A 55-foot stone fireplace sits inside an outlet mall lobby. Yes, an outlet mall.
I can’t imagine a cozier spot to rest your feet between shoe stores.
The surprises keep stacking up. Glass canopies cover the walkways, so rain and snow stay off your shopping bags.
A giant LED sign out front once ranked as the largest retail LED sign in the country.
I like how this Utah shopping spot feels more like a mountain lodge than a strip of discount stores. There’s a VIP lounge, free WiFi, and family restrooms that people still talk about.
Complimentary strollers even help the smallest shoppers tag along.
Then the holidays show up with a tree billed as the tallest in the state. Fall brings a pumpkin wider than most living rooms.
So how long could one day of deal hunting really last?
Plan On Staying Longer Than You Promised Yourself
Outlets at Traverse Mountain holds a fun title in Utah. It’s the first and only outlet center in Utah County.
That alone makes it a big deal for shoppers between Salt Lake City and Provo. You don’t have to drive across the state to chase brand-name bargains anymore.
The center opened in November 2012 with about 55 specialty stores. A second phase followed in 2014 and added another 40,000 square feet of shopping space.
More phases are planned for the future. Once finished, the center is set to become the largest outlet center in the whole state.
So why does a visit eat up an entire day? Part of it is the layout, which spreads stores along covered open-air walkways.
You stroll from shop to shop instead of riding escalators in a giant box.
Another part is the mix of extras. A lodge-style lobby, seasonal displays, and places to grab a snack keep pulling you around one more corner.
My advice is simple. Wear comfortable shoes and charge your phone before you arrive.
You’ll probably want both by the time the afternoon rolls around. Nobody wants a dead battery halfway through a deal hunt.
That Lobby Fireplace Might Steal The Show
Fifty-five feet of stacked stone. That’s the height of the fireplace anchoring the Grand Lobby, and it looks right at home in a mountain lodge.
Resort-style seating surrounds the space. It feels like the kind of room where tired shoppers suddenly forget they still have six stores left.
The lobby works as a central hub too. Customer service sits here, along with a VIP lounge for members of the center’s rewards program.
Free WiFi runs throughout the common areas. That makes it easy to compare prices, text a friend about a sale, or check your map without burning through data.
I believe every mall should have a room like this. Shopping gets a lot more pleasant when the break spot feels this warm and welcoming.
The space also plays a starring role during the holidays. A life-sized Gingerbread Village has taken over the lobby during past seasons.
Here’s a tip for families or groups who split up. Pick the fireplace as your meeting spot.
It’s nearly impossible to miss something that tall. Even the most distracted shopper in your crew should find their way back without a search party.
Rain Or Snow, Your Shopping Bags Stay Dry
Utah weather can change its mind fast. Sunshine, snow, and wind can all show up in the same week.
Wide glass canopies and covered arcades protect the walkways here. You get the fresh feel of an open-air mall without dodging puddles between stores.
The building style adds a lot of charm. Designers used a modified Craftsman look with brick, stone, plaster, and wood shake finishes.
That mix gives the whole place a polished but relaxed vibe. It feels more like a cozy village street than a row of plain concrete boxes.
Benches and seating areas line the paths, so resting is easy. A colorful painted wall has also popped up as a fun backdrop for quick photos.
Bring a jacket in winter anyway, since the walkways stay open to the air. The glass keeps snow off your head, but it won’t turn January into July.
Summer visits have their own perks. Covered paths offer a break from the strong high-altitude sun.
That means you can spend hours browsing without feeling cooked. Sunscreen still makes sense if you plan to linger outside, though.
Your Favorite Brands Are Waiting Side By Side
Sneaker fans, start stretching. Nike Factory Store and Under Armour both have spots here, and so do Vans, Skechers, and ASICS.
Fashion lovers get plenty to explore too. Coach, Michael Kors, Banana Republic, J.Crew Factory, and Polo Ralph Lauren Factory Store are all part of the lineup.
Teens and young shoppers can wander into American Eagle, Zumiez, Levi’s, and Hot Topic. Then there’s the two-story H&M, which arrived with the 2014 expansion.
That H&M is a real anchor for the center. Two full floors of clothing can swallow a surprising chunk of your afternoon.
Home cooks have a reason to visit as well. The center’s current store directory includes specialty retailers, but no Le Creuset location is listed.
A smart move is checking the directory before you go. Store lineups at outlet centers can shift over time, so a quick look helps you plan your route.
Another tip is to read sale signs carefully. Deals often apply to certain styles or items, not everything on the rack.
A little attention keeps the checkout line free of surprises. Your wallet will appreciate the extra few seconds you spend reading.
Refuel Before Round Two Of Bargain Hunting
Hunger hits hard after a few hours of shopping. Luckily, Outlets at Traverse Mountain has ways to fix that problem.
