Floating, Flying & Free-Falling in Utah’s Amusement Capital

• Salt Lake City
• Great Salt Lake
• Bridger Bay Beach
• Lady Finger Point
• Frary Peak

An hour’s drive north of Salt Lake City, Antelope Island floats like a mirage in the Great Salt Lake. This 42-square-mile state park feels mythic in scale with landscapes that appear part desert and part savannah. It’s a rare place where you can watch herds of free-range bison roam or find a nice picnic spot at one of the beaches. Bridger Bay Beach is a local favorite and yes, you really can float in the water–the salinity here is second only to the Dead Sea.

Stop at Lady Finger Point for panoramic views of the lake or drive along East Side Road and watch for pronghorn antelope, bison, coyotes and burrowing owls. The best time for birdwatching is spring or fall when tens of thousands of migrating shorebirds skim the surrounding wetlands. If you’re looking for more of a physical challenge, grab a bike and head down the east side of the island and back up the west. Or lace up your boots and hit the six-mile out-and-back trail to Frary Peak, the island’s highest point. You’ll be rewarded with sweeping views of the lake and distant mountains and, if you’re lucky, you might catch a glimpse of a lone bighorn sheep perched on the rocky ridge.

Entrance fee: There is a day-use entry fee per vehicle; Utah State Park annual passes are also accepted.

• Lagoon Park
• Cherry Hill Waterpark

Orlando may be the theme park capital of the world, but Davis County is home to a park that many hold even closer to the heart: Lagoon. (Read: At Lagoon, a Utah-grown Amusement Park where the Fun Never Ends)

Nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, Lagoon is a family-owned, old-school amusement park that’s been around since 1886. Generations of Utahns have felt the thrill of the park, each carrying their own nostalgic connection to a favorite ride.

In the past, the park hosted musicians and celebrities such as Buffalo Bill, Johnny Cash, Jimi Hendrix, The Rolling Stones and The Beach Boys, before shifting to become a more family-amusement destination. While the roller coasters have gotten taller, the vintage charm remains. Take a ride on what locals call the “White Roller Coaster,” a wooden coaster dating back to 1921, or head to a more modern thrill called “Cannibal,” the park’s signature coaster with a 208-foot vertical drop. Pioneer Village offers a quieter corner of the park that feels like stepping into an Old West film where you can wander through restored 19th century buildings.

If you’re visiting during summer, don’t miss Lagoon A Beach, a water park complete with slides, a lazy river and wave pool, all included with admission. There’s also “Kiddie Land,” a large area with plenty of rides and fun for kids as well as classic midway games and a large selection of restaurants, from quick snacks to sit-down meals. Fun fact: Guests are allowed to bring in outside food and drink, however, it cannot be brought into Lagoon's Biergarten & Restaurant or Lagoon A Beach, and alcohol cannot be left in a cooler unattended.

And if your family wants to tack on another day of splashing about, we’d be remiss not to mention Cherry Hill Water Park, located just three miles north of Lagoon in Kaysville, Utah. Cherry Hill includes a water park, playground, jungle maze, climbing rock, miniature golf and more. The resort also offers tent and RV camping.

Where to Stay: Layton

• Hill Aerospace Museum
• Hill Air Force Base

Before making your way to Hill Aerospace Museum, grab breakfast at Sills Café in Layton. Sill’s is an iconic diner known for its huge breakfast platters and legendary Utah scones accompanied by a large scoop of honey butter. Arrive hungry, take a seat at the counter and enjoy a hearty, no-frills meal. Note there can be a longer wait on weekends.

Next, drive 13 minutes north, past Hill Air Force Base — a major U.S. Air Force installation — to the Hill Aerospace Museum. You don’t have to be an aviation buff to enjoy and appreciate everything this museum has to offer. Here, you’ll come face-to-face with the planes that shaped modern history. The vast indoor-outdoor museum showcases more than 70 military aircraft. From the Wright Brothers’ Wright Flyer and Cold War jets, to huge cargo planes and bombers, you’ll be amazed at the variety of aircraft housed here.

The museum also features flight simulators, kid-friendly scavenger hunts and specialized exhibits such as the WASP exhibit which pays tribute to the Women Airforce Service Pilots who served in World War II as well as Utah’s role during WWII and the 8th Air Force legacy.

Make sure to stop by the museum’s theater where you can watch a 40-minute film to learn more about the history of Hill Air Force Base and the broader U.S. Air Force.

Best of all, admission is free, though donations are welcome.