Recently, Areavibes.com published an article, naming Utah as the second most boring state in the nation (congratulations, Idaho, you’re number one). Well, we heartily disagree! Utah is certainly NOT boring.
The site used three criteria to determine if a state was “boring.” Factors included:
– A high percentage of people over 65.
-A high percentage of households with children.
-A high percentage of married people.
-Population density (lower is more boring).
So clearly, Utah has tons of kids and a lot of married people. And, Utah only has about 3 million residents, so our population density in most of the state is fairly low. In our opinion, these criteria don’t prove that Utah is boring – in fact, we think it’s the exact opposite! Here’s proof.
- Utah’s National Parks
Kevin Lau/flickr Boring? No way! My mother always told me, “Only boring people are bored.” This definitely applies at our national parks. Hike Angel’s Landing, check out that view and then claim it’s boring. Nope. Luckily, our state has plenty of those “low population density” areas that AreaVibes.com claims are boring…they’re chock-full of recreation, thanks to their open spaces!
- Utah’s Reservoirs and Lakes
Nicole G./flickr Our state is full of lakes and reservoirs just brimming with recreation possibilities. Ever been bored while waterskiing? How about kayaking? Swimming? Ok, maybe at times fishing is a bit boring (if they’re not biting), but you can always enjoy the scenery, chat (quietly) with your fishing buddies and enjoy some snacks and drinks.
- Hogle Zoo
Utah’s Hogle Zoo/Facebook The zoo is a popular place for kids and retirees, and it’s full of fun stuff to do. Hogle is getting ready to show off their brand new baby lion cubs to the public too. Also, the zoo has a fun new event called Zoo Brew. Once per month, people 21 and over can attend the zoo from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and visit the animals without kids! The cost for admission is $10.95, and there’s an open bar where patrons can get drinks. The first Zoo Brew is May 25th.
- Outdoor Concerts
taviamcgrath/flickr Concerts at Red Butte and other outdoor venues (USANA, Sandy Amphitheater, SCERA Shell, etc.) are anything but boring! Our venues bring lots of headliners to the state, and their concerts draw people of all ages. By the time the sun sets, everyone is dancing and having a great time.
- Park City
Sarah Sampsel/flickr This little town has more entertainment than I can even list here. In addition to the obvious skiing, you’ll find the Sundance Film Festival (celebrities obviously don’t think this is boring), the Park Silly Sunday Farmers Market, tons of art galleries, the Utah Olympic Park where you can fly down the mountain on a bobsled and watch ski jumpers practice, and of course, the zipline and alpine coaster.
- Utah’s Ski Resorts in the Winter
Ron Henry/flickr Well, duh. We have the best snow in the world here. Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing…plus we host some amazing ski competitions where you can see the pros.
- Utah’s Ski Resorts in the Summer
Snowbird/Facebook When the snow melts, there’s still tons to do at our ski resorts. Ride the lift up and hike back down, or take your mountain bike to the top. Enjoy picnics, summer concerts and great dining. Stay overnight and soak in the hot tub or pool under the stars.
- Utah’s State Parks
Jimmy Thomas/flickr Visit Escalante to see petrified wood that’s millions of years old. Check out the bison at Antelope Island, the “goblins” at Goblin Valley and the view at Dead Horse Point. Learn about our pioneer heritage at This is The Place, and play on Bear Lake or the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. There’s so many ways to play and be entertained at Utah’s State Parks!
- Lagoon
Lagoon Amusement Park/Facebook Who gets bored at Lagoon? Whether you like the white-knuckle rides on the Cannibal or floating on the lazy river at Lagoon-A-Beach, it’s pretty tough to be bored.
- Ogden’s Historic 25th Street
Historic 25th Street - Ogden/Facebook Ok, so maybe pubs and restaurants are your speed. You’ll find some great ones on Ogden’s 25th Street. You’ll also find live music, a dance club or two, and Wiseguys Comedy Club.
- St. George
Ken Lund/flickr St. George, I’m calling you out here because approximately 17 percent of your population consists of people over 65 (who are boring, according to AreaVibes.com). I’m sure the retired folks in St. George beg to differ. Are they sitting home, watching TV all day? NO! They’re heading for any of Southern Utah’s gorgeous golf clubs, hiking, patronizing local cultural arts, volunteering, shopping, camping, swimming and enjoying some of Utah’s beauty via scenic drives.
- Utah’s Water Parks
Cowabunga Bay Draper/Facebook It’s hot in Utah, but we certainly don’t sit around being bored all day in our houses. Instead, we head for the local water park! Cherry Hill, Cowabunga Bay, Lagoon-A-Beach and Seven Peaks are just a few; nearly every Utah town has a community pool, splash pad or outdoor swimming venue.
- Utah’s Sports
Real Salt Lake/Facebook Watching Kyle Beckerman score a goal for Salt Lake Real…boring, right? No way! Utahns also love to cheer for the Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, Ogden Raptors and Utah Grizzlies.
- Cultural Arts in Utah
Utah Symphony/Facebook The Utah Opera, Utah Symphony, Ballet West and numerous live theater productions around the state mean that Utahns never have to be bored. In the summer, many of these production companies take their acts to the great outdoors, too. Listen to the Utah Symphony play at Deer Valley this summer!
- Human-Powered Recreation
Ken Lund/flickr Hike any of Utah’s hundreds of trails. Mountain bike on many other trails. Participate in a 5k or a marathon. Go mountain biking, rock climbing, bouldering, camping and backpacking. There’s absolutely nothing boring about getting out in the fresh air of Utah and enjoying our stunning scenery.
- Machine-Powered Recreation
Simon/flickr Utah is a mecca for ATVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, ski boats and personal watercraft. I doubt the folks who rock crawl at Moab are bored, and it’s hard to yawn when you’re cruising the dunes on your ATV.