Johnny Rockets brings classic diner energy to the center. The menu includes cooked-to-order burgers, chicken sandwiches, crispy fries, and hand-spun shakes.
Craving pasta instead? Bona Vita Italian Bistro offers a sit-down Italian option for a slower, comfier meal.
Sweet tooth troubles are covered too. Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory sells chocolates and treats that make a great reward for surviving the sale racks.
For a sweet treat, Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory offers chocolates and other confections. It’s an easy snack stop between stores.
Need even more choices? A Noodles and Company location opened nearby in January 2023, serving pasta dishes, salads, and soups.
Here’s my favorite strategy for a long day. Eat lunch a little early, before the midday rush kicks in.
You’ll have more energy for the afternoon stretch of stores. A hot chocolate from the chocolate shop also makes a cozy companion on chilly Utah days while you window-shop along the covered paths.
Families Get Perks That Make Long Days Easier
Kid-sized toilets and faucets. That small detail inside the family restrooms gets a surprising amount of love from parents.
The restrooms themselves are part of the appeal. They’re designed to feel upscale, which matters a lot when you’re spending hours on site.
A dedicated Mother’s Lounge gives parents a quiet spot to care for little ones. It’s a thoughtful touch that many shopping centers skip.
Complimentary strollers wait at customer service too. Wheelchairs are also available for guests who need them, at no charge.
That support makes a full-day trip realistic for everyone. Grandparents, toddlers, and teens can all tag along without anybody getting left on a bench.
Covered walkways help families as well. Nobody has to wrestle a stroller through slush between stores.
I like how these features show real planning. Someone clearly thought about what makes a long shopping day tough for families.
A practical tip is to grab a stroller early, even for older toddlers. Little legs get tired fast, and you’ll want free hands for those bags anyway.
Snacks in your pocket never hurt either.
A Pumpkin Bigger Than Your Car Shows Up Every Fall
Meet Big Jack, a pumpkin that measures 20 feet wide. He’s the star of Big Jack’s World, the center’s Halloween display.
Recent seasons have run the event from early September through October 31. Even better, it’s free to enjoy.
Big Jack doesn’t hold the spotlight alone. Animal-shaped pumpkins, a whimsical graveyard, and a cute Halloween house fill out the scene.
Kids can join a Spot the Hobbit scavenger hunt during the display. The goal is finding 12 sneaky hobbits hidden around the decorations.
Finish the hunt and head to Customer Service. A reward waits for successful hobbit hunters.
This event turns a regular shopping trip into a family outing. Even the least shopping-friendly kid suddenly wants to stay longer.
Evening visits can feel extra fun once the air cools down. The displays look great as the sun sets behind the Utah mountains.
Bring your camera, because Big Jack makes a great photo backdrop. Check the center’s event calendar for current dates, since schedules can change from year to year.
Then plan your fall shopping around a pumpkin-sized adventure.
The Holidays Arrive With The Tallest Tree Around
Utah’s tallest Christmas tree lights up right here. The annual Tree Lighting kicks off the holiday season in a big, sparkly way.
Recent celebrations have been packed with activities. Kids could write letters to Santa, make crafts, get faces painted, and join a holiday scavenger hunt.
A life-sized Gingerbread Village has opened in the Grand Lobby as part of the festivities. It looks good enough to eat, though security might frown on that plan.
Santa also makes visits through late December. That gives families plenty of chances to squeeze in a photo and share wish lists.
A Gingerbread Hunt has run through the season as well. It’s another fun challenge to keep kids busy while grown-ups tackle gift lists.
Holiday shopping here can knock out a lot of presents at once. Brand-name stores in one walkable spot save serious driving time.
Expect bigger crowds around major shopping days, especially Thanksgiving week. Arriving early in the day usually helps.
Always check the event schedule before heading over. Dates shift each year, and you won’t want to miss the tree lighting by one night.
You Literally Cannot Miss This Place From The Freeway
Over 100 feet tall and glowing with 1.7 million LED lights. The sign out front isn’t shy at all.
Installed in 2014, it was once noted as the largest retail LED sign in the United States. Its display covers 2,474 square feet.
The lights can produce more than 4.4 trillion colors. That’s a few more than your crayon box ever offered.
The sign advertises sales, promotions, and community events. Drivers coming from the north or south can spot it from a long distance.
Getting there is simple. Take Exit 284 off I-15, and you’ll find the center at 3700 N Cabelas Blvd, Lehi, UT 84043.
That spot makes it an easy stop between Salt Lake City and Provo. It’s also handy for travelers passing through northern Utah County.
Hours usually run 10 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday. Sundays run 11 AM to 6 PM, with holiday changes possible.
Arrive near opening time for a calmer start. Then let that giant sign guide you home after a full day of serious deal hunting.