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Destination Davis County

TOP 10 PLACES RECREATION

Davis County, located just north of Salt Lake City, is a great alternative close to but outside of the busy city.

This area offers some of northern Utah's most popular attractions, including the Great Salt Lake, Lagoon Amusement Park, Cherry Hill Campground and Waterpark, and direct access to Antelope Island State Park.

This is a destination that travelers don't want to miss.

	Antelope Island - The largest island in the Great Salt Lake. Accessed by a seven-mile causeway, is the best way to experience the lake. The park features one of the largest herds of bison in the country, beaches, horseback riding, a historic ranch, and trails. It is also one of the top places for birding in the country.
	Lagoon - The fun starts at Lagoon, the largest amusement park in the inter-mountain west. The park features over 50 rides, a water park, live entertainment, and the historic Pioneer Village complete with gunslingers. October brings the added attraction of Frightmares. The park is open daily during summer, and on weekends in April/May and Sept/Oct.
	Skiing - Experience the Greatest Snow on Earth while staying in Davis County. Centrally located, we provide "One Destination: 10 resorts." Take your pick, all within 20 minutes to one hour away.
	Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve - Keep your feet dry while still experiencing great bird and wildlife watching around the Great Salt Lake wetlands. Designed to emphasize the Great Salt Lake's ecological importance-particularly for millions of birds -- the preserve includes a Visitors Center, a boardwalk trail through prime bird-watching habitat, and stunning vistas from a 30-foot-high tower.
	Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area - This area offers excellent bird watching and bike riding. Over 200 species have been documented at the site.
	S & S Shortline Railroad and Museum - Come ride the rails on a 7½"-gauge rail or 24"-gauge rail train! Over 90 engines and cars are featured in this one-of-a-kind attraction. A replica of a 1920s freight station houses a gift shop, snack bar, and museum. Open Tuesday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.
	Cherry Hill Resort & Waterpark - This resort was named one of the best destination campgrounds in the U.S. by Trailer Life. The waterpark, pool, mini golf couse, batting cages, a climbing wall, kiddie playport, video arcades, snack bar and restaurant keep the whole family entertained. Open Monday through Saturday, 10:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. Prices vary by age.
	Hill Aerospace Museum - An excellent museum featuring over 100 aircraft, missiles, and aerospace equipment. A gift shop and an art museum round out this unique attraction. Free admission. Open daily 9:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
	Utah House - An elegant home on the grounds of the Utah Botanical Gardens. The project demonstrates new ways of building homes and creating landscapes that promote energy and water conservation, universal design, and healthy indoor environments. Utah Botanical Gardens are open daily from dusk to dawn. The Utah House is open Monday through Friday, 1:00 p.m.-5 p.m. and Saturday from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. Free admission.
	Davis County Visitors Center - This center assists visitors to Davis County with information on attractions, lodging, dining, and more. For more information, please call (801) 774-8200 or (888) 777-9771.

Birding
The shorelines of the Great Salt Lake are one of only seventeen sites in the Western Hemispheric Shorebird Reserve. Both Birding Digest and Audobon Magazine have listed this area as on of the country's top birding sites. Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve, Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area, and Antelope Island offer great opportunities to spot over 250 species.

Legacy Parkway
The Parkway and associated nature preserve allows access to scenic wetlands around the Great Salt Lake. Trails allow hiking/biking/horseback riding.

Wildlife Viewing
600 bison roam free on Antelope Island. Add to that big horn sheep, mule deer, pronghorn antelope, coyote, and millions of bird. Enjoy wildlife viewing from your car or take off by foot or horse to explore over 25 of trails.

Water Parks/Camping Resorts
Lagoon and Cherry Hill are both renown for their excellent water parks. Campgrounds on site make it easy to bring the whole family.

Golf
Nine courses with reasonable green fees make Davis a golfer's paradise. Valley View and Bountiful Ridge are consistently rated as Four Star value courses by Golf Digest.

