Salt Lake City

From World travel guide

Salt Lake City is the capital and largest city of Utah, a state located in the United States. It is one of the largest cities in the Rocky Mountains region of the United States. It lies in a valley located between the Wasatch Range to the east, the location of world-famous ski resorts and the westernmost edge of the Rocky Mountains, and the Oquirrh Mountains to the west, which is the traditional eastern edge of the Great Basin. Salt Lake City is well-known as the center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, although less than half of the city's residents are members. The city proper has a population of approximately 179,000, but Salt Lake County in its entirety contains 935,000 residents.

Salt Lake City is well-known for the many ski resorts located in the Wasatch Mountains to the east. They are famous for the light, fluffy snowfalls that are enhanced by the lake effect off of the Great Salt Lake. In addition, some of the heaviest snowfall in the nation occurs here. These conditions make it just right for skiing, and the already world-famous resorts were made more famous by Salt Lake City's hosting of the 2002 Winter Olympics. However, summer activities, such as camping, hiking, mountain biking, rock-climbing, fishing, etc are also popular, as the mountains around Salt Lake City are full of outdoor adventure of every kind.

Contents 1 Districts 1.1 Salt Lake Valley 2 Understand 2.1 Climate 3 Get In 3.1 By plane 3.2 By car 3.3 By bus 3.4 By train 4 Get around 4.1 By car 4.2 By bus 4.3 By train 5 See 6 Do 6.1 Ski/Snowboard 7 Learn 8 Work 9 Buy 9.1 Main Street 9.2 The Gateway 9.3 Sugar House 10 Eat 11 Drink 11.1 Utah liquor laws 12 Sleep 13 Contact 14 Stay safe 15 External links

Districts

• Downtown - home to Main Street.
• Central City - the main residential area of the city.
• Sugar House - commercial/residential district with many funky shops.
• Federal Heights - affluent district to the northeast, made famous for the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping.
• The Avenues - first neighborhood in Salt Lake, many old buildings .
• East Bench - residential, to the east.
• Capitol Hill - affluent district near the capitol.
• Rose Park - residential, to the northwest.
• Glendale - residential, to the southwest, home to the International Peace Gardens.

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 6,000.

• 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 33,000

• Herriman – mostly middle-class bedroom community located in far southwest corner of the valley. One of the fastest-growing cities in the state; population 6,000

• 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 43,000

• Riverton – located in southwest to the west of Draper and south of South Jordan. Rapidly-growing middle-class bedroom community; population 30,000

• 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 37,000

• South Salt Lake – mostly low to middle income suburb of Salt Lake City, just south of I-80 and north of Murray; population 22,000

• 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 89,000

• 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. The city receives approximately 15 inches (38 cm) of precipitation and 60 in (150 cm) of snow annually, although both totals increase the higher in elevation you go. Up to 500 in (1,250 cm) of snow and 50 inches (125 cm) of precipitation are received in the surrounding mountains. Precipitation and snow totals in the surrounding mountains and the entire valley are amplified by the lake-effect from the nearby Great Salt Lake. In the valleys snow generally falls from November through March and in the mountains from October through May. Most precipitation is received during spring (March-May) and the least in summer (June-August).

Temperatures during summer exceed 100°F (38°C) on average 4 days out of the year, and temperatures below 0°F (-18°C) occur occasionally during some winters. Temperatures as high as 107°F (42°C) and as low as -30°F (-34°C) have been recorded. Compared to other areas further north, winters are fairly mild, although summers are hotter than in most of the country. Severe weather, such as blizzards, sleet, hail, floods, tornadoes, etc are uncommon, and storms are mild compared to what is experienced in such places as the Northeast, Midwest, and South. An F2 tornado did occur in 1999. It ripped through downtown Salt Lake City, killing 1 person, and is the culprit behind the lack of trees in Memory Grove at the mouth of City Creek Canyon.

