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If you’re looking for the perfect Salt Lake City itinerary, this 4-day trip is packed with incredible hiking, amazing coffee, great food, and unforgettable views. Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a girls’ getaway, or simply looking for an outdoor adventure, there’s something here for everyone.
Every August my daughters and I take a girls’ trip together. In past years we’ve explored places like Paris, London, and Munich, but this year we wanted to spend more time outdoors. After searching through our non-rev flight options, Salt Lake City quickly rose to the top of our list. Since it’s a Delta hub, there were multiple daily flight options, making it an excellent destination for airline employees traveling standby. Even if you’re not flying non-rev, Salt Lake City is an easy city to reach from much of the United States.
My girls love great coffee, amazing food, and challenging hikes—and Salt Lake City checked every box.
Trip Planning & Budget For Salt Lake City Itinerary
If you’re planning a Salt Lake City itinerary, here’s what we spent during our 4-day girls’ trip. Keep in mind that prices will vary depending on the season and how much shopping or dining you do.
Hotel:
We stayed at the Hampton Inn Salt Lake City Downtown and booked it entirely with Hilton Honors points, so our lodging cost was $0 out of pocket. This hotel typically runs
Rental Car:
We rented a car through Costco Travel for $218. Since many of the best hikes and attractions are outside downtown Salt Lake City, I definitely recommend renting a car.
Food:
We spent approximately $540 total for three people (about $45 per person, per day). That included:
- Contento Cafe (2 visits): $286
- Various coffee shops: $103
- Good Food Gluten Free Bakery: $43.98
- In-N-Out Burger: $26.67
- Harmons Grocery (grab-and-go meals and snacks): $79
Eating completely gluten-free can be more expensive, but every meal was worth it!
Shopping:
We spent about $130 between Roolee and Downeast and came home with several clothing items and accessories.
Total Trip Cost:
Our out-of-pocket expenses for transportation, food, and shopping came to approximately $887. Using hotel points saved us several hundred dollars, making this a surprisingly affordable girls’ getaway.
Day 1- Arrival
We were flying in from the East Coast, so we didn’t arrive in Salt Lake City until later that evening. After picking up our rental car, we made a quick stop at Harmons Grocery to grab snacks and breakfast items for the next few days before heading to our hotel. Since we had an early start planned for the next morning, we called it an early night so we’d be ready to explore.
Day 2: Coffee, Temple Square & Shopping
Our first stop of the day on our Salt Lake City itineary was Remini Coffee. I originally thought it was a coffee shop, but it’s actually a coffee roastery where you can purchase freshly roasted beans and brewing supplies. If you’re a true coffee lover, it’s definitely worth adding to your Salt Lake City itinerary.
From there we made our way to Temple Square. While we are Christians, we enjoy learning about different faiths and cultures whenever we travel. I believe it is important to be able to understand other faiths’ belief systems so that you can defend your own.
Before exploring Temple Square, we grabbed coffee at District Coffee Co., which is just steps away. We thought it was interesting that while members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints don’t drink coffee, Salt Lake City has no shortage of fantastic coffee shops. We enjoyed our drinks while strolling through the surrounding neighborhood, but we made sure to finish them before entering Temple Square out of respect for the faith and the people visiting there.
Our next stop was the Church History Museum, one of the best free attractions in Salt Lake City. The museum does a great job sharing the history of the church, and knowledgeable volunteers are available throughout the exhibits if you have questions, but weren’t overly pushy with their beliefs. We spent about an hour exploring and appreciated learning more about the history and beliefs of the church. We found the history to be very interesting.
Afterward, it was time for one of my favorite activities—shopping! One thing I love about shopping in Salt Lake City is that many of the boutiques have a classic, modest style that’s both trendy and timeless.
Roolee has been one of my favorite boutiques for years after a friend introduced me to the brand. Their clothing is well made, reasonably priced, and, as someone with tall daughters, I especially appreciate that many of their pieces fit longer torsos and taller frames. We also discovered Downeast as well, where I found a few great pairs of jeans and some fun jewelry.
Once we had shopped, we headed to Contento Cafe, a completely gluten-free Mexican restaurant. Since one of my daughters has celiac disease, we’re always excited to find restaurants where she can order anything on the menu without worrying about cross-contamination. As a California girl, I’m admittedly picky about Mexican food, but Contento absolutely delivered. We loved it so much that we came back a second time before leaving Salt Lake City, and yes, the margaritas were excellent too!
With full stomachs, we drove to Provo for an evening outdoors. We took a peaceful walk around a small lake before hiking a section of the Bonneville Shoreline Trail overlooking the BYU campus. Watching the sunset from the trail was the perfect way to end the day, and it’s an experience I’d highly recommend adding to your Salt Lake City itinerary.
Day 3: Hiking Antelope Island State Park
This was actually my second visit to Antelope Island State Park, and it definitely won’t be my last. Located about an hour from downtown Salt Lake City, Antelope Island is one of the best places for hiking, wildlife viewing, and panoramic views of the Great Salt Lake. With several trails to choose from and hundreds of free-roaming bison, it’s a must-add to any Salt Lake City itinerary.
