Hidden Attractions in Salt Lake City That Most Tourists Walk Right Past

Most visitors to Salt Lake City spend their time circling Temple Square, snapping photos of the Salt Lake Temple, and then heading straight to the ski resorts without ever realizing what they are missing. The real pulse of this city lives in its quieter corners, the places where locals actually spend their weekends and where the history of Salt Lake City reveals itself in unexpected ways. After years of wandering these streets, I have compiled a collection of hidden attractions in Salt Lake City that most tourists walk right past, and I promise each one is worth the detour.

The Forgotten Art Deco Lobby of the Kearns Building

126 South Main Street, Downtown

You have probably walked past the Kearns Building a dozen times without ever stepping inside. Built in 1911 as one of the first high-rise office towers in Utah, this structure sits directly across from the Gallivan Center and yet almost nobody enters its ground-floor lobby. The interior features original marble walls, brass elevator doors, and a ceiling that still carries the geometric patterns of early 20th-century Art Deco design. It is one of the most intact period lobbies in the entire downtown core, and it is completely free to walk through.

The Vibe? A time capsule that feels like stepping into a 1920s bank vault, except people in suits are checking their phones.

The Bill? Free to enter the lobby. No purchase necessary.

The Standout? The original brass elevator surrounds and the terrazzo floor near the Main Street entrance.

The Catch? Security guards may ask what you are doing if you linger too long with a camera, so keep your visit under ten minutes and act like you belong.

The Kearns Building connects to the broader story of how Salt Lake City transformed from a religious settlement into a commercial hub. Thomas Kearns was a silver mining magnate and U.S. Senator who helped drag Utah into the modern American economy. His building was a statement that Salt Lake City could compete architecturally with any city in the West. Today it still functions as active office space, which is exactly why the lobby remains so pristine. Go on a weekday morning around 9:00 AM when the foot traffic is heaviest and you will blend right in.

The Secret Garden Behind the Cathedral of the Madeleine

331 East South Temple, East Bench / Capitol Hill

The Cathedral of the Madeleine is not exactly unknown, but almost every visitor who enters through the front doors on South Temple walks straight to the nave and then leaves. What they miss is the small enclosed garden accessible through a side door on the east side of the building. This space contains a grotto modeled after the one in Lourdes, France, with a stone altar, a small waterfall feature, and seasonal plantings that change throughout the year. It is one of the most peaceful spots in the entire city, and on a warm afternoon you might find only two or three other people there.

The Vibe? A cloistered European courtyard dropped into the middle of Utah.

The Bill? Free. The cathedral welcomes visitors during daylight hours.

The Standout? The Lourdes grotto and the hand-painted tiles imported from France in 1909.

The Catch? The side door is sometimes locked between noon and 1:00 PM when the cathedral staff takes lunch, so plan around that window.

This garden reflects the deep Catholic history that runs parallel to the more dominant LDS narrative in Salt Lake City. Bishop Lawrence Scanlan commissioned the cathedral in 1903 to serve a growing Catholic population that included Italian, Irish, and Greek immigrants who worked the railroads and mines. The garden was added later as a devotional space, and it remains one of the few places in the city where you can sit in total silence within a few blocks of the Capitol building. Visit on a weekday afternoon when the cathedral is open but the tourist groups have cleared out.

The Street Art Alley Off 300 South

300 South between 200 West and 300 West, Downtown

There is a narrow alley running parallel to 300 South that most people use only as a shortcut between parking lots. But if you walk its full length from 200 West to 300 West, you will find one of the densest concentrations of murals and street art in Salt Lake City. The works change frequently because local artists use the walls as rotating canvases, but you can usually find pieces by known Utah artists like David Habben and Brittany Colvin alongside anonymous tags and experimental wheat-paste installations. This is one of the secret places Salt Lake City keeps tucked behind its more polished downtown facade.

The Vibe? A living gallery where the art changes every few months and nobody charges you a dime.

The Bill? Free.

The Standout? The large-scale portrait murals on the north-facing wall near 250 West.

The Catch? The alley has no lighting after dark, so visit during daylight hours. Also, the ground can be uneven and wet after rain.

The alley sits in what used to be the warehouse district of Salt Lake City, an area that handled freight coming off the Union Pacific and Denver and Rio Grande Western rail lines. As the freight operations moved out in the 1970s and 1980s, the buildings became cheap studio space for artists, and the alley became their public gallery. The city has never formally sanctioned the art, which is part of why it feels so raw and alive. Go on a Saturday morning when the nearby farmers market on 300 South draws foot traffic, then slip into the alley afterward.

The Underground Passage at Trolley Square

602 East 500 South, Trolley Square Neighborhood

Trolley Square is a well-known shopping center housed in a converted 1908 trolley barn, but most shoppers have no idea there is a basement-level passage that connects the main building to the old maintenance wing. This corridor was originally used to move trolley cars between repair bays, and today it houses a handful of small shops and a few historical photographs of the trolley system that once crisscrossed Salt Lake City. The passage is dimly lit and slightly eerie, and it gives you a sense of the industrial infrastructure that once defined this part of town.

