Plan Your Trip to Salt Lake City: Best of Salt Lake City Tourism
Salt Lake City, Utah
Essential Salt Lake City
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Travel advice
Historic and Cultural Attractions
According to forum posts, Temple Square is a popular cultural site, though currently under renovation with limited access until 2024. The Utah State Capitol offers tours and has impressive views of the valley, especially recommended for sunset viewing.
Outdoor Activities
Some travelers suggested exploring City Creek Canyon for a scenic walk, accessible via a paved pedestrian path from Memory Grove. For mountain scenery close to the city, a drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon is highly recommended, with options like brunch at Alta Lodge or riding the tram at Snowbird resort.
Museums and Gardens
For those interested in museums, the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Church Museum of History and Art are highlighted as must-visit locations. Red Butte Garden, adjacent to the University of Utah, offers a peaceful retreat with extensive botanical collections.
Entertainment and Dining
Travelers have called out the live performance of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir as a unique experience. For dining, Log Haven in the canyon area comes recommended for an early dinner, and reservations are advised.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Hotel Options and Locations
According to forum posts, travelers have several accommodation options in downtown Salt Lake City. Options include Little America, The Plaza, Marriott Downtown, Hilton Downtown, Hyatt Place Gateway, and Holiday Inn Express downtown. These hotels are centrally located and convenient for exploring the city on foot.
High-End Hotels
For those seeking more luxurious stays, the Hilton City Center and Grand America are recommended. Grand America is noted for its spa, gorgeous courtyard, and is also close to a light rail station for easy transportation. The Hilton City Center, while older, has undergone significant renovations in recent years.
Budget-Friendly Hotels
Some travelers mentioned budget-friendly options like the City Creek Inn & Suites and the Metropolitan Inn Downtown Salt Lake City. These provide basic amenities and are priced under $100 per night, offering a more economical stay in the city.
Hotel Amenities
Travelers have called out that most downtown hotels charge for parking, which is a significant consideration for those with cars. However, hotels like Hilton offer points that can potentially be used toward covering such costs.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Route Options
According to forum posts, one common road trip route from Salt Lake City to Albuquerque involves taking I-15 to Spanish Fork, then US6 to Green River, continuing on I-70 East to US191, and proceeding south through Moab and Monticello. From there, travelers can take US491 to Cortez and down to Shiprock, with an option to continue on US550 to Albuquerque. This route offers scenic views and can be completed in approximately 12 hours.
Alternative Destinations
Some travelers mentioned driving from Salt Lake City to Moab, which typically takes about 4 hours. This route is popular for those looking to explore the national parks in southern Utah, such as Arches and Canyonlands. From Moab, travelers can extend their journey to other parks like Bryce Canyon and Zion.
Scenic Detours
For those interested in scenic viewpoints and short hikes, the town of Helper, located just beyond Price on the way to Moab, has been recommended as a worthwhile stop. Helper offers an interesting downtown area and dining options.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Hotel Recommendations
Some travelers recommended staying at the Radisson on Wiley Post Drive for its proximity to the airport and shuttle services available. The Hilton Garden Inn and Comfort Inn at the airport were also highlighted for their convenience and shuttle services.
Additional Considerations
According to forum posts, downtown Salt Lake City hotels like The Plaza Hotel and Radisson Downtown are near the TRAX green line, which offers easy access to the airport. These hotels are suggested if travelers prefer staying downtown but still want easy airport access.
Traveler Tips
Travelers have called out that while some hotels near the airport may offer shuttle services, it's important to directly confirm with the hotel about the availability and timings of these shuttles, especially for early morning flights.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Taxi and Rideshare Availability
According to forum posts, taxis and rideshare services like Uber and Lyft are readily available at Salt Lake City airport. Travelers have successfully scheduled rides for late arrivals and early departures, making these services reliable for transportation to and from the airport.
Scheduling Rideshare Services
Some travelers recommended scheduling a rideshare service in advance, especially for very early morning departures. For instance, arranging a pickup at 4:15 AM from a nearby hotel to the airport was easily manageable by scheduling the night before, ensuring availability during off-peak hours.
Alternative Transportation Options
For late arrivals post-midnight, it was suggested to take a taxi to a hotel and then rent a car the next day from downtown locations if specific rental services at the airport are closed. This approach helps avoid the inconvenience of limited late-night services at the airport.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Ski Resorts Near Salt Lake City
According to forum posts, Park City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, Snowbird, Alta, Brighton, and Solitude are popular skiing destinations near Salt Lake City. These resorts offer a range of slopes suitable for beginner to advanced skiers.
Beginner Skiing
For beginners, several travelers recommended Brighton as an ideal place due to its family-friendly atmosphere and excellent ski school. Park City and Deer Valley were also mentioned for their good beginner slopes and ski schools.
Cross-Country Skiing
For those interested in cross-country skiing, options include White Pine Touring in Park City and Solitude Mountain Resort. Soldier Hollow near Midway, which has snowmaking capabilities, was suggested for its extensive trails and snow reliability.
Travel and Access
Travelers have called out the convenience of using the UTA ski bus to access ski resorts like Brighton, Solitude, Snowbird, and Alta from Salt Lake City. Park City is accessible via a short drive or bus from Salt Lake City, making it another convenient option for skiing.
Passes and Tickets
It was noted that Deer Valley limits the number of lift tickets sold each day, which could affect access during peak times. Skiers with the IKON pass have access to multiple resorts including Deer Valley, Snowbird, and Solitude.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Terminal Layout and Navigation
According to forum posts, Salt Lake City Airport is relatively smaller compared to major hubs like Atlanta, with only two terminals connected by a quarter-mile walk through a tunnel. Travelers have noted that navigating between gates, especially within the same concourse (such as Concourse A used by Delta), is straightforward but could involve a walk of up to half a mile depending on the gate locations.
Connection Times
Some travelers mentioned that if flights are on time, a 37-minute connection is feasible due to the airport's compact nature. However, they advised allowing more time for connections to accommodate possible delays in arrival or lengthy walks between gates.
Airport Services
For early flights, travelers have suggested staying at nearby hotels that offer early morning shuttle services. It's recommended to verify shuttle availability directly with the hotel, as some provide 24/7 services, useful for travelers with flights as early as 5 AM.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.Car Rental Options
According to forum posts, travelers can rent cars from various agencies at Salt Lake City Airport, including Avis, Budget, and Payless, which stay open past midnight. There are also downtown options like Enterprise, which offers a pickup service from hotels, and Avis, located close to certain hotels like the Holiday Inn Express and Hilton.
Booking Tips
Some travelers mentioned that booking a car rental directly through the agencies' .co.uk websites can offer better rates and the necessary insurances for international travelers. It’s recommended to book 3 to 4 weeks in advance for the best rates.
Vehicle Suggestions
For navigating parks like Yellowstone and Grand Teton, high-clearance vehicles or SUVs are recommended for better visibility and comfort. However, rental agencies generally do not guarantee 4WD vehicles, and vehicles are equipped with all-season tires rather than snow-specific tires.
Alternative Transportation
For those looking to avoid the hassle of car rentals, services like Uber Ski are available, which provide vehicles equipped for winter conditions, although snow tires are not guaranteed.
This summary was generated by AI from Tripadvisor forum posts.