Need a fun day trip or weekend escape near Salt Lake City? Head to Murray! Enjoy scenic parks, explore local history, and shop or dine in a welcoming suburban hub. Whether you’re craving outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, or family fun, Murray delivers charm with convenience.
Murray, UT Highlights:
- Unwind at Murray Park: Stroll green pathways, enjoy picnic areas, or play at the playgrounds in this spacious central park.
- Explore the Wheeler Historic Farm: Tour a working farm, interact with animals, and learn about early Utah agriculture.
- Discover local culture at Murray City Museum: Dive into Murray’s rich heritage through artifacts and exhibits in a historic school building.
- Hike and bike the Jordan River Parkway Trail: Follow this scenic trail that winds along the river through parks and neighborhoods.
- Shop and dine at Fashion Place Mall: Browse top brands, enjoy a meal, or catch a movie in this upscale shopping destination.
Best Time to Visit Murray, UT
The best time to visit Murray is from late spring through early fall (May to October). The weather is ideal for outdoor activities, farmers markets, and enjoying the parks. Winter is great for nearby skiing, too!
How to Get to Murray, UT
- If you are traveling by car: Murray is just off I-15 and I-215, about 15 minutes south of Salt Lake City and 20 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport.
- By Light Rail (TRAX): The UTA TRAX Red and Blue lines stop at Murray Central, offering easy access from downtown Salt Lake City and beyond.
- By Bus: Multiple UTA bus lines connect Murray with nearby towns and transit hubs.
Where to Stay in Murray, UT
- Crystal Inn Hotel & Suites – Midvalley – Modern amenities, free breakfast, and indoor pool close to shopping and dining.
- Home2 Suites by Hilton Murray – Pet-friendly suites with kitchenettes, great for families or longer stays.
- Residence Inn Salt Lake City Murray – Spacious rooms, indoor pool, and convenient location near Intermountain Medical Center.
Best Things to Do in Murray, UT
⮕ Desert Star Playhouse
Laugh through live comedy and enjoy an exciting night of family entertainment.
Desert Star Playhouse is a dinner theater in Murray, Utah with a long and colorful history. It started out as Gem, a small theater that showed silent movies accompanied by a piano. It was eventually closed down and demolished, but later rebuilt and expanded and named the Iris Theater. The Iris was considered state-of-the-art for its time. It used to show both blockbusters and more obscure movies and some Thursday nights were reserved for Swedish films, shown for Swedish immigrants living in Murray. The theater had a stage where various local groups could show theatrical productions. Murray firemen sometimes held conventions there. Iris Theater, Apartments and Commercial Building was built in 1930 and is the only commercial building in Murray built in the Art Deco style. The theater became Desert Star when Mike and Alyce Todd purchased it and renamed it the Desert Star Playhouse. After meticulous renovation, the playhouse today features Dinner and Cabaret theaters, and performing two shows in different theaters. Desert Star is known for parody plays, with comedic spoofs of classic movies and stories.
4861 State St, Murray, UT 84107
⮕ Murray City Arboretum
Stroll peaceful gardens and admire spring blooms on a relaxing trip.
Located within the Murray Park in Murray, Utah, Murray City Arboretum is a living laboratory of trees and plants from all over the world where new species and varieties of trees are tested for their adaptability to Murray's climate and soil. It is also a rich resource for homeowners and landscape designers and architects, who can use tested plants to diversify the species of the Murray home gardens and urban forest. But, more than anything, the arboretum is an extraordinarily beautiful space to spend some time and enjoy lush greenery and richness of plant diversity. The arboretum is uniquely beautiful and interesting in all seasons. It includes species gardens such as a cacti garden, water ponds, hybrid iris bed, shrubbery beds, seasonal flower beds and varieties of trees with unusual foliage or flowers.
5051 Treetop Cir, Murray, UT 84107, Phone: 801-264-2614
Great for Couples:
⮕ Sur La Table
Take a cooking class and discover unusual kitchen tools on a fun outing.
Located in Fashion Place shopping center in Murray, Utah, Sur La Table is a culinary paradise with more than 12,500 items all aiming at making cooking more efficient, more fun and more attractive. You can find everything for your kitchen or restaurant, from essentials to hard-to-find specialty tools. There are all sorts of Springerle molds, timeless copper cookware, table linens of all colors and textures, egg cups, whisks, mixers, blenders and spatulas, bakers' necessities such as pastry tips and brushes, giant paella pans, graters, zesters and mashers, knives large, small and in-between, tea sets for your favorite granny or for a teddy bear picnic. Sur La Table occasionally offers cooking classes, so check their facebook page.
6117 State St B139, Murray, UT 84107, Phone: 801-281-6642
⮕ Immersive Gamebox
Play digital adventures and explore exciting group games perfect for kids.
If you are new to the concept of the Immersive Gamebox , this is what you can expect when you book your experience. Basically, you and your team (up to 6 players) enter the game room and don your visors, which are equipped with sensors. Game images are projected onto the walls of the game box and all your movements are tracked by sensors, firmly placing you in the heart of the action. The experience is totally immersive and some of the games are not suitable for younger players. Adults and teens would probably have most fun playing the Squid or Ghostbusters games while younger children can enjoy playing Paw Patrol, Angry Birds and Shaun the Sheep.
Immersive Gamebox, 6191 S. State Street, Unit 8, Murray, UT 84107, 801 871 5387
More Places to Eat in Murray, UT
- Tosh’s Ramen – Authentic ramen bowls in a cozy, no-frills setting locals love.
- Red Rock Brewing – Fashion Place – Craft beers and elevated pub fare in a casual, modern space.
- Desert Edge Brewery & Grill – Creative takes on American classics with local brews on tap.
If you are interested in local events:
- Murray Fun Days (July) – Independence Day celebration with a parade, fireworks, and community events in Murray Park.
- Concerts in the Park (Summer) – Free live performances under the stars at Murray Park Amphitheater.
- Wheeler Farm Sunday Market (May–October) – Local produce, crafts, and food trucks every Sunday at the farm.
If you are looking for unique day trips within 30 Minutes of Murray, Utah:
- Salt Lake City (15–20 min) – Visit Temple Square, tour museums, and explore downtown restaurants and shops.
- Big Cottonwood Canyon (25–30 min) – Hike, picnic, or ski in this breathtaking canyon setting.
- Sugar House (15–20 min) – Trendy neighborhood with boutique shopping, art galleries, and dining.
- Liberty Park (15–20 min) – Paddle the pond, walk the trails, or visit Tracy Aviary in SLC’s largest park.
- The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (20 min) – Family-friendly fun with aquatic animals and science exhibits.
- Gardner Village (15–20 min) – Charming historic village with boutique shops, events, and seasonal décor.
- Millcreek Canyon (20–25 min) – Hike wooded trails, enjoy creekside picnics, or dine at scenic restaurants.
- Thanksgiving Point (30 min) – Explore interactive museums, beautiful gardens, and family attractions in Lehi.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Where is Murray located?
- Murray is a city in Utah, situated on the Wasatch Front in the heart of Salt Lake Valley.
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What is Murray City Park known for?
- Murray City Park is a large urban park popular for organized sports and its wooded areas.
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What can visitors see at the Murray City Arboretum?
- The Murray City Arboretum, which is part of the park, features trees and plants from all over the world.
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What is the history of the Desert Star Theater?
- The Desert Star Theater is a dinner theater with a long and colorful history, originally starting as Gem, a small theater that showed silent movies.
Plan Your Trip