Before heading out, we made our usual coffee stop at Publik Coffee Roasters, one of our favorite coffee shops in Salt Lake City. I also love that they built much of their coffee house using sustainable materials. From there we stopped at Good Food Gluten Free Bakery to pick up treats for after our hike (plus a loaf of bread to bring home).
Before entering the park, we grabbed bottled water, but in hindsight, we should have purchased much more. There is no potable drinking water available on Antelope Island, something we didn’t realize until we arrived. We each carried a water bottle, and I also had a CamelBak hydration pack, but during the summer months I would recommend bringing even more water than you think you’ll need.
If you’re planning to hike on Antelope Island, I highly recommend downloading the AllTrails map before you begin. While the trails are generally well marked, one of the trail signs had fallen over during our hike. Thankfully, our downloaded map helped us realize we had wandered off course and get back on the correct trail.
One of the most memorable parts of the day happened when we unexpectedly came face-to-face with a large herd of bison. If you encounter bison on the trail, stay calm, keep your distance, and never approach them. We slowly backed away without turning our backs until we had safely created more space between us. We were the only hikers on that section of the trail, making the experience both exciting and a little intimidating!
Despite getting slightly off trail, our hike ended up being about seven miles round trip. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and made every step worthwhile. However, there are biting gnats that are relentless.
One thing we weren’t prepared for was the biting gnats. Honestly, they reminded me of the persistent flies we encountered on our safari in Africa. They don’t ruin the experience, but they can definitely become annoying if you’re not prepared. I highly recommend tossing a pack of Ben’s Insect Repellent Wipes in your backpack. They’re lightweight, easy to pack, and much more convenient than carrying a spray bottle while hiking.
After finishing our longer hike, we tackled Buffalo Point Trail, a shorter 1.3-mile round-trip hike that rewards you with sweeping views across the island and the Great Salt Lake. Earlier in the day, we also hiked Sentry Trail, which I would rate as moderately challenging.
Before leaving, we spent some time driving around the island. On a previous visit with my husband, we stayed until sunset and saw significantly more wildlife than we did this time. Because we visited during the hottest part of the day, many of the animals were less active. If your schedule allows, I’d recommend packing a lunch, bringing plenty of water, and spending most of the day exploring Antelope Island State Park. There are still several trails I hope to return and hike one day. Make sure to add this to your Salt Lake City itinerary.
Day 4: Hiking to Lake Blanche
Just like the day before, we started with coffee from Publik Coffee Roasters again before heading into the mountains for one of the most challenging hikes I’ve ever completed.
Before attempting the Lake Blanche hike, it’s important to know what you’re signing up for. If you aren’t in good physical condition or you’re traveling with young children, I would choose a different trail. My family has hiked throughout the Great Smoky Mountains, the Rocky Mountains, and Grand Teton National Park, so we’ve tackled our fair share of difficult hikes. Even with that experience, Lake Blanche was the hardest hike I’ve completed to date.
Before attempting the Lake Blanche Trail it’s important to know what you’re signing up for. If you aren’t in good physical condition or you’re traveling with young children, I would choose a different trail.
The trail is approximately 7.3 miles round trip with nearly 2,700 feet of elevation gain, and sections require climbing over large boulders. It’s a rewarding hike, but it’s not one to underestimate.
The beginning can be a little deceptive because it starts on a paved path that feels relatively easy. Before long, however, the terrain becomes much steeper and rockier as you steadily gain elevation. We saw several hikers stopping frequently to catch their breath. One group reached the summit with almost no water or snacks, and other hikers generously shared supplies to help them recover. It’s a good reminder to bring plenty of water, electrolytes, and high-energy snacks, especially if you’re hiking during the summer.
Reaching Lake Blanche made every difficult step worth it. The alpine lake surrounded by rugged peaks is absolutely stunning, and the large boulders around the shoreline make the perfect place to sit, rest, and enjoy a well-earned snack before making the descent.
Speaking of the descent, it was brutal on my knees. If you have any knee issues, I strongly recommend bringing hiking poles. They made a huge difference for many of the hikers we met along the trail, and I wished I’d had a pair myself.
After making it back to the trailhead, we celebrated with more treats from Good Food Gluten Free Bakery before heading back to the hotel. That evening, we grabbed an Uber and returned to Contento Cafe for one last delicious meal, and this time I finally ordered that well-earned margarita!
Time to Head Home & Say Goodbye to Salt Lake City Itinerary
The next morning we headed to the airport to catch our 9:30 a.m. flight home. We were definitely sore after several days of hiking, but every mile was worth it.
This trip reminded me how refreshing it is to unplug, spend time in nature, and make memories with my girls. Between the incredible hiking, amazing coffee shops, delicious gluten-free food, and beautiful mountain scenery, Salt Lake City completely exceeded our expectations.
Whether you’re planning a family vacation, a girls’ getaway, or simply looking for an outdoor adventure, I hope this Salt Lake City itinerary helps you experience the very best the city has to offer. We left tired, happy, and already talking about everything we want to come back and explore next time.
Must Have Items for Hiking
Here are my must haves!
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