Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake Valley

One thing to realize is that when people speak of Salt Lake City, they are often referring to Salt Lake Valley. The valley consists of 15 separate incorporated cities and 11 unincorporated communities. The locals are familiarized with the cities, but some of the unincorporated community names have no general use among the population.

• The benches. Mostly residential, upper-class communities that are constructed along the slopes of the mountains.

• Wasatch Front. The region located along the western edge of the Wasatch Range. It stretches from approximately Brigham City on the north to Santaquin on the south, and includes Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Provo. More than two-thirds of the state's population are located in this region.

• Alta – extremely affluent ski area up Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Range to the east; population 350, but there are many visitors, especially during ski season (typically November-April); no snowboarding allowed

• Bluffdale – mostly middle class community located at far south end of the valley, south of Riverton. Rapidly-growing residential community; population 7,000.

• Cottonwood Heights – mid to upper class community located along the benches north of Sandy and east of Midvale; population 27,000

• Draper – middle to upper class city located in the far southeast corner of the valley along the slopes of the mountains. Rapidly-growing residential community; population 35,000

• Herriman – mostly middle-class bedroom community located in far southwest corner of the valley. One of the fastest-growing cities in the state; population 11,000

• Holladay – high income, very affluent community on east side of valley. Includes Cottonwood Mall; population 19,000

• Midvale – low to middle class city located near center of valley north of Sandy; population 27,000

• Murray – mostly middle class suburb located near center of valley just north of Midvale. Location of Fashion Place Mall; population 45,000

• Riverton – located in southwest to the west of Draper and south of South Jordan. Rapidly-growing middle-class bedroom community; population 32,000

• Sandy – located just south of the center of the valley, south of Midvale. Largely a bedroom community for Salt Lake City, almost serves as a core city of its own to the southern suburbs of Salt Lake City. Residences range from affluent along the benches to the east to low income regions scattered along the valley floor further west. Location of Jordan Commons shopping center and the South Town Center Mall. Future location of a soccer-specific stadium for Real Salt Lake; population 90,000

• South Jordan – rapidly-growing bedroom community on southwest side of the valley, north of Riverton and south of West Jordan; population 40,000

• South Salt Lake – mostly low to middle income suburb of Salt Lake City, just south of I-80 and north of Murray; population 21,000

• Taylorsville – located southeast of West Valley City. Mostly low to middle-income community and also the main campus of the Salt Lake Community College; population 58,000

• West Jordan – located in west-central part of valley; rapidly-growing, mixed-use city with a wide range of affluence. Location of large Jordan Landing shopping center, as well as Airport #2; population 91,000

• West Valley City – located southwest of Salt Lake City, south of the 21st South Freeway (SR-201), West Valley City has developed into a respectable city of its own. The rapid growth of the 70's, 80's, and 90's has slowed considerably, but West Valley City is now a full-fledged suburb with the second-largest population of any city in Utah with a fair mix of commercial, residential, and some industrial areas. Mostly low to middle income city. Location of Valley Fair Mall, the USANA Amphitheater, and the Rocky Mountain Raceway; population 113,000

Understand

Salt Lake City is the jumping-off point for many outdoor activities in both winter and summer. Most people visiting the ski resorts of the Wasatch Mountains and the national parks of southern Utah fly into Salt Lake City. It is the capital of the state of Utah, as well as the spiritual center and headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (LDS or Mormon). Salt Lake City was also the host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games.

Climate

The climate of Salt Lake City is widely-variable from season to season. It's very dry, averaging from 14-20 inches (350-500mm) of precipitation per year, much of which falls as snow, which averages from 50-80 inches (125-200cm) per year. The wide variation is due to the huge elevation changes within the city; the lower amounts are the averages on the valley floor. Summers are hot, long, and particularly dry, while winters are cold and snowy.

