We have booked three nights in a quaint little cottage in Salt Lake City as part of our planned fly drive next summer. We have received a couple of negative reports on Salt Lake City ie it will be very hot, and recommending less time spent there.

We wanted a bit of a break from long distance driving and thought it might be an idea to spend more time in one place. I like the idea of going to Antelope Island and maybe doing some shopping (my husband is very unusual in that he doesn't mind a bit of retail therapy!).

I would be interested to know what others think? Would it be better to cut our stay there to maybe two nights?

Thanks

I went there last summer-July- and it was really hot...
Fortunately I spent most of time in "cool" geneagolgy building. (this one of the most famous and complete centers for this subject)
I also toured the Mormon Temple area which was quite impressive
I think 2 days is quite enough !!!

Thanks traveller24 for your reply. We will not be arriving until late afternoon on our first day there so will just have two full days in SLC. We plan to leave very early the morning after that so maybe that will not be too much.

Thanks also for the warning about the heat. Sounds like we will have to be prepared for the cold in Yellowstone and the heat as we travel into SLC!

If you are coming to SLC in July or early Aug it can be very hot. Be sure your hotel has central AC. Antelope Island is a dry, dusty but interesting place to see. But park city is a nice day trip from here and if driving to Jackson Hole from here, the most scenic route is highway 89 thru Bear Lake & into Idaho. I think 3 nights isn't too long, especially if you want to drive around the mountains, many nice places to stay up there also.

Hi Dotty,

I don't remember you ever actually saying when you are visiting. "Summer" can mean different times. Also, if I remember correctly, you are coming from the UK? Yes, it will seem hot to you. Summer temps in the valley can be from 75 - 100 degrees F. However, our climate is desert dry so it won't feel that bad.

I really would recommend staying 1 night in SLC and then the other 2 nights in Park City. It's paradise in the mountains in the summer. Much more interesting shopping too....

Dotty,

I love S.L.C. and while it may indeed be quite warm, I do not think that visitors from the U.K. should shy away from S.L.C. for any reason.

The altitude of 4600 feet above sea level limits how hot it is likely to get. In addition, the valley that is home to S.L.C. has a mountain range immediately adjacent to it.

If you were contemplating "Nevada" or something like that, then I would endorse your concern. I have found S.L.C. to be one of the more enjoyable cities in the western U.S. and it is a spot that should be visited if at all possible.

The downtown area is small-ish, and you can get around fairly easily in a very safe area.

Might be good to go out to the lake shore itself as the Great Salt Lake is always in some odd state of evolution.

I think you should go to S.L.C. and stay for three nights and just hope that is enough time to gain a good sense of the place.

In addition,

be sure to tour the Mormon Temple grounds either with the offered guided tour or just walk through the grounds on your own.

ALSO, in preparation for your trip, it would be helpful to jot down DETAILED family history data so that if inspired to delve into the Genealogy library there, you will be armed with enough DETAILS to make some use of the vast resources there.

It can't hurt to HAVE the name of your husband's great-great-grandfather written down, rather than get there and be clueless about how to begin, for not having enough info with you.

Hi, thanks again for all your replies. randknew - we will be travelling to SLC from Jackson and indeed do intend taking highway 89, which sound like a nice route.

Dayle - we will be in SLC from 6 July for three nights. We holidayed in Sri Lanka this past summer and the temperatures were extremely high and so was the humidity. Think it will be easier to manage a dry heat. (By the way we had extreme temperatures at home this summer also! We had weeks when the temperature was in the 90s though this was very unusual!). Think we will try to get into Park City. I have read up about it on the Internet and it does sound very attractive.

NorthwestMale - I am glad to you felt that 3 nights in SLC would not be too much. My other half is reluctant to change our booking now and the cottage we have booked does sound really lovely. I have been trying to trace my family tree so your suggestion of visiting the Geneaology library might be useful. I have traced my father's side back to my grandfather (born in 1866) so I might be able to delve into this further. Great idea! Thanks!

Hi Dotty,
the drive from Jackson on Hwy 89 into SLC is about 6 hrs., it may sound like less time in mileage but you will come down thru Logan Canyon & the road is 2 lane, slower traffic. but truly the most awesome scenery. and you must stop at the Hometown Drive Inn in Garden City, Ut (bear lake) for a raspberry milkshake. so save time for that! where do you go after SLC??

