While Davis is the smallest of Utah's 29 counties and often overlooked by tourists — who favor southern Utah, Salt Lake or Summit counties — Davis is a unique pocket of Utah territory that's much more than a bedroom community for Salt Lake City.
There's no doubt that Lagoon is the most visited single destination in the county. But, for its small size, there are other worthy attractions, too.
Here's a subjective list of the top 10 tourist attractions in the county, and while the order of these attractions is easily debatable, it could be used as a springboard for others to create their own rankings:
1. Lagoon amusement park, Farmington
It isn't Disneyland, but it doesn't try to be. This is a first-class theme park with a rich history. More than fun, Lagoon is a vital part of Davis County's economy. With more than a million guests a season, Lagoon ranks fourth among Utah's top tourist destinations, behind Temple Square, Glen Canyon and Zion National Park.
This means it is Davis County's No. 1 tourist spot for total numbers — despite being open less than seven months a year.
With more than 30 teenage/adult rides and a dozen more rides just for young children, plus many games, Lagoon-a-Beach water park, historic Pioneer Village and some entertainment offerings and food outlets, there's only "one Lagoon."
This will be Lagoon's 121st year. It is one of the nation's oldest amusement parks, having opened on July 15, 1886.
A new roller coaster, "Wicked," is currently under construction west of the Fire Dragon Coaster at Lagoon.
Lagoon opens in mid-April each year and closes around Halloween.
2. Antelope Island/Great Salt Lake, west side of county
With buffalo, antelope and more than its share of sunny skies, Antelope Island is a worthwhile retreat from the increasingly urban Wasatch Front. Open space, rock-desert terrain and water-filled vistas dominate.
Davis County tourism promotes Antelope Island as "a rugged blend of the Western outdoors," with dramatic geology, rolling age and free-roaming American bison.
Antelope Island covers 28,022 acres and is by far the largest isle in the Great Salt Lake. It is approximately 15 miles long and 4 1/2 miles wide.
Winter is a great time to visit the island, because there's less snow than most places and has few visitors. Quiet and solitude are the winter assets on the island.
Antelope Island State Park is seven miles west of I-15, Exit 332 near Layton. Park entrance fee is $9 per vehicle or $4 for walk-ins and cyclists.
The Great Salt Lake surrounds Antelope Island and is its own tourist attraction.
3. Davis County Causeway, west Antelope Drive
Why list this as a separate attraction from Antelope Islandor the lake? Because it's a man-made marvel on its own and is worth extra attention.
Antelope Island is accessible by this 7.2-mile paved causeway from Syracuse that traverses the Great Salt Lake. You're driving through the middle of the lake on this road.
Built in the mid-1960s, the road has washed out many times over the years, but has since been raised and will hopefully avoid future erosion.
Sadly, you can't legally stop and park a vehicle on the causeway like you could in the past, but visitors should be aware that there are ample beach opportunities for lake water on Antelope. Just drive slow and enjoy this unique road.
4. Skyline Drive Scenic Backway, Farmington to Bountiful
If rugged dirt roads and dizzying drop-offs don't bother you, then add this to your "must do" list next summer. Only passable in the late spring, summer or early fall, this mountain road is like nothing else in the county.
Trucks, four-wheel-drive vehicles or motorcycles are the preferred form of travel here, but even regular cars can make this trip on dry roads. Mountain bicycles, too, will work well here.
The north spur of this dirt road rises almost as high as the Francis Peak radar domes (9,515 feetin altitude) and Bountiful Peak (9,150 feet in altitude) on the southern segment.
Distance wise, the road is about 24 miles long from Farmington to Bountiful. Add another 10 miles round-trip if you also travel north to Francis Peak.
"The route is best known for its scenic views," says "Utah! Scenic Byways and Backways," published by the Utah Travel Council. "Vistas of the Great Salt Lake are stunning."
The route begins in Farmington on 100 East by going north. From Bountiful, head for the "B" on the mountainside and travel east on 400 North to 1300 East and then go north onto Ward Canyon Road.
5. Hill Air Force Base/Hill Aerospace Museum
Hill Air Force Base is Utah and Davis County's largest employer with about 23,000 workers and spans Riverdale in Weber County to Layton in Davis.
Hill is an Air Force Materiel Command base and home to many operational and support missions. The majority of the base is in Davis County.
The base itself isn't open to the public, except during air shows or other special events. However, there is the Hill Aerospace Museum. The museum is a great place for seeing aircraft up close. There is no museum admission, but donations are accepted.
The museum is located on approximately 30 acres on the northwest corner of the base, east of I-15, Exit 338.
6. Farmington Bay waterfowl area
Located west of Farmington (south of 1325 West and Glover Lane/925 South, this is a bird lover's paradise. More than 200 species have been documented here. Wilson's phalaropes, tundra swans and great blue herons have been viewed.
Hunting is permitted in season, but it's the solitude and quiet in the non-hunting season that's the biggest draw.
Farmington Bay is open year-round, seven days a week. Cycling is an increasingly popular activity.
7. Cherry Hill resort, Fruit Heights.
Cherry Hill is much more than a camper's haven — it's also a water park resort and entertainment center that spans 20 acres.
Warm-season visitors can swim in an Olympic-size pool, splash in the Pirates Cove activity pool and fountains, slide down the Cardiac Canyon River Run, float in Grant's Gulch Lazy River, try 18 holes of mini golf, bat in one of six batting cages, climb the 30-foot-tall "rock" wall, play aeroball, frolic in "Hamster Haven," eat cherry pie in the Pie Pantry Restaurant or relax under one of nearly 200 trees.
It includes 180 campsites.
More than 150,000 people splashed in the water park last year.
Cherry Hill has always ranked high nationally on quality camping lists, such as a "Best Destination Campground."
Cherry Hill is busy in April and May with its batting cages and mini golf. The water park usually opens Memorial Day weekend. Full-service camping is April 1-Nov. 1. Limited winter camping also is available.
8. Bountiful LDS Temple, Bountiful
Located at 640 S. Bountiful Blvd., this is one of the more than 120 worldwide temples of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The temple opened in January 1995 and is visible from as far away as Syracuse to the north.
Sitting on the lofty Bountiful east bench, the temple is a spectacular vantage point to view south Davis County.
While only worthy LDS members can enter the temple, it has become a landmark for Davis County.
9. Bountiful Tabernacle, Bountiful
The oldest church meetinghouse in Utah today isn't the Salt Lake LDS Tabernacle. The Bountiful LDS Tabernacle, 51 S. Main, is more than 3 years older, having been dedicated in 1863.
This historic building underwent an extensive remodeling and expansion in the 1970s but remains a downtown Bountiful landmark and perhaps is Davis County's oldest building still in active use.
10. Layton Hills Mall/"Restaurant Row"/Davis Conference Center, Layton
While many major indoor shopping malls have lost their luster in Utah and are gone or headed out, the Layton Hills Mall constitutes the backbone for Layton's regional shopping district.
JC Penney, Macy's, Mervyn's and Cinemark Theatres are the anchor stores, but there are more than 90 stores located within a 672,00-square-foot facility.
Ample parking and dozens of local or national restaurants are also located in the area surrounding the mall, often dubbed "Restaurant Row."
The recent addition of the Davis Conference Center attracts many conventions.