The Vibe? A subterranean hallway that smells faintly of old concrete and feels like a backstage area.

The Bill? Free to walk through. Shops inside are individually priced.

The Standout? The original rail tracks still embedded in the floor near the east entrance.

The Catch? The passage can be confusing to navigate because signage is minimal, and some sections are closed off during private events.

The trolley system was the backbone of Salt Lake City's public transit from the 1890s through the 1940s, and this barn was its central hub. When buses replaced trolleys, the barn sat empty for years before a developer converted it into a shopping center in 1972. The basement passage survived the renovation almost by accident, and it remains one of the few physical reminders of the city's pre-automobile transit network. Visit on a weekday afternoon when the shops are open but the crowds are thin.

The Overlook at Ensign Peak

1002 North Ensign Peak Drive, Capitol Hill

Ensign Peak is technically a known landmark, but the vast majority of visitors drive to the small parking lot, take one photo from the viewpoint, and leave within five minutes. What they miss is the short but steep trail that continues past the main overlook to a secondary viewpoint on the north side of the peak. From this secondary spot, you get a completely different panorama of the Salt Lake Valley, including a direct line of sight to Antelope Island and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. On a clear day, the view stretches for what feels like a hundred miles.

The Vibe? A wind-swept hilltop where you can hear nothing but the breeze and your own breathing.

The Bill? Free. No parking fee.

The Standout? The north-facing view of Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake.

The Catch? The trail to the secondary viewpoint is unpaved and can be slippery after rain or snow. Wear shoes with grip.

This peak is where Brigham Young and the first group of Mormon pioneers reportedly raised a flag in July 1847 to survey the valley they intended to settle. The main overlook has a plaque commemorating that moment, but the secondary viewpoint has no marker at all, which is exactly why it feels so private. The history of Salt Lake City literally begins on this hill, and standing on the north side gives you the same vantage point the pioneers had when they decided this was the place. Go at sunset when the light turns the lake pink and the valley floor glows amber.

The Vintage Vinyl Collection at The Heavy Metal Arts and Crafts

210 East 400 South, Downtown

This tiny shop on 400 South is easy to miss because its storefront is narrow and partially obscured by a bus stop shelter. Inside, you will find one of the most carefully curated collections of vintage vinyl records, concert posters, and music memorabilia in the Intermountain West. The owner has been collecting for over thirty years, and the inventory includes rare pressings of local Utah bands alongside classic rock, jazz, and blues records that you will not find at larger chain stores. It is one of the most underrated spots Salt Lake City has for anyone who cares about music history.

The Vibe? A record collector's basement, except it is a legitimate retail shop with fair prices.

The Bill? Records range from $3 for common pressings to $200 or more for rare finds.

The Standout? The section of Utah-only releases, including early pressings from bands like The New Mastersounds and local punk acts from the 1980s.

The Catch? The shop keeps irregular hours and is sometimes closed on Mondays without warning, so call ahead.

Salt Lake City has a deeper music history than most people realize, stretching from the Mormon Tabernacle Choir to the punk and hardcore scenes that emerged in the 1980s and 1990s. This shop preserves that history in physical form, and the owner can tell you stories about every section of the inventory. The store sits in a building that once housed a printing press, which feels appropriate for a place dedicated to the art of the physical medium. Visit on a Thursday or Friday afternoon when the owner is most likely to be in and willing to chat.

The Hidden Courtyard at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts

410 Campus Center Drive, University of Utah Campus

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts is not exactly a secret, but its outdoor courtyard is almost always empty. Tucked between the main gallery building and the sculpture garden, this small landscaped space features a reflecting pool, several modernist sculptures, and a set of stone benches that face a wall of native plantings. It was designed as a contemplative space for museum visitors, but because it is not visible from the main entrance, most people never find it. It is one of the off beaten path Salt Lake City spots that even many locals do not know about.

The Vibe? A minimalist garden that feels like it belongs at a much larger institution.

The Bill? Museum admission is $12.95 for adults, but the courtyard is included with your ticket.

The Standout? The reflecting pool and the sculpture by Utah artist Dennis Smith.

The Catch? The courtyard is not heated, so it can be uncomfortably cold from November through March.

The museum itself was founded in 1951 and has grown into one of the most important art institutions in the region, with a collection that spans 5,000 years of human creativity. The courtyard was added during a 2001 renovation and was intended to blur the line between the indoor galleries and the natural landscape of the foothills. It works beautifully in spring and fall when the plantings are in full bloom and the reflecting pool catches the light. Visit on a weekday morning when the museum is quiet and you might have the courtyard entirely to yourself.

