River surfing is a thing. Really. I wasn’t much of an ocean surfer because of the obvious- hard to paddle out, sharks, reefs, and I don’t live near the sea. But that hasn’t stopped river runners like Gannet Horn from finding his wave.
River Surfer – an unassuming, simple, and community-oriented short doc produced by and promoted through ROAM- captures the heart of one man’s thrill of surfing whitewater. He’s not the only one, of course, as kayakers and standup paddlers have found new ways to play in the river. But you can get a taste of the “why” from watching this beautiful little short.
If you want to learn more about Gannett check out his interview here.
Skiers don’t have time for big breakfasts. It’s not that we don’t want the eggs-bacon-potatoes spread, it’s just that if we want to beat traffic off and on the hill, we need to get going. That means, a quick pour into the double-walled travel coffee mug and a slice of coffeecake.
You could really go “mcmeal” by picking up the pastry at the gas station along the way but, ewwww. Instead bake up this tried and true coffeecake.
(To make the coffeecake even faster to prepare in the morning, prepare the streusel and measure out the dry ingredients for the cake the night before.)
This cake will also freeze well. So pull it out when you know you’re ready for a quick bite on the way to the slopes.
Serves 8
Streusel
1/3 cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 cup pecans, almonds, or walnuts, chopped coarse
Cake
3 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon table salt
1 3/4 cups buttermilk or whole plain yogurt
1 cup packed light brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
3 large eggs
7 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1. For the streusel: Mix sugars, cinnamon, and melted butter together in medium bowl until mixture resembles wet sand; stir in nuts and set aside.
2. For the cake: Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees. Generously coat 13×9 inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.
3. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt together in large bowl. Whisk buttermilk, sugars, eggs, and melted butter in separate bowl until smooth. Using rubber spatula, gently fold egg mixture into flour mixture and stir until batter looks smooth and well combined.
4. Using rubber spatula, scrape batter into prepared pan and smooth top. Sprinkle streusel evely over batter. Bake until streusel is golden and toothpick inserted into center comes out with just a few crumbs attached, 40 to 45 minutes. Cool cake on wire rack for 15 minutes before slicing and serving
It doesn’t take long for an inquisitive visitor to Park City to hear tell of the little resort town’s storied past. The remnants surround you; of the silver mine boom and bust, the historic structures that pepper Park City Mountain and multi-colored “shacks” built into the hillsides. Eventually, history buffs find their way to the unique museums like Park City’s for a nostalgic immersion of all things turn of the century.
Museums are often overlooked in small towns but some of the
most fascinating artifacts are curated by locals with a passion for everything
from bullets to bugs and they can’t wait to show you around. Here are some of
the more unusual collections found in Utah.
Tom Whitaker’s Cowboy Museum- Ol’ Tom Whitaker, the
founder of the Heber Valley Cowboy Poetry Gathering, opens his Cowboy Museum in
Midway to the public only twice a year- during the Gathering and on the Fourth
of July. But if you just can’t wait to walk through time into the railroad
room, Indian and cowboy room, western brothel housed in a restored pioneer
cabin, then send him an email. Tom and wife Linda are happy to show you around.
Even the exterior with cactuses and windmill from Iowa reflects the wild west.
Free Admission 510 N. River Rd Midway next to Midway Memorial Hill. whitakers777@gmail.com.
Heber
Valley CAF (Commemorative Air Force ) Wing Air Museum The Utah wing of the national non-profit aviation association exists solely to
immortalize the big birds of WWII and share the past with plane buffs. The
focus of this museum is on aircraft like the Boeing
PT-17/N2S Stearman but volunteers will graciously tour you
through displays on women in aviation and commercial aircraft as well. You can
also book a ride in a bi-plane if you plan ahead.
