Davis Conference Center – Area Bucket List

The Davis Conference Center, 30 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, is a pristine, modern venue, expertly designed with amazing statues, art, and sleek furniture. In the spacious lobby of the Davis Conference Center are high ceilings and a bright wall of windows. It’s a very modern space that makes even the most run-of-the-mill conference an amazing experience. Their tagline is “Beyond meeting expectations,” which they absolutely follow through on.

Another great advantage of hosting an event at the Davis Conference Center is its proximity to Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City. This city is a well-known destination that brings in hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. If you’re one of them, you probably want to experience the sights of Salt Lake City. That’s why we’ve put together this list of a few destinations in the area surrounding the conference center. Check out the places below for options on how to spend your free time while visiting Davis Conference Center.

SeaQuest Utah

Just two minutes down the road from the Davis Conference Center is SeaQuest Utah, an aquarium and rescue center that’s home to over 1,000 animals, 400 of which are rescues. SeaQuest has been rescuing animals since it opened in 2016, rehabilitating them after an injury or taking them from owners who are unable to properly care for them.

The exhibits at SeaQuest Utah are divided into different areas around the world. The Amazon Rainforest exhibit introduces guests to animals like iguanas and tropical fish, while the Mayan Jungle gives visitors the chance to feed brightly colored lorikeets. One of the most popular exhibits is Creatures of Light. Venture into the darkness and see the incredible natural phenomena of bioluminescence. These incredible exhibits are only just the beginning of what SeaQuest Utah has to offer.

Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve

The Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve is a 4,400-acre preserve that surrounds the Great Salt Lake. You can’t visit the Davis Conference Center without seeing the Great Salt Lake, which is only 12 minutes away. Not only is this body of water the namesake of the city, it’s the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and an important habitat for water birds.

The Great Lake Shorelands Preserve is a great place for the Davis Conference Center guests to go for a walk and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. The well-maintained trails provide beautiful views like snow-capped mountains in the distance.

Waterfall Canyon

Davis Conference Center visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of Utah by heading into the mountains. Hiking is a popular activity in the area, and there are plenty of trails to choose from.

One of the most well-known and rewarding trails is the one leading to Waterfall Canyon. If you’re going to do any hike, consider this one. It’s strenuous and challenging, as you have to climb over steep, rocky paths the entire way up. But one thing’s for sure: the final destination is worth it. This path brings you to a 200-foot waterfall where you can wade in the water or just admire the view from the surrounding rocks. Enjoy the outstanding view, but be careful on the slippery rocks to ensure you have a safe and memorable experience.

Clark Planetarium

One of the most popular destinations in Salt Lake City is the Clark Planetarium. The best part is, it’s completely free! There are all kinds of activities for visitors, such as presentations from NASA engineers, kid-friendly science experiments, and interactive star-collecting activities.

The Planetarium consists of three floors of free fun that entertain adults as much as kids. You can learn about the Earth, solar system, and beyond, and guests can spend hours participating in the activities. There’s something for everyone to enjoy at Clark Planetarium, located 27 minutes from the Davis Conference Center.

Utah State Capitol

The Davis Conference Center is located less than 30 minutes from the Utah State Capitol, making it easy to visit. The capitol building, built in 1916, is an incredible structure and one of the state’s top landmarks. It’s been the home of Utah’s government for over a century, so there’s a lot to learn when you visit.

The capitol’s free tours explore the renovated building in all its glory, go over murals that illustrate the history of the state, and teach visitors about how Utah’s government functions on a daily basis. The ornate building and the surrounding grounds are well kept and enjoyable to visit. Small groups can even do a kid-friendly scavenger hunt activity when touring the Utah State Capitol building.

Temple Square

It’s widely known that Salt Lake City, and Utah in general, has a significant Mormon population. That’s why Temple Square, located less than 30 minutes from the Davis Conference Center, is such a prominent tourist destination. This pristine, 10-acre plaza is managed by the Mormon Church and features numerous buildings and places of worship.

The most impressive of these buildings is the Salt Lake Temple, a 253,015-square-foot structure that took a whopping 40 years to complete. While the temple only allows members of the Mormon Church inside, it’s an incredible view from the outside.

In addition to the Salt Lake Temple, those exploring Temple Square can stroll through the gardens, poke their heads into the Assembly Hall, and explore the Church History Museum. Another interesting building in Temple Square is the Beehive House. The Beehive House was home to Brigham Young, the second president of the Mormon Church and the founder of Salt Lake City. The house got its name from the large statue of a beehive on top, which represents community and diligent work for the greater good.