Salt Lake City - city in and county seat of Salt Lake County, Utah, United States and the capital of Utah

Salt Lake City is the capital of, and largest city in, the U.S. state of Utah. It is a destination for outdoor recreation, with nearby mountains full of hiking trails and ski resorts made famous by the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is also well known as the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church).

Salt Lake City has about 200,000 residents within the city limits (2019), and is the downtown hub for a metro area of over a million people. It sits on the border between the Rocky Mountains and the Great Basin, lying in the Salt Lake Valley along the Wasatch Range urban corridor, sandwiched between the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Oquirrh Mountains and the Great Salt Lake to the west.

Understand

Districts

Notable neighborhoods in Salt Lake City include:

• Downtown, the financial core and home to Temple Square (a two-block complex that includes the LDS church headquarters, the Salt Lake Temple, and various other sites related to Mormon history and culture)
• Central City, a mostly residential area from approximately 400 South to 900 South
• Sugar House, a commercial/residential district in the southeastern corner of the city, known for its funky shops
• The Avenues, a historical neighborhood with many old buildings, northeast of downtown
• University, the area around the sprawling University of Utah campus and the adjacent Research Park, VA Medical Center, and Fort Douglas
• Federal Heights, a small, affluent neighborhood in the hills east of The Avenues and north of the University
• East Bench or Foothill, a residential neighborhood between 900 South and I-80, bisected by the major arterial road Foothill Boulevard
• Capitol Hill, an affluent sloping district north of downtown, topped by the Utah State Capitol building
• the Marmalade District, a quirky area immediately west of Capitol Hill with some unusual architecture and decor
• Rose Park, a residential neighborhood northwest of downtown, near the airport
• Glendale, a heavily Hispanic residential district and home to the International Peace Gardens, at the southern end of the westside
• The benches refer to a handful of residential, upper-class communities along the slopes of the Wasatch Mountains on the east side of the valley, and to a lesser extent on the Traverse Mountains at the southern end of the valley and the Oquirrh Mountains on the western side.

The predominant economic divide in the Salt Lake Valley is between the eastern and western halves, with the east side traditionally being more affluent and conservative.

The Wasatch Front is the urban strip along the western edge of the Wasatch Mountain Range. It comprises everything from approximately Brigham City in the north to Santaquin in the south, anchored by the cities of Ogden in the northern half, Provo-Orem in the south, and the Salt Lake Valley dividing the two. The vast majority of Utah's population lives in this region. Significant suburbs of Salt Lake City include Sandy in the southern Salt Lake Valley, Murray and Midvale in the center of the valley, and South Salt Lake and Millcreek on the southern border of Salt Lake City proper. The western portion of the valley has some very large suburbs such as West Valley City, West Jordan, and South Jordan. Holladay and Cottonwood Heights are smaller towns in the east benches.

Salt Lake City is not particularly close to the national parks and rugged terrain in the southern part of the state that draws many visitors to Utah. They are about a five-hour drive away, closer to Las Vegas.

History

Salt Lake City was settled in 1847 by Mormon pioneers who, led by Brigham Young, migrated a thousand miles west to escape the violent conflicts they had encountered whenever they tried to set up their religious community alongside established populations in the East. The city quickly became a major transit point, both for emigrating Mormon converts from Britain, Ireland, and Scandinavia, and for non-Mormons moving westward in the midst of the California Gold Rush. The latter group initially passed through Utah, leaving Mormons to organize the settlement of Utah and much of Southern Idaho; this mass migration included the short-lived but iconic experiment of emigrants using hand-pulled "handcarts" instead of covered wagons. Although the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 ended the isolation of Mormon Utah, this pioneer history is actively commemorated, particularly on the July 24th anniversary of Brigham Young's arrival into the Salt Lake Valley.

Following the completion of the railroad, Mormon immigrants were joined by non-Mormon settlers, who established their own businesses and a regional economy focused on mines in Utah's mountains. These included Chinese immigrants, as well as Greeks and other European ethnic groups. Mormon missionary activity encouraged Pacific Islanders to convert and move to Salt Lake, and the city retains an unusually large Pacific Islander population to this day. Although the majority of Utahns are still members of the LDS Church, Salt Lake City itself is less than 50% Mormon, with some areas, such as those dominated by ethnic minorities and artsy neighborhoods like Sugarhouse, bearing little resemblance to the Mormon-dominated culture in other parts of Utah.

Climate

The climate of Salt Lake City is extremely seasonal. Summers are long, hot, and dry; winters are cold and snowy; fall and spring are shorter and marked by annoyingly inconsistent temperatures. Precipitation is low, averaging about 14-20 inches (350–500 mm) a year measured as liquid water, though much of it falls as light, fluffy snow that can pile up several inches high. Total snowfall averages around 50-80 inches (125–200 cm) annually.

Winter (mid-November to early March): Winter brings poor weather to Salt Lake City, and tourism this time of year is typically focused on using the city as a base for exploring ski resorts in the nearby mountains. Daytime temperatures run from 25°F to 50°F (-4-10°C). Overnight lows are below freezing more often than not, and on some occasions will even drop below 0°F (-18°C). Snow is common, but severe blizzards are almost non-existent, and it's rare for a storm to drop enough snow to shut down or cripple the city. Light snow is handled as a daily occurrence, with the city continuing to operate as normal. There is plenty of variation in snowfall between different parts of the city thanks to the mountainside topography, with higher elevations getting much more snow than lower neighborhoods. The difference is drastic enough that the local weather report will often include separate snow predictions for the benches and the valley floor.

While the snow can inconvenience travelers, the worst part of winter in the Salt Lake Valley is a phenomenon called an inversion, where cold, heavy air gets trapped between the mountains and stagnates, collecting more and more pollution for days or even weeks on end. This leads to some of the worst air quality conditions found in the United States, and is only cleared out when the next storm comes through.

Spring (early March to late May): Spring in Salt Lake is mild overall, but it is also the windiest and rainiest time of year, and it can be tough to tell when the last snowstorm is behind you even after the ground accumulation has been melted away for weeks. High temperatures during spring range from around 45°F to 80°F (7-27°C). Low temperatures are generally cool, and may still drop below freezing once or twice in April. Although it's the rainiest time of year, spring in Salt Lake City is still dry compared to many cities in the Midwest, Mid-Atlantic, or New England regions. Rainstorms will mostly be light or moderate in severity and many of them will last just a few minutes. Sunny spring days, which are fairly common, bring some of the nicest weather you will encounter in Salt Lake City at any time of year. However, this mostly applies to the valley as the mountain snowpack won't recede until late May or June, leaving outdoor activities such as camping and hiking unavailable until summer. Ski resorts near Salt Lake City will remain open part way through spring, with most of them operating until mid-April and Snowbird staying open even later.

Summer (late May to mid-September): Summers in Salt Lake City are long, hot, and dry. Maximum daily temperatures during this season range anywhere between 80°F and 105°F (27-41°C). Humidity is low and nights are warm, sometimes hot. Although summer is a very dry season here, powerful Pacific storms will sometimes impact the city as late as the beginning of June, prolonging the rainy season and keeping temperatures a bit cooler. In particular, mid-June through early July is clear, dry, and sun-baked. From mid-July through mid-September the monsoon affects northern Utah, bringing somewhat frequent evening thunderstorms to the Salt Lake area. These thunderstorms are usually short-lived, but can sometimes bring moderate hail to the valleys and much worse rain and hail to the mountains. If you avoid these thunderstorms, summer is a great time for outdoor recreation in the mountains. Temperatures are cooler in the mountains and can be comfortable even during the worst heat waves in the valleys.

