When you think of doing fun things in Utah, you probably think about camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, attending the symphony or ballet or visiting one of our many museums. Those are all great ways to spend a day in Utah, but there are surprising activities that you might not know are available here. Read on to find a few!
- Scuba Dive
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook Utah might not be home to any spectacular coral reefs, but you can scuba dive at Bonneville Seabase, a geothermal pool filled with tropical fish. Located in Grantsville, 1600 N SR 138.
- Fly in a Vertical Air Tunnel
iFLY Utah/Facebook Ever wish you could fly? Visit iFLY UTAH, where you’ll experience the thrill of flight. After a brief training session, you’ll enter a vertical air tunnel and ride a column of air. 2261 Kiesel Avenue, Ogden.
- Stay with Trappist Monks
Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the stress and noise of everyday life. Take a 3-day retreat with the Trappist Monks at the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville. The Retreat House has space for up to 12 adult men (Catholic or not). Women may enjoy a retreat in the Guest House. 1250 South 9500 East, Huntsville.
- Learn to Sail
Bonneville School of Sailing/Facebook Who needs an ocean when we have Utah Lake? Learn to sail with Bonneville School of Sailing, where you’ll spend 18 hours out on the lake, learning the difference between “port” and “starboard,” and other helpful things.
- Watch a Movie and Drink a Beer…at the Theater
Brewvies Cinema Pub/Facebook You can watch a movie, eat nachos and drink a beer at Brewvie’s Cinema Pub in Salt Lake. 677 South 200 West, Salt Lake City.
- Eat a Square Doughnut
Lehi Bakery/Facebook There are lots of great bakeries all over the state to enjoy a delicious doughnut…but at Lehi Bakery, you can eat a square one! 172 W. Main Street, Lehi.
- Drive a Race Car
RockyMountainRaceway/Facebook Feel the need for speed? Rocky Mountain Raceway offers “Drag Race Experience,” a fun day that includes an orientation, racing experience and catered meal. Drive a Camaro, Mustang, Charger, Challenger or Buick Regal GS. 6555 West 2100 South, West Valley.
- Go Surfing
Flowrider/Facebook Yes, you can surf in Utah! Check out Flowrider, located in Ogden. You can surf, boogie board or wake board - and you’ll never worry about sharks. Make your reservation in advance, and make sure you wear board shorts with a drawstring so spectators don’t end up seeing more of you than they’d like.
- Visit an Award-Winning Winery
Castle Creek Winery/Facebook Usually when you think of wineries, you think of California’s Napa Valley, but we have an award-winning winery right here in Utah! Castle Creek Winery has won awards at both the 2015 Taster’s Guild International Competition and the 2015 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Milepost 14, Hwy 128, Moab.
- Walk in the Footsteps of Dinosaurs
Greg Willis/flickr You’ve likely visited the Carnegie Dinosaur Quarry in Vernal. But did you know you can actually walk where dinosaurs once walked? There are several sites around the state. Find Brontosaurus and Allosaurus tracks at the Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackways, 12 miles north of Moab, or visit hundreds of dinosaur tracks at Moccasin Mountain Trackways, about 3 miles from Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab.
- Participate in One of the World’s Largest Color Festivals
Thomas Hawk/flickr The Holi Festival of Colors at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork is one of the world’s largest. Participate this year on March 28th and 29th. 311 W. 8900 S., Spanish Fork.
Have you ever tried any of these things? Tell us about your experiences in the comments!
Bonneville Seabase/Facebook
Utah might not be home to any spectacular coral reefs, but you can scuba dive at Bonneville Seabase, a geothermal pool filled with tropical fish. Located in Grantsville, 1600 N SR 138.
iFLY Utah/Facebook
Ever wish you could fly? Visit iFLY UTAH, where you’ll experience the thrill of flight. After a brief training session, you’ll enter a vertical air tunnel and ride a column of air. 2261 Kiesel Avenue, Ogden.
Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity
Sometimes it’s nice to get away from the stress and noise of everyday life. Take a 3-day retreat with the Trappist Monks at the Abbey of Our Lady of the Holy Trinity in Huntsville. The Retreat House has space for up to 12 adult men (Catholic or not). Women may enjoy a retreat in the Guest House. 1250 South 9500 East, Huntsville.
Bonneville School of Sailing/Facebook
Who needs an ocean when we have Utah Lake? Learn to sail with Bonneville School of Sailing, where you’ll spend 18 hours out on the lake, learning the difference between “port” and “starboard,” and other helpful things.
Brewvies Cinema Pub/Facebook
You can watch a movie, eat nachos and drink a beer at Brewvie’s Cinema Pub in Salt Lake. 677 South 200 West, Salt Lake City.
Lehi Bakery/Facebook
There are lots of great bakeries all over the state to enjoy a delicious doughnut…but at Lehi Bakery, you can eat a square one! 172 W. Main Street, Lehi.
RockyMountainRaceway/Facebook
Feel the need for speed? Rocky Mountain Raceway offers “Drag Race Experience,” a fun day that includes an orientation, racing experience and catered meal. Drive a Camaro, Mustang, Charger, Challenger or Buick Regal GS. 6555 West 2100 South, West Valley.
Flowrider/Facebook
Yes, you can surf in Utah! Check out Flowrider, located in Ogden. You can surf, boogie board or wake board - and you’ll never worry about sharks. Make your reservation in advance, and make sure you wear board shorts with a drawstring so spectators don’t end up seeing more of you than they’d like.
Castle Creek Winery/Facebook
Usually when you think of wineries, you think of California’s Napa Valley, but we have an award-winning winery right here in Utah! Castle Creek Winery has won awards at both the 2015 Taster’s Guild International Competition and the 2015 Finger Lakes International Wine Competition. Milepost 14, Hwy 128, Moab.
Greg Willis/flickr
You’ve likely visited the Carnegie Dinosaur Quarry in Vernal. But did you know you can actually walk where dinosaurs once walked? There are several sites around the state. Find Brontosaurus and Allosaurus tracks at the Copper Ridge Dinosaur Trackways, 12 miles north of Moab, or visit hundreds of dinosaur tracks at Moccasin Mountain Trackways, about 3 miles from Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park near Kanab.
Thomas Hawk/flickr
The Holi Festival of Colors at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork is one of the world’s largest. Participate this year on March 28th and 29th. 311 W. 8900 S., Spanish Fork.
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