CAF Hangar on the Russ McDonald Field, Heber Valley Airport. Open Thurs.-Sun. May 1- Oct. 31. 435-709-7269
Price
Museum of speed (SLC)
– For those with a thing for wheels over wings, there’s this ode to vintage
race cars. The more than 30 international speedsters housed in this downtown
Salt Lake City space either won or placed well in renowned events like the
Grand Prix and Le Mans and date back to 1904. Ogle the 1929 Bugatti 35B Racer
and 1938 Mormon Meteor III by appointment only. 165
E 600 S; Salt Lake City, (801) 906-0157.
Moab Museum of Film and Western Heritage – The west was won by John Ford and John Wayne if you ask the curators of this museum inside the Red Cliffs Lodge in southern Utah. The area served as a backdrop to cowboy classics like Wagon Master, Rio Grande, and Son of Cochise and hosted golden era stars like Rock Hudson, Henry Fonda, Maureen O’Hara and more. The self-guided, free unique museum displays memorabilia like movie posters and costumes from the early films to the present, all shot in the Moab area. When you’re done looking around, cozy up to the Castle Creek wine bar, also inside Red Cliffs, for free wine tasting from noon- 7 p.m. The museum is open 8 a.m.- 10 p.m. (866) 812-2002.
Photo by Tricia Simpson
Western Mining and Railroad Museum– The Denver and Rio Grande railroads established Helper, Utah, as a hub for coal miners and their families in the late 1800s and their story continues to be told through the exhibits housed in the Old Helper Hotel building, built in 1913. You get three stories plus the basement of railroad and mining memorabilia, as well as exhibits on the company store life and the war years. The third floor is said to be haunted. Free tours upon request, Mon.- Sat. 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
Utah
State Railroad Museum
– This one is for the kiddos, fantasy conductors and general train buffs.
Outside Union Station is a free exhibit of full-sized
rare locomotives and autos including a gas-turbine train. Inside are more
displays and stories of the development and construction of the
transcontinental railroad. Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue,
Ogden, Utah. (Inside) $5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
Utah
Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum– Yes, this is Utah so there must be an
authentic Utah Cowboy Hall of Fame. It’s tucked inside the heritage museum amid
the exhibits that honor artists, entertainers,
musicians, ranchers, and writers that celebrated those true western values.
Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue,
Ogden, Utah. $5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
John
M. Browning Firearms Museum– Also inside Ogden’s Union Station is a tribute to Mr.
Browning and his original firearms from mini
pistols to sporting rifles. Winchester, Colt, Remington have all based their
guns on Browning’s designs. Give yourself time to wander among the tremendous array
of guns and family history. Union Station, 2501 Wall Avenue,
Ogden, Utah. $5, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Mon. – Sat.
Art
Robinson Transport Museum – When you love trucks as much as Art does, you set
up five barns’ worth of all makes, models and years. This truck fancier’s
paradise is a must see and houses such lovelies as a ’72 Brockway and a ’44
Mack. 875 W Main St., across US50 from the Robinson Transport Yard,
Salina, Utah. 435-529-4354.
Goulding’s
Trading Post Museum–
This small museum in Monument Valley tells the story of trading post days, the
corralling of famous western films of the time, as well as Navajo tribal art
history. For anyone visiting the area, old west film buffs and John Wayne fans
(they show classic John Ford films in the Movie Room), take an hour from your
day for a free self-guided tour. Inside Goulding’s Lodge, 1000 Main Street
Monument Valley, Utah. (435) 727-3231.
John Wesley Powell River History Museum– Ever heard of Lake Powell? Well, this compact but unique museum in Green River celebrates the explorers who first discovered and mapped the Colorado and Green rivers and canyons in Utah, and all things related- geology, navigation, environmental impacts. There are photos and interactive displays, as well as dinosaur replicas and fossil records in the basement. Admission is $6. 765 East Main Street, Green River, Utah. 435-564-3427. Open daily in the summer.
Monte L. Bean Life
Science Museum–
The irony for this free educational “life science” museum is that the large
collection of animals aren’t alive. The taxidermied zoo impresses with
full-sized giraffes and a bull elephant. There’s also a touch and feel area for kids and free weekly shows with live animals at
7:30 p.m. Open Mon.-Sat. 645 E 1430 N, Provo, Utah, Brigham Young University.
