Salt Lake City is the capital and largest city of the State of Utah. Indeed, Salt Lake City is one of the largest cities in the Southwest region of the US. The city lies in a mountain valley with the Wasatch Mountains to the north and east. The Ouirrh Mountains border the western edge of the valley and the city is located on an area once covered by a prehistoric lake (Bonneville). Utah is in the Mountain Time Zone. With a population of over 180,000 people this vibrant city is well known as the center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, otherwise known as the Mormons. The population of the greater Salt Lake Metro Area almost 1 million people.
Salt Lake city is a relatively young city, being established by Mormon pioneers in 1847. Initially the city was to be called “Great Salt Lake City” and it was named after the salty lake to the west of the city. The city center was established in “Temple Square” and all addresses start from this point.
In the early 1900’s the city prospered as the city was close to many developing mines. Today mining still plays a pivotal role in the cities economy but new industry and services have developed. These include Software development and biomedical services.
Getting to Salt Lake by air.
The city’s International Airport is one of the South West’s major airport hubs. Almost 20 airlines offering over 750 scheduled flights per day use the airport. Downtown Salt Lake City is a mere 10 to 15 minutes away from the airport. Major Airline that service Salt Lake include Delta Airlines, Southwest and Jet Blue.
Both AMTRAK (rail) and Greyhound Lines (Bus) provide excellent connections to and from Salt Lake City. Interstate 15 and Interstate 80 pass by the city if you intend driving to Salt Lake City.
Transport around Salt Lake City
The city is well serviced by public and private transport companies. The Utah Transport Authority manages the public bus and light rail system (TRAX) . Both bus and light rail are an excellent way of getting around the city. Over 100 bus routes criss cross a city area of over 1,800 square-miles.
If sight seeing is your thing, the Salt Lake Connect Pass is a hop-on, hop-off city tour pass which allows visitors travel to the popular sights in the city. You can get anything from a 1 day connect pass to a 7 day connect pass. You can also combine admission to local attractions in your ticket.
While in Salt lake City you should not miss the opportunity to visit the most popular tourist attraction in all of Utah – Temple Square. Irrespective of your religious beliefs this facility is hugely interesting to all denominations. The temple itself is restricted only to those of the Mormon faith but the grounds and visitors centres are amazing. You should also make a point of visiting Salt Lake City main library, Grand America Hotel, Rice Eccles Olympic Stadium (the 2002 winter Olympics stadium) and Church History Museum.
If you want to “shop till you drop” you will almost certainly head for the “Gateway Mall” where you will find brand names such as Abercrombie & Fitch, Brookstonem Barnes & Noble and PacSun,. The Main Street area in the city center boasts a wealth of ethnic stores and restaurants.
When in Salt Lake City and Utah you must try their local speciality “Fry Sauce”. Eaten on French fries / Chips this blend of mayonnaise, ketchup and other seasonings is eaten all over the state and each restaurant will prepare their own blend.
Some excellent restaurants, pastries shops and local pubs/bars include: I Love Sushi, Porcupine Pub & Grille, Scandia Kaffe House, The Red Iguana, Squatter’s, Market Street Grill and The Pie Pizzeria.
Local newspapers include the Salt Lake City Weekly and the Salt Lake Tribune.
If in need of tourist assistance in the city please contact the helpful staff at the Salt Palace Convention Center and/or Council Hall, Utah Office of Tourism.
Outdoor Pursuits in or near Salt Lake city:
Salt Lake city is a mere 40 minutes drive from the following resorts: Solitude Ski Resort, Snowbird Ski Resort, Alta Ski Resort and Brighton Ski Resort. The city is very well known well-known for the many ski resorts found in the Wasatch Mountains to the east/southeast of the city. The areas low humidity causes the snow to be light and fluffy. Snow falls often, but single snowfalls exceeding about 10 inches are rare. In 2002 the city had the honour of hosting the Winter Olympics. These conditions make it just right for skiing and to the title “The Greatest Snow on Earth”. Salt Lake resorts receive 500 inches of snow annually
In Spring and Summer, camping, fishing, hiking, rock-climbing and boating, are also very popular, as the mountains around Salt Lake City provide outdoor opportunities no matter what you like to do..
Little know fact about Salt Lake City – The people of Salt Lake City consume more Jell-O per capita than any other city in the United States.