bellhouse

We are going to be in Salt Lake City for two nights at the end of a national/state park tour of Utah. We will get in late afternoon one day, spend the night, see sights, and fly out pretty early the next morning. I don't know anything about SLC. Is there a fun historic district/downtown area that would also be easy to get to the airport from - or would it be just as easy to stay near the airport (maybe turn the rental car in the night before and take a shuttle to the airport the next morning - I'm not a morning person!). There are 5 of us - parents plus 18-, 21-, and 23-year old boys - so B&Bs are generally out.

Also, what would be your top sightseeing sights? I was thinking the historic/outdoors. Antelope Park?

Myer

Don't stay in a sleezy place near the airport.

SLC is very, very close to downtown. A 10 minute drive maximum.

A couple of years ago I stayed at Little merica. A very nice hotel in a great location. Check out the rates too.

Also, they have motel-type units attached and behind the main hotel. The rooms were also excellent. The advantage to this was that we got up in the morning, loaded the car, did some sightseeing and jumped into the car and drove to the airport. Very efficient.

Sights.
Brigham Young's house
Capitol building tour
Old train station
Geniology center

Others will give you more sights. Maybe drive to Park City.

There's a free shuttle that runs around downtown.

lincasanova

The airport HI Express was not sleazy when we were there.. has it gone downhill?

tomfuller

Something to see other than Temple Square: http://www.clarkplanetarium.org/ Check the IMAX.
The Homewood Suites also in the Gateway area looks like a nice place with an easy trip to the airport.

NorthwestMale

What?

Has Sleazy hit Salt Lake City too??


The geneology center across from the temple is awesome, but for getting the most out of it you should arrive armed with your family tree data for the first 3 or 4 generations.

The Temple grounds are a must, even if you're not religious. Guide yourself around vs. waiting for a tour to start that is guided by the splendid young hosts and hostesses you'll see by the gates.

Downtown SLC doesn't have the same sorts of fantastic hotels that most cities seem to have, but the decent chain hotels/motels there are certainly adequate.

Something has me guessing that the boys won't sit still for much time spent at the genealogy center... so anyone remotely interested had better bring plenty of data so as not to be backtracking before seeking new info on the family tree.

Pat_in_Mich

My daughter and I stayed at Little America on a road trip in August 2009. We had a courtside room which was in a more motel like building behind the main hotel. It still had interior corridors though. We had 2 queen beds and it was the largest and nicest room we had on the trip and also the cheapest, $79 + tax, good location with the light rail system stopping right in front.

Gretchen

IF you happen to be there on the day of a rehearsal by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir do NOT miss it.

StantonHyde

Little America is good. The Plaza or Mariott is more in the middle of town. Do not stay near the airport. Temple Square is pretty, the capitol is really cool if you can get a tour. Gateway is your basic shopping center. The planetarium is cool but won't take more than an hour.

How late afternoon? Lots of stuff closes by 5 or 6--except for shopping places. Dropping the rental car the day of your flight is easy.

StantonHyde

oops for a whole day--depends on the time of year. In the summer, go up to Snowbird or Park City. Lots to do/see in the Canyons. Antelope Island is better in spring/fall.

bellhouse

Thanks for all the suggestions - I will check them out. We will be coming from Park City - my niece lives there, so we are visiting with them the day before (driving in from Moab) - so how late we get in that day will determine how late we stay the next day. We want to actually get in the lake - I thought Antelope Island was the best place? I'm going to look up the choir schedule now.

bellhouse

Looks like the Choir will be in town and we will be able to go to a Thursday rehearsal! Anyone know how early you need to be there to get in - this will be the first week of August? Also, it looks like you don't need tickets - is that right?

bellhouse

Just checked Little America - no rooms according to on line reservations. Would the Marriott be the next best choice?

bellhouse

Can't figure out the Marriott - what would the address be?

curiousgeo

Any suggestions when visiting the University of Utah? Thanks.

mrwunrfl

I will have to come back and read the responses to this.

I was just looking into flying to SLC. The Hilton has a spring sale - $69 for Fri or Sat (is/was available next weekend).

I would want to see the organ recital and a performance or rehearsal by the choir.
http://mormontabernaclechoir.org/events/

StantonHyde

The Plaza is a good downtown hotel.

For the U--stay at the U guest house or the University Marriott. When visiting the U, be sure to see Red Butte Gardens--awesome arboretium. For an interesting but little visited place--try Gilgal Gardens--its a sculpture garden. For a living history type place, you can visit This is the Place Monument and Park. By November, the Musuem of Natural History will be open--should be amazing. And the U has a nice Museum of Fine Art.

bachslunch

Will definitely second Red Butte Gardens and the historic buildings at This is the Place. The Museum of Natural History is okay (better for kids), while for me seeing the art museum on campus depends on what the temporary exhibit is (was underwhelmed by their permanent collection).

Will also second the capitol building as well as Temple Square and the accompanying Mormon-based attractions (the museum is quite interesting).

I've posted on previous threads about places to eat in SLC. Doing a board search will bring up some of those posts.