Posted in Utah
October 03, 2015
You Must Visit These 14 Awesome Places in Utah This Fall
Utah offers fantastic foliage and amazing attractions that are just better in cooler weather. These places are great year-round, but they’re particularly awesome in the fall.
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Tourists come from all over the world to visit our five national parks; they each offer a unique kind of natural, Utah beauty. In my opinion, fall is the absolute BEST time for Utahns to visit. The tourist season is pretty much over now, so the parks are much less crowded. And, instead of sweating like crazy in sweltering, 100-degree weather, you’ll enjoy mild temperatures.
Most farmers don’t appreciate strangers tramping through their corn fields during the growing season. But in the fall, they cut their fields into mazes, charge a small admission, and offer tons of fun!
It’s the very tail end of the summer season at Utah’s ski resorts. Some resorts offer great deals on lodging before the snow falls, so they’re a great weekend getaway. Most have a lift or two in operation so you can soak in some mountain splendor and even hike or mountain bike back down the hill.
I’m a fair-weather football fan. I don’t like to sit in the blistering sun and watch a game, but I also hate cold weather and snow. So for me, October is usually the perfect time for a University of Utah football game. In case you live under a rock, the team just trounced the University of Oregon, so it’s looking pretty good right now. If you’re a BYU, Utah State, Dixie State or other college fan, you can catch one of those games too, I suppose.
Tuacahn is another amazing venue for outdoor entertainment. But of course, it’s hot in the summer. Catch one of 2015’s shows: Beauty and the Beast, When You Wish, or Sister Act, before they’re gone. All three run through the middle of October.
Antelope Island is a great place to see wildlife and some beautiful scenery year-round, but it’s a really exciting place to visit during the annual Bison Roundup. This year’s Roundup takes place on October 23rd and 24th.
I love the Shakespeare Festival, but the heat in Cedar City can sometimes be miserable in the summer. The fall season at the Festival is perfect! This year’s fall offerings include Charley’s Aunt, Dracula, and The Two Gentlemen of Verona. All three plays run through October 31st.
Fall offers some of the best fishing in Utah. During the summer, hot temperatures keep fish in the deepest regions of the lake. When the temperature starts to fall during October, the fish move into more shallow waters. They also start trying to gorge themselves to put on a nice, thick layer of fat for the winter.
Fall is when our local parks are really enjoyable. They’re quiet during the weekday, when kids are in school, and they’re full of activity in the late afternoon, when kids play football or soccer. Fall is the perfect time for a picnic in the park.
Temple Square during December is a madhouse. Oh, it’s worth it to see the pretty lights. But it’s also really crowded and crazy. If you want to avoid throngs of people, wait until after General Conference (October 3rd and 4th). Then, make the trip to downtown Salt Lake City for a jaunt around Temple Square, a visit to Main Street Plaza and dinner at The Roof.
Unless you live in Utah’s Golf Mecca (St. George), you’ve got to get those last few games in before it snows. Mild temperatures make for an enjoyable game, and the crowds at the course have started to thin.
Now’s the time to gather up the last of the harvest! You’ll still find plenty of produce at Utah’s various farmer’s markets. Buy a bunch to freeze, dry, can or otherwise preserve for the winter. Support Utah’s local farmers!
The Utah Symphony spends much of the summer at outdoor venues; its 2015-2015 season at Abravanel Hall started in September and goes through May. While it’s amazing to hear the symphony at Deer Valley or Red Butte, it feels a bit like coming home to hear them in Abravanel.
The most popular are probably the Alpine Loop and the Mirror Lake Scenic Byway, but there are dozens of awesome drives all over the state. Many, like the two I’ve already mentioned, are bursting with gorgeous fall foliage right now.
Where do you like to go in Utah during the fall? Tell us in the comments!
