Salt Lake City, UT

In a world where kids are told to not touch something, it's nice to be welcomed into a place where hands-on experiences are encouraged and welcomed! Discovery Gateway Children's Museum is located in the Gateway Mall in downtown Salt Lake City, and not only will the kids love it, mom and dad will have a great time experiencing everything too! From hosting a TV newscast to participating in a real helicopter rescue, kids will experience adventures that they had only imagined. But thanks to the professional staff, state of the art facility, and an environment that is designed to foster a kid's sense of adventure, Discovery Gateway is the perfect stage upon which family fun is the main attraction.

Address: 444 West 100 South Gate, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 - MAP
Phone: (801) 328-3383 or (801) 456-5437
Web: www.discoverygateway.org

For every kid who's ever wanted to get behind the wheel and put the pedal to the metal, Salt Lake City's FastKart Speedway is a dream come true! FastKart Speedway offers indoor go kart rentals and indoor kart racing wheel to wheel that can include up to eight drivers - that all adds up to some friendly but fierce competition! Plus, enjoy pool, video games and snacks as you root for your favorite driver or wait your turn to get behind the wheel. This is also the perfect place for birthday parties and other family gatherings. It's fun in the fast lane, so make plans to spend some time at FastKart Speedway!

Address: 3969 South 500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84123 - MAP
Phone: (801) 261-4668
Web: www.fastkartspeedway.com

There's nothing quite like the experience of playing a game of paintball. The running back and forth, the ducking and moving away just in time to avoid getting splattered, and the thrill of directly hitting your target with a good dousing of paint - that's what it's all about! Many of those adrenaline-rushing moments await you and the kids at Paintball Addicts, a facility that is not only big on fun, its large playing field, clean playing surfaces and professional staff ensure the safety of all players regardless of their skill level. And if mom and dad or even grandma and grandpa want to come along but won't quite suit up to run around, there is a sizable spectator area for them to watch all the fun. This is a friendly and exciting experience for the whole family, one that will be long remembered years after the paint gets washed off.

Address: 1001 W 2610 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84119 - MAP
Phone: (801) 886-8899
Web: www.pb-addicts.com

Why settle for walking around scenic downtown Salt Lake City when you can take an unforgettable and unique carriage ride? The horse drawn carriages provided by Carriage for Hire can comfortably accommodate 4 adults and 2 small children; some carriages are available for larger groups upon prior arrangement. The rides are available evenings from 6 until 11 Monday through Thursday and 6 until midnight Friday and Saturday. This is not only a fun family idea to tour downtown Salt Lake City, but it is the perfect touch for an upcoming wedding or anniversary celebration. Carriage for Hire has been around since 1987 and leads the way to bringing a classic touch to your journey, wherever it may take you.

Address: 428 W 200 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 - MAP
Phone: (801) 363-8687
Web: www.carriageforhire.net

Make the ultimate splash this summer at Raging Waters water park! So much fun in the sun awaits, as the season runs from Memorial Day Weekend, May 28th through Labor Day, September 5th. Among the many aquatic attractions is the Wave Pool, which allows you to play in the three foot swells and feel like you're at the beach (without the sand, of course) in its impressive 500,000 gallon expanse. Then there's the Waimea, which challenges all thrill seekers to take the plunge at nearly 30 miles per hour down a 244-foot-long head first slide to the bottom. The kids with less of a daredevil tendency will love the Lazy River that allows you to drift at a leisurely pace in your floatie. Another fun option is Dinosaur Bay, an amusing activity pool full of lily pads and an inviting play structure for toddlers and younger park goers to enjoy some cool relief.

Address: 1200 W. 1700 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84014 - MAP
Phone: (801) 972-3300
Web: www.ragingwatersutah.com

Want to peek into a world where pioneers worked to establish Utah as the state that we know and love? Ever wonder what guns, tools, and even musical instruments from the 1800s looked like? Would you like to see where one of the state's true pioneers, Brigham Young, actually slept? Answers to all these questions and more can be found at the Daughters of Utah Pioneer Museum. See an actual bed that was owned by Brigham Young, see looms that were used to make clothes and other fabrics, and even delve into an archive that tells the tale of the city's rich history. Over the four floors that present this expansive view of the state's history, your family will marvel at what has been preserved as well as marvel at how it all connects us to this very moment.

Address: 300 N. Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 - MAP
Phone: (801) 532-6479
Web: www.dupinternational.org