We'll be visiting family in the Salt Lake City area over the Christmas vacation. Other than skiing, we'd like some suggestions on things to do during the day while our relatives are working.

Drive down to Sundance, Robert Redford's resort. It's about a 1 1/2 hour drive south of Salt Lake. Good restaurant, nice little shop. Scenic area. Of course, if you were willing to spend a night, I'd recommend driving down to Arches National Park (about 3 -4 hours south of Salt Lake.) It's a really neat place, with some great hiking and biking. There's a cool little town there, Moab.

Thanks for the information. Since it will be December, how would Arches be then? We probably won't stay overnight, so it sounds like that might be out anyway???
I hear from my son that they have had some snow already -- even in the city.

They have had some snow (which is unusual this time of year.) The road to Moab/Arches would be clear since you could take the Interstate most of the way, but it would be way too far to do in one day. There are two roads to Sundance - one goes over the mountains and that road will be closed (due to snow), the other goes around the mountains and I doubt if there'd be any snow (barring a freak snowstorm) down that low. For a day trip, I really do vote for Sundance. Plan on eating there. Keep in mind that it's about scenery!!! there's really not that much to do there once you get there.

A nice evening stop for you would be on the way back up to SLC from Sundance - at Thanksgiving Point. They have a large, beautiful display of Christmas lights on their grounds - its free. There's a nice shop and restaurant there, too. It's right off the I-15 freeway, just south of SLC. Worth a visit. They also have a dinosaur museum w/ IMAX theater, a golf course and floral gardens, though the last two may not be attractions for December.

Thanks again for the info. My son will enjoy reading your advise about Thanksgiving Point since he is one of the cooks there.