Author:
Andrea Cannon – www.beaUTAHfulworld.com and @andreafcannon
Many people find themselves in Salt Lake City almost by accident. Whether you are on a road trip to some of the amazing national parks out west, have a long layover at the Salt Lake City airport, or are visiting for a convention, there is always something to do in your down time. So, if you are looking for tips, look no further. These 5 suggestions come straight from a local so you know you’re getting the inside scoop:
1. Go hiking
Salt Lake City is the gateway to so many incredible trails. The mountains are easily 20 minutes tops from wherever you are staying in the city.
If you have a car and can drive a little farther to a trailhead, here are the top 7 Salt Lake City hiking trails you can’t miss organised by difficulty.
Pros:
Some trails begin in downtown including Ensign Peak, City Creek Trail, and The Living Room Trail.
Cons:
The elevation in downtown Salt Lake City is approximately 4,500 ft, so know that even just a walk may leave you out of breath if you are not used to the altitude. Add in hiking, and “easier” trails will likely be more difficult than you think so plan accordingly.
Tip:
Look at the weather prior to beginning your hike and check out trail conditions on an app like AllTrails so that you know what to expect. It’s surprising, but some trails have snow on the ground through June and July. Additionally, if you are going to be hitting a peak, remember that it is always colder and windier on the top of mountains and be prepared.
2. Visit the Great Salt Lake
The Great Salt Lake is definitely worth a visit while you are in Salt Lake City. There are two places that are the best to check it out. They both require a small fee. The first is Antelope Island State Park. The second is the Great Salt Lake Marina.
Pros:
The wildlife. Antelope Island State Park has bison, antelope and jack rabbits that you can see if you explore long enough. Be respectful of wildlife while you are there; never approach wildlife for photos, petting, etc.
Cons:
Midges. Depending on the time of year, you may or may not want to get out of your car. There is a window of time (late Spring early Summer) when there are biting gnats so the scenery is best viewed from inside the car.
Don’t miss:
If you have the time and a car, the Bonneville Salt Flats are about a two-hour drive away. Depending on the season it can look like white snow or a mirror.
The Bonneville Salt Flats are where the land speed record has been broken several times, and is easily one of my top places to visit in Utah.
3. Take a scenic drive
If you have a car, you should certainly explore around Salt Lake City. One of the best drives is going up Big Cottonwood Canyon from Salt Lake City and then connecting via Guardsman Pass to Park City and then coming down I-80 via Parley’s Canyon. Guardsman Pass is open seasonally (spring-fall only) so check before making this drive.
Pros:
It passes some of the best trailheads including the second and fifth trail in this list of top 7 hikes in Salt Lake City. This loop will allow you to get up close and personal with the mountains .
Cons:
A car is essential
4. Visit the Latter-Day Saints Welcome Center
When you think Utah, you may automatically be thinking of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), also known as Mormons. Salt Lake City is actually the hub for this church and one of their biggest Welcome Centers is right downtown. Even if you are not LDS and are just curious, the Welcome Center is beautiful and informative. Before moving to Salt Lake City myself, I visited the Welcome Center and I found it helpful to understand a significant part of the Utah culture.
5. Explore the art scene
Like most vibrant downtowns, Salt Lake City has a significant amount of art in the form of sculptures and murals. If you are trying to get that shot for the ‘gram, it’s definitely worth checking these out as they could be relatively close to where you are staying and walkable.
Winter bonus – Skiing!
In Salt Lake City, you are in very close proximity to 10 ski resorts that are all about an hour or less drive depending on which you choose. There are Powder Mountain and Snowbasin to the north. Park City, Canyons, and Deer Valley to the east. Solitude, Brighton, Alta, Snowbird to the southeast. And Sundance to the south near Provo.
If you are not much of a skier but want to hang out at the resort – Park City Resort, Canyons and Deer Valley would be the best options as they have the most activities outside of skiing. These are all located just outside of Park City, Utah which also has some incredible dining selections and family activities.
Essential tips for your visit to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City is located in a desert. Make sure to drink more water than you normally would and bring some lip balm and lotion for your lips and dry skin.
Salt Lake City can get very cold in the winter and very hot in the summer. Research the weather before visiting and plan for layers of clothing.
The laws for alcohol are different in Utah than the rest of the country although they have been relaxed somewhat in recent years.
Andrea Cannon:
Andrea is a pharmacist, triathlete, gratitude practicer, and avid traveller. Andrea enjoys hiking and spending time with her husband (Austin) and dog (Dex). You can connect with her via her blog www.beaUTAHfulworld.com or on Instagram @andreafcannon
