Highest-rated free things to do in Utah, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Utah.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Utah using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Salt Lake City Public Library
- Rating: 4.5/5 (487 reviews)
- Address: 210 East 400 South Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Scenic Byway Route 12
- Rating: 5/5 (403 reviews)
- Address: Route 12 Escalante, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Bridal Veil Falls
- Rating: 4.5/5 (521 reviews)
- Address: Provo Canyon Provo, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. Potash Road
- Rating: 4.5/5 (790 reviews)
- Address: Long Canyon Road Moab, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Dixie National Forest
- Rating: 4.5/5 (387 reviews)
- Address: Cedar City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Red Hills Desert Garden
- Rating: 5/5 (412 reviews)
- Address: 375 E. Red Hills Parkway St. George, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Cathedral of the Madeleine
- Rating: 4.5/5 (500 reviews)
- Address: 331 East South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Guardsman Pass Scenic Backway
- Rating: 4.5/5 (500 reviews)
- Address: Guardman Pass Road Park City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints Conference Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (872 reviews)
- Address: 60 North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Pioneer Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (550 reviews)
- Address: 375 Red Hills Parkway St. George, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Scenic Byway of Highway 128
- Rating: 5/5 (221 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Moki Dugway
- Rating: 5/5 (385 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. City Creek Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (660 reviews)
- Address: 50 South Main St. Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Bluff Fort Historic Site
- Rating: 4.5/5 (714 reviews)
- Address: 550 Black Locust Ave. Bluff, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. Red Canyon
- Rating: 4.5/5 (796 reviews)
- Address: Highway 12 Panguitch, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Park City Main Street Historic District
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,442 reviews)
- Address: Main St. Park City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. St. George Temple & Visitors' Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (926 reviews)
- Address: 250 East 400 South St. George, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Salt Lake Temple
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,638 reviews)
- Address: 50 North West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Hill Aerospace Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (729 reviews)
- Address: 7961 Wardleigh Rd, Building 1955 Hill Air Force Base Ogden, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument
- Rating: 5/5 (404 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Valley of the Gods
- Rating: 4.5/5 (633 reviews)
- Address: Mexican Hat, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Bonneville Salt Flats
- Rating: 4.5/5 (627 reviews)
- Address: Greenhaven Wendover, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Forrest Gump Point
- Rating: 4.5/5 (607 reviews)
- Address: Highway US 163 Mexican Hat, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Highway 12 Scenic Byway
- Rating: 5/5 (780 reviews)
- Address: Torrey, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Corona Arch
- Rating: 5/5 (1,036 reviews)
- Address: 82 East Dogwood Moab, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Utah State Capitol
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,576 reviews)
- Address: 350 North State St. Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. The Tabernacle
- Rating: 4.5/5 (1,355 reviews)
- Address: 50 North West Temple St. (at the Temple Square Tabernacle) Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Temple Square
- Rating: 4.5/5 (5,066 reviews)
- Address: 50 N. West Temple St. Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Big Cottonwood Canyon
- Rating: 5/5 (1,171 reviews)
- Address: Big Cottonwood Canyon Road Uintah-Wasatch-Cache National Forest Salt Lake City, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Best Friends Animal Sanctuary
- Rating: 5/5 (1,517 reviews)
- Address: 5001 Angel Canyon Road Kanab, Utah
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
