Temple Square's three-block plaza is home to nearly 20 attractions related to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It's anchored by the towering Salt Lake Temple – where, among other things, weekly meetings of the church's governing bodies are held – and other fascinating buildings like the expansive Tabernacle and the Gothic-style Assembly Hall, which offer insight into the history and development of the Mormon church. You should also stop by the Family History Library, the largest genealogy library in the world. Once you've toured the sites, stroll through the square's scenic gardens and past the gurgling fountains.

Whether you like to read or look at beautiful architecture, the stunning and contemporary Salt Lake City Public Library could be worth your while. Located in the downtown area, the library has more than 500,000 books and plenty of cozy corners ideal for hunkering down with a good story. Recent visitors say the architecture alone is reason enough to visit, while others appreciated the friendly staff and on-site cafe. There are also a variety of shops and cafes around Library Square (just outside the library), not to mention a garden for those who want to read outside.

Clocking in at approximately 1,700 square miles, the Great Salt Lake is the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi River. The lake's name comes from the nature of the water: The evaporation process (the only exit available for the lake's water) leaves behind salty mineral deposits. Salt Lake City's visitors and residents enjoy the area's many hiking trails, ample picnic spots and boating and fishing opportunities.

If you're looking to enjoy the great outdoors without leaving the city limits, head over to Liberty Park's 80 acres for any number of outdoorsy activities. There's a pond, bike paths, concession stands, rides, picnic areas, playgrounds and tennis and volleyball courts. Liberty Park is also home to an aviary and a greenhouse, both of which recent visitors recommend exploring. They also recommend this park for families, as there are plenty of kid-friendly activities.

Park City was made for powder hounds. Sitting about 30 miles southeast of Salt Lake City, Park City is home to two major alpine ski spots that sprawl across acres upon acres of mountain terrain. Park City Mountain Resort welcomes skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels to traverse groomed trails, powder-filled bowls and terrain parks. And Deer Valley Resort caters exclusively to skiers (snowboarding is prohibited here), offering groomed runs and gladed steeps along with 10 on-site restaurants. If you're just starting out, all resorts have expert instructors on hand to help you learn the slopes – whether it's through kids ski school, group instruction or private lessons.

The historic and cultural attractions are interesting and all, but let's face it: Skiing is one of the main reasons to visit Utah. And Salt Lake City is in close proximity to some of the state's best slopes, including those found at the Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort. Sprawling across 2,500 acres with a 3,240-foot vertical drop, this ski resort features 169 runs that cater to both novice and advanced skiiers. According to recent visitors, the slopes here rival those in Colorado.

Rising a whopping 210 feet over the square, this impressive six-spire structure is the universal icon of the Mormon Church. While you are not allowed to enter the church itself, recent visitors said that the beautiful grounds are worth touring.

Sitting in Temple Square, the Family History Library houses millions of genealogical records profiling more than two billion deceased people, making it the largest library of its kind in the world. The library was founded in the late 19th century to assist members of the Mormon Church piece together their family history. Today, visitors are welcome to peruse the records – all meticulously preserved – and possibly track down a few ancestors of their own. Recent visitors said this is a must-visit place for everyone, and especially genealogy buffs, as the staff are friendly and incredibly helpful and the resources are astounding.

Sitting near the center of the University of Utah campus in northeast Salt Lake City, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts houses more than 17,000 artifacts from across the globe. The permanent collection includes Greek and Egyptian antiquities, paintings from the Italian Renaissance and even some early 20th-century photography. The museum also hosts a variety of notable traveling displays that focus on everything from early scientific discoveries to contemporary art.

Filled with meticulously landscaped plots, gurgling fountains and pleasant pathways, Red Butte Garden is a great place for budding botanists as well as visitors looking for quiet respite. Housed on the University of Utah campus in northeast Salt Lake City, the garden is divided into sections, each devoted to a specific type of plant or ecosystem.

The Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest boasts 2.1 million acres of Mother Nature. Encompassing seven wilderness districts in total, this national park offers a diverse array of landscapes – ranging from verdant fields to rocky mountainsides – as well as plenty of opportunities to hike, bike and camp.

Home to more than 800 animals, Hogle Zoo allows visitors to get up-close and personal with its residents. Visitors can feed the zoo's rhinos and birds (for additional fees), an activity that recent guests loved. Don't forget to pay a visit to Zuri: This African elephant was born at the zoo in 2009.