Winter (mid-November to early March): Winter is generally a poor time to travel in Salt Lake City, unless you're looking to ski in the nearby ski resorts. Daytime temperatures generally run anywhere from 25F to 60F (-4C to 14C). Low temperatures are usually below freezing, and on rare occassions can even drop below 0F (-18C). Snow falls often, but snowfall exceeding about 10 inches (25cm) is rare, except on the benches. A common phenomenon in winter is the inversion, which traps cold, moist air in the valley, sometimes for weeks on end. The mountains are clear and beautiful during these times, but also warm enough to melt the snow during the day. During an inversion, be prepared for fog in the valleys.

Spring (early March to late May): Springs in Salt Lake City are mild, but it is also the wettest and windiest time of year. High temperatures during this time range from about 45F to 85F (7C to 29C). Low temperatures are cool, and usually drop below freezing on ocassion into April. Although it's the wettest time of year, it's still dry in comparison to many cities in the Midwest or Eastern U.S., and heavy rain is rare. Light snowfall can often be found into mid-April, as well. Sunny spring days offer some of the best weather available in Salt Lake City. However, the snowpack in the mountains usually reaches its peak in early April and doesn't melt entirely until June, so spring is still a bad time to enjoy outdoor summer activities, such as hiking, camping, and boating, in the mountains. However, the ski resorts are usually open until mid-April, and Snowbird is often open longer.

Summer (late May to mid-September): Summer in Salt Lake City is long, dry, and hot. High temperatures during this period range anywhere from 70F to 105F (21C to 41C). Humidity is very low and nights are comfortable, sometimes dropping down to around 50F (10C), even ocassionally in July. Although a very dry season, powerful Pacific storms can sometimes impact the city as late as early June, prolonging the wet season and keeping temperatures cooler. Mid-June through early July in particular is very dry. From mid-July to mid-September, the monsoon affects Utah, bringing fairly frequent evening thunderstorms to the city. Although sometimes these thunderstorms are very powerful, bringing hail, lightning, and street flooding, they're usually relatively short-lived, and sometimes the humidity is so low that the rain doesn't even reach the valley floor. However, these thunderstorms often drop heavy rain and even hail in the mountains. However, if you can avoid the thunderstorms, summer is a great time to enjoy outdoor activities in the mountains. The snow is long-gone by the end of June, and temperatures rarely reach above 80F (27C), even during the heart of summer.

Autumn (mid-September to mid-November): Autumn is the best time to visit Salt Lake City. It's usually drier and warmer than spring. Temperatures are comfortable, ranging from 50F to 90F (10C to 32C) during the daytime. Powerful Pacific storms begin impacting the state by mid-October, but are usually infrequent. Although storms can again start dropping snow in the mountains, the snowpack usually doesn't begin building until November. The first light snowfall and overnight freezing temperatures in the valley usually occur by the beginning of November, and by mid-November, snowfall and cold temperatures should be prepared for. The leaves on the trees reach their brilliant peak color in the mountains in mid-to-late September and about a month later in the valleys.

Salt Lake City generally has a relative lack of severe weather. The worst flooding that can be expected is short-lived street flooding during powerful summer thunderstorms. The last major flood to occur was in June 1983, when City Creek burst its banks in downtown due to excessive snowmelt. However, due to safety precautions and emergency measures implemented since then, widespread snowmelt flooding is unlikely to ever occur again. Severe weather events such as hail, sleet, and freezing rain are rare (freezing rain is unheard of). The most common severe weather is crippling snowstorms, which can occur from late November to early March. Tornadoes are an extremely rare occurrence; the only tornado of note to ever hit the city was an F2 that tore through downtown on August 11, 1999, killing 1 person.

Get In

By plane

• Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), 776 North Terminal Drive, Phone: 801-575-2400, Toll-free: 800-595-2442. Located on the western edge of the city. It serves as Delta Airlines mid-country hub, with over 120 daily departures for Delta alone.

• Airport #2. Located to the southwest of the city in West Jordan, serves as a regional airport for smaller aircraft.

