5 day trips to take with your family this weekend

5 day trips to take with your family this weekend


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SALT LAKE CITY — The kids aren't quite out of school, but everyone is ready for a break. We get it.

If you want to go somewhere new, we've compiled a list of five places where you can take a day trip and be back home by dinner.

Spiral Jetty

Obviously, at KSL, we lovetheSpiral Jetty. Since 1970 it has been a feature on the Great Salt Lake's shoreline.

The drive is a bit long, but there's plenty to stop and look at along the way, like the Golden Spike National Historic Site and Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge.

The jetty, designed by artist Robert Smithson in 1970, is most visible when water levels are below 4,195 feet. Check water levels online before you make the drive out. Find directions here.

Bonneville Salt Flats

"Tree of Utah" at the Bonneville Salt Flats
"Tree of Utah" at the Bonneville Salt Flats

The mind-bending landscapes and tricks of the eye are reason enough to head out on I-80 to the Salt Flats, but add in racing and the "Tree of Utah" and you've got a day of fun activity.

The "Tree of Utah" was constructed by Swedish artist Karl Momen between 1982 and 1986. The 87-foot tree, Momen said, was created to "bring space, nature, myth and technology together." The modern piece incorporates rock and mineral found in Utah.

Find the tree on the north side of I-80 between the Knolls and Wendover exits.

Follow the Utah Salt Flats Racing Association to find out about racing events.

Cascade Springs

More than 7 million gallons of groundwater from the Wasatch Mountain Range flow into Cascade Springs. The spring water creates a beautiful series of terraces and pools, with a short trail surrounding the springs, including boardwalks and bridges.

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The springs can be accessed through the Alpine Loop Scenic Backway in American Fork Canyon, so you can spend the entire day in nature. Find detailed directions online here, and be sure to check road conditions before you go.

Silver Lake

If you need an easy hike for kids or seniors, Silver Lake at the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon is a good option. A quick walk will bring you to the lake, which is surrounded by boardwalks, picnic tables, benches and interpretive signage.

It's also a popular area to bird-watch, and local birders say the area is a good place to sight woodpeckers and other high-mountain species.

Because it is within Salt Lake City watershed, no pets are allowed in the canyon. Swimming is also prohibited.

Directions to the lake can be found here.

Bonneville Seabase

Check out tropical fish in this mini ocean in Tooele from underwater or above. Visitors can scuba dive, if they are certified, or snorkel in the Bonneville Seabase. The price can be a little steep for some people ($20 per person per day to get in the water, and $5 to hang out above ground), so be prepared.

The tropical fish habitat was created more than 20 years ago by a husband and wife scuba divers.

More information and directions can be found online at seabase.net.

Are you heading out this weekend? Let us know where in the comments.

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UtahLifestyle
Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

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