Adventures in Sweets

Many Salt Lake City visitors have been caught off guard by the realization that some businesses are closed on Sundays. The religious affiliation (predominantly Mormon) of both business owners and their local patrons in Utah is often cited as the reason for this phenomenon. In my experience, there are still plenty of open businesses, but I will do a little more planning and research if I’m in town on a Sunday to ensure I haven’t built my entire day around an activity or experience that’s closed. If you are in Salt Lake City on a Sunday and looking for recommendations, here are my top six.

Salt Lake City Public Library

The Salt Lake City Library is an impressive, Instagram-worthy architectural building and, as with all libraries, a valuable resource for the community. The six-story building has plenty of reading nooks to curl up in and enjoy one of the 500,000 books in the collection. When open, it is worth a walk or elevator ride up to the Rooftop Terrance which provides stunning 360-degree views.

The Leonardo Museum

Across the square, in the building that previously housed the public library, is the Leonardo Museum. Like its namesake, the museum is dedicated to curiosity and the intersection between art and science. They have two floors of exhibits that rotate regularly and art installations that provide stunning visuals.

The Natural History Museum of Utah

The Natural History Museum of Utah is part of the University of Utah and is 163,000 square feet of exhibitions that highlight billions (yes, billions!) of years of natural history. It includes an impressive exhibit of dinosaur skeletal reconstructions and the world’s largest display of horned dinosaur skulls. Additionally, in consultation with Utah’s Indigenous communities, the museum features a gallery showcasing historical and contemporary indigenous art and culture.

Go for a Hike

Utah is known for its natural beauty and stunning landscapes and Sundays can be the perfect opportunity to experience it. Visit Salt Lake City has compiled a list of the top ten finest hiking trails. Their list includes hikes of all levels and distances. Personally, I enjoyed my morning hike up Ensign Peak to watch the sun rise over the valley. It is a moderately strenuous short hike, but you are rewarded with incredible views.

Rent a Car

One of my recommendations for visiting Salt Lake City is to rent a car, but if you don’t need one for your entire trip, renting one on Sunday might give you the freedom to explore some noteworthy areas outside the city. Specifically, two hours west of Salt Lake City is the Bonneville Salt Flats (check out this quick guide before you go!). There, you can enjoy this natural wonder that was created at the end of the last Ice Age. Alternatively, head to the mountain town of Park City, just a 40-minute drive outside the city to explore its quaint downtown, or get your endorphin fix by participating in any of their outdoor adventure activities.

Attend a Professional Sporting Event

As a sports fanatic, one of my favorite things to do when visiting a city is to attend a local sporting event. Salt Lake City is home to plenty of professional sports teams including the Utah Jazz (NBA), Real Salt Lake (MLS), Salt Lake Bees (Minor League Baseball), and beginning in 2024-2025 an NHL franchise will call Salt Lake City home. It is a unique opportunity to cheer for the home team alongside their fanbase (unless, of course, your home team is in town!).