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…
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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
Ask for a plate of sample mole if you can't decide which of the seven chile- and chocolate-based sauces sounds best. Really, you can't go wrong with any of the thoughtfully-flavored Mexican food at this always-packed, family-run restaurant.
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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 Mormons, the heritage park covers 450 acres. The centerpiece is a living-history village where, June through August, costumed docents depict mid-19th-century life. Admission includes a tourist-train ride and activities. The rest of the year, access is limited to varying degrees at varyingly reduced prices; you'll at least be able to wander around the exterior of the 41 buildings. Some are replicas, some are originals, such as Brigham Young's farmhouse.
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One World Everybody Eats
At this eco-conscious, community-oriented eatery, you decide what you pay and your portion size (they will provide suggestions). Daily-changing dishes include salads, stir-fries, pastas, Indian curries and the like.
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Tabernacle
The domed, 1867 auditorium – with a massive 11,000-pipe organ – has incredible acoustics. A pin dropped in the front can be heard in the back, almost 200ft away. Free daily organ recitals are held at noon Monday through Saturday, and at 2pm Sunday.
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Joseph Smith Memorial Building
East of the Brigham Young Monument is the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, which was, until 1987, the elegant Hotel Utah. Inside, there's a large-screen theater with eight daily screenings of the 65-minute Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration, about Mormon beliefs.
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Utah State Capitol
The 1916 Utah State Capitol, modeled after the US capitol, cost an amazing $2.7 million to build back in the day. After six years, and 500 cherry trees, a full renovation of the building and grounds was completed in 2007. Look for colorful Works Progress Administration (WPA) murals of pioneers, trappers and missionaries adorning part of the building's dome. Free hourly tours (from 9am to 4pm) start at the 1st-floor visitor center.
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Temple Square
The city's most famous sight occupies a 10-acre block surrounded by 15ft-high walls. LDS docents give free, 30-minute tours continually, leaving from the visitor centers at the two entrances on South and North Temple Sts. Sisters, brothers and elders are stationed every 20ft or so to answer questions. (Don't worry, no one is going to try to convert you – unless you express interest.) In addition to the noteworthy sights, there are administrative buildings and two theater venues.
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Olympic Legacy Cauldron Park
The University of Utah, or 'U of U', was the site of the Olympic Village in 2002. This small on-site park has giant panels detailing the games and contains the torch. A 10-minute dramatic 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 Garden
Both landscaped and natural gardens cover a lovely 150 acres, all accessible by trail, here in the Wasatch foothills. Check online to see who's playing at their popular outdoor summer concert series.
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Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center
Many of SLC Arts Council's dramatic and musical theater performances are staged here.
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Miller Motorsports Park
Feel the need for speed? Head 30 miles west of town, where you can take a lesson and get behind the wheel of a 325 horsepower Mustang GT race model (reservations required), kart race or do a zip-line. Book ahead. Utah Jazz' late Larry Miller built the raceway.
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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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