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History & Heritage
The history of the land now known as Utah is millions of years old and is a major source of the world’s knowledge of dinosaurs and other ancient plants and animals through its many discovery sites.
The Ancestral Puebloan and Fremont cultures lived in this area about a thousand years ago and Utah’s lands are rich with evidence of their lives found in pictographs and petroglyphs panels — left behind on rock walls, as well as in the dwelling sites of their homes and villages. Native American nations continue to contribute to Utah's rich cultural heritage.
At the time of the American Revolution, Europeans started exploring the area. Spanish priests Atanasio Dominguez and Silvestre Escalante traveled through in 1776. Trappers, mountain men and traders followed close behind. Then, in 1847, Mormon pioneers (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) arrived in the Salt Lake Valley and established settlements throughout the Intermountain West.
Twenty-two years later, the first transcontinental railroad was completed in Utah at Golden Spike National Historical Park, and immigration to the region grew tremendously. Industrial development like the Bingham Copper Pit and agricultural growth with crops such as sugar beets brought many more people to Utah and statehood by 1896.
All of these early cultures wove, and many continue to weave, the tapestry that is Utah.
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Dinosaurs & Paleontology
Explore Utah’s rich dinosaur history through its many museums and archeological dig sites dedicated to the prehistoric creatures.
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Filmed in Utah
Add a touch of film history to your Utah itinerary, or plan your trip around these iconic cinema locations. You'll soon discover why we say Utah. America's Film Set.®
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Ghost Towns in Utah
From the southern reaches of Grafton and up north to Thistle, these abandoned towns have left behind crumbling relics, memories and stories of another era.
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Mormon Heritage
In 1847, Brigham Young and the first party of Latter-day Saint (known as Mormon) emigrants reached the desolate Salt Lake Valley. Since that day, Mormon cultural and heritage has made Utah a unique place to visit, today, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints members comprise about 60 percent of the state's population.
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National Historic Trails
Four National Historic Trails pass through Utah, recognizing routes of travel that are of national historic significance.
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Native Nations
Learn about the Native Nations influenced and shaped Utah. Find information about ancient habitation sites, art panels and museums.
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Historical Sites in Utah
4 minute read
Explore Utah's fascinating past with our guide to historical sites and hidden gems. Uncover pioneer and indigenous stories at these Utah heritage hot spots.
History
"We simply need that wild country available to us... For it can be a means of reassuring ourselves of our sanity as creatures, a part of the geography of hope."
– Wallace Stegner, “Crossing to Safety”
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10 Places to Honor Women's History on Your Trip to Utah
Written By Lindy Blanchette
Notable places you can visit where women have shaped history
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11 Classy Ski Experiences That are Uniquely Utah
Written By Visit Utah
From sheer proximity and the biggest mountains to a ski-in distillery and a celebrity-built resort, these are the reasons to ski Utah now.
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11 More Utah Winter Experiences Outside the Ski Resorts
Written By Matador
6 minute read
No matter your level of adventure, you will find good reason to save some time for a day away from the resort.
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11 Utah Scenic Byways for Leaf Peeping
Written By Visit Utah
7 minute read
Explore 11 Scenic Drives in Utah for some serious leaf peeping. Utah is one of the best places to see fall foliage, visit great attractions, events and festivals.
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12 Family-Friendly Activities Near SLC
Written By Matcha
4 minute read
From roller coasters to ski slopes, discover 12 fun family activities in and around Salt Lake City.
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8 Elevated Ski Experiences That are Uniquely Utah
Written By Matador
3 minute read
If you dream of the possibility of hitting six resorts in one day or carving your own lines from snow-covered summits served by helicopters, then this listicle is made for you.
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8 Reasons Why Ski School Is Cool
Written By Paula Colman
4 minute read
Ski school is cool, and it’s where beginners to experts find the secrets to skiing (and Utah’s secret powder stashes). Learn to ski the entire resort.
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A Utah Ski Vacation (or Two) for Less
Written By Paula Colman
6 minute read
Shop for ski gear like a local. Get discounts on lift tickets. Learn everything you need to know for a cheap luxury ski trip.
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Best Spots to Get Olympic Spirit
Written By Visit Utah
Just because the Salt Lake 2002 Olympic Winter Games are in the past doesn’t mean that the Utah Olympic spirit is has been snuffed out. Athletes still train here, and ski schools in Utah resorts might be the start of a future Olympian’s career.
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Best Trails for Horseback Riding Within an Hour of Salt Lake City
Written By Matcha
Here's a list of the best trails for horseback riding within an hour of Salt Lake City, Utah. Note, these five trails are for those with access to horses and trailers.
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Discover the Breweries of the Wasatch Front
Written By Matcha
5 minute read
Over the past two decades, Salt Lake’s breweries have grown into a culture all their own. Here’s what you need to start planning a pub crawl with this collection of Salt Lake’s most popular breweries.
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Everything in its Right Place
Written By Austen Diamond
5 minute read
Bring your snowboard on your Brighton Ski Resort trip. Visit the six terrain parks – with new designs each week – to add some exhilaration to your ski vacation.
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Historical Sites in Utah
4 minute read
Explore Utah's fascinating past with our guide to historical sites and hidden gems. Uncover pioneer and indigenous stories at these Utah heritage hot spots.
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How to Support Local On Your Utah Road Trip
Written By Elainna Ciaramella
5 minute read
Many small businesses in Utah rely on tourism for survival. These expert tips help road trippers make a real difference in communities by supporting local.