By car

Interstate 80 slices through the city east-to-west, passing the airport and meeting Interstate 15 west of downtown. I-80 continues east into the Wasatch Mountains and eventually Wyoming, and west across the desert to Nevada. I-15 slices through the city and its suburbs north-to-south down the center of the valley, providing access across the entire Wasatch Front, reaching St. George and eventually Las Vegas far to the south and entering eastern Idaho to the north. Interstate 215 provides a loop around the city, providing access to many of its suburbs and running near the airport. U.S. Highway 89 enters from the north parallel to I-15. Otherwise, there are few routes into the valley due to the narrow entrances, although all of the southern suburbs fit nicely into the grid system of Salt Lake City. A new freeway known as the Legacy Highway is currently under construction and will link into I-215 near the northwestern corner of the city, running parallel to I-15.

By bus

• Greyhound, 300 S 600 West, Phone: 801-355-9579.
• The Utah Transit Authority (UTA), Phone: 801-743-3882, operates an extensive bus sytem all across the Wasatch Front, so you can easily and readily reach Salt Lake City by public transportation from almost anywhere along the Wasatch Front.

By train

• Amtrak, 340 South 600 West.

Get around

By car

If traveling by car, a knowledge of Salt Lake's famous grid system is a big plus. All 16 cities follow the same grid system. Most major streets are laid out precisely running north-south or east-west. The origin of the grid is located downtown, on the south-east corner of Temple Square (the location of the Salt Lake Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints). Street addresses are coordinates within the grid system. For example, one might speak of the intersection of 700 East and 2100 South as either "seventh east and twenty-first south" or "seven hundred east and twenty-one hundred south." Addresses are specific numbers, such as 855 South 1300 East ("Eight fifty-five south 13th east"). Street blocks are 100 units long. Downtown blocks are 1/8 of a mile in length, but blocks become more irregularly spaced farther from the city center. Most people will recognize the grid as one they studied in school, with a point of origin and 4 quadrants. This recognizable format makes it very easy to navigate, with little understanding of the city.

The most important north-south streets in the city, from west to east, are Redwood Road (1700 West), 300 West, West Temple (100 West), Main Street, State Street (100 East), 700 East, and 1300 East. The main east-west streets in the city (north to south) are 600 North, North Temple (100 North), South Temple, 400 South, 500 South and 600 South (the only major one-way streets in Salt Lake City), 900 South, 1700 South, and 2100 South. In the eastern portion of the city, near the University of Utah, 400 South becomes 500 South, runs through the University, and heads southeast to the I-80/I-215 interchange as Foothill Boulevard, serving as the major road along the East Bench. 1100 East curves southeast and becomes Highland Drive south of 2100 South, becoming the main arterial road through the largely residential eastern suburbs. Most of the major streets in Salt Lake City are wide and spacious, especially in Downtown. This is the vision of the first settlers when they were laying out the city in 1847. Another major road is the Bangerter Highway, an expressway which runs straight south from the airport and I-80 down the entire western side of the valley, serving the quickly-growing western and southern suburbs.

Salt Lake City is also served by several freeways. I-15 runs nearly arrow straight north-south through the center of the valley, passing just west of Downtown. I-80 comes in from the west and provides access to the airport before merging with I-15 for a few miles just west of Downtown, extending to about 2100 South. Here, I-80 splits east and heads through the largely residential neighborhoods of the east side before entering the Wasatch Range through Parley's Canyon. I-215 splits off from I-15 just north of Salt Lake City in Davis County and heads south parallel to I-15, intersecting I-80 near the airport and continuing through several western suburbs. It curves east and intersects I-15 in Murray, near the center of the valley, and curves north, parellel to the Wasatch Range, ending at I-80 near the mouth of Parley's Canyon. I-215 forms a 270° loop around Salt Lake City, and is referred to as the "Belt Route." The section west of I-15 is often referred to as the "Western Belt Route" and the section east of I-15 as the "Eastern Belt Route". State Route 201 (SR-201), often known simply as the 21st South Freeway, heads west from the southern I-15/I-80 junction and runs along the northern border of West Valley City as a freeway. The place where I-15, I-80, and SR-201 come together is known locally as the Spaghetti Bowl.

