The winner of our 2008 Parents' Picks quest to find the Best Enviro-friendly Place in Salt Lake City, Antelope Island offers a great vantage to explore the ocean-sized Great Salt Lake, the second most salty body of water in the world. The largest of the ten islands on the lake, Antelope Island measures about five miles wide by 15 miles long, and offers an abundance of hiking and biking trails. Horseback riding is allowed on the majority of the trails.

The Visitors Center (801.725.9263) has exhibits and information on the island and the Great Salt Lake. Ask about the historic Fielding Garr Ranch House (801.649.5742), located 10 miles south of the Visitors Center. Wagon rides and horse rentals are available through R&G Horse and Wagon Outfitters (888.878.8002). Call them for rates and schedule, as they change often.

The Bridger Bay Beach is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The sandy beach is ideal for catching some rays, building castles, kite flying, and more. The lake's water is so salty that staying afloat is easy, in fact swimmers bob like corks. The water is also shallow, so if swimming is on the agenda, plan on walking out quite far before hitting chest-deep water. Be prepared to deal with brine flies and the normal Great Salt Lake stench - they are both regulars around the lake. Bathrooms, showers, and 15 picnic tables with BBQ grills are available at the beach.

Over 500 Bison roam freely around Antelope Island. It is not hard to spot them as they hang out everywhere...beaches, hiking trails etc. Please don't get too close to them. The island is also a well-known birdwatching area, and visitors with keen eyes might also spot bobcats, deer, elk, and coyote.

Antelope Island has over 40 miles of hiking trails. Three of the most popular, shorter hikes are on the north side of the island. The most popular hike is the Buffalo Point Trail. It is only 0.5 miles and rewards the hikers with an incredible view of the island in all directions. Lakeside Trail and Ladyfinger Point are also good short hikes with great views of various island landmarks. Visitors should note that pets are not allowed on the Frary Peak and Sentry trails.

The only place to buy food is at the Buffalo Point Restaurant. Plenty of picnic tables with BBQ grills are available all over the island. The only picnic area that needs a reservation is the Pavilion, which holds 75 people. Bridger Bay Campground and Bridger Bay Beach both offer camping with no hookups for $12/night. Call 888.878.8002 to reserve the Pavilion.

Be warned that the Great Salt Lake has a stench of rotting algae, locally referred to as "lake stink". Depending on the wind, it could make you abandon the whole visit, but most people just get a chuckle out of it and have a delightful day playing in the sand. The odor is usually the strongest along the causeway, and subsides once you reach the island.

Pets are allowed on the island but must be leashed. Pets are not allowed in the facilities or on the beach.

Please note that petting any of the animals on the island is considered harassment of wildlife and is illegal. Also, many children are allergic to the oils in the fur of the mule deer, which results in children being flown to the hospital several times each year. Please keep children at a safe distance!

The Community Writing Center (CWC) is a non-profit organization affiliated with the Salt Lake Community College. It promotes the improvement of writing abilities for personal, economic, and social goals.

All Salt Lake residents can receive free, 25-minute, one-on-one collaborative writing assistance by appointment. Residents of all ages can bring any type of writing (resumes, essays, short stories, letters, etc.) for helpful feedback in a supportive environment. Just call to make an appointment, or submit work via the CWC's website.

On-site writing workshops are offered to all SLC area residents. These workshops range from one two-hour meeting to several weekly meetings. Workshops cover topics such as resume writing, civic writing (letters to public representatives/letters to the editor), newsletters, poetry, and fiction writing. The workshops are offered free-of-charge or on a sliding scale.

The Hawaiian Cultural Center is a place where the native Hawaiian community can gather to share and learn about their unique culture. Everyone is welcome. The center's library has books for all ages, and the gift store carries books, handmade crafts, music, and souvenirs. The store is open Wednesdays 5:30pm to 9pm, Saturdays 10am to 3pm, and during special events at the center.