Autumn (mid-September to mid-November): Autumn is a nice time to visit Salt Lake City. It's warm and typically drier than spring, with temperatures ranging from 45°F to 80°F (7-27°C) during the daytime. Pacific storms begin impacting the area around mid-October, but aren't too frequent. While storms can start dropping snow in the mountains again, the snowpack generally doesn't begin building up until November or December. The first light snow and freezing overnight temperatures in the valley will sometimes occur before the beginning of November, and by mid-to-late November, snowfall and freezing temperatures must be prepared for. The leaves on the trees in the mountains reach their peak of brilliant color around mid-to-late September and a month or so afterwards in the valleys.

Visitor information

• Salt Lake Visitors Center in the Salt Palace, 90 South West Temple, 40.76777°, -111.89414°, +1 801-534-4900. M-Sa 10AM-5PM. 2021-11-24

Get in

By plane

See also: Salt Lake City International Airport

Salt Lake City International Airport (IATA: SLC), 776 North Terminal Dr, 40.785806°, -111.981203°, +1 801-575-2400. Located on the western side of the city just off of I-80, Salt Lake serves as Delta Air Lines' mid-country hub, with over 120 daily departures for Delta alone. Hotel shuttles and taxis connect the airport with downtown. The UTA TRAX Green Line (see below) offers an inexpensive $2.50 ride from the airport to downtown. It has direct international flights to Paris and various cities in Mexico and Canada.

By car

Salt Lake City is served by two interstate freeways: Interstate 80 connects to eastern and western destinations all the way from coast to coast, and Interstate 15, though viewed as a commuter freeway by locals, extends to both the Canadian and Mexican borders. Northern destinations accessible directly from I-15 consist mostly of small towns in eastern Idaho and western Montana. Southern destinations on I-15 include much larger cities such as Las Vegas and San Diego. I-80 provides a direct connection from Salt Lake to several major American cities, though all are hundreds of miles away. Across the 500-mile-wide Great Basin, I-80 serves Reno, Sacramento, and San Francisco. East of Salt Lake, I-80 connects to most of the larger towns in Wyoming and increasingly metropolitan cities further east, as far away as the greater New York City area. If coming from Boise, Portland, Seattle, or anywhere in between, take Interstate 84 to Ogden, then take Interstate 15 south to Salt Lake.

By bus

• Greyhound, 300 S 600 W (at the Salt Lake Intermodal Hub), 40.763511°, -111.90874°, +1 801-355-9579. Greyhound travels primarily on Interstate 15 (San Bernardino-Las Vegas-St George-Salt Lake City) some variations of the route continues to Los Angeles, San Diego or Long Beach from San Bernardino; 80 (Salt Lake City-Reno-San Francisco & Salt Lake City-Laramie-Cheyenne-Denver) on two separate routes; 84 (Portland-Boise-Salt Lake City) and US Hwy 40 (Salt Lake City-Denver). Passengers transfer in Boise, Denver, Las Vegas, Sacramento, Portland and San Bernardino to get to other destinations.
• Salt Lake Express, Salt Lake City International Airport (Load in the Passenger Drop off Lane (Middle Lane): Terminal 2 Door 11 for Delta & Skywest (Delta Connection). Terminal 1 Door 5 for all other airlines. Call and pre-arrange for pick-up or drop-off at the Ogden Airport.), +1 208 656-8824. Travels mainly along I-15 Corridor between Las Vegas, St George, Salt Lake City, Pocatello, Butte and Great Falls, Montana. They also have additional routes across Idaho between Boise and Pocatello. From Idaho Falls they go to West Yellowstone, Montana, and to Jackson, Wyoming, via Rexburg. From St George there is another route to Zion National Park and to Marble Canyon & Page in northern Arizona. 2015-07-25
• TUFESA Bus Lines, 152 State St, Orem, 40.2944°, -111.6942°, +1 801-822-0844. Tufesa travels primarily on Interstate 10/15 (Los Angeles-Ontario, CA-Las Vegas-St George-Orem). Passengers transfer in Los Angeles, Las Vegas, or Ontario to continue to other cities in the U.S. or Mexico.
• Utah Transit Authority (UTA), +1 801-743-3882. Operates the local commuter buses, which can bring you into the city from anywhere on the Wasatch Front.

By train

• Amtrak, 340 S 600 W (at the Salt Lake Intermodal Hub), 40.76172°, -111.908471°. The only intercity passenger train to Salt Lake City is Amtrak's Chicago–San Francisco route, the California Zephyr. Service is once per day in each direction; westbound trains arrive at 11PM and depart at 11:30PM; eastbound trains arrive at 3:05AM and depart at 3:35AM.
• FrontRunner, 40.762553°, -111.909173°. The local commuter rail line runs between Ogden, Salt Lake, and Provo. The current schedule is every hour on weekdays (with more frequent service during rush hours) and every hour or two on Saturdays. One-way fares range from $2.50–10.30 depending on how far you travel

Get around

Most of the Salt Lake Valley uses a consistent street grid radiating out from the southeast corner of Temple Square, downtown. Major streets run precisely east-to-west or north-to-south. Addresses are coordinates within the grid, and streets represent intervals of 100 in each direction. For example, the street five blocks east of the grid's center is called 500 East (commonly called 'Fifth East' in spoken conversation) and 19 blocks south is 1900 South (or 'Nineteenth South'). This means that the cardinal directions mentioned in street names do not represent a direction you can drive on that street, and if the direction designation is the only difference between two street names, they are two completely different streets, unlike the common street naming system where North Main and South Main would be two halves of a contiguous road. Building addresses are numbered based on their position between the 100-interval streets at either end of the block: 629 South 1500 West would be between 600 South and 700 South on 1500 West.

A few streets are known by their names rather than their numbers: these include South Temple (which runs East/West, splitting the northern and southern halves of the grid) and Main Street (which runs North/South, dividing East and West sides). 100 East is universally known as State Street; 100 North and 100 West are better known as North Temple and West Temple, as they border the northern and western edges of Temple Square. Some other streets downtown have honorary names, which are not in common use.

Streets are an eighth of a mile apart downtown, but become more irregularly spaced as you move farther from the city center. Many major roads are numbered according to the grid system, but suburban streets are a mix of numbers and names. Most street signs helpfully provide the coordinates of named streets.

The Avenues neighborhood in the northeast corner of Salt Lake City also has its own street grid, which doesn't quite align with the rest of the city. This grid consists of east/west avenues numbered 1 though 18 (1st Avenue is the farthest south) and north/south streets lettered A through U (A Street is the farthest west).

The Salt Lake Valley is covered by a single grid system. Outside of the valley, most Utah cities and towns have their own grid systems modeled after Salt Lake's. But don't expect them to be well integrated with neighboring towns – a road may change numbers without warning as you cross an invisible local boundary.

By car

Salt Lake's wide streets make it quite easy to navigate by car; one-way streets are rare. Outside of downtown, on-street parking is relatively easy to find, though traffic slows to a crawl during the morning and evening rush hours.

Salt Lake City is well served by freeways, with Interstate 15 running straight north-to-south through the city, right past downtown. I-80 shares a brief concurrency with I-15 in the southern half of the city, branching out westward across from downtown and eastward near the southern end of the city limits. The eastern portion serves the Sugarhouse neighborhood and residential areas, while the western portion passes near the airport. The I-215 belt route makes a three-quarters loop around Salt Lake City, skipping the northeastern quadrant due to mountains. It has a junction with I-80 just southeast of the airport. State Route 201 ("SR 201", the "21st South Freeway", the "201 freeway", or just "the 201"), heads west from I-15 into the suburbs of West Valley City and Magna. The eastern terminus of SR 201 meets the southern end of the I-15/I-80 concurrency in a massive interchange known as the "Spaghetti Bowl".

Local Utah drivers will generally know how to drive in snow, however, like anywhere, there are plenty of out-of-towners who don't. If you can afford to wait, the roads are almost always plowed within a matter of hours.

