Inexpensive Spring Break Stay-Cation Ideas in Utah's Davis County (Bountiful/Layton Areas)

Are you planning a stay-cation for Spring Break, but need ideas for where to go and what to do?  Well here is a list of places you can visit in Utah's Davis County (Bountiful/Layton Areas).  Each of these things is open in the spring and costs less than $10 per person.  In fact, many of these places are free.

Mrs Cavanaugh's Chocolate Factory
835 Northpointe Circle
North Salt Lake, Utah
Cost: $1 per person. (Includes samples of chocolate)
Hours: Tours are available from 10 am to 3:00 pm Monday through Friday
Phone Number: (801) 677-8888
Website: http://mrscavanaughs.com/Misc/factory-tours/

Who wouldn’t love to see how chocolates are made? This chocolate factory offers tours where you learn about history of chocolate and the history of the company. You can look through large windows into the factory where the chocolates are made. The end of the tour includes samples of chocolates.

Farmington Bay Waterfoul Area
1325 W Glovers Ln
Farmington Utah
Cost: Free
Hours: Dawn to dusk, various areas are closed throughout the year. Check the website for open areas.
Phone Number: 801-476-2740
Website: https://wildlife.utah.gov/habitat/farmington_bay.php

Each year, hundreds of thousands of birds stop along the shores of the Great Salt Lake as they follow their migration routes. Farmington Bay is one of the main places they stop. Many birds build nests and live in this area during the spring. Wildlife viewing is the main activity here though hunting and fishing are also allowed during certain seasons.


USU Botanical Center
920 South 50 West
Kaysville, Utah
Cost: Free
Hours: The ponds and trails are open from dawn to dusk. The buildings are open from Monday to Friday from 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm and on Saturday from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Ponds and trails open sunrise to sunset.
Phone Number: 801-593-8969

Website: http://usubotanicalcenter.org/

USU Botanical Center is part of the Utah State University Extension program. The center has several gardens to show the many types of plants that you can grow in Utah. Classes are offered throughout the year for a fee. In addition to the beautiful gardens you can visit the Wetland Discovery Point which is an eco friendly education center where you can learn about the many plants and animals that live in wetlands. You can also visit the Utah House which was built with sustainability in mind. Visiting the Utah House has a suggested donation of $2 per person.

Great Salt Lake Shorelands Preserve
41 South 3200 West
Layton, Utah
Cost: Free, but donations are accepted
Hours: Open from dawn to dusk every day.
Phone Number: (801) 531-0999
Website: www.nature.org

This place is one of my favorite places on the Wasatch front. It’s located only a few miles from the hustle and bustle of the 1-15 corridor, but it feels like it is a remote location. The area is managed by the nature conservancy in order to preserve an important resting spot for migratory birds. There is a mile long boardwalk that takes you over marshy water and through tall grass and cattails. The board walk passes displays that help you learn about the birds who come here and why this place is important. There is a pavilion and an observation tower.


Sea Quest Aquarium in the Layton Hills Mall
1201 North Hill Field Road
Layton, UT
Cost: $14.95 for Adults and $9.95 for children (This is $5 less per ticket than the Living Planet Aquarium in Salt Lake.)
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, and on Sunday from 12:00 pm to 6:00 am.
Phone Number: 801-544-4938
Website: http://seaquestaquariums.com/utah/seaquest-experience/

This place is the most expensive place on the list, but I've included it because it a less expensive alternative to the Living Planet Aquarium. Seaquest bills itself as an interactive aquarium and allows it’s guests plenty of chances to get up close and personal with all sorts of interesting creatures - including mermaids.

Antelope Island State Park
4528 West 1700 South
Syracuse, Utah
Cost: Entrance to the island costs $10 per vehicle. Camping starts at $15 a night.
Hours: Open every day from 6:00 am to 10:00 pm
Phone Number: 801-725-9263

Website: https://stateparks.utah.gov/parks/antelope-island/

Visiting Antelope Island is a little bit like stepping back in time, and since it has some of the oldest exposed rock in all of Utah it’s not hard to see why. Places of interest on the island are the Visitor Center which has architectural details constructed from the original railroad trestle that spanned the Great Salt Lake. You’ll want to also plan some time for a hike. Expect to see buffalo since this is the location of one of the last free range herds of buffalo. If the weather is nice plan to swim in the salty water of the Great Salt Lake. If you are very adventurous you can plan a camping trip. Bridge Bay campground on Antelope Island is one of the only campgrounds Northern Utah that is open year round. Just be prepared – there is no water at the campground - though drinking water and showers are available at the day use area.

Hill Aerospace Museum
7961 Wardleigh Road
Hill AFB, Utah

(You do not need special ID to enter this part of the Base)
Cost: Free
Hours: Monday through Saturday from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Phone Number: (801) 825-5817
Website: www.aerospaceutah.org

The museum contains over 100 aircraft on display. The display takes up not one, but two aircraft hangars and still there isn’t enough room. Many of the larger aircraft are on display outside the museum. There are many WWII era planes, including  a B-17 bomber. There are also more modern planes such as the SR-71 Blackbird.

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I hope this list helps you find something fun to do. If you want more ideas for things to do in Northern Utah during Spring Break check out the full list here.

And as always, I'd love to know if there are more fun and inexpensive places to visit in this area. If you know of any feel free to tell me about them in the comments.

Have a great stay-cation!