Things to do in Salt Lake City
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Salt Lake Roasting Company
The Salt Lake Roasting Company has been roasting its own beans since 1981, and the coffee is premium java - strong, aromatic and flavourful. Food-wise, take your pick from the range of salads, sandwiches and pastries to accompany your coffee as you relax in this airy, open, two-storey space.
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Antelope Island State Park
White-sand beaches, birds and buffalo are what attract people to the pretty, 15-mile-long Antelope Island State Park. That’s right, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake is home to a 600-strong herd of American bison, or buffalo. The November roundup, for veterinary examination, is a thrilling wildlife spectacle. And then there are the hundreds of thousands of migratory birds that descend on the park to feast on tiny brine shrimp along the Great Salt Lake’s shore en route to distant lands during fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) migrations. The island is a year-round home to burrowing owls and raptors as well as namesake antelope, bighorn sheep …
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University of Utah
The university contains two interesting museums and an arboretum. The fine Utah Museum of Natural History features gems and stones, dinosaur bones, a butterfly collection and more. The new, architecturally-intriguing Utah Museum of Fine Arts has a broad permanent collection and hosts changing exhibits in the Great Hall.
For a dose of fresh air, the Arboretum spreads beyond campus to the Red Butte Garden which is full of walking trails, water features, plant collections and outdoor sculpture.
Self-guided trail brochures are available from the Museum of Natural History. During the 2002 Winter Olympics, the campus was the Olympic Village, while the Rice-Eccles Stadium held t…
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Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge
West of Brigham City, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge engulfs almost 74,000 acres of marshes on the northeastern shores of the Great Salt Lake. The best time for bird-watchers is during fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) migrations. Birds banded here have been recovered as far away as Siberia and Colombia. Cruising along the 12-mile, barely elevated touring road feels like you’re driving on water. You can hear the replicated migratory calls year round at the Wildlife Education Center. The center is just after the I-15 intersection; the driving tour is 16 miles west.
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Wildlife Education Center
West of town, the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge engulfs almost 74,000 acres of marshes on the northeastern shores of the Great Salt Lake. The best time for bird-watchers is during fall (September to November) and spring (March to May) migrations. Birds banded here have been recovered as far away as Siberia and Colombia. Cruising along the 12-mile, barely elevated touring road feels like you’re driving on water. You can hear the replicated migratory calls year round at the Wildlife Education Center. The center is just after the I-15 intersection; the driving tour is 16 miles west.
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Thanksgiving Point
Fifty-five acres of gardens, a petting farm, a golf course, a giant movie theater, dining and shopping: what doesn’t the Thanksgiving Point infotainment complex have? The on-site Museum of Ancient Life (adult/child $10/8) is the highest-tech and kid-friendliest dinosaur museum in the state. Little ones can dig for their own bones, dress up a dinosaur, play in a watery Silurian reef… Interactive exhibits teach about fossils found all over the world. Take exit 287 off I-15; Lehi is 28 miles south of downtown SLC.
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Les Madeleines Patisserie & Cafe
OMG! What was that? Crunchy, buttery, fluffy, caramelized. I've never had anything like it. And now I want another one. Yep, just another convert to the kouign amann pastry, originally from Brittany, and the house specialty at this stylish but cheerful bakery that's an easy stroll from the main library. The kougin amann is $5 (it's made in only a handful of US bakeries) but croissants and scones are more traditionally priced. Sandwiches available at lunch.
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Red Iguana
[ourpick] Red Iguana You'll be offered a plate of sample moles if you can't decide which of the seven chili- or chocolate-based sauces sounds best. But really, you can't go wrong at this exceptional, family-run Mexican restaurant, a great choice for thoughtfully flavored Mexican food, tasty margaritas and festive good times. The puntas de filete a la norteña (sirloin tips with almond mole sauce) is a super-savory delight.
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Maddox Ranch House
The place to eat in town is Maddox Ranch House. People travel for hours to get one of Maddox’ thick beef or bison steaks cut from locally raised livestock since 1949. You can still see the ranch out back where they started in the cattle business. Pay extra to get shrimp on your complimentary seafood cocktail appetizer and be sure to try the raspberry butter on the homemade bread. Even if you go early, expect to wait.
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This Is the Place Heritage Park
Dedicated to the 1847 arrival of the Mor mons, This Is the Place Heritage Park covers 450 acres and marks the spot where Brigham Young uttered the fateful words, 'This is the place.' The centerpiece is Heritage Village, a living-history museum where, June through August, costumed docents depict life in the mid-19th century. Guests can wander the village at a cheaper price (adult/child $5/3) the rest of the year.
