Nope, it can't be done. There's no way anyone can "see Utah" in only 7 days -- there's simply too much here that's really worth exploring. But if 1 week it is, then try this fun, varied vacation that will give you a good taste of what Utah is all about. This trip starts and ends in Salt Lake City, taking in historic sites, Mormon culture, and some beautiful red-rock scenery.
Days 1 & 2: Salt Lake City
Among Salt Lake City's must-see attractions is Temple Square, the world headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). In addition to the majestic church buildings, including the not-to-be-missed Tabernacle, the square houses lovely gardens and statuary, and visitor centers with exhibits on the church's history and beliefs. If possible, attend a performance of the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Then, before leaving the city, drop in at the Beehive House, built in 1854 as church leader Brigham Young's family home, and the Church History Museum.
Day 3: Park City
Drive to the Old West mining town of Park City, where in winter you can test your skills at one of three fine ski resorts. In summer, stop at the Utah Olympic Park, built for the 2002 Olympics. It's open year-round for tours and other activities. Next, go downtown to the Park City Museum -- home to the old territorial jail in its basement (it's worth a look) -- and pick up a copy of the Park City Main Street Historic Walking Tour brochure, which leads you to 45 buildings and historic sites that have managed to survive fires, hard times, and so-called progress through the decades.
Day 4: Price
Price has a different sort of history. The town began as a railroad and coal-mining center but is now best known for its dinosaurs. Stop at the CEU Prehistoric Museum, operated by the College of Eastern Utah, to see huge skeletons of an allosaurus, a Utah raptor, and an intriguing duck-billed dinosaur known as the prosaurolophus. If time permits, drive about 35 miles out of town to the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry to see excavations and the bones of more than 70 dinosaurs.
Days 5 & 6: Arches National Park & Moab
One of Utah's easiest-to-see national parks, Arches is prized for its mind-boggling sandstone rock formations, colored in shades of red, orange, and brown. Explore its scenic drive and several trails, and you'll delight in the otherworldly desertscape of natural stone arches, towers, and other fanciful sandstone formations. Make the adjacent town of Moab your headquarters, and take a break and cool off at the nearby Scott M. Matheson Wetlands Preserve, a lush oasis along the river that attracts more than 200 species of birds, plus river otters, beavers, and muskrats.
Day 7: Back to Salt Lake City
It's a long drive back to Salt Lake City, but, if time permits, plan a stop in Provo to explore some of its fine museums, especially the excellent Museum of Art on the campus of Brigham Young University, or the equally renowned Springville Museum of Art in nearby Springville.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
