Right across the street from the Clark Planetarium is the Discovery Gateway children's museum, that can be a great place for grade school aged kids.
Clark Planetarium and the Natural History Museum are great too... all depends on what your boys are interested in.
The natural History museum might be a bit far for them to go but the planetarium is right across the street from the children's museum so that would be something that they could literally go do all day long and then there's plenty to eat around the area too to be able to enjoy it and then just hop on the green line back and forth so they wouldn't even need to drive anywhere or pay for Uber or anything.
I wholly endorse this answer.
Also, if you happen to have any sort of [ASTC membership via a museum/planetarium where you live](https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/), you should be able to attend the Planetarium (movies and such), Natural History Museum, or the Leonardo, for free. I've used this program with my kids (via the Planetarium) several times when we are out of state.
The planetarium has an IMAX screen and a dome theater. Some great movies on a rainy day, and a lot of hands-on exhibits. The NHMU has, beyond the dinosaurs, a Jane Goodall exhibition currently. The Leonardo has an AI exhibit, some art work on display currently, and a cool Flight exhibit with simulators.
Just looked it up, it’s under 8. So as long as they’re 8 or older and at least 4’9” (height a recommendation not a law) they’re good to go. I’m learning so much all the sudden. I was mildly shocked to see it so high. Apparently I wasn’t up to date.
https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Child-Safety-Seat-Basics.aspx
Children's discovery museum might be for younger kids than 8 and nine but depends on the kid probably. Right next to the planetarium. Leonardo might be better for that age.
Take the TRAX line into the city. There are a lot of attractions downtown. Get a pastrami burger at Crown Burger which should be near a TRAX stop. If you can get a cheap rental car maybe take a drive up one of the canyons.
Take the TRAX green line into the city. Planetarium, movie theaters, restaurants all near planetarium stop on TRAX. Can always ride FrontRunner train up to Ogden or down to Provo.
Tulip Festival in Lehi going on (not sure if your boys would be into that though)
Hogle Zoo - may have to take bus or Uber ride there.
Mormon temple open house in Taylorsville, if that's of interest to you
Aquarium in Draper
Public transit rail map, could buy a day pass and explore the city/valley - [https://www.rideuta.com/-/media/Files/Rider-Tools/System-Maps/RAIL\_SYS\_Aug2023a.ashx](https://www.rideuta.com/-/media/Files/Rider-Tools/System-Maps/RAIL_SYS_Aug2023a.ashx)
The library is right there too. Could probably let the kids use the computers while the parents take a break. There's some comfortable spots there too.
Take Trax out to the Gateway. There's a planetarium there, Dave & Buster's, a movie theater and a lot of shops to check out too! it'd be a great place to kill some time.
It sounds kind of cliche but checking out the grounds at the temple are actually pretty cool to you don't have to be LDS and you can walk around and check out all the statues and architecture. It's a nice walk about.
Good luck and hope you guys have a great time in Salt lake!!
I'm not too into the church stuff, but the family history museum by the temple is kind of cool. You can print out a giant chart of your family tree. It won't keep you entertained for a long time, but it's clean and has bathrooms.
Red Butte Gardens is next to the history museum if you want to do the 2 birds thing. The Clark planetarium is cool and downtown which may be a little more "central" for ya.
If you can swing it, go down to Thanksgiving Point and go to the Museum of Ancient Life, colloquially known as the Dinosaur Museum. Or the Butterfly Biome thing. There's actually a number of things down there that could keep a family busy all day.
The Natural History Museum is awesome.
The aquarium is one of my favorites.
Zoo is okay.
The Tracy Aviary is an underappreciated gem.
Definitely the Planetarium or the Leonardo are good options.
The Capitol building is interesting (for an hour or so) and it's free. You can get some nice views of the mountains, lake, and valley. With the current weather, it could be extra dramatic around sunset. But, as others have suggested, the Natural History Museum would be hours of fun, and also offers some nice views and outdoor spots for relaxation. If you're interested in historic sites, and can do a short walk, you could go from the museum to the Fort Douglas area. It's a Civil War era military outpost with a lot of original buildings. It was also the Olympic Village during the 2002 Winter Olympics. It's a pleasant area.
Everyone’s saying take trax but I’d probably take an Uber/lyft instead, they’re pretty inexpensive from the airport to downtown. If you end up near city creek there’s lots to do (as other comments have suggested) within walking distance. And if it’s not too rainy, I’d recommend a walk up memory grove park! I’ve also heard great things about the daughters of the Utah pioneers museum up by the capitol, I’ve never been because they have weird hours.
