Nestled at the foot of the rugged Wasatch mountains and extending to the south shore of the body of water for which it's named, Salt Lake City features one of the most scenic backdrops in the country.
Within the last decade, the number of people living in the Salt Lake Valley has climbed to more than 800,000. As a reflection of this growth, a small but dynamic skyline has sprouted, along with ever-widening rings of suburbia.
When to Go
The best time to visit is either spring (March to May) or fall (September to November), even though Salt Lake City does not experience the extreme summer and winter temperature found in many parts of the Southwestern USA. The relatively mild climate is largely a result of the city's altitude of 4330ft, which keeps summer highs below 90°F (32°C) and winter temperatures usually above freezing. The ski season in the nearby Wasatch Range stretches from mid-November to early May. Most of the city's major festivals take place in June and July.
What to See
Temple Square: This 10-acre block surrounded by 15ft high white walls is the geographical and spiritual heart of Salt Lake City. Within it are some of the most important Mormon buildings, including the Temple, the Tabernacle and the Assembly Hall. Even if you're not that interested in the Church of Latter-day Saints, it's worth visiting Temple Square for the architecture alone. Unless you're a practicing Mormon, you'll have to admire the Temple from outside. Built between 1853 and 1893, this impressive edifice was open to 'Gentiles' (non-Mormons) only for a few days after its completion and then closed to everybody except members of the faith. Take note of the golden statue of the angel Moroni standing atop the 210ft (63m) central spire. According to Church beliefs, in the 1820s the angel appeared to Joseph Smith, a New York farmer, and revealed the word of God. God’s words were inscribed on golden tablets and written in an ancient but unknown language, which Mr. Smith translated using 'stone spectacles' supplied by said angel. After Smith finished the translation, published in 1830 as the Book of Mormon, the golden tablets were whisked away by Moroni and have not been seen since.
Other buildings of interest at Temple Square include the Assembly Hall, which was completed in 1882 with leftover granite from the temple, and the Tabernacle, home of the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Choir rehearsals and weekly organ recitals are open to the public.
State Capitol: Modeled after the national Capitol in Washington, DC, this impressive structure of Utah granite topped with a shining copper dome stands on Capitol Hill, just north of Temple Square. The interior is spacious and elegant, and the walls are covered with murals depicting Utah's history. The landscaped gardens contain some superb monuments, particularly of the Indian Chief Massasoit on the south side and the Mormon Battalion on the south-east side. Just to the east of the capitol is Memory Grove, where statues honor Utah veterans. The Grove, situated in City Creek Canyon, is open during daylight hours and is a favorite spot for walkers, joggers and cyclists.
Exchange Place Historic District: Reminiscent of early Chicago, this cluster of buildings rising 11 stories includes the Boston and Newhouse buildings, Salt Lake's first skyscrapers. As the city's center for non-Mormon commerce, this was one of the West's leading business centers early in the 1900s. Today, the quiet street has restaurants, small shops, and an art gallery.
Park City
Park City is the Southwest's most important ski town and the headquarters of the United States ski team during the 2002 Winter Olympics. It's located at the foot of Utah's largest ski resort, and there are seven other resorts with world-class skiing within an hour's drive. This mid-19th-century, silver-mining boomtown went bust in the early 20th century and had almost become a ghost town when locals began building the first ski areas here in the 1960s. Today the town's mining-era buildings form an attractive historic center, largely surrounded by a sprawl of condos and ski apartments. The town is located at an altitude of 6900ft and gets plenty of winter snow. Park City is approximately 25 miles (40km) southeast of Salt Lake City and accessible year round by bus or car.
