Salt Lake City Travel Guide

Salt Lake City is the Capital of Utah and its most vibrant city. In the mountains around you will find some of the best powder skiing in the world, which is principally why the 2002 Winter Olympics were held here; the proximity of the resorts to the city is the other reason since you can get to no less than 10 ski resorts in under 45 minutes from the airport. 

Nestled between the Wasatch Mountains, the Great Salt Lake Desert and the Great Salt Lake (some 8 times saltier than your average ocean) the city is an ideal starting point for all sorts of outdoor activities. Daytrips can be made to Antelope Island, the Bonneville Salt Flats, Park City, the Sundance Resort, Provo, Ogden, the Wasatch Mountains, the Uinta Mountains and the Mirror Lake highway, and others. These locations are all within 1 hour driving distance.

Utah is a great destination for anyone who enjoys being outdoors -- from mountain biking to hiking, skiing, flyfishing and snowboarding.

Many of the historical sights in town have to do with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, whose members moved to the valley in 1847. Within a lushly landscaped, ten-acre refuge in downtown Salt Lake City stands the multi-spired Salt Lake Temple; the Tabernacle, and other Mormon historical buildings. It is well worth it to take the guided tour of these buildings with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, even though you may get pressured with some religious indoctrination. Allow a half day minimum for the tour and a self guided tour of other buildings. If possible, try to have lunch on the rooftop restaurant at the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The sliding roof can open or close depending on the weather and the food is excellent.

The "Avenues" district around the State Capitol features wonderful houses from the 19th century; many elegant mansions have been carefully restored to their original splendor. Other sights include the spectacular Cathedral of the Madeline, the Olympic Cauldron Park at the University of Utah, Trolley Square, Red Butte Gardens, Clark Planetarium and the Gardner Mill.