By bus

The Utah Transit Authority operates an extensive bus system that reaches the entire Wasatch Front, with the most extensive coverage in and around Salt Lake City. Every light rail (TRAX) station in Salt Lake City is connected by several bus routes. Only the most important routes operate during nighttime hours, Sundays, and holidays. In winter, service to the four ski resorts located in the Cottonwood Canyons to the east, in the Wasatch Range, is provided. Standard one-way fares are $1.60, a day pass (which is good for both bus and TRAX rides) is $4.25, and most of downtown is a free fare zone for all UTA service (bus and light rail).

By train

Another good way to get around the city is on the light rail system, or TRAX. TRAX is administered by UTA. There are two separate lines, both of which begin at EnergySolutions Arena, the arena of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Utah Jazz, and head east past Temple Square, turning south on Main Street. The University Line splits east along 400 South and serve the University of Utah on the east bench. The other line continues south through Salt Lake City, South Salt Lake, Murray, Midvale, and ends at the Sandy Civic Center at about 10000 South. Total, the lines contain 26 stations. Standard fares for all light rail lines are $1.60 one-way, $3 round-trip, and $4.25 for a day pass which includes bus and light rail service. Downtown is a free fare zone for all UTA bus and light rail lines. Schedules are available at ride UTA. The main line is currently being extended west form the EnergySolutions Arena, past Gateway Mall, and to the Salt Lake Intermodal Hub. This extension will add two stations (bringing the total to 28) and be finished by April 2008. The Mid-Jordan Line into West Joran and South Jordan (which will contain 9 more stations) and the West Valley City line will begin construction as soon as possible, and additional lines into Draper and to the airport will be completed no later than 2015.

In August 2005, construction began on a commuter rail line known as FrontRunner. The first line is expected to finish construction in spring 2008 and will run from Pleasant View, north of Ogden, south to the newly-constructed Salt Lake Intermodal Hub west of Gateway Mall, which will combine UTA buses, Greyhound buses, Amtrak, TRAX, and commuter rail. Stations in Salt Lake City will be located on North Temple (100 North) between downtown and the airport, and at the Intermodal Hub. By 2015, the commuter rail is expected to be extended south to Provo.

By bicycle

Salt Lake City offers numerous trails and routes through the city and around the city for bicyclists of all ages. Several major streets offer bicycle lanes, signed shared roadways, paths and mountain bicycling trails. The Salt Lake City Green Bikeways Map 2006 provides detailed bicycle route information about these routes and trails.

See

• Temple Square. Located in the heart of downtown, Temple Square is the most visited location in Utah. There are numerous missionaries speaking many languages to help to show you around the temple grounds, tabernacle, assembly hall, and two visitor centers. Inside the visitor center are numerous exhibits and video presentations explaining the Mormon faith. Note that non-Mormons are not permitted inside the Temple itself. There is a free tour from the airport for connecting passengers, weather permitting.

• Church History Museum. Just south of Temple Square this free museum has a permanent display that outlines the history of the LDS church from Joseph Smith until the arrival in Salt Lake City. There is also a rotating display of different LDS themed artwork. The church history portion takes about 30 minutes to walk through if you read the descriptions of the museum pieces. Admission is free. Hours: M-F 9AM-9PM, Sat,Sun,Holidays 10AM-7PM.

• Salt Lake City main library. One of Salt Lake City's newest and most architecturally unique buildings. It includes unique uses of natural light, plenty of reading space and a rooftop garden. Location: 210 East 400 South. Hours: Monday - Thursday 9 AM - 9 PM, Friday & Saturday 9 AM - 6 PM, Sunday 1 PM - 5 PM.

• Salt Lake City and County Building. Seat of city government since 1894. The building's central clock tower is topped with a statue of Columbia and rises 256 feet (78 m) from the ground. The building has four floors and over one hundred rooms. Onyx lines the hall of each lavishly decorated floor. The third floor houses the mayor's office in the south wing and the city council chamber in the north. Portraits of the city's past mayors up to and including Deedee Corradini line the corridor between these offices. The fourth floor features an exhibit commemorating the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City. Location: 451 South State Street.

