Bryant Heath is a columnist for Salt Lake City Weekly and he’s run every street in SLC, Millcreek, South Salt Lake, and Holladay. He shared cheap summer thrills earlier in the summer and now he has even more places to get your kids out of the house this summer.
💦 Knudsen Park
“The main attraction of this park, tucked away behind the Cotton Bottom Inn, is its water feature. It’s filled with water pumps, makeshift dams, and multiple pathways that my kids can splash around in for hours. Additionally, Big Cottonwood Creek is nearby with a looped sidewalk for kids to ride bikes on.”
🌳 Three Creeks Confluence
“Three Creeks Confluence is very nature-centric with shoreline paths and bridges galore. You can then link up with the Jordan River Trail and head north, hitting up the playground at Modesto Park before winding up at the backside of the International Peace Gardens and Jordan Park.”
🐦 Miller Bird Refuge and Nature Park
“If hiking the Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a little intimidating with a set of youngins, try out the path along the banks of Red Butte Creek at the Miller Bird Refuge in Yalecrest first. This approximately half-mile, roundtrip gravel path ends at Bonneville Glen where you can have a nice little picnic to help gear up for the ‘hike’ back.”
🧪 Craft Lake City’s DIY Fest
“What kids don’t like arts and crafts? At Craft Lake City’s annual DIY Festival held at the Utah Fairgrounds, Aug. 11-13, there’ll be plenty of making and creating to go around. Besides the designated outdoor area, the Fairgrounds have several air-conditioned indoor buildings to keep cool — including a STEM center with science-y activities for kids.”
🎨 Utah Urban Arts Festival
“For a unique festival, check out the Urban Arts Fest, Sept. 2-3, at The Gateway Mall. There you can see live mural painting, lowrider competitions, and a range of musical performances. This is all in addition to the myriad of kid-friendly offerings — splash pad, movie theater, planetarium, and children’s museum — that The Gateway normally has.”
Listen to our summer entertainment guide for even more cheap thrills for kids 👇