(801) 422-5050
Two-time Olympic Gold Medalist Ted Ligety and X-Games Champ Antti Autti took to Snowbird last spring to shred some early morning lines. This short film follows the two as they cat and mouse through Mineral Basin and Gad Valley with a symphony of GS turns.
The concept for Art of Arc stems from something valued since Ted first launched SHRED in 2006; the love for the mountains. Of course, one of the best ways to celebrate your relationship with the slope is turning. Just watch these two lay down some sexy strokes.
There’s no question that Halloween in Utah rocks and 2019 is no different. Maybe it’s because there’s not a lot of drinking going on in the Beehive State that locals love to get their fright on. But take a look at all of the fun Halloween things to do with a date, family, or even alone, if you dare, this October.
Here is your guide to the spookiest Halloween attractions in Utah. Want to know where to go this Halloween? Just read on.
Haunted Houses for Halloween in Utah
10th West Scare House: Logan’s haunted house prides itself on “tasteful scaring” – meaning more fun, less gore. There are two haunted attractions -the Spooky Warehouse with more than 4000 square feet of haunting space indoors and the Haunt Yard – which encompasses two acres of outdoor creepiness.
Asylum 49: This 38,000 square-foot ‘insane asylum’ in Tooele is not for the faint of heart. The crazies may touch, grab and separate you from your group. They might even detain you in small dark areas, or strap you to a metal bed while they work on you. If that insanity doesn’t break you, there’s the Extreme Haunt and Ghost Hunt.
Frightmares at Lagoon: Frightmares haunts this Farmington amusement park when it quits in the fall. It’s your one-stop-shop for Halloween in Utah. Not only are there haunted houses and fun houses but there are enough family friendly activities to keep everyone excited. Plan to stay until close if you want to hit all nine haunted attractions and warehouses like the Fun House of Fear, the House of Illusions, and the Malevolent Mansion. Halloween-themed entertainment, the Nightmare Midway and many of their summertime rides and games will be open every weekend through Oct. 30.
Fear Factory:This haunted house located in the Portland Cement Works Building in downtown SLC has been named one of the scariest in the world by media outlets like USA today and Buzzfeed. The massive attraction takes up six buildings, up to six stories high, with underground passages and more than 100 actors to bring out your worst nightmares. They also have a 300 foot zipline, 60-foot tower jump and a gyroscope ride. But the absolute coolest thing you will ever do this Halloween is their new VR video game where you walk through a seven-story factory battling zombies.
Make sure you play around in the courtyard at the Nightmare on 13th Haunted House
Real Hollywood props everywhere to scare
Nightmare on 13th: Utah’s largest and most technical haunted house has been scaring folks for nearly 30 years. Each year, the attractions get bigger and better with multiple themed rooms and professional actors. From the classic scary clowns to the Viking underworld, this is as professional as you get. For Halloween 2019, pay a little extra and step into the Nightmare Escape rooms next door.
Dead City Haunted House: This 30,000 square foot event in Murray has over 50 rooms of terror including the Haunted Mansion, Cannibal Kitchen, Werewolf Forest, Spider Kingdom, and Vampires Lair. Dead City also has Utah’s largest, immersive 3-D attraction. For kids needing a slightly less intense Fright Level, a “Death be Gone” glow-stick can be purchased that signals the actors to keep their distance. There is also an “Animatronics Only” kids’ event with no actors to spook the timid.
Castle of Chaos: You choose your Fright Level as you experience the underground labyrinth of classic and modern-day horror in Midvale. Also, explore the three escape rooms where players are given a set time limit to unveil the secret which is hidden within the room.
Insanity Point: Thanksgiving Point is also known as Insanity Point during the Halloween season. Aside the infamous Cornbelly’s Corn Maze are the four Insanity Point haunts; the The Big Top Terror, Curtain of Chaos, The Barn and Hayloft Horror.