• Sugar House is one of Salt Lake City's oldest and most interesting neighborhoods. In recent years it has become the home of hip shops and the fashionable youth of the city. Sugar House is a mixed-use commercial/residential region located approximately between State Street on the west, 2100 East on the east, 1700 South on the north and 2100 South on the south (2700 South east of 700 East). The area around between 1300 East and 1100 East, and down 1100 East for a short while is the location of many of the fashionable shops and youth culture of the region. The center of the area, which has many maps and shops, is at 1100 East and 2100 South.

• Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street, (801) 258-6000. A five star hotel on the south end of downtown. Often rated among the best hotels in america it is certainly one of the most beautiful city hotels in the world. Almost no cost was put on building the hotel which was built to be "the best hotel ever built". The hotel features some of the most expensive chandeliers and mirrors in the Western Hemisphere. The hotel has a million dollar mirror.

• Sugar House Park is located between 1300 East, 1700 East, 2100 South, and I-80, and is the former site of the Utah Territorial Prison. The park features walking trails, baseball fields, basketball courts, playgrounds, picnic sites, and even a small pond often inhabited by the renowned California Gull, the state bird. Every July 4, one of the largest fireworks shows in the state takes place here, so expect traffic jams around the park after the show and heavy car and foot traffic before. The fireworks are set off from the pond on the east side, so the area of 1300 East between 2100 South and I-80, including the 1300 East interchange, is closed. Fireworks usually start around 10pm and last a half hour.

• Rice Eccles Olympic Stadium is located at 451 South 1400 East, and was the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic opening and closing ceremonies. The torch is located on the south end of the stadium. Currently home to the University of Utah football team, and Real Salt Lake soccer team of Major League Soccer.

• Kennecott Copper Mine is located about thirty miles southwest of Salt Lake City, and is one of the largest open-pit copper mines in the world.

Do

Ski/Snowboard

Ski or Snowboard one of the many world class ski resorts accessible within minutes of SLC. There are a few of them:

• Brighton, Located up Big Cottonwood Canyon. -- Within 20 minutes of downtown.

• Solitude, Located up Big Cottonwood Canyon -- 20 minutes from downtown.

• Snowbird, This resort is within 30 minutes of Downtown S.L.C., up the scenic Little Cottonwood Canyon.

• Alta, This resort is also within 30 minutes of Downtown, up Little Cottonwood Canyon. This resort does NOT allow snowboarding.

• Park City Resort, This resort is a short trip up Parley's Canyon to the city of Park City. -- About a 40 minute drive from Salt Lake.

• The Canyons, This resort is also located in Park City. About 40 minutes from Salt Lake.

• Deer Valley, Located in Park City. About 40 minutes from Salt Lake.

Buy

Main Street

Every city has a Main Street, and Salt Lake is no exception. This revitalized district is home to many unique Utah shops and restaurants as well as two malls. The two malls are the ZCMI Center (now Meier & Frank founded by Brigham Young in the late 1800s) and the Crossroads Mall(Now demolished). Notable among Main Street stores in Sam Weller's Zion Bookstore, a local new and used book emporium. (currently under major renovation)

The Gateway

Salt Lake's Gateway Mall, 90 South 400 West. Hours: M-Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 12PM-6PM. A new development built in anticipation of the 2002 Winter Olympics. It was built on the site of the old Union and Rio Grande railway stations, and incorporates the Union building in its structure. Many national (and several local) mall stores can be found here. Stores include: Abercrombie & Fitch, Barnes & Noble, Victoria's Secret, Brookstone, PacSun, etc. Restaurants include Thaifoon, California Pizza Kitchen, The DoDo, etc. The Gateway is Utah's largest open air shopping district. The area also includes condominiums and office space.

