Murray is a city in Utah that’s famous for its beautiful scenery and vibrant community.
In 1847, Mormon pioneers established the place in the heart of present-day Utah.
Before the Mormons arrived, Murray was the seasonal home of various Native American tribes, such as the Ute, Paiute, and Shoshone.
For history buffs, Murray is a veritable goldmine.
The Murray City Museum is a great place to start exploring the city’s rich past.
There are also beautiful parks worth checking out, such as Willow Pond Park and Jordan River Parkway.
For those who love the great outdoors, Murray is close to some of Utah’s best hiking and camping spots.
Here are some of the best things to do in Murray, UT:
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Wheeler Historic Farm, also known as the Henry J. Wheeler Farm, is one of the most famous attractions in Murray.
The 75-acre is one of the few working farmsteads that offer visitors a chance to see what life was like in the 1900s.
See an adobe brick home, a milk house, a smokehouse, chicken coops, a blacksmith shop, a granary, and an ice house.
Built in 1898, the house has a granite foundation and adobe interior walls.
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Visitors can also learn how to milk a cow, make butter, and feed the cows, rabbits, horses, and sheep.
You can tour the farmhouse, outbuildings, and grounds or attend the events at the farm throughout the year.
Hikers and bikers alike will also have a grand time exploring the miles of scenic trails that meander through the property.
The best time to visit is during the summer when all the farm animals are out and about.
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Willow Pond Park is one of the best places in Murray for families with small children.
The park features a large pond stocked with fish, making it a popular spot for fishing.
Some ducks and geese make their home in the Willow Pond Park, adding to the park’s charm.
The park features a playground, pavilions, picnic tables, and basketball courts for visitors to enjoy.
Dogs are also allowed at the park, a perfect bonding place as you walk with them on the paved trail that surrounds the pond.
Desert Star Playhouse is the perfect place to spend a day or night with family and friends.
It started as a small theater named Gem Theater in Murray that used to show silent movies.
The Desert Star Playhouse was later owned by Tony Duvall, who renamed it Iris Theater, the state’s longest-running community theater.
During the 1940s, Tony Duvall would let children see a movie in the theater, sometimes for free or sometimes in exchange for scrap metal.
The Desert Star Playhouse received its new name when Mike and Alyce Todd renovated the 1930s building to ensure it is up to code.
Desert Star Playhouse now stages parody shows, ranging from musicals to murder mysteries.
The theater also has a restaurant serving American cuisine and a bar where you can enjoy a drink before or after the show.
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The Jordan River Parkway Trail is a scenic trail that runs along the Jordan River and is popular with hikers, cyclists, and joggers.
The Parkway was once a flood control project in the 1970s; it has since been developed into a recreational area.
The trail stretches for more than 40 miles, one of the longest trails in the Salt Lake Valley.
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There are more than two dozen access points along the trail, allowing you to tour other parks.
You have drinking fountains, restrooms, and picnic tables at intervals along the route.
The Jordan River Parkway Trail is also well-maintained and offers stunning views of the river and the surrounding mountains.
It also has an equestrian trail, one of the few trails in the state that allows horses.
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Walden Park is one of the parks connected to the Jordan River Parkway Trail.
It also has reservable pavilions for those who want to host a party or event and bond with friends and family.
Grills and electrical outlets are available in the pavilions, making them the perfect place to enjoy a BBQ.
You can also enjoy the playground and a sand volleyball court in the park.
Walden Park is the perfect place to have some fun.
Learn about Murray’s unique history at the Murray City Museum.
It’s in an old schoolhouse, the Arlington Building, constructed in 1908.
The museum contains various artifacts, documents, and photographs that tell the story of Murray’s founding and development over the years.
With more than 3,000 photos in its collection, the museum is a veritable treasure trove for history buffs.
There are also interactive exhibits, such as a replica of a one-room schoolhouse and a pioneer kitchen.
The Murray City Museum showcases the city’s history, from its early days as a farming community to its development into a bustling suburban city.
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Murray City Park is one of the best places to enjoy the great outdoors.
Its defining feature is the wooden sculpture of Chief Wasatch, built in honor of the city’s founder.
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The Murray City Park also features a playground, picnic tables, and a pavilion that you can rent for special events.
A walking trail also goes around the Park’s perimeter, perfect for a stroll or a morning run.
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In the summer, the Park also hosts free concerts on Thursdays.
Facilities include a greenhouse, softball, soccer, and rugby fields, and the Park Center, which features pools with a lazy river, slides, and colorful play equipment.
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Splash and play at the Murray City Aquatic Center, one of the best places to cool off in Murray during the summer.
The center features a large outdoor pool with a diving board and a kiddie pool for the little ones.
There are also several slides; the tallest is a four-story slide that will make your day even more enjoyable.
Located in Murray City Park, the Aquatic Center hosts various events and classes, such as swimming lessons, water aerobics, and pool parties.
Once you get tired of swimming, you can relax at the poolside and soak up the sun.
One of Murray’s most popular attractions is Nickel Mania, an arcade with various games.
From classic games like Pac-Man and Donkey Kong to the latest video games, there’s something for everyone at Nickel Mania.
The best part is that you can win tickets to redeem for prizes, such as stuffed animals, video games, and more.
The huge five-cent arcade in Kuantum Flooring Shopping Center is open daily.
It’s the perfect place to spend a few hours with friends or family, as it offers attractions for all ages.
If you love shopping, you will enjoy spending a day at the Fashion Place Shopping Center.
The mall features a variety of stores, ranging from high-end designer stores to more affordable chain stores.