By bus

The Utah Transit Authority (UTA), +1 801-743-3882, operates an extensive network of bus lines that collectively reach the entire Wasatch Front, with especially comprehensive service in and around Salt Lake City. Almost all light rail stations in the valley are connected to bus routes. Only a select handful of important routes operate at night or on Sundays and holidays, and even nighttime routes usually end service around midnight or 1AM. Extra bus lines run during the winter, serving four ski resorts in the canyons east of the city, in the Wasatch Mountains. One-way fares are $2.50, or a day pass, valid on both buses and light rail, is $6.25.

By train

UTA's light rail system, TRAX, connects many of Salt Lake City's most popular tourist destinations, including Temple Square, Downtown, the University of Utah, and the airport. There are three lines, designated by the colors blue, red, and green. The <span style="color:blue">Blue Line</span> begins in Downtown at the Salt Lake City Intermodal Hub (the bus and train station) and serves Vivint Smart Home Arena and Temple Square before turning onto Main Street, where it heads south through the City Creek shopping center, past the Gallivan Plaza, and eventually toward Murray, Sandy, and Draper. The <span style="color:green">Green Line</span> begins at the airport, heads east down North Temple Street and meets up with the Blue Line at the Arena, then runs alongside the Blue Line until South Salt Lake, where it splits off and heads into West Valley City. The <span style="color:red">Red Line</span> serves the University of Utah campus on the east bench, then heads west to Downtown where it shares a few transfer stations with both the Blue and Green lines. The Red Line shares track with the Blue Line as far south as Murray, then splits southwest into West Jordan and terminates in the Daybreak neighborhood of South Jordan. There is also a streetcar line, the <span style="color:gray">S-Line</span>, which connects the Central Pointe light rail station in South Salt Lake to the Sugar House neighborhood. Fares for TRAX are the same as for buses: $2.50 one-way, $5 round-trip, $6.25 for the intermodal day pass.

Most of downtown is in a free fare zone where you can use buses and light rail without a pass. (Full fare applies if you ride even one stop past the zone.)

By bicycle

Salt Lake City has routes and trails through and around the city for cyclists of any age. Riding on the sidewalk is legal everywhere but the central blocks of downtown; sidewalks are wide and pedestrians are sparse enough to navigate around. State law mandates that cyclists signal audibly when overtaking a pedestrian on the sidewalk. Quite a few of the city's major attractions are accessible via bicycle, and it is quick and easy to get out to the university or the zoo on a bike.

Many major streets have bicycle lanes and signs reminding motorists to share the road, but a lot of streets had these bike lanes added without widening the roadway, and thus leave cyclists without much buffer space between them and car traffic. It may be easiest to use residential side streets if one is available a block or two away. The wide streets in the city center don't help cyclists, as the extra lanes are all for cars and just make it trickier to cross the street on a bike.

There are a good amount of off-road paths and mountain biking trails. The path following the banks of the Jordan River south of I-80 is well developed, but a bit desolate in some parts. The Jordan River bike trail connects as far north as Ogden and goes all the way south to Provo. It connects many other bike trails such as Parley's Trail and the Pony Express trail. While almost all the bike trails in Salt Lake City are fully paved, they are rarely plowed in the winter. There are a few mountain bike routes that also double as hiking trails which are not paved. City Creek Canyon is open to cyclists on select days.

Bicycles are allowed on UTA buses and trains, including both TRAX and FrontRunner. All bus lines have bike racks except para-transit and ski routes, and bike lockers can be rented from UTA at several FrontRunner stations. The Intermodal Hub downtown includes a Bike Transit Center with rental bicycles and a repair shop.

• GREENbike. Bike sharing program with stations throughout downtown. $5/24 hours
• 2019 Salt Lake City and Salt Lake County Bikeways Map

See

• Utah State Capitol, 350 N State St (just north of downtown), 40.777222°, -111.888056°, +1 801-538-3074. M–F 7AM–8PM, Sa Su 8AM–6PM. The grand state capitol building is prominently displayed on the mountainside, in a lovely park overlooking Downtown. The grounds include a reflecting pond and several memorials. Inside are large open areas and monumental architecture. On weekdays, guided tours are available at no charge on the hour. All publicly accessible areas are free

• Salt Lake City and County Building, 451 S State St, 40.759572°, -111.88677°, +1 801-533-0858. Guided tours on Mondays, June- August - free, but online reservation needed. Seat of the city government since the 1890s, and in times past was also the seat of county government and even the state capitol building for 20 years. The halls are lined with onyx on each of four lavishly decorated floors. A clock tower rises 256 feet (78 m) above ground level in the middle of the building and is topped by a statue of Columbia. Portraits of former mayors line the third floor corridor between the mayor's office in the south wing and the city council chamber in the north wing. On the fourth floor is an exhibit dedicated to the 2002 Winter Olympics. 2020-01-28

• Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S, 40.760019°, -111.884645°, +1 801-524-8200. M–Th 9AM–9PM, F Sa 9AM–6PM, Su 1PM–5PM. One of Salt Lake City's most unique pieces of architecture, the library makes use of natural light and features a rooftop garden. Free

• Hogle Zoo, 2600 E Sunnyside Ave (at the mouth of Emigration Canyon on the east side of the city), 40.749939°, -111.815995°, +1 801-582-1631. November through February: 9AM–4PM daily; March through October: 9AM–5PM daily. The zoo is a 42 acre complex, with the largest exhibits featuring primates and elephants. $9–15 per person based on age groups and time of year; children 2 and under are always free

• Clark Planetarium, 110 S 400 W (in the Gateway Mall), 40.76694°, -111.902979°, +1 801-456-7827. M–W 10:30AM–8PM, Th 10:30AM–9PM, F Sa 10:30AM–11PM, Su 10:30AM–6PM. Has plenty of free exhibits, and paid admission to laser shows and IMAX movies. Adult tickets are $8 ($6 during matinee times), children's tickets are $6

• The Leonardo, 209 East 500 S, 40.7589°, -111.884°, +1 801-531-9800. Daily, 10AM-5PM. blend science, technology, engineering, art and math into compelling experiences designed to awaken your curiosity and heighten your engagement in the world around you $12.95/adult, $8.95/child, $9.95/concession 2019-03-03

University of Utah

• Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, 40.764054°, -111.822858°, +1 801-581-6927. Th–Tu 10AM–5PM, W 10AM–9PM. Best known for Jurassic-era dinosaur skeletons; also features several exhibits related to Utah's landforms and earliest human inhabitants. $14.95; $12.95 age 13-24 or 65+; $9.95 age 3-12; 2 and under free. Wednesday evenings, $5 after 5 2020-01-28
• Utah Museum of Fine Arts, 410 Campus Center Dr (Marcia and John Price Museum Bldg), 40.760281°, -111.843186°, +1 801-581-7332. Tu Th F 10AM–5PM, W 10AM–8PM, Sa Su 11AM–5PM. 5,000 years worth of art history are on display at the UMFA, with over 18,000 works ranging from antiquity to more modern installations (though with little to no emphasis on abstract art). The museum runs a variety of public programs, such as artist talks, tours, films, and family art-making activities. $9 adults, $7 age 6-18 or 65+, age 5 and under free
• Rice–Eccles Stadium, 451 South 1400 E, 40.75996°, -111.848847°, +1 801-581-5445. Home stadium of the University of Utah football team, and site of the opening and closing ceremonies for the 2002 Winter Olympics. The original location of the Olympic torch cauldron was covered over by a stadium expansion project. During this project, the cauldron was removed in 2020, refurbished, and reinstalled in a new plaza outside the southwest corner of the stadium in 2021.
• Jon M. Huntsman Center, 1825 S. Campus Dr., 40.762061°, -111.838803°, +1 801-581-5445. The university's main indoor venue, home to men's and women's basketball, women's volleyball, and women's gymnastics.
• East High School, 840 South 1300 East (near the University of Utah), 40.7508°, -111.855°. High School Musical fans will get a kick out of seeing the real high school where the movie was filmed! 2017-05-06

Temple Square

Temple Square, 40.770451°, -111.891923°, +1 801-240-8945, TempleSquare@ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Assembly buildings and visitor centers are generally open daily 9AM–9PM. Free 2021-10-14

Located on the north end of downtown, Temple Square is the most visited tourist site in Utah. Among its buildings are the LDS Church headquarters, a Church History Museum, a Family History Library, gardens, and restaurants. Entry to the temple requires church membership and a permit called a "temple recommend", but most other areas are open to anyone.

