There are so many things to see and do in the Beehive State that it could take a lifetime to get to all of them. Every day, we bring you a new attraction, restaurant, or hiking trail to explore, but there are some spots that we think every Utahn should see before they die. Here are some of our favorite day trips in Utah and 15 awesome outings to put on your bucket list.

1. Check out Utah's most distinctive natural wonder.
Delicate Arch, Utah, USA
Dmitry.S./flickr
Delicate Arch is Utah's iconic natural wonder. There's a reason it's on our license plate - it's truly amazing. Visit Arches National Park to see how huge it is in real life.
2. Visit Utah's most famous outdoor art installation.
Spiral Jetty, Corinne, UT 84307, USA
Capt_SEG/Tripadvisor
Artist Robert Smithson created the Spiral Jetty in 1970, and though it was covered by water from the Great Salt Lake for several years, it's been visible since 2002. To fully appreciate this gem you have to see it in person.
3. Ride the rails on Utah's historic train.
Heber Valley Railroad, 450 S 6th W, Heber City, UT 84032, USA
Heber Valley Railroad/Facebook
A ride on the Heber Valley Railroad is an outing you won't soon forget. Choose from several scenic routes and watch for special trips like the princess and pirate train, chocolate train, cowboy train, and more.
4. Spend a day at this incredible Utah museum.
Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
Nikita Huang/Google
The Utah Museum of Natural History first opened in the 1960s on the University of Utah campus, but it got a brand new building in 2011. See everything from geology to paleontology, and watch real scientists at work here.
5. Set aside an entire day for this popular Utah attraction.
Thanksgiving Point, 3003 Thanksgiving Wy, Lehi, UT 84043, USA
Thanksgiving Point/Facebook
Thanksgiving Point has something for everyone! Stroll through 55 acres of gardens, visit the Museum of Ancient Life to see a huge collection of dinosaur bones, enjoy 400 interactive experiences at the Museum of Natural Curiosity, visit the butterflies at the Butterfly Biosphere, play a round of golf, and enjoy a meal.
6. Get up early to take this short hike to an amazing arch.
Mesa Arch Trailhead, Moab, UT 84532, USA
GKorts/Tripadvisor
The hike to Mesa Arch is a short 0.7-mile trail, and if you wake up early, you can catch a beautiful sunrise through the arch. Mesa Arch is located at Canyonlands National Park and you'll want to see it!
7. Drive a scenic highway to a majestic waterfall.
Provo River Falls, Utah 84036, USA
Aaron Hawkins/flickr
Take the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway to see Upper Provo River Falls. The road closes during the winter, but in the summer months, the falls are easily seen right from the parking lot — no hiking needed.

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8. Take this unrivaled canyon hike.
Riverside Walk Trailhead, Riverside Walk, Springdale, UT 84767, USA
Vivek Tulsidas/flickr
Zion National Park is a treasure that every Utahn should visit and The Riverside Walk is accessible to everyone. The 2.2-mile trail is paved and mostly flat, but if you want to continue on, you can enter the Narrows and continue right down the middle of the Virgin River.
9. Get your thrills at Utah's amusement park.
Lagoon Amusement Park, 375 North Lagoon Dr, Farmington, UT 84025, USA
Lagoon Amusement Park/Facebook
Lagoon is Utah's only amusement park. It's over 130 years old, and it's the perfect place to make family memories that last a lifetime. From Pioneer Village to Lagoon-A-Beach to the thrilling rides for all ages, there's something for everyone here. It is truly the perfect day trip destination in Utah.
10. Play all day in the Caribbean of the Rockies.
Bear Lake, Utah 82930, USA
Lauriann Wakefield / 500px Via Getty Images
Bear Lake is known as the Caribbean of the Rockies and you'll see why the moment you lay eyes on it. It's a deep blue color due to the minerals suspended in the water. Located on the Utah/Idaho border, this is one lake you need to visit.
11. Take a hike and explore an unforgettable cave.
Timpanogos Cave National Monument, 2038 E Alpine Lp Rd, American Fork, UT 84003, USA
Rich W/Tripadvisor
The hike up to Timpanogos Cave is steep and strenuous, but the cave is a cool 45 degrees. A park ranger will take you on a tour to see stalagmites, stalagtites, and helictites. You'll also hear the story about the Great Heart of Timpanogos.
12. Soak in this warm spring.
Homestead Crater Mineral Dome, Midway, UT 84049, USA
The Crater (The Homestead Crater)/Facebook
The Homestead Crater is fed by a geothermal spring that maintains a constant 96 degrees, so it's a perfect place to soak throughout the entire year. This unique destination is a relaxing day trip in Utah that you'll love.
13. Catch a sunrise at one of several overlooks in this national park.
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah, USA
Daniel Knieper/flickr
The amphitheater at Bryce Canyon National Park is absolutely stunning and you can view it from one of several overlooks. Get up nice and early to capture a sunrise here — it's a photo every Utahn should capture.
14. Tour this beloved Utah ghost town.
Grafton, UT 84767, USA
Vlad B./flickr
Grafton is the most photographed ghost town in the West and it's absolutely charming. Several of the buildings here were renovated in the 1990s and the little cemetery holds as many as 84 graves and a lot of history.
15. Head to Utah's most well-known island.
Antelope Island, Utah, USA
David Sorich/flickr
Explore Antelope Island, a 42-square-mile island in the Great Salt Lake where you can say hello to a herd of bison, play on the beach, and catch some killer lake views.

Which of these day trips in Utah have you already taken and which would you like to take? Are there any destinations you love to visit over and over again? Tell us in the comments and tag the friends and family members you want to bring with you!

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Courtnie Erickson | June 04, 2023

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There is no shortage of attractions and bucket-list-worthy destinations in Utah. In fact, we could list hundreds of places that every Utahn should visit at least once. But, if we had to narrow down our list to some of the best must-visit attractions in the Beehive State, some of our favorite places would include:

 

What are the best road trips in Utah?

If you love exploring, a road trip is one of the best ways to do it and here at Only In Your State, we love road trips. In fact, we have created dozens of road trip itineraries with various themes, for different seasons of the year, for a single day, or even for week-long adventures. If you are thinking about a road trip in Utah, consider tackling one of the following road trips first:

 

If you decide to plan a road trip in Utah, check out our road trip essentials packing list. Featuring several items you don’t want to be without on a long adventure, this is the ultimate guide to help you be prepared for anything you may encounter on your journey.

Are there any hidden gems in Utah I should visit?

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