13 Best Things to Do in Sandy, Utah

See the Sandy City Balloon Festival

Each August, the Sandy City Balloon Festival happens for two days at Storm Mountain Park, where visitors and locals alike can gather to see colorful hot air balloons take flight and learn more about how they work and are prepared to take off.

On the Saturday evening of the festival, The Balloon Glow event, held at the South Towne Promenade, features live music and food trucks as well as face painting and bounce houses for the kiddos, while a 5K run happens once the sun goes down.

Get Your Fill of the Performing Arts

The Hale Centre Theatre at the Mountain American Performing Arts Centre is the number one spot in town when it comes to live theatre, with productions such as "Singin' in the Rain," "The Light in the Piazza," "The Unsinkable Molly Brown," "The Little Mermaid," and "A Christmas Carol," offering something for the whole family to enjoy.

Whether you're just passing through Sandy or are sticking around longer, it's a great option for a night out on the town if you're in the mood for dinner and a show.

Learn About Wildlife at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Get up close to penguins and stingrays, and spend some time learning about sharks, turtles, and other creatures of the deep at The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, located about 15 minutes from downtown Sandy.

In addition to robust educational displays like the Deep Sea Lab, the Penguin Research Center, and the Ocean Explorer exhibit, the Aquarium also features areas dedicated to animals from Asia, South America, and local species from around Utah, such as the wood duck, North American river otter, Bonneville cutthroat trout, and desert tortoise.

Explore One of Sandy's Best Parks

Sandy has more than 30 parks within its 28 square miles, some operated by the city of Sandy and others by Salt Lake County. Dimple Dell Regional Nature Park is a favorite, with 644 acres of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, natural history study areas, interpretive sites, ponds and streams, native plants, and wildlife. A large outdoor amphitheater is also available, as are restrooms and picnic facilities.

Nearby, Flat Iron Mesa Park is the largest of the Sandy City parks, complete with six soccer fields, two baseball fields, a volleyball court, two playgrounds, four tennis courts, and two outdoor lighted pavilions. There are also three different jogging trails to choose from.

Watch a Performance at the Sandy Amphitheater

The Sandy Amphitheater hosts concerts and arts events all summer long, including touring acts, local favorites, and Sandy Arts Guild productions. Everyone from Tenacious D and Third Eye Blind to Regina Spektor and the American West Symphony and Chorus has played here, so there's really a performance for every taste. Tickets are affordable and the amphitheater's "flash" ticketing system means you can pick them up using just your smartphone and a credit card, so you won't have to wait in line. 

Watch Major League Soccer at Rio Tinto Stadium

Sandy is where you'll find Rio Tinto Stadium, a beautiful, 25,000-seat stadium that's home to Salt Lake's Major League Soccer club, Real Salt Lake. Besides soccer, the venue also hosts a variety of concerts and sporting events.

Go for a Hike

Sandy offers access to numerous hiking trails, most of which run through Little Cottonwood Canyon. The hike up Bell Canyon, which runs past a reservoir before culminating at a waterfall, is among the most popular, while another favorite is the aptly-named Cecret Lake, an easy 1.5-mile trip to a small alpine lake. For a real treat, visit during the spring and summer months to see the wildflowers.

Work Out at Dimple Dell Fitness and Recreation Center

Whether you're a local resident or just visiting, the Dimple Dell Fitness and Recreation Center offers sports programs for both children and adults, a swimming pool, a fitness floor, a jogging track, a basketball gym, sports leagues, and exercise classes, among other fitness amenities. The recreation center also organizes off-site classes and lessons including horseback riding and rock climbing.

Visit the Sandy Museum

The Sandy Museum is located in a historic 19th-century building, formerly the home of the ZCMI Co-Op store where locals would come to buy, sell, and trade goods. The museum displays tell visitors about Sandy's history dating back to its first settlement in the 1860s and covering the town's evolution from a Mormon farming community to a bustling mining town to a modern suburb. Admission is free but donations are accepted.

Admire the Sego Lily Gardens

The Sego Lily Gardens were first built to show the public how to conserve water while creating beautiful gardens and landscapes. Sandy receives just over a foot of rain each year compared with 30 inches or more on the East Coast, so water conservation is extremely important to the community. The gardens showcase 2.5 acres of lush, water-friendly plantings and are open to visitors for free. You'll also find events here throughout the year, including a spring butterfly release.

Hit the Links at River Oaks Golf Course

River Oaks Golf Course lies among the wetlands of the Jordan River, showcasing a dramatic mountain backdrop. With affordable greens fees, it's a course that is both accessible and challenging for experienced golfers. The clubhouse is also home to a pro shop as well as a spacious banquet hall, available for events.

Go to the Sandy Balloon Festival

One of the town's most popular events, the annual hot air balloon festival, is held each year in August at Storm Mountain Park. Admission to the two-day celebration is completely free, and visitors can attend early morning balloon launches, craft workshops, and an evening balloon glow party featuring food and music. 

Have Dinner at One of Sandy's Best Restaurants

Sandy is home to dozens of restaurants of all types, including fast food, national chains, fine dining, and independently owned family-run eateries. That said, there a few that stand out from the crowd.

French chateau-inspired La Caille serves classics like escargot à la Bourguignonne, foie gras, and steak tartare—their upscale brunch, which comes with freshly-baked croissants, is not to be missed. A more casual meal can be had at the Tin Roof Grill, which saw crowds after being featured on an episode of Food Network's "Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives." It's a top spot for hand-tossed pizzas.