Temple Square is staffed with church missionaries to help show you around the grounds; languages from all over the world are represented. There are two visitor centers – one in the northwest corner and another near the middle of the south edge – both with several exhibits and video presentations introducing outsiders to the Mormon faith. Free tours are conducted from the airport for connecting passengers on at least a two-hour layover, once an hour every afternoon (weather permitting).

Just west of the temple is the Tabernacle, a domed, oval-shaped building that is home to the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (still often called by its former name of Mormon Tabernacle Choir). The tabernacle is open to the public for guided tours, organ recitals, Thursday rehearsals, and Sunday "Music and the Spoken Word" choir performances. On the southwest corner of Temple Square is a Gothic Revival building simply called the Assembly Hall. It is open to tourists for self-guided visits and hosts concerts on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30PM. The LDS Conference Center, across the street on the northern side of the square, is an architectural point of interest with carefully-groomed roof gardens and a series of waterfalls on the exterior of the building. Tours are available. The majority of the Church Office Building is off-limits to tourists, but the 26th floor observation deck overlooking the city is open on weekdays.

The southeast corner of Temple Square is home to a handful of historic buildings, among them the Beehive House, a former residence of city founder Brigham Young (open for free guided tours 9AM–9PM daily), the Lion House, a restaurant that also at one point was a residence of Brigham Young, and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, a former hotel which now holds a number of meeting and dining facilities, a theater showing free church-produced films, and public computers for genealogical research. The 10th floor has two observation areas overlooking the city, which are open to the public.

The busiest times at Temple Square are the first weekend of April and the first weekend of October, when thousands of visitors from all over the world attend the church's General Conference meetings. December is also a popular time to visit for the extravagant Christmas light set-up that covers the square every year.

• Church History Museum, 45 N West Temple St (across the street to the west of Temple Square), 40.770786°, -111.894301°, +1 801-240-3310, ChurchMuseum@ChurchOfJesusChrist.org. M–F 9AM–9PM, Sa 10AM–6PM, closed Sundays. This museum has a permanent display outlining the history of the Mormon church from its East Coast origins up to the arrival of the pioneers in the Salt Lake Valley. This portion takes about a half hour to walk through if you read the descriptions as you go. There is also a rotating display of religious artwork. Free 2020-01-28
• Family History Library, 35 N West Temple St (across the street to the west of Temple Square), 40.770428°, -111.894274°. M 8AM–5PM, Tu–Sa 8AM–9PM, closed Sundays. The genealogical research wing of the Mormon church, this is the largest library of its kind in the world. It is open to the general public and attracts multitudes of visitors looking to trace their family history. Research assistants are on duty to help patrons. Free

Parks

• This Is The Place Heritage Park, 2601 E Sunnyside Ave, 40.752044°, -111.816203°, +1 801-582-1847. M–Sa 9AM–5PM, Su 10AM–5PM. Marking the spot where Brigham Young is believed to have said "This is the place", the park's features include a monument to the Mormon settlers of the Salt Lake Valley and a re-creation of a Utah frontier village made of historical buildings that were transplanted from their original foundations. Demonstrations of frontier life take place here frequently. $11 adults, $8 seniors and children; Sundays and winter Saturdays: $5 adults, $3 seniors and children; age 2 and under free

• Liberty Park, 40.745556°, -111.873889°. Salt Lake City's "Central Park" with areas for several different activities, including a very small amusement park, a large pond with paddle boats available on some occasions, fountains to play in, swimming pools, barbecue areas, tennis courts, bike and running paths, and plenty of green space with tall shade trees.

  • Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts, 40.7456°, -111.874°, +1 801-245-7285. 2019-03-03
  • Tracy Aviary, 40.742685°, -111.875188°, +1 801-596-8500. 9AM–5PM daily. Located on eight acres within Liberty Park, the aviary is home to about 300 total birds from over 100 different species, including many rare/endangered species. Offers year-round bird shows, bird-themed crafts, and a daily 1PM Avian Encounter show for $3 per person. General admission is $7 adults, $6 seniors and students age 13+, $5 children 3-12, 2 and under free

• Sugar House Park, 40.7231°, -111.849°. A 110-acre park with soccer fields, a baseball diamond, volleyball courts, picnic areas, rolling grassy hills, a garden center, and a small pond often inhabited by California Gull, the state bird. This park is popular with runners and joggers, who exercise on the mile-long loop road. One of the largest fireworks shows in the state takes place here every Fourth of July.

• Pioneer Park, 40.76164°, -111.90121°. Home to the popular Downtown Salt Lake City Farmer's Market on Tuesday evenings and Saturday mornings from June to October. The park is safe during the daytime, but is best avoided after dark due to the large homeless population and reputation for late-night drug transactions.

• Gilgal Sculpture Garden, 749 E 500 S, 40.7593°, -111.869°, +1 801-582-0432. Apr-Sep: 8AM–8PM; Oct-Mar: 9AM–5PM. A small but unique collection of sculptures and stone engravings hidden between buildings in the center of a city block. Free

• Memory Grove, 120 E North Canyon Rd, 40.77757°, -111.88432°. A somewhat laid-back park on the mountainside, featuring trailheads, a meditation chapel, several memorials, and off-leash dog areas.

• Lindsay Gardens, 7th Ave and M St (in the Avenues), 40.77848°, -111.86425°. A park next to a large cemetery in the city's first neighborhood, with a serene atmosphere and spectacular views of the valley.

Do

Outdoor recreation

Salt Lake City is a hub for an incredible variety of outdoor recreation. Summer activities available in the area include camping, hiking, rock-climbing, mountain biking, boating, and fishing. Popular trails within the city include City Creek Canyon and the walking paths at Red Butte Garden 📍.

The main source of boating in the area is, of course, the Great Salt Lake immediately to the northwest of the city. The Great Salt Lake Marina 📍 is on the south shore of the lake at I-80 Exit 104, about 15 miles west of downtown Salt Lake City. The marina has 300 slips and is open from sunrise to sunset every day of the year, including holidays and during the winter. (The high salinity of the lake keeps it from freezing over.) The Great Salt Lake is especially popular for sailing, with sailboat races throughout the summer months organized by the Great Salt Lake Yacht Club. The lake is also an important refuge for over a hundred species of birds, including a large pelican colony living on the cliffs of Antelope Island. The island, in the southeast part of the lake, has camping facilities and is home to one of the last wild herds of bison in the United States.

Several world class ski resorts are accessible within minutes of Salt Lake. Ski areas in both Big Cottonwood Canyon and Little Cottonwood Canyon are served by UTA bus lines. Park City, the main skiing and snowboarding venue for the 2002 Winter Olympics, is about a 40-minute drive up Parley's Canyon. Ski resorts in the Wasatch Mountains are famous for the type of light, powdery snow that creates ideal skiing conditions. One variant of the Utah state license plate even dubs it the "Greatest Snow on Earth".

• Brighton. Within a 20-minute drive of downtown.
• Solitude. About 20 minutes away from downtown.
• Snowbird, 40.581111°, -111.656389°. This scenic resort is within a half hour of Downtown. Mostly known for skiing and snowboarding, but there are also activities for non-skiers. A scenic tram ride to the top of 11,000 ft Hidden Peak operates year round, weather permitting, and the views from the peak are spectacular in all directions. Summer at Snowbird resembles a carnival, with an assortment of rides and activities.