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One World Everybody Eats
Until recently, diners at this organic, ecominded eatery could decide how much they'd pay for their meal. Unfortunately, a few cheapskates abused the system so the owner reversed the process - now you tell the server how much you can pay and an appropriate-sized portion is prepared. The welcoming staff will gladly explain the process to newbies, and they'll also show you the day's mains (salads, pastas, stir-fries).
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Tabernacle
The egg-shaped 1867 Tabernacle is again the highlight after the completion of an extensive seismic retrofit and renovation in 2007. Some preservationists grumbled about the replacement of its pine pews, but a few rows of the originals were left in the back. To show off its fabled acoustics, pin drops are held every 15 minutes - the sound can be heard all the way in the back, more than 200ft away.
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Joseph Smith Memorial Building
On Main St at South Temple St the Brigham Young Monument marks the zero point for the city. East of the monument is the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, which was, until 1987, the elegant Hotel Utah. Inside there’s a large-screen theater with nine daily screenings of the 65-minute Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration, about Mormon beliefs.
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State Capitol
The grand State Capitol rises majestically from a hill north of Temple Sq. Inside, colorful Works Progress Administration (WPA) murals of pioneers, trappers and missionaries adorn a portion of the building's dome. Outside, views of the city and the Wasatch Range are fantastic. Free tours (from 9am to 4pm) start hourly at the 1st-floor visitor center.
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Temple Square
The city's most famous sight, the 10-acre Temple Square is certainly awe-inspiring, but it's the disarming helpfulness of the square's Mormon volunteers and docents that will leave the biggest impression. Docents can be found at the visitor centers inside the two entrances (on S and N Temple); they give free 30-minute tours of the grounds.
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Olympic Legacy Cauldron Park
The University of Utah, or ‘U of U, ’ bounded by 1300 East, 2 miles east of downtown, was the site of the Olympic Village in 2002. The Olympic Legacy Cauldron Park has giant panels detailing the games. A heavy-handed but heartfelt film booms with artificial fog and sound effects.
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Crystal Hot Springs
Get into hot water year-round at Crystal Hot Springs, 10 miles north of Brigham City in Honeyville. Adults float in different temperature soaking pools while kids zip down the water slides (open shorter hours than the pools November through February). Camping at RV/tent sites is $25/15.
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Tabernacle
Drive north on I-15 from Salt Lake City, past Ogden, a gateway to the Wasatch Mountains ski resorts, and after 50 miles you’ll get to the turnoff for Brigham City. The old Mormon town is pretty small, but the 1896 Tabernacle, with 16 spires, is considered one of Utah’s finest.
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American West Heritage Center
A 19th-century frontier community comes to life with hands-on activities at the American West Heritage Center, south of Logan. The center hosts the popular weeklong Festival of the American West in July, a must for frontier buffs and great for families.
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Cucina Toscana
Be seated at a convivial Tuscan trattoria and possibly the best dinner party you've ever unwittingly attended. Charismatic owner- manager Valter Nassi flits between the tables in the elegant yellow room, making sure your gnocchi is delightful and your evening one to remember.
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Red Butte Gardens
In the nearby Wasatch foothills, the lovely 150-acre Red Butte Gardens has trails, 25 acres of gardens and gorgeous valley views. In summer, during its popular outdoor concert series, check online to see who's playing - from Neko Case to Deathcab for Cutie.
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Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
The Salt Lake City Arts Council (www.slcgov.com/arts) has a complete cultural-events calendar, which lists theater, dance, opera, symphony and free outdoor concerts. Primary venues include the dramatic Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center.
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Miller Motorsports Park
Feel the need for speed? Head 30 miles west of town to Miller Motorsports Park, where you can take a lesson and get behind the wheel of a 325 horsepower Mustang GT race model. Book ahead. Utah Jazz’ own Larry Miller opened the raceway in 2006.
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Metropolitan
If Salt Lake had celebs, they’d hang out at Metropolitan. The sexy concrete-and-velvet dining room complements the chef’s culinary artistry. Budget gourmets: order small plates from the bistro menu ($8 to $12) while swilling martinis at the bar.
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Utah Museum of Natural History
Here you can watch technicians clean fossils and wonder at allosaurus eggs in the Utah Museum of Natural History. It’s not the most high-tech place, but there are a few hands-on exhibits for kids. it's on the University of Utah campus
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