Need a convenient and culture-rich base near Salt Lake City? Head to West Valley City! As Utah’s second-largest city, West Valley blends entertainment, outdoor recreation, and diverse food with easy access to Salt Lake attractions. Whether you're attending a concert, hiking nearby trails, or exploring international cuisine, West Valley is a vibrant, underrated getaway.
West Valley City, UT Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Hike the nearby Oquirrh Mountains – Discover scenic trails and wildlife just west of the city limits.
- For History Buffs: Visit the Utah Cultural Celebration Center – Learn about the city’s diverse communities through exhibits, performances, and festivals.
- For Shoppers: Explore Valley Fair Mall – Shop big-name stores, enjoy a movie, or dine at local and national restaurants.
- For Couples: Enjoy a night out at the Maverik Center – Catch a concert, ice hockey game, or special event at this top entertainment venue.
- For Families: Splash and skate at Centennial Park and Family Fitness Center – Kids love the indoor pools, water slides, and fun activities year-round.
Best Time to Visit West Valley City, UT
The best time to visit West Valley City is from late spring to early fall (May to October). Warm temperatures make it perfect for hiking, festivals, and outdoor dining. Winter is ideal for skiing in nearby resorts while enjoying affordable accommodations just outside Salt Lake City.
How to Get to West Valley City, UT
- If you are traveling by car: West Valley City is located along I-215 and SR-201, about 15 minutes southwest of downtown Salt Lake City.
- By Train/Light Rail: The UTA TRAX Green Line connects West Valley to Salt Lake City International Airport and downtown SLC.
- By Air: Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), just a 10–15 minute drive away.
Where to Stay in West Valley City, UT
- Embassy Suites by Hilton – Spacious suites, free breakfast, and easy access to I-215 and Maverik Center.
- Home2 Suites by Hilton – Great for extended stays with kitchenettes and modern amenities.
- My Place Hotel – Budget-friendly, pet-friendly, and great for road trippers or long stays.
Best Things to Do in West Valley City, UT
1. Scales and Tails Utah
Rating: ★★★★★
Scales and Tails is a unique attraction that offers educational and interactive reptile and bird shows around the country. Visitors can enjoy a variety of shows, from reptile shows that include crocodilian skulls, creepy crawlies, and live reptiles such as snakes, lizards, and tortoises, to bird shows that showcase six birds from around the world, such as a Rainbow Lorikeet, a Laughing Kookaburra, and a Green Wing Macaw.
Interactive educational programs for children can be tailor-made for special occasions, with optional skits, songs, and stories to add an element of excitement. The company also offers special Family Nights, Kid's Workshops, and Summer Camps.
3584 S 1950 W, #13, West Valley City, Utah, Phone: 801-577-7182
2. Utah Cultural Celebration Center
The Utah Cultural Celebration Center is a world-class establishment for diverse cultural entertainment, educational arts programs, and world-class art exhibitions. The Center is a multi-use facility that aims to strengthen communities through the promotion and education of culture and arts by providing a place to celebrate music, dance, performances, and other visual arts.
The center hosts a variety of art exhibitions, special events, and community outreach programs aimed at encouraging and inspiring the community to take an interest in the arts, with six to eight diverse exhibits throughout the year. Exhibits include annual favorites like the Trees of Diversity or Face of Utah Sculpture exhibits, as well as traveling educational exhibits from the Smithsonian and local artist groups.
1355 West 3100 South, West Valley City, Utah
3. Maverik Center
Home of the Utah Grizzlies, the Maverik Center is a modern sports arena that plays host to a variety of sports events and entertainment shows. Designed by the world's top arena architect, the Maverik Center has a unique theater configuration and can accommodate a range of audiences as small as 3,700 to a crowd of 12,000.
The arena has welcomed leading entertainers such as Elton John, Neil Diamond, and the Dave Matthews Band, and it has also hosted The American Idols Tour and nationally televised productions of Holiday Festival on Ice and World Wrestling Entertainment's Smackdown Live.
3200 South Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City, Utah, Phone: 801-988-8800
Where to Eat:
4. Black Bear Diner
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, Black Bear Diner is a nationwide franchise that prides itself on serving authentic home-cooked meals that reflect the classic small town roots from which they come. Menus feature classic all-American favorites such as smoked bacon and corned beef hash for breakfast, specialty bear burgers served with fries and other sides for lunch, and fried chicken, meatloaf, and pork ribs for dinner.
Desserts are sticky sweet and delicious, and the drinks list consists of a range of soft drinks and hot beverages. Black Bear Diner also offers a special children’s menu with smaller portions of the main menu’s classic favorites.
2569 S. 5600 West Suite #400, West Valley City, Utah, Phone: 385-831-1739
5. Dickey's Barbecue Pit
Founded in 1941 with the aim of perfecting the Texas-style barbecue, Dickey's Barbecue Pit is a popular nationwide franchise that specializes in smoked barbecue and signature meats. Boasting a tempting menu of delicious smoked and barbecued meats served in a relaxed, family-friendly setting, Dickey's offers diners a range of meats, from beef brisket, pulled pork, cured ham, and Polish sausage to turkey breast and chicken.
Mains are accompanied by an extensive array of home-style sides like jalapeño beans and macaroni and cheese. Freshly baked buttery rolls are served with every meal, along with the complimentary ice cream and dill pickles. Kids eat free on Sunday.
2592 South 5600 West, Ste. 103, West Valley City, Utah, Phone: 801-969-6600
More vacation ideas: 25 Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City.
6. Culver's
Culver’s is a family-friendly restaurant franchise found in cities across the country that serves all-American comfort food like burgers and fries, salads, tasty sides, sandwiches, soups, and sundaes. Craig and Lea Culver founded the restaurant in 1984, and their passion homemade hamburgers and fresh frozen custard resulted in the creation of their signature combination of Culver’s ButterBurgers and Fresh Frozen Custard, which is still one of the restaurant chain's most popular menu items.
Meals are made with fresh ingredients from local producers, and menus feature a variety of choices such as value meals, kid’s meals, best choices meals, and snack packs.
3407 S 5600 W, West Valley City, Utah, Phone: 801-969-5600
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