Salt Lake City trip

Old Apr 16th, 2012, 08:33 AM
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Salt Lake City trip

I am going on a 3-day trip to Salt Lake City. Any suggestions what I can do to make the best use of my time?
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 08:41 AM
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When? Do you want to rent a car to see things outside the city?
Any interest in Temple Square?
The Hogle Zoo and the "This is the Place" monuments are OK.
There is a light rail system which will get you to Sandy if you want to go there.
You will need a car to go out to the south end of the Great Salt Lake. If you swim in it, you need a fresh water shower as soon as you get out.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 08:46 AM
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Depends on what interests you. I'd recommend looking through a Fodor's and/or Frommer's guidebook of the city to see what's of interest, then come back and post a preliminary itinerary. We'll be glad to offer suggestions from there.

Note well that you can see most of SLC's attractions by using light rail or the bus if you're centrally located. When I was there, it was also possible to see both the Great Salt Lake and Bingham Canyon Copper Mine via a half-day tour in case you don't have a car.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 09:04 AM
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I will be there April 26-29 and was thinking of renting a car. One place that comes up is Antelope Island State park. I will be renting a car so can travel around. I will be staying in Downtown SLC so will go around the city.

Thank you for your suggestion to look at Frommer's
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 09:43 AM
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If you don't have to stay in SLC. In other words, can you be gone for 3 days? Then I would be tempted to head to one of the National Parks. Moab weather would probably be good then. Also Zion or even Capitol Reef.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 10:05 AM
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I am staying in SLC and would like to do day trips.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 10:23 AM
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Rent a car downtown only when you need it for places away from the light rail line. http://www.expedia.com/daily/cars/Sa...car-rental.asp
As Expedia says, renting downtown is often cheaper than at the airport with the same company.
I hope your hotel is within walking distance of a car rental or the light rail.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 01:17 PM
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join the great salt lake group on facebook and we;'ll send you to a scenic spot based on the weather that day

https://www.facebook.com/groups/60737101282/
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 07:24 PM
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Go up to Park city and see the Olympic park there--bobsledding, ski jumping etc. Not sure what is there in April--check out the web first. The new Museum of Natural History at the University is truly awesome. And right next door is Red Butte Arboreteum. I think Antelope Island is boring, myself--flat. If you can see the buffalo that can be exciting. The Clark Planetarium has interesting exhibits. (downtown) The new City Creek Center just opened and might be worth a stroll through. The Temple grounds have beautiful flowers. If you want to do some hiking--try City Creek Canyon or the foothills behind REd Butte. The canyons will still have too much snow and mud (it's been a bad snow year this year). Check out the Salt Lake Tribune events calendar--there are some good plays, ballet, etc going on. The city library is a really cool building and worth look. You can see the shops at the 9th and 9th neighborhood and 15th and 15th--some interesting things there. If you like dinosaurs, the Museum of Ancient life at Thanksgiving point in Lehi is really very interesting. Hill Airforce Museum is really pretty darn good--I was quite pleasantly surprised!! Check out the Salt Lake City Visitors Center website too.

I would absolutely want to rent a car and would not rely on the light rail or bus. SLC is soooo easy to get around and having a car is convenient.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 09:00 PM
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So far I'd recommend everything that has been mentioned already.

Trying to find things that haven't been mentioned I would add the Capitol Building which I think is very nice, they do offer tours.

There are other buildings in the Temple Square area one of which is the Church art museum. During their annual art competition they can get some fantastic contemporary religious art.

To be fair the Cathedral of the Madeline just up South Temple is also a little gem of a church.

There is the Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park.

I'd walk or take TRAX or the bus downtown as they are free and convenient and often easier than finding parking. But anything out of the downtown area take the car.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 09:52 PM
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Sunday morning you can listen to THe Morman Tabernacle Choir. The University of Utah has a very nice Fine Art Museum. Red Butte Garden, also connected to the University, is worth a visit. Drive up to beautiful Litlle Cottonwood Canyon, home to both Snowbird and Alta ski resorts. In the evening, visit The Gateway, where you'll find shops, restaurants and a movie theater. Take a drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon and enjoy breakfast or lunch at Ruth's Dine. Enjoy your weekend in Salt Lake.
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Old Apr 16th, 2012, 10:54 PM
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Capital Building offers tours,and the Olympic Park has lots of activities to do which I am sure you will enjoy. For shopping even I would recommend The Gateway because its the best there. For the best food, everyone's opinions differ, I think Diced Pieces in the Cottonwood Canyon is the best to enjoy breakfast as well as lunch.
the Museum of Ancient life at Thanksgiving point in Lehi is good too.
Enjoy!
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Old Apr 17th, 2012, 02:33 PM
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Talk to all of your relatives ahead of time, document your family tree, and then spend some time at the Family History Center across the street from Temple Square. But don't just get to SLC, notice the place, and wander in with zero preparation.

Beyond that, I would drive out to the lake itself, just to gain a sense for how it has evolved over the years (not, typically, for the better, either). Hopefully you can still get saltwater taffy out there???

My best suggestion for the area involves a high-altitude road that is not open yet (hwy #150 to the east "Mirror Lake Highway").

Central SLC has enough going on to keep you interested for a couple of days, and be sure to check mountain road conditions before setting out toward the east.
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Old Apr 19th, 2012, 05:34 PM
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thank you everyone! I am sure I'll be ab;le to plan a great trip with your suggestions.
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Old Apr 19th, 2012, 08:45 PM
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So many great suggestions already covered!

In terms of neighborhoods, I would add to 9th and 9th, Sugarhouse and the Avenues. I think a drive to Park City is worth it and it is lovely to stroll Main Street.

In terms of food options, some of my favorites:
-Cafe Shambala in the Avenues, has a buffet lunch for $8.50 with simple hearty food, I love the curry chicken and "momos" appetizer.

-the Jack Mormon coffee house, also in the avenues makes my favorite lattes.

-Trios is a lovely Italian restaurant on 9th east (I think) with my favorite spaghetti carbonara.

-Market street grill/broiler near the University has a fantastic clam chowder that I get to go for about $6; one of the best deals around for top notch cuisine.

-there is a Belgian shop near the Gateway mall (on 300 south?, called Bruges?) with great fries and waffles with ice cream.

-Dodo restaurant in Sugarhouse is great with house made pastries that are divine. I love their key lime pie.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2012, 01:50 PM
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ncounty, are you from SLC itself? Seeing the above suggestions, how do you think I should break down my trip? Also, is antelope island woth the trip?
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Old Apr 22nd, 2012, 02:27 PM
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I go to SLC about 8 times a year, Pbyles; I have a second home in Park City and investment homes in SLC. I haven't even done A LOT of the touristy things myself so I am enjoying all these prior suggestions for you. I haven't done antelope island and would want a lot more research and guidance before doing it; I am afraid it will just be flat and unremarkable.

I think a day trip to Park City would be very enjoyable. If you are a foodie, I can suggest some places to eat there.

Since it IS SLC, you should do the Mormon temple tour if you haven't before. I think the new natural history museum sounds fantastic and want to do that as well. Red Butte garden and the Hogle zoo are on my list as well to check out.

I love just exploring architecture in great neighborhoods so that is what I do. I hang out in the Avenues and in the 9th and 9th area, find cool places to eat, stroll about, do some shopping. This pace explains why I've taken 20 years of 6-8 trips per year and still have some main tourist highlights to get to!
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