Hi randknew - we will make an early start from Jackson to SLC. It will be my birthday that day, so definitely will make time for a raspberry shake! Sounds wonderful.

We go on to Moab after SLC for a couple of nights and then will be spending our final three nights in Manitou Springs.

Thanks for your advice and information. Dotty

About family history research in SLC:

In preparation for your trip, it might be a good idea to order birth or death certificates for the last person you know in various lines of your family tree. In some fortunate cases, with just one new name (the parents of the deceased, etc.) you can get lucky and find a single book that traces the whole family back for generations.

The more data/detail you arrange now, at home, the better organized you'll be upon reaching the family history library (which will overwhelm/baffle you at first).

Spent several winters skiing in Utah and one summer hiking.

I do agree that it will be hot but nothing like East Coast hot meaning low humidity. Your best bet to beat the heat while also expanding your cultural horizons would be to visit Temple Square.

The world wide headquarters of the Mormons is there along with argueably the best choir on the planet. If you are fortunate enough, you can catch a practice session or maybe even a live performance. The acoustics in that venue are to die for.

If time allows, sign up for one of the walking tours through all of the venues within the complex and make sure that you see the movie about the migration into the valley.

Have a super time!!

the Tabernacle choir currently performs in the new conference center, which is truly awesome. you can attend their live broadcast every sunday, for free at the center...you need to be there about 8:00 am, they do a rehearsal first and then at 9:00 am sharp they do the live broadcast. its a very nice experience and beautiful music. you don't have to dress up either. also, every thursday evening is the organ rehearsals, not sure of time. my friend's father is the president of the choir, so i can find out whatever you need to know about performances or practices. not sure you mentioned what days of the week you will be in SLC.

i'm not Mormon but i love to listen to the choir!

If you don't have a place to stay yet in Moab, may I suggest Cali Cochita B &B? We stayed there this past August and it was wonderful. The owners, Kim and David were the nicest people. David is an excellent chef and makes the best breakfasts! We met lots of nice people around the breakfast table from all over. We like it so much, that we extended our 1 night getaway to 2 nights.

http://www.moabdreaminn.com/

Hope this helps...
Debi

Thanks for all your replies. I will have to get some work done on family tree. I already have a few copies of birth/marriage certificates, so will try and make headway with that before we go.

We will be in SLC from Friday 6 July to Sunday 9 July, so should be able to catch the Tabernacle choir broadcast on the Sunday morning. Is it difficult to get in?

Thanks DebitMN for your suggestion of lodging in Moab. We have booked Kokopelli, which is supposed to be very central. I have spoken to the new owner of the Lodge on the telephone and he was lovely - very friendly, so hope we have made a good choice.

Hi again Dotty,

Re the Kokopelli Lodge. Unless the new owner has invested a HUGE amount of money in the last year, I wouldn't set foot in the place! Seriously.

I have not been past it since last Oct, but have driven past the Kokopelli many times(since it is near The Dreamkeeper Inn where I stay) and it never looked like a place I would be willing to even walk in and check out.

If someone new has bought it, they have their work cut out for them.

Hi Dayle - you have definitely made me think twice about Kokopelli! I was going by recommendations on Trip Advisor and there seemed to be quite positive comments about it. However, I bow to your judgement and am checking out Cali Conchitta as recommended by DebitNM (thanks). I have also looked at Dream Keeper Inn where you said you stay. They both look lovely. Will keep you posted!

Hi DebitNM & Dayle - just to let you know we have cancelled our reservation with Kokopelli. We made an enquiry with Cali Conchitta and received a lovely friendly email back. We have booked Willow Cottage with them. It is twice what we would have paid at Kokopelli but as I have said in earlier posts, you usually do get what you pay for! Thanks Dayle for saving us a great disappointment. Will let you know on our return how we got on!

Dotty,

We will love to hear your trip report!

I'm thinking of heading down to Moab for Thanksgiving. You've made me curious about the Kokopelli and if I go, I'll actually go in and check out the place!