Strangling Bros. Haunted Circus: After you wind your way through the one of a kind, crazy, twisted, demonic halls of the Strangling Brothers Haunted Circus, you can see if you are brave enough for more. Enter the Tunnel of Foam, or find out if you can escape from Eskaped in American Fork’s renowned Halloween attraction.
Fiesta Fright: If you’re looking for something south of the Wasatch, the Fiesta Fun Center in St. George, Utah adds a Family Fear Center and exclusive escape room for Halloween.
Red Rock Haunt: For those lucky enough to have experienced Rocky Point Haunted house in SLC back before it closed in 2007, you know its level of creative horror surpassed all others. Well, not to fear, its spirit is not completely dead and gone. One of the original producers and FX engineers of Rocky Point has opened up an 8,000 sq. ft. tent of life-like horror in St. George. The circus of horror with towering castle walls and dark dungeons uses actors and special effects to bring the terror alive.
Haunted Outdoors For Utah Halloween:
So the closed in, dark spaces are not your thing or maybe they are just too predictable for you? The only thing scarier than a haunted house is a haunted wood. Outdoor haunts abound for Halloween in Utah. The activities range from haunted corn mazes to haunted forests, there is even a haunted river cruise. We mentioned a few above but here are more:
AWHC’s Haunted Hollow: The living history museum at the American West Heritage Center in Utah’s Cache Valley shares Wild West stories ranging from train robberies to double-crosses. According to its curators, the Haunted Hollow is legit haunted as the spirits of the deceased have much unfinished business with the living. Additional Family Friendly Activities at this location include the Corn Maze on the Farm as well as the Fall Harvest Festival on October 18th & 19th.
Haunted Hollow, West Haven: According to its creators, this dark and murky forest near Ogden encompasses 13 acres of the most menacing, horrifying and ghastly haunted forest in Utah.
The Corn Maize: This West Haven farm is ideal for those looking for family friendly activities in Weber County with additional activities for the older siblings. Youngsters will love the Corn Maize with it’s Pumpkin Patch, Hay Slides, Barrel Train, Zip Ride and Light Show. Meanwhile, the fearless in the family can fight off the Zombie Apocalypse with Nexus Tactical Laser Tag in the adjacentHaunted Corn Maze.
Nightmare Acres: Located at Black Island Farms in Syracuse, this is another Halloween attraction that is also filled with family friendly activities like a Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze and Courtyard attractions.
Haunted Kay’s Cross: This one of a kind Haunted Forest in Kaysville has over 3/4 mile of sloping real forest trail and all the paranoias that come with it. The show Ghost Adventures even featured the legend of Kay’s Cross and its remains in this forest.
Night Stalkers Haunted Trail: Utah’s #1 haunted attraction 2017 & 2018 is waiting for you, adjacent to West Jordan’s popular Crazy Corn Maze. Night Stalkers Haunted Trail is touted as one of Utah’s longest and most unique haunted trails. Although they do have family friendly activities like the Halloween playground, pumpkin patch and Mayble’s 3D Funhouse, you may want to keep the little ones out of the Creatures of the Corn, Phobia, 3D Slumber and Horror Show (beware clowns).
Haunted Forest: Real trails lead you through hundreds of trees, actual swamps, mine shafts, and chilling dungeons filled with demons and ghouls. The Haunted Forest in American Fork is an outdoor adventure full of fun thrills and scares.
Glen Ray’s Corn Maze– This American Fork corn maze is another attraction that’s family friendly during the day but haunted at night. Go ahead and play in a pumpkin patch, on giant slides and in corn pits. But Friday and Saturday nights, only those who are brave enough should venture into the Field of Fright.
Water Hollow Ranch: This Uinta Basin ranch in Bluebell has a Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze,Witch Hollow and Creep Farm. There are plenty of family friendly activities here. However, as darkness falls the haunting begins and a trip through the corn maze definitely becomes a Fright at Night.