There is also a food court where you can enjoy a bite to eat between shopping.
You can also visit the more specialized restaurants, such as Red Rock Brewing Co. and Sur La Table.
The Fashion Place Shopping Center also organizes events and activities throughout the year, such as fashion shows, live music performances, and more.
Whether you want a new outfit or want to browse the stores, the Fashion Place Shopping Center is the perfect place.
Germania Park is the perfect place to take your kids for a day out.
The Park has a playground, a splash pad, and a variety of picnic tables where you can enjoy a meal or snack.
Located on Murray Parkway Ave., the Park has a walking trail perfect for exploring with your kids.
Germania Park also has reservable pavilions for those who want to host a party or event.
The pavilions come with picnic tables and grills, making them the perfect place to enjoy a BBQ with family and friends.
The 47.5-acre Park is a Class One Regional Park with numerous baseball, softball, and volleyball courts.
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It’s a floral adventure when you come by Joan M. Hardle Memorial Arboretum within Murray Park.
This public arboretum opened officially in 1961 after a year of planning and discussion.
It offers a diversity and abundance of trees both native to the area, as well as new species not usually seen in Utah.
Among the plant species you can expect to find at this site include water ponds, shrubbery beds, and even a cacti garden.
Come by during different seasons, and see the difference each season brings to the vegetation.
Joan M. Hardle Memorial Arboretum is on Treetop Circle.
While in Murray, why not try learning a new skill?
TNT Guns & Range has everything you might need to practice your aim and target.
Considered the largest indoor shooting facility within the Mountain West area, this center comes with 15 lanes measuring 25 yards each.
There are also clay pigeon shotgun ranges onsite.
If you’ve got no experience in gun shooting, that’s no problem!
This facility can cater to shooters of every expertise level.
You can also choose from a variety of rifles and handguns that fit your grip and comfort.
TNT Guns & Range’s private booths are ideal for those who wish to add a dash of game mechanics to their shooting practice.
Drive along South Commerce Drive to reach this gun range facility.
If hiking is something you want to do while on your Murray trip, Little Confluence Nature Trail might be for you.
This easy hike is a common spot for walkers and dog owners.
Offering a blend of gravel and paved walkways, this trail is famous for its shaded paths.
As it runs along the Jordan River, it introduces you to native flora and fauna you won’t get to find elsewhere.
Little Confluence Nature Trail starts at 4800 South near Murray Taylorsville Road.
Mick Riley Golf Course is your best bet for a simple but worthwhile golfing experience in Murray.
With 9 holes per a 3-par playing course, this golf course accommodates beginner-level golfers.
In fact, the facility offers junior golf for your little ones wanting to try a shot at golf.
You can also sign up for lessons while there!
Keep your gameplay interesting by joining leagues hosted at the golf facility.
Mick Riley Golf Course is along East Vine Street—your active outdoor family getaway.
When it comes to events and festivals, Murray always goes all out.
And this is true for Murray Fun Days, which is the city’s take on a classic 4th of July celebration.
Started in 1958, this family-friendly event takes place in Murray Park.
Some of its well-known events include a chalk art competition, a 5K walk and run, and a car show.
Don’t miss out on the starting parade and culminating fireworks show.
There are games and daytime entertainment for everyone—even children.
Free your schedule in July for Murray Fun Days!
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The Millcreek Canyon is one of the best hiking spots in the state.
Find it in Salt Lake City, Utah, 15 minutes from Murray.
The canyon offers trails for hikers of all levels, from strolls to more challenging hikes.
The most popular trail in the canyon is the Pipeline Trail, a four-mile hike that takes you to beautiful waterfalls in a walled canyon.
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Other trails in the canyon include the Desolation Trail, Grandeur Peak, and the Dog Lake/Big Water Trail, leading to a trailhead with stunning views of the Great Salt Lake.
Bikers are allowed at the upper trails of the Millcreek Canyon, which lets you enjoy the scenery while getting some exercise.
The canyon is also home to various wildlife, including deer, coyotes, and bighorn sheep.
The Millcreek Canyon also features several picnic areas and campsites along the trails.
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One of the best indoor attractions in Murray is the Get Air Trampoline Park, perfect for a fun and active day.
It’s also in Salt Lake City, six minutes from Murray.
The Park features a variety of trampolines, from traditional ones to dodge ball courts and an obstacle course.
There is also a foam pit where you can practice flips and tricks by jumping into a pile of soft foam blocks.
Located in Van Winkle Shopping Center, the Get Air Trampoline Park is great for all ages, with separate areas for toddlers and kids.
The Get Air Trampoline Park also lets you celebrate special events, such as birthdays and group events.
If you are an outdoors fan, then the Big Cottonwood Regional Park is the perfect place.
It’s in Millcreek, Utah, six minutes from Murray.
The Park is home to various plants, animals, and hiking trails that offer stunning views of the valley.
Several picnic areas are dotted around the Park, the perfect place to enjoy a family outing or a romantic picnic.
The Big Cottonwood Regional Park is also ideal for those who love a game of baseball with its three softball fields and one baseball field.
The Park boasts a playground, a running trail, an amphitheater, and a pavilion.
A concession stand is also available, selling various snacks and drinks.
Visitors have several ponds and streams that are perfect for fishing or just admiring the scenery.
If you’re looking for things to do in Murray, you’ve come to the right place.
These attractions will keep you entertained for days on end.
Whether a nature lover or a history buff, you’ll find an attraction for you in charming Murray.
So what are you waiting for?
Start planning your Murray trip today!
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