sought their fortune in gold and silver ore here. Remnants of old mines can be spotted from trails winding up the slopes. Located in the Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest, Big Cottonwood Canyon is home to Solitude and Brighton ski resorts. Both have full-service, year-round facilities. From Brighton there are several easy trails leading to various lakes, including Twin Lakes, Lake Mary, Lake Martha, and Dog Lake. Dog Lake is Melissa's favorite hike!
Park City
Park City lies east of Salt Lake City. Framed by the Wasatch Range, it’s bordered by the Deer Valley Resort and the huge Park City Mountain Resort, both known for their ski slopes. Utah Olympic Park, to the north, hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics and is now predominantly a training facility. In town, Main Street is lined with buildings built during a 19th-century silver mining boom. Also great bar hopping! The Park City Museum, in the old City Hall building on Main Street, uses interactive exhibits to document the city’s mining heritage and its modern significance as a ski resort. On the same street, the ornate Egyptian Theatre has been staging plays and screening films since it opened in 1926. North of Park City, the Kimball Art Center features a changing program of contemporary painting and photography. South of the city, the forested peaks of Wasatch Mountain State Park has trails for horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking.
Sundance
Sundance Mountain Resort is a family-friendly destination nestled in the foothills of Mount Timpanogos with gorgeous scenery in every direction. The resort, owned by none other than Robert Redford, is known as a great year-round destination, offering great skiing as well as other fun winter activities, and an impressive array of summer activities, such as hiking, biking, fishing, owling, horseback riding, art classes and more.
Grandeur Peak
For one of the best views of the Salt Lake Valley hike to the summit of Grandeur Peak. Start at the Church Fork Trailhead in Millcreek Canyon and hike just over three miles to the summit for a view of, well, grandeur. The 6.5-mile round trip trail starts steep and follows a small stream north into the forest and then climbs to a saddle via switchbacks, from the saddle it’s just a half mile to the 8,299 feet summit. The trail is easily marked and has an elevation gain of 2,650 feet. It features wildflowers and stunning views along the way.
Temple Square Station
Temple Square is a 10-acre complex, owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in the center of Salt Lake City, Utah. It's a gorgeous place to walk around and take some beautiful photos.
City Creek Center
The City Creek Center is a mixed-use development with an upscale open-air shopping center, office and residential buildings, fountain, and simulated creek near Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. This is the place to go for shopping.
Bonneville Salt Flats
The Bonneville Salt Flats offers one of the most unique landscapes in the world; it’s no wonder so many movies and car commercials are filmed there. The Salt Flats consist of hard, white salt crust as far as the eye can see—almost one hundred cubic yards of it. Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, it was designated as an area of Critical Environmental Concern in the mid-‘80s for its unique geology. It’s one of only a handful of salt pans in the world and the only one in the United States.
Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is a remnant of the massive ancient Lake Bonneville and is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere. It’s just slightly less salty than the Dead Sea! Kayaking, paddle boarding, pedal boating and sailing are great ways to experience the spectacular sunsets on the lake. You can rent pedal boats and book dinner cruises with Gonzo Boat Rentals at the Great Salt Lake Marina. On your way to or from the marina, stop for photos at Saltair; the historic building from 1893 hit its peak favor in the 1920s as a beach resort but now operates as a concert venue.