Sugar House

21st South shopping district. Take a stroll down 2100 South Street heading west (or east) from the 1100 East/Highland Drive intersection. Right at the intersection there is the Sugar House Monument, a 1930's era obelisk. Shops and restaurants line this street. Also enjoyable is 1100 East heading south (or north): more shops and restaurants.

Eat

Fry sauce is a Utah specialty. What is it? Fry sauce is a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise (and other seasonings depending on what restaurant is making it) eaten on French fries. Fry sauce was created many years ago by the local fast food restaurant Arctic Circle and has since spread to the rest of Utah, as well as eastern Idaho. Almost any local (and many chain) restaurants will serve this tasty pink concoction.

• Moochie's Meatballs and More!, 232 East 800 South. M-Th 11AM-7PM, F,Sa 11AM-9PM. Great Italian food with an emphasis on Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.
• Squatter's, 147 West Broadway. M-Th 11AM to 12AM, F 11AM-1AM, Sa 10:30AM-1AM, Su 10:30AM-12AM. Tasty local brewpub.
• Ichiban Sushi, 336 South 400 East. Daily 4PM-10PM. Sushi restaurant in a converted lutheran church.
• Scandia Kaffe House, 1693 South 900 East. Coffee house and import store with a Scandinavian flair. Very inexpensive pastries.
• The Pi Pizzeria, 1320 East 200 South- Original location. Open M-Th 11AM-1AM; F-Sa 11AM-3AM; Su 12PM-11PM. Delivery available. Home of the 23-inch pizza. Best Pizza in Salt Lake City.
• The Red Iguana, 736 West North Temple. The best Mexican food in town. Especially good mole.
• Mazza, 1515 South 1500 East. M-Sa 11AM-9PM. Excellent Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food with plenty of vegan options along with a good supply of meat.
• Cafe Trio, 680 South 900 East. M-Th 11AM-10PM, F-Sa 11AM-10:30PM. Great flatbread, pizzas and pastas with a good selection of wine. Nice ambiance.
• Porcupine Pub & Grille, 3690 Fort Union Blvd # 204. M-F 11AM-11PM, Sa 9:30AM-11PM, Su 9:30-10PM. Half price appetizers M-F 2-5PM. Après-ski hot spot. One order of nachos serves 4 people. Local beer on tap.
• Market Street Grill, 48 West Market Street. Breakfast: M-F 6:30AM-11AM; Sat 7AM-12PM; Sun Brunch (Special Menu) 9AM-3PM. Lunch: M-F 11AM-3PM; Sat 12PM-3PM. Dinner: M-T 5PM-10PM; F 5PM-11PM; Sat 4PM-11PM; Sun 4PM-9:30PM. Voted best breakfast in Salt Lake City, very good seafood restaurant.

Drink

Utah liquor laws

Utah's liquor laws are known as one of the more peculiar things about the state. Liquor is sold only in state-owned stores which can cost more than in other states - but are neat, clean and always well stocked. In fact, the wine stores are brimming with an surprising selection of wines. "Near-beer" (3.2% alcohol, as opposed to the standard 4-5%) replaces the usual brew, which is available in stores and restaurants. "Full strength" beer is available in bars and liquor stores. Also, state law prohibits the serving of more than one ounce (shot) of alcohol as the primary liquor in a mixed drink. This can be circumvented with the purchase of a "sidecar" (a separate shot of liquor). Secondary alcoholic flavorings may then be added to a mixed drink as the recipe requires.

Although liquor laws in Utah are more strict, they are not impossible. There are several kinds of establishments to know about:

• Private club. Sometimes seen with the tag "for members only" added to the end. Don't let this intimidate you. This is code for a full service bar serving hard drinks as well as beer. There is a small temporary "membership" fee required at these locations, but anyone can be a member and this is analogous to a cover charge. Most only run a few dollars, and most members can then bring "guests".

• Tavern. A tavern is a bar that serves only beer and requires no "membership".

• Restaurants. Many restaurants serve beer as well as hard liquor. No "membership" is required, but you must order food. You cannot order more than one drink (per person) at a time, and you must finish your drink before ordering another. Also note that you have to ask the server for a wine list or drink list, as one will not be provided to you.