During the heart of winter, a phenomenon known as temperature inversion occurs frequently and fiercely in Salt Lake City. When a large area of high pressure parks itself over the Great Basin for long periods of time, cold air and pollutants, such as ozone, become trapped in the valley. The surrounding mountains are often warmer than the valley itself during many of these cases, and smog, haze, and fog are daily occurences. It often takes a strong storm to force out the high pressure, so periods of prolonged inversion are often followed by large storms. These extreme temperature inversions can be expected just about every winter for at least a few days at a time.

Get In

By plane

• Salt Lake International Airport. 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 and Interstate 15 intersect in the city just west of Downtown. I-80 heads east through the Wasatch Range, eventually reaching Cheyenne, and heads west to connect to the airport and eventually Reno and San Francisco. I-15 heads north to Idaho and such cities as Pocatello, and south towards Las Vegas and Los Angeles.

By bus

• Greyhound. The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) 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.

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. 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.

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. As of July 2005, extensive construction is ongoing on this road. 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.

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, one which heads east from Downtown to the University of Utah Medical Center, and another south through the central suburbs to Sandy at 10000 South. Both lines begin at the Delta Center, the arena of the National Basketball Association (NBA) team the Utah Jazz, head east past Temple Square, and south down Main Street. The University line splits east along 400 South. A future line has been approved for West Jordan and South Jordan, and future lines are planned for the airport, West Valley City, and Draper. Fares and schedules available at ride UTA

In August 2005, construction began on a commuter rail line. The first line is expected to finish construction in 2008 and will run from Pleasant View, north of Ogden, south to a new transit hub planned near the Gateway Mall, which should combine UTA buses, Greyhound buses, Amtrak, TRAX, and commuter rail. By 2015, the commuter rail is expected to be extended south to Provo.

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 to visit the Temple itself. [1]

• 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. [2]

• 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.

• 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 [3] 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.

Learn

Work

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 (named for the nation's oldest department store [now Meier & Frank] founded by Brigham Young in the late 1800s) and the Crossroads Mall. Notable among Main Street stores in Sam Weller's Zion Bookstore, a local new and used book emporium.

The Gateway

Salt Lake's Gateway Mall is 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. Location: 90 South 400 West. Hours: Monday -Saturday 10 AM - 9 PM, Sunday 12 PM - 6 PM.

Sugar House

21st South shopping district. Take a stroll down 2100 South Street heading south 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 east: 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. For more on Arctic Circle locations see: Arctic Circle Restaurants

• Moochie's Meatballs and More!, 232 East 800 South. Open: Monday - Thursday 11 AM - 7 PM, Friday & Saturday 11 AM - 9 PM. Great Italian food with an emphasis on Philly cheesesteak sandwiches.
• Squatter's, 147 West Broadway. Monday - Open: Thursday 11:00 AM to 12:00 Midnight, Friday 11:00 AM to 1:00 AM, Saturday 10:30 AM to 1:00 AM, Sunday 10:30 AM to 12:00 Midnight. Tasty local brewpub.
• Ichiban Sushi, 336 South 400 East Open: Daily 4 PM to 10 PM. 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.

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 and generally costs more than in other states. 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.

Sleep

• Hotel Monaco, 15 West 200 South, (801) 595-0000, [4].
• Holiday Inn Hotel Salt Lake City Airport, 1659 W North Temple, (801) 533-9000, [5]. Five minutes from downtown and from Salt Lake City Airport and close to shopping and fine dining.
• Grand America Hotel, 555 South Main Street, (801) 258-6000, [6]. A five star hotel on the south end of downtown

Contact

• Salt Lake Tribune, [7]. The Trib is the main Salt Lake daily newspaper
• Deseret Morning News, [8]. Another major newspaper in the city; more LDS-centered than the Tribune.
• Salt Lake City Weekly, [9]. Weekly paper covering music, theatre, arts, and current events.
• Salt Lake Underground, [10]. SLUG is a monthly music magazine.

Stay safe

Compared to other major cities in the nation, Salt Lake City has relatively low crime rates and mild weather. As in any other case, basic tips go a long way. It can become fairly hot during the summer, but humidity levels generally remain low. Overall, 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.

External links

• Salt Lake City homepage

This is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please plunge forward and help it grow!