The nearby town of Alta is built around a ski resort and three more can be found in Park City.

• Rose Park Golf Course, 1386 N Redwood Rd, 40.79984°, -111.93821°, +1 801-596-5030. 2016-01-06

Sports

• Utah Jazz. The Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA) are one of two professional sports team in Utah that competes at the highest level of their sport, the other being MLS' Real Salt Lake. Jazz fans are known for being raucous during home games, giving Vivint Arena one of the league's best atmospheres and a reputation as one of the more difficult places to play a road game. The Arena has a TRAX station right out front and the frequency of light rail service is increased for most games. The NBA regular season takes place from November through mid-April; the playoffs can last into June. 2015-07-15
• Real Salt Lake. Pronounced rey-AL, an anglicized version of the Spanish word as in "Real Madrid", not like the English word real, it is a member of Major League Soccer (MLS). Home games are played at America First Field, in the nearby suburb of Sandy, which is also directly accessible from TRAX. The regular season lasts from March through October and the playoffs last into November. Established in 2005, Real Salt Lake is one of the newer additions to Major League Soccer, but won the MLS title in 2009.

One other area team plays in a top-level league that has a lower profile than either the NBA or MLS:

• Utah Warriors. Began play in Major League Rugby, a new attempt to launch a fully professional US league in rugby union, in 2018. Plays at Zions Bank Stadium, at Real's headquarters in Herriman.

Another team in a top-level women's league will return in 2024:

• Utah Royals FC. Returning to the National Women's Soccer League in 2024 after a three-year absence, the Royals are owned by Real Salt Lake and will also play at America First Field. The original Royals played in the NWSL from 2018 through 2020, but were shut down due to the fallout from a racism controversy involving Real's owner. The new ownership of Real exercised an option to revive the NWSL team, and the reborn Royals will inherit the original team's history.

Utah is represented in the minor leagues by three teams:

• Salt Lake Bees, 77 West 1300 South, 40.74137°, -111.89265°, +1 801-325-2337. A Minor League Baseball team in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. They play their home games at Smith's Ballpark 📍, about a mile south of downtown. From $11 to $27
• Utah Grizzlies. Minor-league hockey team competes in the ECHL and plays their home games at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.
• Real Monarchs. Reserve side for Real Salt Lake, playing in the third-level MLS Next Pro alongside the reserve sides for most other MLS teams. The team also plays at Zions Bank Stadium.

In college athletics, the University of Utah's sports teams compete as the Utah Utes in the NCAA's Pac-12 Conference. Sports represented include everything from major spectator sports like football and basketball to skiing and golf. Also notable is the women's gymnastics team, known as the "Red Rocks" instead of "Utes"—perennial national title contenders, they are one of the biggest crowd draws in all of U.S. women's sports. The football stadium has a TRAX station right next to it and the basketball arena (also home to gymnastics) isn't far from the South Campus station. The baseball team shares Smith's Ballpark with the Bees.

Arts and cinema

• Downtown Salt Lake City is home to more than 20 art galleries and antiques shops. A free Gallery Stroll happens downtown on the third Friday of each month. The neighborhood around 200 East and 300 South is the city's "gallery row" of sorts.
• Ballet West Ballet Company. Performs regularly at the downtown Capitol Theater.
• Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company. Puts on contemporary dance performances at the Rose Wagner theater (also downtown).
• Utah Symphony/Utah Opera collaborative. Performs at both Abravanel Hall and Capitol Theater.

Live theater has long been a part of Salt Lake City's culture; several historic buildings remain that were playhouses in the 1930s. Two professional companies perform regularly: the Salt Lake Acting Company has a theater in the Marmalade District a few blocks west of the capitol building, and the Pioneer Theatre Company performs in the Pioneer Theatre at the University. Kingsbury Hall, also at the University of Utah, features musicals, touring national plays, and other special performances. The amphitheater at Red Butte Gardens hosts a popular summer concert series.

The Utah Arts & Cultural Coalition maintains an online calendar of upcoming performance events in the state.

Aside from the ubiquitous set of mainstream movie theaters showing Hollywood blockbusters, the film culture in Salt Lake includes a handful of film festivals – the best known being Sundance in nearby Park City – and two independent theaters, a pair of gems run by the Salt Lake Film Society. The Tower Theatre 📍 near the corner of 9th East and 9th South dates back to 1921, making it the oldest theater in Salt Lake City that's still in open. The Broadway Centre Cinemas 📍 downtown (111 East 300 South) has many more screens and can show more films at once, but both theatres show the same types of independent and/or foreign films, plus some occasional one-time showings of old classics.

The comedy scene in Salt Lake City includes local comedians, touring professionals, and improv troupes. The Wiseguys Comedy Club chain is a common stop for national comedy tours. Current locations are in Ogden and West Valley City, with a downtown location scheduled to open in Fall of 2014. A local improv troupe called Laughing Stock (dead link: January 2023) does family-friendly shows Friday and Saturday Nights at the Off Broadway Theatre 📍 on Main Street near 300 South (Broadway).

Learn

• Granite Peaks Lifelong Learning (dead link: January 2023) is an adult education program run by the Granite School District in Salt Lake City. They offer a variety of inexpensive courses, some for serious education and others just for fun. Take a GED Prep course or learn something more specific like a second language; in addition to Spanish classes for English speakers, Granite Peaks offers ESL (English as a Second Language) courses that may be helpful to foreign travelers. Classes oriented more towards fun and recreation include pottery, wine tasting, and even ghost hunting!
• The University of Utah Continuing Education Department offers short-term, open-enrollment courses on finance, cooking, photography, foreign languages, and a handful of technology-related subjects such as web design.

The Family History Library (see above) can be an educational destination if you're looking to research your family tree and learn about your ancestry.

Work

Utah has traditionally had a low unemployment rate compared to the nation as a whole; unfortunately, wages are also below average and have not kept up well with the rising cost of living.

As in the rest of the United States, an assortment of national, state, and local anti-discrimination laws prohibit employers from firing employees based on factors like race, nationality, and religion. Protection on the basis of sexual orientation varies between municipalities, but discrimination of this type is no more common in Salt Lake County than anywhere else in the country.

Buy

• UPROK Records, 1594 S State St, 40.73491°, -111.88847°, +1 801-531-8181. M-Sa noon–9PM. Salt Lake's record store dedicated to all things Hip Hop. Sells everything from vinyl records and CDs to apparel, smoking accessories, and spray paint with nozzle attachments. Sponsors MC and B-Boy Battles monthly, and sometimes concerts and other events.