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Journey Through Utah's History at This Is The Place Heritage Park
Written By Matcha
3 minute read
This Is The Place Heritage Park has a major place in Utah’s history — quite literally.
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Legacy and Craft
Written By Austen Diamond
4 minute read
Three of Glen Thompson’s custom leather horse saddles are fitting examples of craftsmanship and a Utah folk art tradition. See more at the Chase Home Museum.
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Movies Filmed in Utah: Plotting a Cinematic Drive-Through
Written By Andrea David
Follow a Germany-based film enthusiast on an extended road trip to discover the rich history of Utah cinematography.
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Music of the Cottonwoods
Written By Visit Utah
Discover the sound of two iconic Utah bands — Talia Keys and the Love and Pixie and the Partygrass Boys — whose music is inspired by their love of life and nature.
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Planning Your Big Snow Trip
Written By Paula Colman
Let’s plan a powder ski trip to Utah and even help you save some time and money while you’re there. Just answer these three questions: Who? When? How much?
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Salt Lake City’s Rainbow Colors Fly Year Round
Written By Matcha
5 minute read
Take a trip to Salt Lake City, an LGBTQIA+ friendly city, which over the past two decades has become a destination for those who enjoy both a hip urban atmosphere and easy access to the great outdoors.
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Seven Must-Ride Mountain Biking Trails in Utah
Written By Visit Utah
5 minute read
To help you plan a Utah mountain biking trip, we've assembled a list of seven of Utah’s best mountain biking trails followed by a roundup of Utah’s best fat-tire destinations.
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The Salt of Sound: Live Music in Salt Lake City
Written By Visit Utah
8 minute read
Check out the live music scene while visiting Utah. Salt Lake City’s numerous music venues offer something for every music lover. Watch Salt of Sound for a taste.
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Tooele? Tuilla? The Fascinating History of this Utah Town
Written By Matcha
5 minute read
While the town of Tooele has a fascinating story to its name, the best part about one of Utah’s original counties is its history.
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Utah Female Artists Explore the Sublime Through Art
Written By Ashley Mae Hoiland
10 minute read
See how Utah women artists are creatively interpreting a dramatic landscape into art.
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Utah’s Factory-to-Slope Culture
Utah’s gear scene benefits from being able to use its backyard as a testing ground, making the complete ski and snowboard cycle uniquely Utah
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01
5 Days
Attagirl! Women’s History & Highlights
This five-day itinerary pairs Utah women's history and time for reflection with active adventure, beautiful scenery and instagrammable locations.
Hiking, History and Heritage, Wellness, Community, Arts, Mountain Biking, Guided Experiences, Support local, Glamping, Women's Travel, Urban Experiences
Highlights
- Suffrage Walking Tour
- Thelma & Louise Filming Locations
- Capitol Reef Glamping
- Women's History in Utah
- Capitol Reef Red Rocks
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02
7 Days
History & Hoodoos
Just the national parks, ma'am. We get it. You're a bucket-lister with a checklist and a pen. We hope it has a lot of ink.
Hiking, History and Heritage, Stargazing, Camping & Backpacking
Highlights
- The Mighty 5® national parks
- All-American Road Scenic Byway 12
- Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument
- Dead Horse Point State Park
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03
4 Days
Golden Spike Empire
Participate in railroad history, bird migration and iconic earth art in the quiet stretches of Northern Utah's rural Box Elder County.
Kid-Friendly, History and Heritage, Community, Arts, Wildlife
Highlights
- Historic Union Station
- Golden Spike National Historic Site
- Spiral Jetty
- Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
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04
6 Days
Classic Westerns of the Silver Screen
From the alpine backwoods of Jeremiah Johnson to the sweeping vistas of Westworld and all the John Ford's in between, Utah is the place to travel for movie magic.
Film Tourism, History and Heritage, Photography, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Arts
Highlights
- Westworld to Thelma and Louise
- John Ford Classics
- Gunsmoke to the Outlaw Josey Wales
- Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
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05
6 Days
Native Spirit
Countless generations of Native Americans have called the landscapes of Utah home, from the hunter-gatherers of the prehistoric era to the more than 50 Native Nations currently in Utah.
Hiking, History and Heritage, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Arts, Native American
Highlights
- Nine Mile Canyon
- Indian Creek Corridor Scenic Byway
- Hovenweep National Monument
- Navajo Fry Bread
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06
7 Days
Trekking Along the Dinosaur Diamond Highway
Utah’s Dinosaur Diamond Highway is the perfect guide to experience ancient history, millions of years in the making.
Hiking, Dinosaurs, Kid-Friendly, Scenic Drives/Road Trips
Highlights
- Dinosaur National Monument
- Jurassic National Monument
- San Rafael Swell
- Dead Horse Point State Park
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07
5 Days
Grand Adventure in the Great Basin
In this five-day itinerary you won’t find many crowds. But take your time and you’ll find this desert geography isn’t so empty after all.
Hiking, Cycling, Adventure, Dinosaurs, Photography, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Solitude, Stargazing, Wildlife, Mountain Biking, ATV and off-road, Guided Experiences, Camping & Backpacking, Climbing & Canyoneering, Agritourism
Highlights
- Territorial Statehouse State Park Museum
- Pahvant Valley Heritage Trail
- Topaz Incarceration Camp and Museum
- Sinbad Road / Hermit Cabin
- Great Basin National Park
- Cove Fort