• State Wine Store. There are approximately 10 state run wine stores in Salt Lake City. One State Wine Store is located near downtown Salt Lake City (205 W 400 S; off-street parking). The wine prices vary significantly, but the store must sale the wine for at least 67% above cost (beer 75% above cost) plus state taxes. And 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

• Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street, (801) 258-6000. A five star hotel on the south end of downtown. Often rated among the best hotels in america it is certainly one of the most beautiful city hotels in the world. Almost no cost was put on building the hotel which was built to be "the best hotel ever built". The hotel features some of the most expensive chandeliers and mirrors in the Western Hemisphere. The hotel has a million dollar mirror that is suppose to have amazing clarity

• Hotel Monaco, 15 West 200 South, (801) 595-0000. A classy high rise with gorgeous rooms. It is primarily a business hotel (although it is just as comfortable as a typical luxury hotel), so look for discounts on the weekend.

• Marriott University Park, 480 Wakara Way, (801)581-1000. Nestled at the foot of the Wasatch Mountains, you will discover everything you need for a successful visit to the Crossroads of the West. Enjoy immediate access to the University of Utah, Hogle Zoo, Red Butte Garden s and high-tech Research Park. On University of Utah campus, minutes from downtown, 10 miles from SLC International Airport.

• Microtel Inn & Suites Salt Lake City Airport, 61 North Tommy Tompson Road, Tel: (801) 236-2800.

• Quality Inn Hotel Salt Lake City Airport, 1659 W North Temple, (801) 533-9000. Formerly the Holiday Inn. Five minutes from downtown and from Salt Lake City Airport and close to shopping and fine dining.

• Sheraton City Centre, Salt Lake, 150 West 500 South, (801)401-2000. Located in the heart of downtown. Just four blocks from LDS Temple Square and downtown shopping. Easily accessible to the Delta Center, Capitol Theater, and Clarke Planetarium. Only 10 minutes from Salt Lake City International Airport, with complimentary transportation from 6 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. daily.

• Utah Vacation Homes Private Homes and Condos located near Alta, Brighton, Solitude, and Snowbird. Utah Vacation HomesSleep between 6 and 24 people. 4411 S 2950 E Salt Lake City Utah 800-667-9456

Hostels

• International UTE Hostel, 21 East Kelsey Ave, +1 801 595-1645, Beds start at $20 per night, private rooms at $45 per night.

• Camelot Hostel, 165 West 800 South, +1 801 688-6196, Beds start at $14-20 per night for one person or $25 per night for two.

• Camelot Guest House, 556 South 500 East, +1 801 688-6196, Beds start at $14-20 per night for one person or $25 per night for two.

• Jefferson Guest House, 802 South Jefferson Street, +1 801 688-6196, Beds start at $20 per night for one person or $25 per night for two.

• The Avenues Hostel, 107 North F Street, +1 801 359-3855, toll free +1 877 467-8351, Beds start at $14 per night.

• Utah International Hostel, 50 South 800 West, +1 801 359-4525.

Read

• Salt Lake Tribune, The Trib is the main Salt Lake daily newspaper
• Deseret Morning News, Another major newspaper in the city; more LDS-centered than the Tribune.
• Salt Lake City Weekly, Weekly paper covering music, theatre, arts, and current events.
• Salt Lake Underground, SLUG is a monthly music magazine.

Stay safe

Compared to other major cities in the nation, Salt Lake City has relatively low violent crime rates, but relatively high rates of property crime. Pioneer Park is a popular hangout for drug dealers and should probably be avoided at night. As in any other case, basic tips go a long way. The weather is generally mild and has few extreme weather events. It can become fairly hot during the summer, but humidity levels are low, while winter can see the occasional major, crippling snowstorm. The inversion in winter can also lead to unhealthy air quality and dense overnight fog. Overall, however, Salt Lake City requires no special tips for staying safe, as it is generally safer than cities of comparable size, both crime-wise and weather-wise.