Shopping areas

• Main Street isn't one of the larger streets around as the name might suggest, but the downtown portion has a nice set of specialty shops, ethnic restaurants, and an overall pedestrian-friendly vibe. Toward the north end of Main Street, just south of Temple Square, is the newest of Salt Lake City's major outdoor malls: City Creek Center 📍, complete with a skybridge over Main Street, more than 20 dining options, and anchor tenants Nordstrom and Macy's.
• The Gateway Mall 📍 on the west edge of downtown (90 South 400 West). M–Sa 10AM–9PM, Su Noon–6PM. Gateway Mall was built as part of the city's heavy development in the lead-up to the 2002 Winter Olympics. It sits on the old site of the Union and Rio Grande railway stations, with the Union building's facade still intact as part of the mall. A mix of national and local stores can be found here, including Barnes & Noble, Abercrombie & Fitch, Brookstone, PacSun, Victoria's Secret, etc. Restaurants include The DoDo, California Pizza Kitchen, and Thaifoon. The Gateway Mall has gained a bit of a reputation lately as a panhandler hotspot – mostly later in the day when the mall security is thinner – but this is more of a nuisance than a safety issue.
• Historic Trolley Square 📍, the block between 500 South and 600 South and between 600 East and 700 East. Over a century old, the former trolley car storage complex has been a mall since the 1970s and houses shops such as Pottery Barn, American Apparel, the local bookstore Weller Book Works, and organic grocer Whole Foods. Restaurants include a Rodizio Grill steakhouse and the Old Spaghetti Factory. Sweets are in no short supply with two chocolatiers and a taffy station.
• Salt Lake's 9th & 9th 📍 neighborhood takes its name from the intersection of 900 East and 900 South, and is sort of an unofficial outdoor mall frequented by university students and trendy locals. There are several coffee shops around, including the Coffee Garden, Cafe Expresso, and Starbucks. Restaurants tend to be small and specialized with a focus on atmosphere. There are national chains like Barbacoa and a Great Harvest bakery, along with a local Thai place, a deli, and even a lot that alternates between being an ice cream shop in the summer and a candy store for the holiday season. Check out the less-than-reverent Cahoots Cards and Gifts for gag gifts and fun novelties; Contender Bicycles for high-end bikes, parts, and accessories; or Western Rivers Flyfisher, which offers guided fly fishing expeditions in addition to selling the gear. The 9th & 9th neighborhood is a short walk from Liberty Park in the Central City area.

Groceries and other basics

The major supermarket chains in Salt Lake City are Smith's Food & Drug (which is owned by Kroger), Harmons, and Winco Foods. In addition the nation's two largest discount store chains, Walmart and Target have several stores within both Salt Lake City proper and the surrounding suburbs. Walmart stores are usually open 24 hours and many Smith's and Winco stores in Salt Lake City are also open 24 hours as well. In addition many specialty and organic supermarkets such as Whole Foods Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Trader Joe's can also be found throughout the area.

Eat

While not known as a hotbed of culinary innovation, there is one delicacy that originates from Utah: fry sauce, a condiment made by mixing ketchup and mayonnaise, sometimes with seasonings depending on the recipe, and eaten on French fries, onion rings, etc. Fry sauce was created decades ago by the local fast food chain Arctic Circle and can now be found in burger joints throughout Utah and in portions of neighboring states. The food processing giant Heinz has begun selling the condiment nationwide under the "Mayochup" brand name. Even national chain restaurants usually have fry sauce at their Utah locations, and many give it out as the default condiment at the drive-thru if you don't ask for something specific.

• Bambara, 202 S Main St (Inside the Hotel Monaco), 40.76475°, -111.89136°, +1 801-363-5454. M–Th 7AM–10PM, F 7AM–10:30PM, Sa 8AM–11AM 5:30PM–10:30PM, Su 8AM–2PM 5:30PM–9PM. Upscale dining in the New American style, with eclectic décor and top-notch service. Has gluten-free menus for lunch and dinner hours. $25–50
• Brewvies, 677 S 200 W, 40.75457°, -111.89617°, +1 801-322-3891. Cinema pub with two movie screens and a lineup of mostly recent releases. Menu consists of things like pizza, burgers, nachos, and chicken tenders; drinks are mostly beer, including many local brews. Food bought at Brewvies can be eaten in the theater areas.
• Bucket O' Crawfish, 1980 West 3500 South, Suite #104, West Valley City, 40.69683°, -111.94412°, +1 801-419-0900. Louisiana-inspired sauces with a West Coast Asian twist. $10–25
• Cafe Trio, 680 S 900 E, 40.75449°, -111.86561°. Hours vary by season and day of the week, but always at least 11AM–9PM. Pizza, flatbread, paninis, and pastas with cocktails and wine.
• City Cakes & Cafe, 1000 South Main St., 40.747307°, -111.891877°, +1 801-359-2239, contact@citycakescafe.com. M-Sa 8AM-8PM, Su 9AM-4PM. Delicious vegan bakery and cafe, with friendly staff. $5
• The Copper Onion, 111 E. Broadway, Suite 170, 40.76303°, -111.88716°, +1 801-355-3282, info@thecopperonion.com. An American restaurant. Food sourcing is local and sustainable whenever possible. $30-50
• Forage, 454 East 300 South, 40.76242°, -111.87781°, +1 801-708-7834, info@foragerestaurant.com. Dinner consists of a multi-course tasting menu. Dinner generally lasts 2.5 hours. $89
• Hong Kong Tea House and Restaurant, 565 W 200 S, 40.76481°, -111.90747°, +1 801-531-7010. Tu–F 11AM–9:30PM Sa Su 10AM–9:30PM. Serves excellent Chinese food. Instead of ordering individual meals, the entire party orders appetizers.
• Ichiban Sushi, 336 S 400 E, 40.76180°, -111.88029°, +1 801-532-7522. M–Th 5PM–10PM, F Sa 5PM–11PM. Sushi and tofu in a former Lutheran church.
• Indochine Vietnamese Bistro, 230 South 1300 East, 40.76405°, -111.85425°, +1 801-582-0896. Vietnamese cuisine.
• The Kathmandu, 212 S. 700 E., 40.76431°, -111.87162°, +1 801-355-0454, info@thekathmandu.net. Nepali and Indian cuisine. $15–30
• Log Haven, 6451 E. Millcreek Canyon Rd (Located in a historic 1920s cabin in picturesque Millcreek Canyon.), 40.69821°, -111.72663°, +1 801-272-8255, info@theparis.net. New American cuisine. $25–60
• Market Street Grill, 48 W Market Street (340 S), 40.76189°, -111.89268°, +1 801-322-4668. Breakfast: M–F 6:30AM–11AM, Sa 8AM–noon; Su Brunch (special menu): 9AM–3PM; Lunch: M–F 11AM–2PM, Sa 11:30AM–3PM; Dinner: M–Th 5–9PM, F 5PM–9:30PM, Sa 4PM–9:30PM, Su 4–9PM. Long menu with an emphasis on seafood, but plenty of options for all times of day.
• Mazza. 912 E 900 S: M–Sa 11AM–3PM, 5–10PM; 1515 S 1500 E: M–Th 11AM–9PM F Sa 11AM–10PM. Middle Eastern and Mediterranean food with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options.
• Moochie's Meatballs & More, 232 E 800 S, 40.75167°, -111.88406°, +1 801-596-1350. M–Sa 10:30AM–8:30PM. Sandwich joint specializing in Philly cheesesteaks and meatball subs. $8–15
• Pago, 878 S. 900 E., 40.75013°, -111.86558°, +1 801-532-0777, info@theparis.net. Fine eclectic dining built around a farm-to-table ethos. Make your reservation online. $20–60
• The Paris — Bistro and Zinc Bar, 1500 South (Emerson) 1500 East, +1 801-486-5585, info@theparis.net. French cuisine. $20–50
• The Pie Pizzeria, 1320 E 200 S (next to the University), 40.76481°, -111.85301°, +1 801-582-5700. M-Th 11AM-1AM, F Sa 11AM-3AM, Su noon-11PM. Two locations around the corner from each other: one for take-out only and then a dine-in location in a dark but cozy basement with twenty years worth of graffiti covering the walls. Best known for their giant, thickly loaded pizzas, but they also serve salads, sub sandwiches, and beer. $6-20
• The Red Iguana, 736 W North Temple, 40.77180°, -111.91249°, +1 801-322-1489. M–Th 11AM–10PM, F 11AM–11PM, Sa 10AM–11PM, Su 10AM–9PM. Award-winning Mexican restaurant with a menu based on old family recipes. Popular and crowded enough that they have a second location less than two blocks away (866 W South Temple, +1 801-214-6050 ) and an express version called Taste of Red Iguana a mile east on the State Street side of the City Creek Center mall. $10–20
• Red Rock Brewing Company, 254 S 200 W, 40.76364°, -111.89724°, +1 801-521-7446. Su–Th 11AM–11PM, F Sa 11AM–midnight. Downtown brewpub popular for their seafood dishes from Almond Crusted Trout to simple fish and chips. More focus on the food than you might expect from a place that calls itself a brewery. $10–25
• Rodízio Grill, 600 South 700 East 2nd Floor (Located in Trolley Square.), 40.75675°, -111.87176°, +1 801-220-0500. Brazilian churrascaria. $27
• Ruth's Diner, 4160 Emigration Canyon Rd (in Emigration Canyon, about two miles east of Hogle Zoo and This is the Place), 40.76173°, -111.78068°, +1 801-582-5807. 8AM–10PM daily. Open since 1930, Ruth's features a unique mountain setting and creekside patio seating. The diner is famous for its large "mile high" biscuits. Sunday brunch tends to be very busy.
• Siegfried's Delicatessen, 20 W 200 S, 40.76531°, -111.89209°, +1 801-355-3891. Authentic German deli in the heart of downtown. $5–15
• Spencer's for Steaks and Chops, 255 S West Temple (northeast corner of the Hilton), 40.76398°, -111.89344°, +1 801-238-4748. Lunch: 11AM–2PM; Dinner: 5–11PM. Upscale steak restaurant. Voted "best steakhouse" by Salt Lake Magazine eight years in a row.
• Squatter's, 147 W Broadway, 40.76253°, -111.89565°, +1 801-363-2739. M–Th 11AM–midnight, F 11AM–1AM, Sa 10AM–1AM, Su 10AM–midnight. Tasty local brewpub with a nice patio.
• Training Table. Specializing in gourmet hamburgers and sandwiches with several locations in the Salt Lake Valley. You place your order using a telephone at your table and they buzz you when your food is ready.
• Texas de Brazil, 50 S. Main St. Suite 168 (Located in City Creek Center.), 40.76781°, -111.89137°, +1 385-232-8070. Brazilian churrascaria. $43
• Himalayan kitchen, 360 S State St., 40.76126°, -111.88847°. Delicious Momos and Nepali/Indian curries. 2021-04-22

