The Absolute Must Do List Before the Summer Ends in Utah

Author: Alyssa Craig

The long, hot, dry summer days we are so familiar with in Utah are here. But just as quickly as these first couple of months of warm weather have already passed, we will soon find ourselves admiring fall colors and counting down the days until the first snow. To ensure you take full advantage of the warmer weather and outdoor activities, include a few of these suggestions into your end of summer itinerary.

Festivals

One iconic activity of summertime is attending a festival. There are a wide variety of festivals throughout the state that provide opportunities for fun and culture. Make sure you check out one (or many!) before the summer closes out.

Utah Brazilian Festival (Sept 13): The world got to experience some of Brazil’s culture during the world cup and now you can do it here in Utah! Enjoy food, entertainment and more at the Gateway in Salt Lake City from 1:00-7:00 pm.

Rock ‘N Ribs Festival (Sept 27): Listen to great music while sampling some fantastic BBQ platters from many of Salt Lake’s favorite restaurants.

Utah Shakespearean Festival (now through Oct 18): Take a trip down to the southern part of the state to enjoy eight different plays, giving visitors a wide range of shows. Note: some theaters will only be running until August 30, so plan ahead if there is a show you are set on seeing.

Sporting Events

There is nothing like cheering on your team while enjoying the summer breeze and good company. Make sure you check out a Real Salt Lake or a Salt Lake Bees game before the summer ends.

Pickleville Playhouse - Garden City

Known for its original, musical comedies, Pickleville Playhouse offers an interactive experience like none other. Select to have dinner before the show or simply show up ready to laugh harder than you have all summer. Shows are appropriate for all ages, so make it a family night out!

Farmer’s Markets

A common favorite part of summer is the increased availability of fresh fruits and vegetables. Farmer’s markets are a great place to get your weekly supply of healthy foods, often accompanied with artisan bread, music, and crafts. There are markets available throughout the valley, such as the one downtown, at Gardner Village, at Murray Park, at Wheeler Farm, in Park City and at also at 9th West.

Great Outdoors

One of the great parts of living in this great state is the availability of outdoor activities year round. As you are planning your final summer activities, you may want to consider adding to the list one final camping trip or hiking some major peaks, such as Timpanogos or King’s Peak. There are also many opportunities for taking out the ATV throughout the state! Check out a great list of scenic ATV trails here.

Alpine Slide, Alpine Coaster and Zip Line

If you are up in the Park City area, you cannot leave without taking a ride down either the Alpine slide, the Alpine Coaster, or the zip line. Located at Park City Mountain Resort, the Alpine Slide is one of the longest slides in the world. The Alpine Coaster takes you down 4,000 feet of mountain, while the zip line goes as fast as 45 miles per hour! These activities are only open until mid October, so take advantage before the snow shuts them down.

Oktoberfest

Running every Saturday and Sunday from August 16 to October 12, Oktoberfest attracts over 60,000 visitors per year and is a great celebration of German culture. Enjoy good eats, drinks, and entertainment as you take a break from the valley heat and escape to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort.

We truly have such a great range of activities available to us in Utah. Time really does fly when you are having fun. It will be time to hit the slopes before you know it, so take advantage of these summer activities now!