Glorious landscapes, diverse outdoor recreation opportunities, and an abundance of charming small towns make Utah a highly desirable destination. Whether you’re lucky enough to live in the state or just visiting, weekend getaways provide a way to step off the beaten path and discover new vistas. Following is our shortlist of places in Utah that make fabulous weekend getaways.
Park City
East of Salt Lake City with a backdrop of the rugged Wasatch Range, Park City is known for Nordic skiing, The Sundance Film Festival, and its heritage as a 19th-century silver mining hub. Main Street is lined with 19th-century architecture filled with unique, independently owned eateries, shops, galleries, museums, and entertainment venues. You don’t have to visit in winter to get the most of Park City’s magic — you can take a hot air balloon ride in summer, go fly fishing, hiking, river rafting, horseback riding, or simply stay in town and go sightseeing on the town’s free trolley.
✓ Sundance Film Festival
✓ Charming downtown
✓ Outdoor recreation
Moab
As the gateway to Arches National Park, Moab offers some of the most spectacular red rock scenery on the planet — and it’s also one of the few places where you can see an authentic dinosaur footprint. Moab’s nightlife is no slouch, either. After spending a day soaking up sun and natural beauty, you can spend the evening enjoying the diverse arts and culture scene in downtown Moab. You’ll find a vibrant food and beverage scene that showcases the best of southwestern culinary traditions alongside an array of world cuisine, outdoor theater, unique sound and light shows, art walks, and live music. For those who aren’t into traditional nightlife, astronomy tours and other dark-sky events provide a mystical experience.
✓ Beautiful natural setting
✓ Astronomy tours & dark sky events
✓ You can see an authentic dinosaur footprint (seriously)
Brigham City
Framed by the jagged peaks of the Wellsville Mountains to the east, Brigham City is an ideal destination for those seeking a serene respite from city life. Its downtown offers a classic American Main Street experience that leaves guests feeling as if they’re visiting a beloved hometown. The historic architecture of Brigham City’s Main Street includes structures that date back to the 1850s. Birdwatching enthusiasts flock to Brigham City to visit nearby Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.
✓ Classic downtown “Main Street”
✓ Scenic mountainous setting
✓ Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge