A Day in Salt Lake City

I visited Salt Lake City for the first time recently and I was blown away!  I don’t really know what I was expecting, but I wasn’t expecting the landscape to be so gorgeous!  I spent Thurs, Fri and Sat in a conference room at the Little America hotel but I purposely left Sunday open and scheduled a late flight so I could explore the area for a day.  I’m so glad I did.  So this is what I did with a day in Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas.

Living in the Arizona desert, the first thing that struck me was how beautiful Salt Lake City was, sitting in a valley surrounded by some serious mountains on three sides.

Little America

I have stayed at the Little America hotel in Flagstaff several times but since this was my first trip to Salt Lake City, it was my first stay at Little America there.  It’s located in the downtown area and is central to all the sights.  They have a light rail you can grab, or if the weather is right you can walk around.  There is plenty of shopping downtown, like the City Creek Center and across the street from City Creek Center is Temple Square, which is a must see.

I stayed in a Deluxe Garden Room with two queen beds at a rate of $165 a night.  I believe that was a discounted rate for the conference I was attending and the regular rate is $199.  The room was dated, but clean.  I think my only complaint is there is no elevator in the Garden rooms section of the hotel and my suitcase was very heavy…so heads up. I’d asked for a microwave in the room and they graciously accommodated but told me it would be $25 a day.  I could have purchased a microwave at the local Walmart for less than that but I agreed.  But at the end of the trip when I got my bill, they didn’t charge me for the microwave so I really appreciated that.  The view from the Garden rooms was spectacular.  On my first day there, it was mostly clear and I took a picture of my view.

The next day it was overcast with a little snow, and it looked like it was snowing in the mountains.

But then I woke up on my last day there…and wow!  It was breathtaking!

Sunday morning I got up and hit the road, ready to take in as much of Salt Lake City and the surrounding towns as I could before my flight that night.

First stop, Park City

I’ve always wanted to go to Park City.  Every time I’ve seen pictures of it during the Sundance Film Festival it always looks so quaint and charming!  It’s only about 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, so here was my chance to check it out.  I discovered when I got there that they pretty much shut the town down on Sundays!  A few people were walking around but many of the shops and restaurants were closed.  I look forward to going back when more things are open…

But everyone was right!  It is an incredibly charming little town!

While driving around Park City I came across a ski lift.  The lift was closed but there were a few people cross country skiing.  It was a really pretty area so I just stopped and enjoyed the view for awhile.

Next stop, Provo

Provo is about an hour from Park City and it’s another town I’ve always wanted to see.  It did not disappoint!  But on the way, I happened across a town called Heber City and to the right of the highway I saw this residential area with the most amazing “backyard”!  I stopped and explored the neighborhood.  I got out and walked around a bit and ran into a nice couple walking their dog.  I told them I’m moving there!  🙂  They laughed and said it’s the best place they’ve ever lived.  I’m not sure what people do for a living in that neighborhood.  The houses are high end and the closest city is Provo, which is probably 40 minutes away.  Doesn’t matter.  I’m moving there…

Just past Heber City was a really pretty body of water called Deer Creek Reservoir.  The whole drive was like a giant post card!

Provo, Utah

I think the two biggest things that Provo is known for is Brigham Young University and…the Osmonds!  As I arrived I was once again blown away by how beautiful the town was.  In some ways it looked a lot like a typical college town but the back drop of a snow covered mountain was just stunning!  Again it was a Sunday so the town wasn’t exactly hopping but I enjoyed my short time there very much.  

Provo is near Orem and I was curious to go there too.  I believe I’d also heard about Orem through the Osmonds!  It was on my way to my next destination so I stopped there for a quick bite and I have to say there was nothing in Orem that wow’d me.  No offense to Orem.  I’d just spent the day looking at towns that were so picturesque that it just looked like a typical town.  I’m sure if I’d spent more time there I would find it’s hidden beauty.

By the time I finished lunch in Orem I decided I had time for two more things before my flight home.  I don’t think you can visit Salt Lake City and not see the Great Salt Lake!  And then I wanted my last stop to be in Salt Lake City so I could check out the town.

When I got to the Great Salt Lake State Park, you have to pay to park.  Unfortunately  I was charged $20 but when I look at the website now it says $3 to park….so I don’t know what happened.  It could have been dishonesty, it could have been an honest mistake — I’m not going to speculate and I’m not going to dwell on it.  I was just going to turn around, drive along the lake for awhile and pull over where I can but the park worker at the booth talked me into coming in and checking out the Visitor’s Center.  I won’t say it was a waste because I saw a really interesting video of the history of the lake …but it was kind of amusing  because the “Visitor Center” is a doublewide trailer.  However, I saw the video, I bought a Christmas ornament so I’m happy I stayed. 

When you walk out of the visitor center you have a really amazing view of this massive lake from three sides.  It was worth the stop.

And finally, Salt Lake City!

When I left the lake I went back to Salt Lake City.  I specifically made time to drive around some beautiful neighborhoods north of town in the foothills of the mountain, and then I went back into town to check out Temple Square.  There are multiple entrances into Temple Square, but in the entrance I used, the first building I saw was Assembly Hall.  Beautiful!

One of the many things that struck me as I was walking around was the grounds!  They take impeccable care of the temple grounds.  This is just one of many, many flower gardens throughout my walk.

And then of course there is the temple.  It’s hard to take a photo up close because it’s massive!  And it, too was very beautiful.

After Temple Square I had one last stop before I had to head to the airport.  Since Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah I wanted to see the capital building.  It’s at the top of a hill and it’s grand but also charming.  There were people around just enjoying all the grassy areas on a Sunday afternoon.  I wish I’d had time to go inside.  Next time…

After the state capital it was time to reluctantly head to the airport.  I enjoyed a day of new experiences, meeting nice people and seeing some of the most incredible terrain I’d ever seen in my life.  The one thing I know for sure is that I’ll be back, and this time it will be for more than a day!

Happy tinkering,

Susan