The Most Beautiful Gardens in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is Utah’s capital and the world centre of Mormonism. It’s also known for its skiing – but there’s an abundance of parks and gardens here that offer a gentler alternative to winter sports. Culture Trip’s local insiders can you get you in the know.

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Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Park

Gilgal Garden, designated as a visionary art environment, is filled with unusual symbolic statuary associated with Mormonism.

If you’re looking for a glimpse into one man’s eccentric collection of religious views and personal beliefs, then Gilgal Sculpture Garden certainly does the trick. This patch of land has approximately 12 sculptures – all made by Thomas Battersby Child Jr in the mid-20th century – and more than 70 stones engraved with scriptures, poems and literary texts. From disembodied heads to sphinxes and stone arches, his hope was to encourage the public to come and “ponder the unsolved mysteries of life.” Recommended by local insider David Smurthwaite

International Peace Gardens

Park

Founded in the 1950s, the International Peace Gardens were meant to encourage peace and understanding between nations in the decade following World War II. Each nation (there are 26 in total) was allotted a plot of land where native sculptures, plants and twee bridges were built. The park, on the banks of the Jordan River, is accessible all year round. Recommended by local insider David Smurthwaite

Red Butte Gardens

Park

It’s the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, more than 21 acres (8.5ha) in size and home to mile upon mile of hiking trails. This living museum is best known for its collections of daffodils, roses, lilies, conifers, penstemons and ornamental grasses, plus there’s a large medicinal garden featuring healing plants. Visitors can take part in horticulture classes, bird watching, summer camps, art exhibits and summer performances. Recommended by local insider David Smurthwaite

Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point

Botanical Garden

Just 25 miles south of Salt Lake City, Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point is home to 55 acres (22ha) of stately gardens, 35 statues and the largest man-made waterfall in the western hemisphere. It’s self-described as an oasis in the desert. Utah’s annual tulip festival takes place here every spring, and during the holidays, the gardens host a massive outdoor light display called Luminaria. Recommended by local insider Whitney Brown

Tracy Aviary

Botanical Garden

Based in Liberty Park, one of Salt Lake City’s biggest and most popular parks, Tracy is the oldest aviary in the US. It provides visitors with a close-up of birds all year round, including swans, pelicans, peacocks, Andean condors, Chilean flamingos and South American pelicans. Recommended by local insider Whitney Brown

Volcanic Iceland Epic Trip

meet our Local Insider

Hanna

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A GUIDE?

2 years.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE ABOUT YOUR JOB?

It's the personal contact, the personal experiences. I love meeting people from all over the world... I really like getting to know everyone and feeling like I'm traveling with a group of friends.

WHAT DESTINATION IS ON YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET-LIST?

I have so many places on my list, but I would really lobe to go to Africa. I consider myself an “adventure girl” and Africa feels like the ULTIMATE adventure!

Every CULTURE TRIP Small-group adventure is led by a Local Insider just like Hanna.

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KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.