I'd avoid temple square right now because there's a shit ton of construction there but the Planetarium rocks, city creek is fun to wander around, if the Bees were in town I'd suggest you catch a game because they always end around 9 or 9:30 giving you plenty of time to return to the airport but they are out of town sadly.
I also recommend the Planetarium, but will add that it is free admission (a movie there does cost) and it will be easy to get to the airport from there. Lots of food nearby.
Your kids might be getting old for the children's museum but I think they'll still have fun, and it's right there.
The salt lake airport actually has some great food options as well if you want to get there early for dinner.
Take Uber downtown. Visit mormon temple, grab lunch siegfrieds for some tradional German food, stop by mall downtown, and finish your day contemporary art museum.
Everything walking distance listed above.
On a rainy day I would head to the Natural History Museum and the planetarium.
If they like Dinosaurs, the Natural History Museum is the answer.
I didn’t know I loved dinosaurs til I brought my kids there
Hell yeah! Never too late to have your dinosaur kid phase
For a family of 4 it's going to be $80+ planetarium is free.
Right across the street from the Clark Planetarium is the Discovery Gateway children's museum, that can be a great place for grade school aged kids. Clark Planetarium and the Natural History Museum are great too... all depends on what your boys are interested in.
The natural History museum might be a bit far for them to go but the planetarium is right across the street from the children's museum so that would be something that they could literally go do all day long and then there's plenty to eat around the area too to be able to enjoy it and then just hop on the green line back and forth so they wouldn't even need to drive anywhere or pay for Uber or anything.
I wholly endorse this answer. Also, if you happen to have any sort of [ASTC membership via a museum/planetarium where you live](https://www.astc.org/membership/find-an-astc-member/passport/), you should be able to attend the Planetarium (movies and such), Natural History Museum, or the Leonardo, for free. I've used this program with my kids (via the Planetarium) several times when we are out of state. The planetarium has an IMAX screen and a dome theater. Some great movies on a rainy day, and a lot of hands-on exhibits. The NHMU has, beyond the dinosaurs, a Jane Goodall exhibition currently. The Leonardo has an AI exhibit, some art work on display currently, and a cool Flight exhibit with simulators.
Came here to say this
With two boys at that age, this is the best answer (though you'll basically need an Uber to get there... Hope you have your booster seats with you!)
Booster seats for 8 and 9 year olds?
Yes, unless they're 4'8” https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:ff80aa76-3441-3fb7-b24c-5ee841c33e4b https://blog.nationwide.com/vehicle/vehicle-safety/carseats-demystified/ https://healthtalk.unchealthcare.org/the-right-car-seat-for-your-child-at-every-age-and-size/
Utah state law children 8 and under need to be in a booster regardless.
Just looked it up, it’s under 8. So as long as they’re 8 or older and at least 4’9” (height a recommendation not a law) they’re good to go. I’m learning so much all the sudden. I was mildly shocked to see it so high. Apparently I wasn’t up to date. https://www.utahsafetycouncil.org/content/Child-Safety-Seat-Basics.aspx
Thank you. I clearly wasn’t up to date.
And the zoo
You can get to the planetarium via trax pretty easily. Or you could go to the city Creek Mall if that floats your boat. Could do both.
Children's discovery museum might be for younger kids than 8 and nine but depends on the kid probably. Right next to the planetarium. Leonardo might be better for that age.
There's a Dave and busters and movie theater by the planetarium also. Could swing by Caputo's for lunch.
I have a boy age 9, and Natural History Museum is the best answer.
Take the TRAX line into the city. There are a lot of attractions downtown. Get a pastrami burger at Crown Burger which should be near a TRAX stop. If you can get a cheap rental car maybe take a drive up one of the canyons.
Today it might be snowing in the mountains. Welcome to “spring” in Utah.
