7 Best Sights in Logan, Northern Utah

From Logan, U.S. 89 continues for 30 miles up Logan Canyon before topping out at the crest of the Bear River Range (from which it continues another 10 miles to Bear Lake). For a particularly satisfying excursion that leads to awesome hiking and mountain biking, drive the well-signed 7-mile side road to Tony Grove Lake. At more than 8,000 feet, this subalpine jewel is surrounded by cliffs and meadows filled in summer with a stunning profusion of wildflowers. A short trail circles the lake. Mountain bikers and hikers alike can access a prime wilderness area via the 3.3-mile one-way route from the lake to the 9,984-foot summit of Naomi Peak, which offers 80-mile views on clear days. With a gain almost 2,000 feet in elevation, the hike passes through conifer forests and open meadows and along subalpine basins and rocky ledges. A shorter hike to White Pine Lake, which begins on the same trail and splits after a quarter of a mile, is also lovely.

Established in 1888 as a small agricultural school, USU now enrolls around 27,000 students and is an intellectual and technological leader in land, water, space, and life enhancement. The scenic, 400-acre campus is best toured by starting at the historic Old Main administration building east of downtown Logan—look for the bell tower. Inside the building you'll find the Museum of Anthropology, which contains an impressive collection of prehistoric and contemporary Native American artifacts and cultural works. The first Saturday of each month features family-friendly exploration of a specific country through its food, art, crafts, and music. Also worth a stop is the Nora Eccles Harrison Museum of Art, which is in a striking contemporary building a few blocks northeast of the campus Quad and contains a permanent collection as well as mounting rotating shows. You can also pick up a map here of sculptures and public art visible throughout the campus.

On U.S. 89/91 en route to Logan from points south, this 160-acre living history museum interprets the Cache Valley's development from 1820 to 1920. At the farm, antique implements are on display, draft horses still pull their weight, pony and train rides entertain the kids, and docents dressed in period clothing demonstrate sheepshearing and carding and offer bison tours. Baby Animal Days is popular in the spring, and the fall corn maze is actually quite challenging. Late July's Pioneer Festival features additional displays and reenactments, along with food booths, cowboy poetry readings, ice-cream making, and concerts.

In winter, it's worth taking the picturesque mountain drive about 25 miles east of Logan to Blacksmith Fork Canyon, where the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources feeds 500 to 600 elk during the snowy months. A 20-minute sleigh ride takes you up close to the majestic creatures. Dress warmly in layers. The visitor center is only open December through early February, when tours are offered, but from spring through fall, the area is also popular for hiking and wildlife viewing.

It took Mormon settlers 27 years to build the tabernacle, which they completed in 1891. Today's tabernacle is a venue for concerts and lectures. You can also tour the building or search for information about your family history at the genealogical research facility.

USU's Chase Fine Arts Center includes this impressive art museum. Revolving exhibits of works by locally, nationally, and internationally recognized artists are featured in the galleries with an emphasis on artists living and/or working in the western United States.