Drink

• The Bayou, 645 S State St, 40.75512°, -111.88776°, +1 801-961-8400. M 11AM–midnight, Tu-F 11AM–1AM, Sa 5PM–1AM, Su 5PM–midnight. A beer lover's paradise with over 300 different beers from all over the world, about 30 of them on tap. The food menu features Cajun and Creole dishes like Jambalaya Pizza, Alligator Cheesecake, and Blackened Catfish Salad. Live music after 9PM on most Friday and Saturday nights.
• Fiddlers Elbow, 1063 E 2100 S, 40.72561°, -111.86050°, +1 801-463-9393. M–Th 11AM–11PM, F 11AM–midnight, Sa 9AM–midnight, Su 9AM–10PM. Sugarhouse sports bar that takes on a laid-back bar & grill atmosphere between games. Standard American food: burgers, pizza, etc.
• Gracie's, 326 S West Temple, 40.76208°, -111.89443°, +1 801-819-7565. M–Sa 11AM–2AM, Su 10AM–2AM. Stylish two-story gastropub popular with the younger crowd. Has a patio on each floor and beautiful views of both downtown and the mountains. Live music most nights, not just on weekends. Must be 21 or older. $10–30

Utah liquor laws

The state of Utah has a reputation for unusual and frustrating laws regulating the sale of alcoholic beverages. This reputation was well-deserved until the late 2000s, but the state made a series of reforms and the situation isn't as bad as you may have heard: you no longer have to sign up for a club membership just to enter a bar, for example. A few quirks remain that may catch tourists by surprise:

• Beer sold in grocery stores and convenience stores is a bit weaker than in other states: 3.2% alcohol by weight (4% by volume). This is also the maximum alcohol content for bars with beer-only licenses, or "taverns"; stronger beer is regulated as if it were a hard liquor.
• An establishment with a restaurant liquor license is not allowed to serve alcohol to you unless you signal an intention to order food as well. A special law had to be passed so patrons could order their drinks before they finish looking at the menu. Mixed drinks sold in restaurants are limited to 1.5 ounces of any one spirit plus up to one ounce of additional liquors (and any amount of non-alcoholic additions).
• Bars and restaurants alike can only serve beer between 10AM and 1AM; wine and cocktails are limited to noon through 1AM.
• Retail sales of wine, spirits, and "heavy beer" (over 3.2% alcohol by weight) are limited to dedicated liquor stores. In more populous areas, these are mostly a chain of government-owned outlets called the State Liquor and Wine Store (dead link: January 2023). Locations downtown include one at 205 W 400 S (+1 801-533-5901 ) and one at 255 S 300 E (+1 801-533-6444 ). The wine prices vary significantly, but the store must sell the wine for at least 67% above cost (beer 75% above cost) plus state taxes. You cannot buy wine openers at the wine stores, so bring your own or be prepared to buy one somewhere else. The selection of wine is fairly large, but the selection of spirits is quite small and centered around "premium" spirits. There is also no case discount available.

Sleep

• Anniversary Inn, Two locations in Salt Lake City: 678 East South Temple and 460 South 1000 East. Themed rooms (e.g., train car, Phantom of the Opera, country garden) make this a unique, fun, and slightly offbeat option. $199
• Carlton Hotel Inn & Suites, 140 E South Temple, 40.76892°, -111.88669°, +1 801-355-3418. Near Temple Square and City Creek Center. Hotel exterior is beautiful — hotel interior is functional, but a bit like a 1980s office.
• DoubleTree Suites, 110 W 600 S, 40.75685°, -111.89466°, +1 801-359-7800. From $135
• Grand America Hotel, 555 S Main St, 40.757489°, -111.890207°, +1 801-258-6000. A landmark high-rise on the south end of downtown, intended to be "the best hotel ever built". The five-diamond hotel features a lovely courtyard and some of the most elaborate chandeliers and mirrors in the world. $180–330
• Haxton Manor, 943 East South Temple, 40.76963°, -111.86375°, +1 801-363-4646, innkeepers@haxtonmanor.com. A luxurious boutique hotel with "a little bit of England right here in Salt Lake City." This is probably one of the most beautiful boutique experiences in the city. Highly recommended. $120–200
• Hilton Salt Lake City Center, 255 S West Temple, 40.76395°, -111.89326°, +1 801-328-2000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
• Hotel Monaco, 15 W 200 S, 40.764722°, -111.890833°, +1 801-595-0000. An elegant Kimpton hotel in the historic Continental Bank Building high rise. The rooms aren't large, but they are luxurious and cozy. Can be a cheaper option on weekends when it isn't in high demand among business travelers. From $109
• Hyatt Place, 55 N 400 W (next to the Gateway mall), 40.77079°, -111.90291°, +1 801-456-6300.
• Inn on the Hill, 225 North State St, 40.77396°, -111.88858°, +1 801-328-1466, info@innonthehillslc.com. This 11,000-square-foot, 1906 Renaissance Revival style mansion is one of the grandest on Salt Lake's Capitol Hill. The mansion was turned into a lovely boutique hotel in 1998 and restored to its original grandeur in 2004. $150–235
• Little America Hotel, 500 S Main St, 40.75739°, -111.89257°, +1 801-596-5700. $95–200
• Marriott City Center, 220 S State St (by the Gallivan Plaza), 40.76434°, -111.88855°, +1 801-961-8700. From $99
• Marriott Downtown at City Creek, 75 S West Temple (across the street from the Salt Palace Convention Center and adjacent to the City Creek Center mall), 40.767761°, -111.893517°, +1 801-531-0800. From $99
• Marriott University Park, 480 Wakara Way, 40.75906°, -111.83029°, +1 801-581-1000.
• Metropolitan Inn, 524 S West Temple, 40.75780°, -111.89458°, +1 801-531-7100, frontdesk@metropolitaninn.com.
• Microtel Inn & Suites Airport, 61 N Tommy Tompson Rd, 40.77007°, -112.00277°, +1 801-236-2800. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
• Off-Broadway Studios, 316 S 400 E (a block east and around the corner to the north from the Library TRAX stop), 40.76205°, -111.87992°, +1 801-487-2729, Off_Broadway_Studios@mail2world.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Suites with kitchens. Golf clubs and bikes available to borrow. Discounts for booking multiple units at once, up to six total. Advance booking required. $90–130 for a single-unit booking
• Peery Hotel, 110 W Broadway (corner of West Temple (100 W) and Broadway (300 S)), 40.76314°, -111.89445°, +1 801-521-4300, reservations@peeryhotel.com. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. An upscale boutique hotel. Large windows offer nice views of the mountains, the valley, and the city vibe. $79–139
• Plaza Hotel, 122 W South Temple (across the street from Temple Square), 40.76964°, -111.89479°, +1 801-322-5057, rooms@plaza-hotel.com. The dated exterior looks like Soviet architecture, but the rooms are pleasant, clean and smoke free. Complimentary airport shuttle for individuals. $75–125
• Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown, 215 W South Temple (across the street from the Salt Palace Convention Center, half a block from Temple Square), 40.76899°, -111.89782°, +1 801-531-7500, rhi_slcu@radisson.com.
• Sheraton Hotel, 150 W 500 S, 40.7589902°, -111.8981825°, +1 801-401-2000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.
• SpringHill Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 4955 Wiley Post Way, 40.77214°, -112.00937°, +1 801-532-6633.
• University Guest House & Conference Center, 110 South Fort Douglas Blvd., 40.76689°, -111.83557°, +1 801-587-1000. At Fort Douglas on the University of Utah campus. $120–220
• Wildflowers Bed and Breakfast, 936 East 1700 South, 40.73329°, -111.86435°, +1 801-466-0600. This bed and breakfast, a fully renovated Victorian-era home built in 1891, is in Salt Lake's Sugarhouse neighborhood. $90–125

