Finalize how many children you will be taking to Utah and note their ages, since many Utah activities are geared toward either older or younger children. For example, older children likely will enjoy things such as hiking, skiing and water skiing, while younger children will prefer activities like Salt Lake's Utah Children's Museum and the attractions at Utah County's Thanksgiving Point. Familiarize yourself with a map of Utah and several guidebooks to decide which parts of the state you most want to visit and what will appeal most to your kids.
Circle on the calendar when in the year you wish to visit. Winter is great for skiing, but hiking, boating, fishing, camping and other outdoor activities are best done in spring, summer or fall, when temperatures are warmer. Daytime temperatures in the Salt Lake City area average 36 degrees in January, 62 degrees in April, 92 degrees in July and 66 degrees in October. Temperatures in St. George are around 15 degrees higher at any given time, although July and August get especially hot there, with temperatures often reaching 115 degrees.
Arrange your travel to Utah. Salt Lake City International Airport is the state's only major airport, which gives access to the state's capital and major ski areas. If your destination will be Southern Utah, you may want to consider flying into St. George (at the borders of Utah, Arizona and Nevada) or Las Vegas. If you are traveling by car, Interstate 15 runs through Utah from north to south, Interstate 80 runs east and west through Salt Lake City, and Interstate 70 runs east and west through the southern part of the state. Utah also is served by bus and train.
Plan your itinerary. A visit to Northern Utah will likely focus on Salt Lake City, with attractions like Temple Square and This is the Place Heritage Park, a re-created pioneer village. Kids will also like Lagoon, an amusement park in Farmington. Salt Lake's canyons -- an attraction for skiing in the winter -- are popular places for hikes and picnics in the warmer months. If Southern Utah is your destination, focus on St. George, the gateway to Zion National Park and Lake Powell, or Moab, a haven for mountain bikers and river rafters.
Reserve hotel rooms and decide where to eat. Almost all of Utah's hotels and restaurants cater to families, but it's a good idea to check recent guidebooks and reviews to avoid surprises. Many hotels and resorts offer family packages, as well as lower rates in non-peak seasons. Utah has no native cuisine, but be sure to try Utah "scones" (fried bread dough). Also, do as Utah families do for a cheap night out and head to an ice cream parlor.
