Red Butte Garden

Red Butte Garden is a 21-acre botanical garden and natural area operated by the University of Utah, nestled in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains. It combines cultivated flower gardens, a children's garden, natural trails, and one of the city's best outdoor concert series into an attraction that locals return to repeatedly throughout the year.

The Children's Garden is the family centerpiece. This dedicated space is designed for hands-on interaction with nature -- kids dig in garden beds, plant seeds, play with water features, and explore a miniature village and reading nook. It provides the kind of unstructured, nature-based play that is increasingly rare in modern childhood.

Staff members are often present to guide planting activities.

The cultivated gardens cover 5 acres with themed sections: a fragrance garden, a medicinal herb garden, a water conservation garden, and extensive perennial borders. In May and June, the flower displays are at their peak -- hundreds of species in full bloom create a tapestry of color. Butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees are abundant, providing real-time nature education.

A natural trail system extends from the cultivated gardens into Red Butte Canyon, offering a 2-mile loop through native vegetation with views over the Salt Lake valley. The trail gains moderate elevation and provides a taste of the Wasatch foothill hiking experience without the drive into the canyons. Wildflowers bloom along the trails in spring and summer.

The summer outdoor concert series (June through September) brings national touring acts to a beautiful amphitheater in the garden. Past performers have included major names across genres. The setting -- music in a mountain garden at sunset -- is uniquely magical.

The atmosphere at most shows is family-friendly, with families on blankets in the lawn section while the sun sets behind the mountains. Concerts sell out -- buy tickets well in advance.

Red Butte Garden is located next to the Natural History Museum of Utah on the University of Utah campus, making a combined visit easy and rewarding.