When the leaves start to flutter from the branches and the temperatures start to drop, there’s no better place to be than Salt Lake City, Utah. From Scrub Oak and Serviceberries to Douglas Hawthorn and endless lines of evergreens, trees spread throughout the state start to turn deep shades of red in early to mid-September. The leaves glow in vivid orange and blanket the ground in bright yellow. You can even see deep purple hues, and some trees put on a show with three or four colors all at once. With trees going through the seasonal transition at varying elevations, Utah enjoys an extended fall foliage season that most states can’t match. SLC has numerous family friendly activities to enjoy.
Whether you’re driving down a tree-lined street in a residential area or you escape into the mountains for a hike, the fall scenery in Utah is stunningly beautiful until sometime in mid to late October. As teenagers start to slip into haunted mazes and spooky houses, local families come together to explore the crisp air and fall foliage in their own way. When you’re ready to do something fun with the little ones, there are four family-friend activities guaranteed to make your fall memorable.
Ice Skating
Lace up your ice skates and go for an evening of fun at the Gallivan Center on South Main Street. The outdoor ice rink opens for the fall season on November 13 and operates during select hours seven days a week. The concession stand is loaded with churros, hot dogs and jumbo pretzels as well as all the coffee and hot chocolate that you need to stay warm. Parking is available in the Wells Fargo, AMPCO and Walker Center lots.
Halloween Costumes
Dress up in your Halloween costumes and head to This is the Place Heritage Park on East Sunnyside Avenue any day between October 15 and 22. The Little Haunts event takes place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and offers a safe opportunity for trick or treating during daylight hours. Besides collecting candy, your children can enjoy an entertaining reading from the Story Witch and complete a variety of take-home crafts. You may even want to treat them to a train ride, but the pony rides are exciting as well.
Cross E Ranch
Find the Cross E Ranch at 3500 North 2200 West between September 26 and October 29 to enjoy the Fall Festival. Have some fun getting lost in the 14-acre corn maze, let the little ones roam free in the large corn pit, and catch the outdoor movie on the side of a red barn. From the hay pyramid to a petting zoo and two train rides, there’s something fun for every member of the family at this farmland festival. You can save money on tickets by purchasing them in advance through the Cross E Ranch website.
Halloween Events
Spend October 31 at the not-so-scary Halloween event happening between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. at the Wheeler Historic Farm, which is located at 6351 South 900 East. Entrance fees are affordable and include unlimited access to a hay maze, one wagon ride, and the selection of a pumpkin from the onsite patch. This is part of the Pumpkin Days event, which is ongoing from September 30 to October 31. You may also want to design your own family scarecrow and take part in the Festival Of Scarecrows during the same period of time.
When you aren’t skating on the ice under twinkling lights, racing through a corn maze, or enjoying the crisp Utah air on your cheeks as you whisk away on a train, take the time to drive the Alpine Scenic Loop or to explore Little Cottonwood Canyon. These are two of the best places to see colorful fall foliage in Utah, and they’re just a short drive from Salt Lake City. When you get back in town, there are pumpkin patches and friendly scarecrows waiting for your attention. This is the perfect time to bond with your family outdoors before the snow hits town and sends everyone racing for the mountains with skis in hand.