Those interested in learning a Hawaiian art can sign up for any of the center's many workshops or classes, such as hula, ukulele, Hawaiian quilting, lei-making, and ipu heke-making. A list of services, classes, workshops, and special events can be found on the center's website.

iFLY Utah is an indoor wind tunnel where people can experience the thrill of skydiving without having to jump out of a plane. Phew! Participants must be at least three years old, and must weigh less than 250 pounds. While the price may seem steep and the flight time limited (one or two minutes per flight rotation for beginners), most flyers feel the experience is well worth it. The basic flight package includes a flight training class, flight gear, a souvenir flight certificate, and, of course, flying time in the wind tunnel. Package add-ons include DVDs of the flight session, a sourvenir t-shirt, and additional flight time. Save a little money by booking during an off-peak time: Mon-Fri 10am-4pm.

Reservations are required; call to book a flight. Not sure if indoor skydiving is for you? Drop by anytime during regular business hours to watch from the observation deck.

Party packages are available, and include 24 minutes of flight time (divided by up to 12 people), 1 DVD of the flight experience, flight certificates, and time in the party room.

Family Flight Packages offer deals on the indoor flying experience to families of up to five people. Call or see the website for details.

Flight Leagues are available for kids and adults. Joining a league is perhaps the best deal at iFly Utah. Leaguers share half-hour or one-hour blocks of time with the other flyers. Children must be between the ages of five and 17 to join. Call or stop by iFly Utah to find out more about the leagues.

Are you wondering whether indoor skydiving really is for young children? Well, we took our 28-pound, 36-inch, three-year-old daughter and she loved it! If your child is gutsy and up for any new experience, he/she is going to probably love what iFLY has to offer.

Ivies Acres Farm offers a variety of mini horse and pony services, including pony rides, wagon rides, cart rides, donkey rides, classes, camps, "day at the farm" experiences, animal assisted therapy, and animal breeding and sales. On-site camps and classes are offered; subjects include basic horse care, riding lessons, and gardening (kids receive certification as a Junior Master Gardener).

Ivie Acres pony services are suitable for birthdays, schools, festivals, church gatherings, family reunions, camps, corporate events, scouting events, fairs, etc.

Pony parties can take place at Ivie Acres or at another location of the client's choice. Parties consist of hand guided pony rides. Clients can have themed pony party; ponies come in costumes appropriate for the chosen theme. Cake, games, decorations, party favors, and other party supplies are also available.

Magician Doug Roye has a life-long passion for the art of magic, and he loves to mentor young want-to-be magicians. Kids who can't get enough of a good card trick or sleight of hand trick can sign up for one of Doug's Royal Academy of Magic magic classes for kids. In the classes, children ages eight to 14 can learn some tricks of the trade and see if they have what it takes to be a master magician. Classes meet for four weeks, one hour each week, in Midvale. The cost is $45, which includes all materials. Upon completion of the beginning magic class, the children can advance to the intermediate class and perform publicly in magic shows which are held every other month at local libraries. Check the calendar for the young magicians' performances, called "It's Magic." Call or email Doug to find out when the next class begins.

Magic parties are another offering from Doug Roye. At Doug Roye's Magic Parties, parents can choose either a Magic Show or a Magic Class, depending on the age of the birthday child and guests. The Magic Show Party is good for ages four to eight. The birthday child plays an active role in the show, and even gets to do the final trick - pulling a rabbit out of a hat - in full magician attire (cape and top hat). Magic Class Parties are good for children ages nine to 12. The birthday child and guests witness seven magic tricks and then learn how to perform the magic routine themselves.

The Richard L. Guthrie Skate Park is a medium sized concrete skate park for people with beginner to intermediate skill levels. It is equipped with lights.

The hours are quite convoluted, so be aware that in the summer months skateboarders and rollerbladers can use the park Tuesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 7am-9pm, Wednesdays 12n-9pm, and Sundays 11am-9pm; BMX riders can use the park Mondays and Thursdays 6pm-9pm, and Sundays 7am-11am. It is open exclusively to elementary-aged children on Wednesdays 7am-12n. Winter hours are as follows: Skateboarders and rollerbladers can use the park Mondays through Fridays 3:30pm-9pm, and Saturdays and Sundays 7pm-9pm; BMX riders can use the park on Mondays and Thursdays 6pm-9pm, and Sundays 7am-11am. It is open exclusively to elementary-aged children on Fridays 1:30pm-3:30pm.

Skateboard and BMX lessons are offered at the park. Register through the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center or at the Holladay-Lions Fitness and Recreation Center. Call 801.424.0621 for more information on lessons..