35 Fun Salt Lake City Date Ideas for Every Couple

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Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and has many fantastic attractions to check out. Notably, you can find many fun things to do on a date in SLC, whether you're going on a first date or want to do something with your long-time partner.

Salt Lake City date ideas range from going to museums to catching a Utah Jazz game or enjoying drinks at The Tea Grotto or Sugar House Coffee. To discover all the fun date activities in Salt Lake City, read on for 35 suggestions!

• 35 Salt Lake City date ideas

35 Fun Date Ideas in Salt Lake City, Utah

Fun Dates in Salt Lake City, Utah

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Learn new things at the Natural History Museum of Utah

The Natural History Museum of Utah is one of the most interesting places to take your date in Salt Lake City. At the museum, you can learn about various natural history topics, like those relating to paleontology and what Salt Lake City and the state of Utah were like millions of years ago.

Wander around Red Butte Garden

The Red Butte Garden is a scenic place to spend time with your date. The attraction comprises a botanical garden, an amphitheater, and an arboretum.

As you look around, you'll get to explore pretty themed gardens like a rose garden and a floral walk with archways made from plants. Various events are also held at Red Butte Garden, like a fall and Halloween festival and a glass art show.

Watch a show at the Capitol Theatre

One of the best Salt Lake City date night ideas is watching a show at the Capitol Theatre. Opened in 1913, the theater hosts a variety of performances. Things to watch include Broadway shows, ballets, and concerts, including jazz and classical music concerts.

Dare to go on an Old Town ghost tour

If you're looking for unique and fun date night ideas in Salt Lake City, consider joining an Old Town ghost tour. On the haunted tour, you'll visit many spooky sites and will hear tales of paranormal activity. Sites to visit include one of the largest municipal cemeteries in the United States, the Rio Grande Train Depot, and Old Washington Square.

Tackle an escape game at Mystery Escape Room

Tackling an escape game at Mystery Escape Room in Downtown Salt Lake City is a fun thing to do together! The escape room is open all day, making it a great place to go, no matter when your date is planned.

At the venue, you can choose from different escape rooms of varying difficulties. Themes include "Haunted Temple" and "Nancy Drew," and you'll have an hour to solve puzzles and use clues to escape.

Purchase local produce at a Salt Lake City Farmers Market

Salt Lake City has numerous farmers markets selling produce, other food goods, arts and crafts items, and more. The Downtown Salt Lake City Farmers Market is a popular one to visit, and you can check it out with your date on Saturdays at Pioneer Park.

This market has produce, food, and flower vendors, as well as an arts and crafts market where you can get unique handmade products. Other markets include the Liberty Park Market and the Sunnyvale Farmers Market.

Challenge your date to a game of bowling at Bonwood Bowl

Going to Bonwood Bowl is one of many relaxed date ideas in SLC. At the bowling alley, you can play multiple games for an affordable price. After your games, you can get snacks, including pizza, burgers, and mac and cheese. Beer and other alcoholic drinks can also be enjoyed in the Bonwood Trophy Room Lounge.

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Bike around the city on a sightseeing tour

If you and your date are new to Salt Lake City, just visiting, or want to get to know your city better, going on a bike sightseeing tour is a fun thing to do together. A local guide will accompany you to offer facts on all the landmarks and attractions you see. Places you'll visit include the Salt Lake City Public Library, Temple Square, and Gilgal Gardens.

Stroll through the Gilgal Sculpture Garden

The Gilgal Sculpture Garden is a Utah hidden gem located in Salt Lake City. During a visit, you and your date will get to discover a range of unique sculptures. There are also over 70 stones that are engraved with poetry and messages. This attraction is a unique place to go for a romantic walk and to snap some couples photos.

Sip tea at The Tea Grotto

The Tea Grotto is another cozy place to hang out with your partner. This charming cafe serves a variety of loose-leaf teas, including fruit, green, and pretty flowering teas. With your tea, you can enjoy treats like banana bread, vegan scones, or earl grey sugar cookies.

Get coffee at Sugar House Coffee

Relaxing with a coffee at Sugar House Coffee is one of many cute date ideas in Salt Lake City, Utah. The cozy coffee shop is the ideal place to relax and chat.

At the cafe, you can order various coffee drinks or lemonades, like matcha lemonade. Sometimes beer and hard seltzers are available too. Food items are also on the menu, including many vegan and vegetarian options.