Campgrounds

• Salt Lake City KOA, 1400 West North Temple (near the Power UTA Trax station), 40.77318°, -111.93194°, +1 800-562-9510, saltlakekoa@gmail.com. Campground 14 blocks west from Temple Square and close to the UTA Trax Light Rail, which has sites for tents and RVs with 50 Max Amp full service hookups. They are open year round and have complimentary wi-fi, kitchen facilities you can use, and a pool/hot tub. 2020-01-28
• Pony Express RV Resort & Campground, 1012 Recreation Way (Located near the I-215 exit with UT-68 Redwood Road), 40.83045°, -111.93897°, +1 801 355-1550, ponyexpressrv@suncommunities.com. RV Park located minutes away from Downtown Salt Lake City that is open year round. Amenities include wi-fi access, a dog park, laundry facilities, bike rentals, and a swimming pool. 2020-01-28

Hostels

• The Avenues Hostel, 107 North F St, 40.77183°, -111.87626°, +1 801-359-3855, info@saltlakehostel.com. From $23
• Camelot Inn & Hostel, 165 W 800 S, 40.75170°, -111.89617°, +1 801-688-6196. 18 or older, no convicted felons. Beds from $18–23 per night for one person, $34 per night for two
• Utah International Hostel, 50 South 800 W, 40.76802°, -111.91432°, +1 801-359-4525.

Stay safe

Crime

Crime in Salt Lake City tends to skew a bit more toward property crime than violent offenses, although, as with any city, the situation varies between neighborhoods. As a general rule, higher elevations like the east side and Capitol Hill are safer than lower-lying areas like Glendale and Rose Park, simply because affluent locals prefer the views from mountainside properties and the poorer neighborhoods are left for the valley. The vast majority of Salt Lake City is safe for tourists during daylight hours; some neighborhoods remain safe overnight, but there are certain areas to avoid after dark. Pioneer Park is near a busy homeless shelter and, despite crackdown efforts, has more than its share of drug transactions.

Violent crimes against random targets are rare. Among nearby suburbs, you're most likely to stumble across a sketchy neighborhood in South Salt Lake, West Valley City, or maybe Taylorsville.

Weather

The weather in the Salt Lake Valley presents few safety hazards – the heat of summer is always accompanied by low humidity, and winter snowstorms are usually calm. "Black ice" can make driving tricky: an invisibly thin layer can be enough to send your car skidding sideways out of your lane. The best defense against this is to simply drive slower and leave extra room for braking after a storm.

The winter temperature inversions are the biggest health hazard Salt Lake weather will throw at you. Inversions occur between snowstorms and trap dangerous levels of pollution in the lower atmosphere, affecting all low-lying areas in the Salt Lake Valley and other valleys nearby. Long-term exposure isn't considered safe for anyone, and even short-term exposure can seriously aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma. If you can avoid the valleys, the air stays clean year-round at the ski resorts in the mountains.

Connect

Downtown is pretty well covered by an assortment of free WiFi connections from local restaurants and hotels.

• Salt Lake City Main Library, 210 E 400 S (downtown, has a TRAX station named for it), 40.75983°, -111.88492°, +1 801-524-8200. M–Th 9AM–9PM, F Sa 9AM–6PM, Su 1–5PM. Several computers available for public use. The first floor has express computers for visitors without a library card, and the whole building has free WiFi for anyone with their own device. Branch locations around the city are starting to get wireless access as well, or you can register for an Internet Access Card with a photo ID.

Area codes

Salt Lake City and most of the surrounding urban region is in an area code overlay where the 385 and 801 area codes share the same boundaries. This means a minimum of ten digits must be dialed to place even a local call.

Cope

Newspapers

• Salt Lake Tribune. The Trib is the major daily newspaper based in Salt Lake City.
• Deseret Morning News (dead link: December 2020). Published daily by the Mormon church. A mix of national headlines and stories related to church interests.
• City Weekly. Tabloid-style paper published on Thursdays and available free at various machines around the city. Covers current events and entertainment topics from music to theatre. Their website includes professional reviews for many of the city's restaurants.
• Salt Lake Underground. Free monthly entertainment guide with particular interest in music and skater culture.
• Q Salt Lake (dead link: August 2020). All things LGBTQ, mostly in the form of opinion pieces.

Consulates

• 🇧🇪 Belgium (Honorary), 1861 Herbert Ave, +1 801-541-3885, pmdda@aol.com.
• 🇩🇰 Denmark (Honorary), 524 S 600 E, +1 801-531-7061, nvalentiner@valentiner.com. 8AM–5PM.
• 🇳🇱 Netherlands (Honorary), +1 801-364-1981, saltlakecity@ncla.org.
• 🇳🇿 New Zealand (Honorary), 1655 Linden Ln, Bountiful, +1 801-296-2494, Iainbmckay@hotmail.com.
• 🇲🇽 Mexico, 1380 S. Main Street, consuladoslc@consulmexslc.org.
• 🇸🇪 Sweden, 60 East South Temple, 3rd Floor, +1 801 937-9093, saltlakecity@consulateofsweden.org. Serves Utah, Idaho, and Montana.

Go next

• Las Vegas
• Ogden, built up through decades of being the transfer station in the middle of the transcontinental railroad, has Utah's second most urbanized downtown environment and a better bar/club district on Historic 25th Street than anything you'll find in Salt Lake City. It's about a 30- to 45-minute drive north on Interstate 15, or you can take FrontRunner or the 470 bus.
• Park City and Alta are skiing resort towns nestled in the Wasatch Mountains, if winter recreation is what bring you to the Salt Lake area. Park City hosts the internationally renowned Sundance Film Festival once a year in January.
• Wendover, 120 miles due west of Salt Lake City on the Nevada border, is a popular gambling getaway with large casino resorts modeled after the ones on the Las Vegas strip. Summer and early autumn bring a series of land speed racing events to the Bonneville Salt Flats next door.
• Logan