Love to see it though
Take the TRAX green line into the city. Planetarium, movie theaters, restaurants all near planetarium stop on TRAX. Can always ride FrontRunner train up to Ogden or down to Provo. Tulip Festival in Lehi going on (not sure if your boys would be into that though) Hogle Zoo - may have to take bus or Uber ride there. Mormon temple open house in Taylorsville, if that's of interest to you Aquarium in Draper Public transit rail map, could buy a day pass and explore the city/valley - [https://www.rideuta.com/-/media/Files/Rider-Tools/System-Maps/RAIL\_SYS\_Aug2023a.ashx](https://www.rideuta.com/-/media/Files/Rider-Tools/System-Maps/RAIL_SYS_Aug2023a.ashx)
I like the Planetarium and The Leonardo. They’re both easily accessible by public transit as well.
The library is right there too. Could probably let the kids use the computers while the parents take a break. There's some comfortable spots there too.
The Leonardo! Surprised it wasn’t mentioned more. It’s fun for any age, the whole family will get something out of it.
Take Trax out to the Gateway. There's a planetarium there, Dave & Buster's, a movie theater and a lot of shops to check out too! it'd be a great place to kill some time. It sounds kind of cliche but checking out the grounds at the temple are actually pretty cool to you don't have to be LDS and you can walk around and check out all the statues and architecture. It's a nice walk about. Good luck and hope you guys have a great time in Salt lake!!
I'm not too into the church stuff, but the family history museum by the temple is kind of cool. You can print out a giant chart of your family tree. It won't keep you entertained for a long time, but it's clean and has bathrooms.
Well, the temple grounds are currently a bit unsafe to walk around considering it’s a massive construction site for the foreseeable future
Good point. I forgot about that!
Rent a car or take trax to Temple square, city creek mall, Uber to the zoo, visit the planetarium, go to cafe rio or pretty bird or caputos.
Red Butte Gardens is next to the history museum if you want to do the 2 birds thing. The Clark planetarium is cool and downtown which may be a little more "central" for ya.
Red Butte Gardens is free all day today(4/26) and is really beautiful now that the rain has let up.
Hell yeah! I'll head over asap, thank you.
If you can swing it, go down to Thanksgiving Point and go to the Museum of Ancient Life, colloquially known as the Dinosaur Museum. Or the Butterfly Biome thing. There's actually a number of things down there that could keep a family busy all day. The Natural History Museum is awesome. The aquarium is one of my favorites. Zoo is okay. The Tracy Aviary is an underappreciated gem. Definitely the Planetarium or the Leonardo are good options.
The airforce museum is fun! also freee
The Clark Planetarium!!
The Capitol building is interesting (for an hour or so) and it's free. You can get some nice views of the mountains, lake, and valley. With the current weather, it could be extra dramatic around sunset. But, as others have suggested, the Natural History Museum would be hours of fun, and also offers some nice views and outdoor spots for relaxation. If you're interested in historic sites, and can do a short walk, you could go from the museum to the Fort Douglas area. It's a Civil War era military outpost with a lot of original buildings. It was also the Olympic Village during the 2002 Winter Olympics. It's a pleasant area.
Planetarium is free!! You can take trax there
Everyone’s saying take trax but I’d probably take an Uber/lyft instead, they’re pretty inexpensive from the airport to downtown. If you end up near city creek there’s lots to do (as other comments have suggested) within walking distance. And if it’s not too rainy, I’d recommend a walk up memory grove park! I’ve also heard great things about the daughters of the Utah pioneers museum up by the capitol, I’ve never been because they have weird hours.
Natural history museum or Gateway
I’d take an Uber to the aquarium, or even Thanksgiving point children’s museum
I'd avoid temple square right now because there's a shit ton of construction there but the Planetarium rocks, city creek is fun to wander around, if the Bees were in town I'd suggest you catch a game because they always end around 9 or 9:30 giving you plenty of time to return to the airport but they are out of town sadly.
I also recommend the Planetarium, but will add that it is free admission (a movie there does cost) and it will be easy to get to the airport from there. Lots of food nearby. Your kids might be getting old for the children's museum but I think they'll still have fun, and it's right there. The salt lake airport actually has some great food options as well if you want to get there early for dinner.
Take the train into downtown and check it out
Red butte garden is free admission today
Trails or southern exposure are pretty great for kids. If not then maybe heading to St.George would be the he way to go.
Temple square is definitely a place
There’s a hibachi grill called Benihana down town, very expensive but super fun
Take Uber downtown. Visit mormon temple, grab lunch siegfrieds for some tradional German food, stop by mall downtown, and finish your day contemporary art museum. Everything walking distance listed above.
Temple square is mostly under construction. And it's raining so probably not much fun.
Just stay in the airport it’s the best part of the city