Gardner Village

Gardner Village is a historic shopping and dining village built around the Gardner Mill in West Jordan, about twenty minutes southwest of downtown Salt Lake City. The mill is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and the property is recognized as a Utah Historic Site, so a walk through the grounds doubles as a walk through early Utah industry.

The story starts with the first West Jordan flour mill, raised in 1853 from logs hauled by horse teams out of Bingham Canyon. A larger mill replaced it roughly two decades later, and that 1877 structure still anchors the property. The building sat vacant for years before a 1979 purchase turned it into a furniture store, which opened in 1980 and became the seed of the village you see today. In 1987 the restored mill took a Utah Heritage award for most improved commercial building.

Historic homes, cabins and even a train station were moved onto the site and renovated, then linked by a winding stream, brick-lined paths and covered bridges. Inside the shops you will find furniture, home decor, candy, bedding, jewelry, clothing, bridal gowns, flowers, antiques, craft supplies and art, nearly all of it from locally owned small businesses. The grounds also hold restaurants, a day spa, an escape room, a petting zoo and pony rides, plus event and wedding venues.

Seasonal festivals are what fill the parking lots. WitchFest has run every autumn since 2000 and turns the pathways over to larger than life witch displays, dinner theater, a scavenger hunt and a costumed fun run through the end of October. Spring brings the Woodland Fairy Festival, and the village strings itself with lights for Christmas in the Village.

The village is open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm and closed Sundays, with extended hours during festival season. Parking is free in the village lots most of the year, though peak October days carry a fee. Entrances, parking and restrooms are wheelchair accessible, and free Wi-Fi and changing tables are available on site. Call (801) 566-8903 or visit gardnervillage.com to check festival hours before you go.