Hang out at City Creek Park

City Creek Park is a great place to go with your partner to enjoy the outdoors. This attraction was developed to mark the 150th anniversary of pioneers settling in the area. While at the park, you and your date can wander along scenic paths next to the park's duck pond and lawns.

Catch a Utah Jazz game

Seeing a Utah Jazz game is one of the best date ideas in Salt Lake City, Utah, for couples that like sports. The NBA team plays at Vivint Arena downtown. You can catch a game between October and April in the regular season, with most games played in the evening. Even if you don't watch much basketball, going to a game is a fun and memorable activity.

Share a picnic at Sugar House Park

Sugar House Park is one of the most beautiful parks in Salt Lake City and is a romantic spot to visit with your other half. You can walk together around the pretty lake, admiring the mountainous surroundings. It's also the ideal place to share a picnic. There are picnic areas, or you can hang out on the grass, enjoying your meal and the scenery.

Marvel at artworks at the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art

Founded in 1931 and formerly called the Salt Lake Art Center, the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art is an ideal date location for art enthusiasts. The museum houses six gallery spaces and features permanent and temporary collections. Works cover multiple mediums and range from those by local and national artists to pieces by international creators.

Enjoy the attractions at Liberty Park

Another great park in SLC to visit with your partner is Liberty Park. This park is the second largest in Salt Lake City and features pretty tree-lined trails to follow that will take you past two scenic ponds. If you and your date like to play sports, there are also some sports facilities like basketball and volleyball courts.

Indulge at Brownies! Brownies! Brownies!

Also called Browniesx3, Brownies! Brownies! Brownies! is the perfect place to indulge in sweet treats with your date. The bakery sells numerous flavors of brownies, from cookie dough-topped brownies to churro blondies and brookies (a brownie and cookie combo.) Of course, you can also get a traditional chocolate brownie, and special limited edition flavors are often on the menu.

Gaze at the stars at South Physics Observatory

Going to the South Physics Observatory at the University of Utah is a memorable and romantic date idea. The observatory is generally open between 7 PM and 11 PM and allows you to look up at the stars and galaxies. There are also astronomers on site that can tell you more about the planets, star clusters, and other astronomical sights you see.

Dine at Pago

If planning a dinner date, Pago is one of the best eateries to visit in Salt Lake City. The fine dining restaurant focuses on dishes that use fresh and local ingredients.

Dishes include strawberry and beet salad, corn and mushroom lasagne, and braised short ribs with seasonal vegetables. There are two Pago locations, Pago on Main downtown and Pago Ninth & Ninth, close to Liberty Park.

Admire tropical birds at the Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens

Located in Liberty Park, the Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens is home to many beautiful tropical birds. Creatures for you and your other half to see include flamingos, parrots, and pelicans, among many others. After seeing all the birds, you can wander through the gardens with pretty colorful flowers.

Explore Millcreek Canyon

Millcreek Canyon is only 15 minutes from downtown, making it a convenient place to go for an outdoor date. At the park, you can hike trails, admiring the views of forests and mountains.

As you explore the canyon, you'll also find picnic tables to stop at for lunch. In addition, if you and your partner have a dog, they're welcome to join you and are allowed off-leash on certain days. For couples that are outdoor activity enthusiasts, you can enjoy backcountry camping at Millcreek Canyon too.

Create a masterpiece at The Paint Mixer

Spending an evening painting at The Paint Mixer is a unique and laid-back date idea. The venue hosts classes throughout the month where you can learn to paint your own artwork.

Many of the classes have refreshments on offer, including alcoholic drinks, and there are 21 and over courses for adults. Best of all, you and your date will get to go home with a one-of-a-kind piece of art!

See historic buildings at Temple Square

Couples who like visiting historic areas must visit Temple Square in Salt Lake City. This Utah landmark comprises temples, many of which were built in the 1800s, and is also the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Visitors to the area can wander around the square admiring the Gothic and Romanesque buildings, including the iconic Salt Lake Temple. Note that only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints can enter the temples.

Catch a movie at Brewvies Cinema Pub

One of the SLC date ideas that will interest most couples is watching a movie and getting a drink at Brewvies Cinema Pub. The cinema shows new releases as well as indie films and classic movies. As you enjoy the movie, you can order snacks like burgers, mozzarella sticks, and nachos. Alcoholic drinks, including craft beer, can also be ordered.

Relax at the Grand Spa

Relaxing at a spa is definitely one of the most romantic things to do in Salt Lake City for couples. An excellent spa to spend some time at is the Grand Spa located within the Grand America Hotel downtown.