- Outdoor Theater in Southern Utah
Tuacahn/Facebook Not only does Utah have lots of cultural entertainment…we like to bring it outdoors in the summer! Check out Shakespeare’s plays at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, and see local and national talent at Tuacahn Center.
- Salt Lake’s Clubs and Music Venues
In The Venue/Facebook OK, so it’s not exactly New York or London. But Utah does have a thriving little club scene, and several great music venues like The Depot and In The Venue.
Here’s the link to Areavibes.com list of most boring states: 10 Most Boring States. Do you disagree?
Kevin Lau/flickr
Boring? No way! My mother always told me, “Only boring people are bored.” This definitely applies at our national parks. Hike Angel’s Landing, check out that view and then claim it’s boring. Nope. Luckily, our state has plenty of those “low population density” areas that AreaVibes.com claims are boring…they’re chock-full of recreation, thanks to their open spaces!
Nicole G./flickr
Our state is full of lakes and reservoirs just brimming with recreation possibilities. Ever been bored while waterskiing? How about kayaking? Swimming? Ok, maybe at times fishing is a bit boring (if they’re not biting), but you can always enjoy the scenery, chat (quietly) with your fishing buddies and enjoy some snacks and drinks.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo/Facebook
The zoo is a popular place for kids and retirees, and it’s full of fun stuff to do. Hogle is getting ready to show off their brand new baby lion cubs to the public too. Also, the zoo has a fun new event called Zoo Brew. Once per month, people 21 and over can attend the zoo from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and visit the animals without kids! The cost for admission is $10.95, and there’s an open bar where patrons can get drinks. The first Zoo Brew is May 25th.
taviamcgrath/flickr
Concerts at Red Butte and other outdoor venues (USANA, Sandy Amphitheater, SCERA Shell, etc.) are anything but boring! Our venues bring lots of headliners to the state, and their concerts draw people of all ages. By the time the sun sets, everyone is dancing and having a great time.
Sarah Sampsel/flickr
This little town has more entertainment than I can even list here. In addition to the obvious skiing, you’ll find the Sundance Film Festival (celebrities obviously don’t think this is boring), the Park Silly Sunday Farmers Market, tons of art galleries, the Utah Olympic Park where you can fly down the mountain on a bobsled and watch ski jumpers practice, and of course, the zipline and alpine coaster.
Ron Henry/flickr
Well, duh. We have the best snow in the world here. Alpine and Nordic skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing…plus we host some amazing ski competitions where you can see the pros.
Snowbird/Facebook
When the snow melts, there’s still tons to do at our ski resorts. Ride the lift up and hike back down, or take your mountain bike to the top. Enjoy picnics, summer concerts and great dining. Stay overnight and soak in the hot tub or pool under the stars.
Jimmy Thomas/flickr
Visit Escalante to see petrified wood that’s millions of years old. Check out the bison at Antelope Island, the “goblins” at Goblin Valley and the view at Dead Horse Point. Learn about our pioneer heritage at This is The Place, and play on Bear Lake or the Coral Pink Sand Dunes. There’s so many ways to play and be entertained at Utah’s State Parks!
Lagoon Amusement Park/Facebook
Who gets bored at Lagoon? Whether you like the white-knuckle rides on the Cannibal or floating on the lazy river at Lagoon-A-Beach, it’s pretty tough to be bored.
Historic 25th Street - Ogden/Facebook
Ok, so maybe pubs and restaurants are your speed. You’ll find some great ones on Ogden’s 25th Street. You’ll also find live music, a dance club or two, and Wiseguys Comedy Club.
Ken Lund/flickr
St. George, I’m calling you out here because approximately 17 percent of your population consists of people over 65 (who are boring, according to AreaVibes.com). I’m sure the retired folks in St. George beg to differ. Are they sitting home, watching TV all day? NO! They’re heading for any of Southern Utah’s gorgeous golf clubs, hiking, patronizing local cultural arts, volunteering, shopping, camping, swimming and enjoying some of Utah’s beauty via scenic drives.
Cowabunga Bay Draper/Facebook
It’s hot in Utah, but we certainly don’t sit around being bored all day in our houses. Instead, we head for the local water park! Cherry Hill, Cowabunga Bay, Lagoon-A-Beach and Seven Peaks are just a few; nearly every Utah town has a community pool, splash pad or outdoor swimming venue.
Real Salt Lake/Facebook
Watching Kyle Beckerman score a goal for Salt Lake Real…boring, right? No way! Utahns also love to cheer for the Utah Jazz, Salt Lake Bees, Ogden Raptors and Utah Grizzlies.
Utah Symphony/Facebook
The Utah Opera, Utah Symphony, Ballet West and numerous live theater productions around the state mean that Utahns never have to be bored. In the summer, many of these production companies take their acts to the great outdoors, too. Listen to the Utah Symphony play at Deer Valley this summer!
Hike any of Utah’s hundreds of trails. Mountain bike on many other trails. Participate in a 5k or a marathon. Go mountain biking, rock climbing, bouldering, camping and backpacking. There’s absolutely nothing boring about getting out in the fresh air of Utah and enjoying our stunning scenery.
Simon/flickr
Utah is a mecca for ATVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, ski boats and personal watercraft. I doubt the folks who rock crawl at Moab are bored, and it’s hard to yawn when you’re cruising the dunes on your ATV.
Tuacahn/Facebook
Not only does Utah have lots of cultural entertainment…we like to bring it outdoors in the summer! Check out Shakespeare’s plays at the Utah Shakespeare Festival in Cedar City, and see local and national talent at Tuacahn Center.
In The Venue/Facebook
OK, so it’s not exactly New York or London. But Utah does have a thriving little club scene, and several great music venues like The Depot and In The Venue.
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