Kayaking
Kayaking on Great Salt Lake is a great way to enjoy this lake and all its wildlife. With beautiful views and calm water, it can be one of the most rewarding places to paddle in North America.

Floating on the Great Salt Lake
Antelope Island is the best place to experience the Great Salt Lake. White beaches and turquoise water invite swimmers to try floating in the lake. Kayaking and sailing are popular as well.

Biking/hiking
The Wasatch Cache National Forest has designated five trails in Davis County for mountain biking. There are 36 miles of off-road biking and hiking on Antelope Island. The island is excellent for road biking with a seven mile causeway and an eight mile loop.

Skiing
Davis County is the perfect place to stay for skiing the largest number of ski resorts. It is the mid-point between the Cottonwood Canyons (Alta, Brighton, Snowbird & Solitude) and Snowbasin/Powder Mountain. The Layton area is among the closest lodging to Snowbasin and Powder Mountain. Ski or board during the day, then walk to all of the restaurants and shops at night.

Historic Fielding Garr Ranch
Located on Antelope Island, the ranch takes visitors back in time. You can see how the ranch has changed over the past 150 years, handle unique tools, and learn what ranch life was really like. Programs are both educational and exciting. Visiting the ranch is great activity for any family.

Main Street Bountiful Shopping
The historic main street, reminiscent of the way downtowns used to be, is lined with one-of-a-kind shops and galleries. Take your pick of crafts, clothing, jewelry or children's books.

Layton Hills Mall
Within walking distance of Layton's hotel cluster, the mall features over 120 specialty retailers.

Layton Commons
Location of Ed Kenley Amphitheatre, Layton Heritage Museum and Surf & Swim. The amphitheater is the location for Summer Night With the Stars (June — Sept.) and Free Sunday Night Concerts (June — Aug). The museum traces the development of Davis County with over 1,700 artifacts. The wave pool is open year round.

Rodgers Memorial Theatre
Year round live theatre by Davis Performing Arts Corporation

Speedstreet Indoor Raceway
Indoor go-cart speedway and cafe

Read articles on travels and experiences in the Davis County Destination.

Great Salt Lake Bird Festival mid-May each year
The state's premier bird festival draws enthusiasts from across the world. Guided tours gain visitors access to the best birding lands around the Great Salt Lake and northern Utah's wetlands and mountains. A festival atmosphere with bird-related workshops, art, exhibits and youth activities prevails at the Davis County Event Center. www.greatsaltlakebirdfest.com (801) 451-3286

Moonlight Bike Ride, Antelope Island State Park, mid-summer each year
This non-competitive bike ride is held at night by the light of the moon. It is suitable for all levels of experience as the route is from the marina to the Garr Ranch. Please call (801) 774-8200 for more information, or check the calendar at www.davis.travel.

Bountiful Summerfest International annually in August
Dancers from as many as 10 countries share their culture in one of Utah's largest folk festivals. Dance troupes from China, Aremenia, Mongolia, Bulgaria, Latvia, Slovakia and France are expected along with other nations. Festivities take place along historic Main Street as the dancers have the spectators join in to learn native folk dances. Some activities are held at Bountiful City Park. Dancing is the center of attention, but a juried arts show, ethnic food vendors, and a Children's Art Yard complete the fun.

Frightmares weekends October 1-31
Add haunted attractions and shows to the great rides at Lagoon and you have devilishly, good time. The little ones will enjoy the Spook-A-Boo Walk Thru and Crow's Straw Maze. For adults that really want to be scared, there's Nightmare Midway and The Labyrinth. Ghoulish creatures roam the park at night, but visitors should not wear costumes. Check www.lagoonpark.com (801) 451-8000

Annual Bison Round Up annually, end of October
The bison roundup, which occurs the end of October, is one of the great fall spectacles of northern Utah. The bison are driven to corrals on the north end of the island by a combination of volunteer horsemen and helicopters. Here they are allowed to rest for four days before being worked through the corrals, vaccinated and checked for general health the first week in November.

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