You can book various massages and facials, and there are couples treatments on the spa menu. Manicures, pedicures, and body wraps are also available. After a few hours at the Grand Spa, you and your partner are sure to feel relaxed and rejuvenated.

Things to Do Near Salt Lake City on a Date

Spend the day at Great Salt Lake

Visiting the famous Great Salt Lake is a Utah bucket list activity and is a fun thing to do with your partner. A convenient way to see this landmark is by booking a Great Salt Lake tour from Salt Lake City.

You'll be taken to the lake, where you can get in the water and experience the saltiest lake in the Western Hemisphere. On this tour, you can also visit Antelope Island and hike to Buffalo Point.

See a movie at the Redwood Drive-In Theatre

Going to a movie theater is a classic date idea, but instead of going to an indoor cinema, why not enjoy a movie outdoors? At the Redwood Drive-In Theatre, you can do just that!

The theater is located about 15 minutes from central Salt Lake City in West Valley City and shows most new releases. You can also get movie theater snacks like popcorn and candy to enjoy in your car while watching.

Experience a sunset wildlife tour

Going on a sunset wildlife tour is a memorable and romantic experience. On the sunset tour, you'll explore Antelope Island, which has a desert landscape and is home to many creatures.

Just a few of the animals you may see include bobcats, porcupines, bison, and bighorn sheep. After hiking, you and your partner can relax and watch the stunning sunset.

Enjoy comfort food at Ruth's Diner

Dinner dates don't have to be overly fancy, and one of the best places to take your partner for a cozy dinner is Ruth's Diner. This much-loved spot opened in 1930 and serves American diner classics like club sandwiches, baked mac and cheese, and hamburgers. For dessert, you and your partner can enjoy sweets like a hot fudge brownie, banana bread pudding, or peach and blueberry cobbler.

Spend the day hiking around Lake Catherine

Lake Catherine is another excellent hiking location. The lake sits within mountainous forests and has many trails around it. You can reach the area in about 50 minutes when driving from Salt Lake City.

To reach the lake, you'll have to follow an out-and-back trail, the Brighton Lakes Trail, that takes about two and a half hours to complete. You can then admire the lake with your date before hiking back. Other trails in the area include the Cecret Lake Trail and the Catherine Pass Trailhead.

Cheer for Real Salt Lake

Real Salt Lake is another professional sports team to watch in Salt Lake City. You can watch the Major League Soccer team at Rio Tinto Stadium on the outskirts of SLC, about 30 minutes from downtown. Games are played between March and October in the regular season, with both afternoon and evening games on the schedule.

Hike at Big Cottonwood Canyon

There are many fun date ideas in Salt Lake City, Utah that allow you to enjoy the outdoors. One of the best options for couples that like to hike is going to Big Cottonwood Canyon. Located 35 minutes from central SLC, the attraction has multiple trails for hiking and biking.

As you explore, you can take in the stunning scenery, which includes canyon and mountain views. Big Cottonwood Canyon is also a great place to go for a scenic drive.

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Plan a trip to Provo

Provo is another city in Utah that's worth checking out. As it's located an hour from Salt Lake City, it's an ideal destination for a day trip. Fun things to do in Provo range from visiting the BYU Museum of Art to singing at Heart and Seoul Karaoke or hiking the Y Mountain Trail.

Other fun activities include making candles at The Wick Lab and shopping at the Shops at Riverwoods. No matter what you enjoy doing, you'll find attractions that interest you in and around Provo!

Feel like kids again at Classic Fun Center

For a quirky and laid-back date, take your partner to Classic Fun Center! The amusement attraction has a retro-style indoor roller rink, an arcade, laser tag, and more.

The venue is open all day until late, including until midnight on weekends. If you visit in the evenings, it's more likely to be quiet, allowing you and your date to enjoy the amusements without kids.

Ski or snowboard at Park City Mountain

If you and your other half like snow sports, check out Park City Mountain during ski season. You can ski or snowboard along a few trails on the mountain, and lessons are available if you're new to snow sports or want to improve your skills.

Park City Mountain also has a resort to stay at if you want to spend a few days at the mountain. You can find charming lodges, dining and shopping options, and spas in the ski village.

In Conclusion

If you're planning a date in Salt Lake City, this list should have given you lots of ideas of fun and unique things to do with your other half. No matter what you like to do together, you'll find no shortage of things to do on a date in Salt Lake City!

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