The Forgotten Cemetery at the Salt Lake City Cemetery

200 North Street and 400 East, The Avenues

The Salt Lake City Cemetery is the largest city-operated cemetery in the United States, covering over 250 acres and containing more than 120,000 graves. Most visitors who enter head straight for the marked graves of famous figures like Brigham Young and Jedediah Grant. But the real treasure lies in the older sections in the northwest corner, where the headstones date to the 1850s and 1860s and the names belong to pioneers who arrived with the first companies. Many of these stones are weathered nearly smooth, and the inscriptions require close attention to read. It is one of the most hauntingly beautiful places in the city.

The Vibe? A quiet hillside where history is literally written in stone, if you can still read it.

The Bill? Free. Open daily from dawn to dusk.

The Standout? The pioneer section in the northwest corner, where graves from the 1850s and 1860s are marked by simple iron crosses and hand-carved sandstone.

The Catch? There is almost no shade in the older sections, so bring water in summer. The terrain is hilly and uneven, so wear comfortable shoes.

This cemetery is a direct record of the founding of Salt Lake City. The earliest graves belong to pioneers who died during the first brutal winters of settlement, and the progression of headstone styles from simple wooden markers to elaborate Victorian monuments tells the story of the city's growing wealth and permanence. The cemetery also contains sections for different religious and ethnic groups, including a Jewish section and a section for Catholic immigrants, reflecting the diversity that existed in Salt Lake City from its earliest days. Visit on a weekday morning in spring when the trees are blooming and the light is soft.

The Rooftop View at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building

15 East South Temple, Downtown

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building sits directly across from Temple Square and is one of the most prominent structures in downtown Salt Lake City. Most visitors know it as the site of the former Hotel Utah, but very few people take the elevator to the tenth floor, where a small observation deck and restaurant offer a panoramic view of the city. The deck is technically open to the public, and even if you do not eat at the restaurant, you can walk to the windows and look out over the valley. On a clear day, you can see from the Oquirrh Mountains to the Wasatch Front, and the view of the Salt Lake Temple from above is one of the best in the city.

The Vibe? A grand hotel lobby that happens to have a killer view, minus the hotel guests.

The Bill? Free to access the observation area. Restaurant prices range from $15 to $40 per entree.

The Standout? The tenth-floor view of the Salt Lake Temple and the Wasatch Mountains.

The Catch? The observation area is sometimes closed for private events, and the restaurant can be fully booked on weekends. Call ahead to confirm access.

The Hotel Utah opened in 1911 and quickly became the premier hotel in the Intermountain West, hosting presidents, movie stars, and business leaders. It was closed in 1987 and later converted into office and meeting space for the LDS Church, but the grand lobby and the tenth-floor spaces were preserved. The building represents a period when Salt Lake City was actively competing to be a destination for luxury travel, and the rooftop view is a reminder of how the city's geography has always been its greatest asset. Visit on a weekday evening around 6:00 PM when the light is golden and the restaurant is less crowded.

When to Go and What to Know

The best time to explore these hidden attractions in Salt Lake City is during the shoulder seasons of April through May and September through October, when the weather is mild and the summer and ski crowds have thinned out. Most of these spots are free or very low cost, so you can cover several in a single day without spending much. Downtown locations are easily walkable from one another, but you will need a car or rideshare to reach Ensign Peak and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. Always check opening hours before you go, because several of these places keep irregular schedules. Bring comfortable shoes, a water bottle, and a willingness to look past unassuming entrances.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days are needed to see the major tourist attractions in Salt Lake City without feeling rushed?

Three full days are enough to cover Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol, the Great Salt Lake, and the major museums at a comfortable pace. Adding a fourth or fifth day allows you to explore the off beaten path Salt Lake City locations like Ensign Peak, the Salt Lake City Cemetery, and the smaller galleries without rushing.

What are the best free or low-cost tourist places in Salt Lake City that are genuinely worth the visit?

The Salt Lake City Cemetery, Ensign Peak, the Kearns Building lobby, the Cathedral of the Madeleine garden, and the street art alley off 300 South are all completely free. The Utah Museum of Fine Arts charges $12.95 for adult admission, which is well below the national average for a museum of its size and collection quality.

What is the safest and most reliable way to get around Salt Lake City as a solo traveler?

The TRAX light rail system connects the airport, downtown, and the University of Utah campus, and it runs every fifteen minutes during peak hours. Rideshare services are widely available and affordable for reaching locations outside the rail corridor, such as Ensign Peak and the East Bench neighborhoods.

Is it possible to walk between the main sightseeing spots in Salt Lake City, or is local transport necessary?

The downtown core is compact enough to walk between Temple Square, the Capitol building, the Kearns Building, and the 400 South shops in under thirty minutes. However, reaching the Great Salt Lake at Antelope Island State Park or the foothill trails requires a vehicle, as these locations are 30 to 45 minutes from downtown by car.

Do the most popular attractions in Salt Lake City require advance ticket booking, especially during peak season?

The Salt Lake Temple is currently closed for renovation and does not require tickets. The Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Leonardo do not require advance booking for general admission, though special exhibitions may sell out on weekends. Antelope Island State Park charges a $15 day-use fee per vehicle, and parking can fill by mid-morning on summer Saturdays, so arriving before 9:00 AM is strongly recommended.