From the forests of the Wasatch Mountains to the crimson rocks of its southern deserts, Utah is home to exciting outdoor recreation and friendly locals. In the winter, the fluffy snow draws visitors for skiing and snowboarding, and the warm temperatures of summer entice hikers from all over the world. In addition to the outdoor amusement, the cities of Utah are also home to an abundance of art festivals, musical productions, historical museums and more.
One of 12 favorite marathons listed in Runners' World, this 26.2 run is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. It begins at the University of Utah Olympic Legacy Bridge and ends at the Olympic Legacy Plaza at The Gateway. There are open, masters and wheelchair divisions and 17 age divisions. Sanctioned by the USATF, this race is a fast, downhill course. There are fees for the marathon and 5K-race, but watching is free.
Swanny City Park 400 North 100 West Moab, UT 84532 in Moab, UT
Memorial Day weekend in Swanny City Park has art, music, food, live entertainment and Kid-O-Rama. Fine art, photography, jewelry, sculpture, pottery, wood and clothing are on display and admission is free. It's near Arches National Park and showcases the best pieces from Southern Utah.
Library Square 200 East 400 South Salt Lake City, UT 84101 in Salt Lake City, UT
The third week of June carves out four days of art celebration downtown on Library Square. Visual, performing and culinary artists have astounded 80,000 visitors annually since 1977; this includes live music, dancing and kids' activities. Over 250 artists share their creations in a three-block stretch of town. Think about what "culinary" art entails, and then plan your visit.
Historic Main Street Park City, UT 84060 in Park City, UT
The very first part of August, a Kimball Arts Center fundraiser is held to fund and support free exhibitions, gallery tours and Art Talks year-round as well as art education outreach for the entire community. Over 200 artists, jury-selected, in 12 media areas, exhibit in historic Main street for over 57,000 visitors. A children's area, music and excellent cuisine are included. This event is partnered with the Sundance Institute, the Park City Performing Arts Foundation and the Deer Valley Music Festival, to name a few.
Classical chamber music is showcased in the last of August and first week of September for 12 days in the red canyon-lands of Moab; old and new masterpieces from around the world are performed. This feast for the senses is an international event. Ancient red rock surrounds the concert venues for heightened enjoyment of sights and sounds.