Utah Vacation Rentals

Food-tripping your way around Utah

Utah's cuisine has its roots in Native American tradition. Later came the early Pioneers and settlers who farmed the land and started communities. These large and close-knit communities were the reason for giant portions of the easy-to-prepare, heavy but hearty meals Utah is known for. Fun fact: Utah residents eat more Jell-O than any other state! The sort of food you’ll be savoring here includes dishes such as casseroles and creamy soups, potatoes and gravy, and a mountain of fries dunked or dragged through a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise. Stop at any of their many hamburger joints to bite into juicy variations — barbecued; charbroiled; laden with melted cheese.

When you book a self-catering Utah vacation rental, you will have access to a kitchen and dining options, so that you can also eat home-cooked meals, or try out a few traditional recipes during your family vacation.

Weather in Utah

Utah has various climate zones and distinct seasons. Summer is hot in the north and gets hotter the further south you go, with temperatures often exceeding 100°F. It would be ideal to experience Utah’s mountain terrains when temperatures are comfortable and there is easy access to hiking trails and paths.

In winter, temperatures run from 20°-40°F in the north and snow is common, except in the southern valleys. Late November to mid-April is a good time to visit the state's ski resorts. Rain is much less common than snow, but summer and fall can see spectacular thunderstorms, especially in the northern mountains and throughout the south.

Things to see and do in Utah

There's plenty to experience with a vacation home in Utah. Go mountain biking along the trails of America’s finest national parks. In Arches and Zion, you had better have your camera ready, as you’ll find brilliant colors punctuating your view throughout the day. The famous past of the Mormon Church is written all over Salt Lake City, but the history of Utah goes even further. Some of the earliest settlers left petroglyphs (rock engravings) and the mountains hide ancient geological secrets that tell the story of the Earth's formation.

Driving along Highway 89 is a super scenic experience. It is 502 miles of pure beauty. You’ll come across wide open spaces of the Great Salt Lake, Utah Lake, and historic sites. Blossoming orchards along the way give the country its charm, while farmers plow fields where ponies contentedly graze. Life in Utah is slow and satisfying.

Make Salt Lake City your base for your Utah vacation home, and drive to Provo River Canyon for another spectacular view. The Provo River Parkway runs for 15 miles, from Utah Lake State Park, to Vivian Park. It ends with the sensational Bridal Veil Falls. Stop here to take photographs — you won’t regret it! Then, at Bryce Canyon National Park, admire the wildlife. If you’re lucky, you’ll spot roaming elk, deer, and birds in their natural habitat.

Utah’s Art and Culture

Want to unwind with a little culture? The Natural History Museum of Utah in Salt Lake City houses more than 1.2 million artifacts and specimens. Learn about the cultures and traditions of Utah’s recognised tribes, as well as Utah's natural history.

Music and arts are also a big feature in Park City, where every August world-renowned music, arts, plays, symphony concerts and Sundance film screenings are held at the Artsravaganza. Located in the heart of Main Street, the Egyptian Theater Company also presents musicals and dramas.

Activities with children in Utah

There are so many fantastic places to visit in Utah with kids, but some of our favorite spaces include the Utah Hogle Zoo, with 800 animals wandering over 40 acres of land, and the Living Planet Aquarium with year-round activities and shows for families to enjoy. Your little ones will have enough space to explore this vast state, and at Jungle Jim’s Playland, there are carnival rides and a kid-friendly café. The Discover Gateway is another fascinating stop you should try to visit while staying at your vacation rental in Utah. It’s a museum made just for kids, with more than 60,000 square feet of fun exhibitions, artifacts, educational rooms and the sort of brain-growing info you’ll want your kids to have all day long.

Having your own vacation rental in Utah will make it easy to get the most out of this beautiful place. Make it your own adventure and a time your loved ones will never forget.

Attractions and Activities in Utah

If you're planning a winter trip, Utah has prime snow conditions, and the best ski spots can be found at Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon. Both are less than an hour’s drive away from Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City. With many pistes situated in close proximity to one another, skiers can enjoy several locations in a single day. At the end of a long day on the slopes, you'll love having a warm and welcoming vacation home to return to.

To experience Utah’s diverse landscape, take to the state's countless hiking trails. With five National Parks, two Recreational Areas and many breathtaking mountains, there are plenty of spectacular trails. Take to the West Rim Trail in Zion National Park, or the Uinta Mountains located off Mirror Lake Highway.

Experience Utah by taking a scenic drive through the state's byways and admire the untouched scenic paranomas. The most popular routes are through Dead Horse Point, which looks down on Canyonlands National Park, and the Green/Colorado River, but there are dozens of picturesque routes to choose from. Pick up an official Utah highway map where byways are indicated with dotted lines.