Staheli Family Farm: This Southern Utah farm in Washington, UT near St. George, offers family friendly activities: a Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Spooky Trick-or-Treat Trail as well as a Witches Night Out with the farm’s resident witches. For those who want to up the Fright Factor there is also a Field of Screams as well as a Zombie Rampage adventure.
Corn Mazes and Pumpkin Patches for Family Fun
The following farms have more Family Friendly Activities for Halloween in Utah, with haunts geared towards the littlest family members. These attractions encompass the “Spirit” of Halloween without, perhaps, the gore, guts, demons and spooky haunts of future nightmares.
Corn Maze on the Farm: Mon-Sat at the America West Heritage Center in Wellsville, you’ll find a 7 Acre Corn Maze, Holstein Bounce House, Straw Mountain, Straw Obstacle Course, GIANT slide, Tomahawk Throwing, BB Gun Range, Pony and Train Rides and the nearby Haunted Hollow.
Little Bear Bottoms Haunts: In addition to their milder haunts along the Haunted River Trail and Spooky Barn Ride, this Northern Utah farm in the Cache Valley has several family friendly activities for the littlest members of the family. These include a Pumpkin Patch, Corn Maze, Giant Hay Fort and the Not-So-Scary Haunted River Trail.
Gibson Green Acres: This farm in Ogden has a bit of something for the whole family including a Haunted Maze and many family friendly activities. During the day your kiddos will love the corn maze, giant slide, bounce house, petting zoo, and pumpkin picking. You may also opt to take a Haunted Wagon Ride to the Haunted Maze.
Cross E Ranch Fall Festival: This Salt Lake City farm has a 14 Acre Corn Maze with three routes- easy, mid and difficult–Pig Races, Zip lines, Kiddie Land, Mega Slides, Hay Rides, Corn Pit, Mini Train Rides, Mini Straw Maze, Hay Pyramid, Fire Pit, Movies on the Barn, Western Dancing and Live Music through Nov. 2.
Crazy Corn Maze: Take the whole family out to West Jordan for the corn maze, Halloween playground, pumpkin patch and fun house. This year’s all new Fright Lights is a magical lit up pathway with music. Your ticket includes a pumpkin. Mayble’s 3D Funhouse is a junior haunted house, and then of course the Night Stalker’s Haunted Trail is there if you dare. Utah’s voted #1 Haunted attraction 2017 & 2018 is waiting for you.
Petersen Family Farm: – Head out to this pumpkin patch in Riverton to harvest your own Jack o’ lantern, take a tractor hay ride, walk the corn maze, and pet the farm animals.
Cornbelly’s: The infamous fall playground will celebrate the “World of Wizards” and Harry Potter for Halloween 2019. A wizard-themed maze features eight acres of pathways where you’ll encounter interactive games and special wizard-themed trivia. There are also 50-plus other attractions that are more family friendly like a Light Up the Night Halloween Parade, Jack-o-Lantern train rides, a Trick-or-Treat Parade, fireworks and scary tales and s’mores. For those with an itch to scream, tiptoe over to the four Insanity Point haunts: The Big Top Terror, Curtain of Chaos, The Barn and Hayloft Horror.
Hee Haw Farms: This Farm in Pleasant Grove is open through Nov.2 for pumpkin picking, haunted hayrides, petting farm, corn maze, silo slide, corn cannon, zip line and more.
Other Family Friendly Attractions for Halloween in Utah
While Frightmares at Lagoon is the most noteworthy, many of Utah’s year-round and seasonal venues have something extra to offer for the Halloween season.
Carnivore Carnival: Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park will be covered in Halloween décor offering little witches and goblins a unique trick or treating experience. The entire park is covered with nearly 1,000 strands of light to illuminate the wide offering of family friendly activities. Carnivore Carnival is open October 17, 18, 19, and 25, 26 for carnival games, candy prizes and a dinosaur-based scavenger hunt, treating, and costume parade.
Scary Hills: Have unlimited “Scarrrry Fun” at Cherry Hills in Kaysville with Scary Hill’s Mini Golf, Haunted Bone Yard, Junior Jungle Boats, Spooky Maze, Bounce Houses, Hampster Haven, Spider Areoball, The ROCK, and Battlestar Blasters. Although geared towards a younger crowd, they do call the attractions Haunted and Spooky where skeletons, spiders and the blind corners of a maze may raise more than a few hairs.
Pumpkin Nights: Head out to the Utah State Fairpark for the magic of old Jack through Nov.2. A half-mile walking path will take you through the Forbidden Pumpkin City, a pirate’s cove, and more fantastical lands built using over 3,000 hand-carved real and artificial pumpkins. There’s also an interactive quest, brand new photo ops, and a new movie screening.
Grimm Ghost Tours: Visit actual haunted locations around Salt Lake and learn their history. Each tour lasts an hour and a half and is an interactive tour where you get off at most locations. If you want to take your experience to the next level there is a paranormal investigation. If you take the Monday tour, you’ll visit the Fear Factory!
Little Haunts: Daytime at This is the Place, Heritage Park, is a perfect intro to Halloween for the wee ones. Spooks can come with or without a costume for this fun-filled day of trick-or-treating, storytelling with a witch and other activities.
Wheeler Historic Farm Pumpkin Days – The Murray attraction has Pumpkin Days this October where guests can explore the daily Pumpkin Play Zone, Hay Maze, Cow Train & Wagon Rides.
Halloween River Cruise: Take an adventure riverboat ride on the lower Provo River where there are over 100 pumpkins reflecting off the water. Lasting 20-25 minutes, each Halloween Cruise features lights, a scary story told by the ship’s captain and a visit from a pirate who hands out candy. The cruises are presented by CLAS Ropes Course
Halloween Lift Rides & ZipTour at Sundance Mountain Resort: Just like the Full Moon Lift ride, but a little spookier! Geared to be family friendly, the Halloween Lift Rides last 45 minutes to an hour and take place on Ray’s Lift. Fun games, hot chocolate, & snacks are for sale, as well as blankets for those who forget. Weather permitting, a complimentary Halloween movie plays at the base. Ticket(s) are available for purchase online or in person at Ray’s Base Ticket Office. The ZipTour features a flight down Outlaw Span, 3,871 feet of soaring!
Sleepy Hollow Haunted Wagon Ride: Listen to your guide narrate Washington Irving’s “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” aboard an authentic horse drawn wagon ride through the woods near Soldier Hollow in Midway. Beware as it is rumored these woods are haunted by the apparition of the Headless Horseman. This family friendly Halloween adventure does gets spookier as evening falls on the woods.
Heber Valley Pumpkin Train: All aboard the annual Halloween steamer for a 40-minute round trip. On board, your kiddos will be entertained by costumed characters and pumpkin cookies. At the depot, the kids can walk through the haunted train car as well as select a pumpkin from the Pumpkin Patch to take home.
Single Day Events For Halloween in Utah
Boo at the Zoo: On Oct. 26, kids 12 and younger can come in costume to trick-or-treat at various booths set up throughout zoo grounds.
Halloween! on Historic Main Street: Park City’s Main Street shuts down for traffic at 2 p.m. Oct. 31 so all the little ghoul’s can come out to trick or treat. All of the stores and restaurants participate and it’s a regular parade of the best costumes in the land. The event culminates at 5 p.m. with a giant Howl-o-Ween march of doggies in costume.
FearCon and the Vampire Circus– One weekend only, Oct. 10-12 experience all things scary and spooky at the Riverbend Event Center in SLC. Your premium ticket to the Vampire Circus of Terror show (sold out the past 2 years) includes a 2 Day Pass To Fear Con and all the included entertainment. Fear Con includes a wide array of interactive haunted experiences, where you can challenge your survival skills and instincts to escape terrifying creatures, clowns and zombies. Also check the entertainment schedule so that you don’t miss out on the wide variety of special shows including; magicians, fire swallowers, freaks and horror related Special FX artists. You will also have the opportunity to visit 100’s of Exhibitors and meet guest speakers from some of your favorite horror hits.
