Salt Lake City, Utah: Mormans near Mountains
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GUEST ARTICLE: The first thing that hit me once I landed in Salt Lake City (SLC), well just after the stinging cold weather, are the stunning snow covered mountains of the Wastach Range. The mountains and the snow are what attracts most visitors to this part of the planet.
Salt Lake City is located in the north-east corner of the Salt Lake Valley surrounded by the Great Salt Lake to the north-west and the steep Wasatch and Oquirrh mountain ranges on the eastern and western borders, respectively.
Its encircling mountains contain many narrow glacially and volcanically carved canyons. Among them, City Creek, Emigration, Millcreek, and Parley’s border Salt Lake City proper.
Skiing, Snow-boarding and rock climbing are only a couple of the adventure sports this place offers, and the people who were sharing the hostel with me, were all but interested in doing nothing other than spending their days going up and then down the soft snow.
Unlike other ski towns Salt Lake City seemed to have a very and welcoming nature, no matter whether you are a high roller or a backpacker who loves the snow.
Another thing that is big in Salt Lake and that everyone jokingly warns you about, once they learn you are visiting, are religion and the Mormon way of life.
I found the place very welcoming no matter what your beliefs are. Contrary to the warnings I was able to find drinks and alcohol in all restaurants and their were many a place to choose from if you wanted to spend the evening having a couple of Guinness and playing some pool.
There are a couple of places you must visit, first comes temple square. This beautiful site, comprises of the Salt Lake Temple, tabernacle and visitor centre.
I put aside a couple of hours to explore the area, a guided tour is available as well and I recommend to take it, the volunteers explain and help you understand many aspects which are hidden from the casual visitor.
If visiting the temple also pay a visit to the Family History Library. This library is the largest genealogical library in the world and you can retrace your family history with the help of the volunteers who speak amongst them more than 30 languages!
Utah is also home to 5 national parks, most well known are Zion and Bryce Canyon. Zion is a geological masterpiece and Bryce Canyon, as it’s name suggests, is a Canyoner’s dream come true. I wish I was able to spend more time over there, exploring the trees and native fauna, the different animals and spend a couple of nights under the glittering sky.
Jefferson Guesthouse, Salt Lake City, UtahAbout 40 minutes drive is a small place called Park City. Once a sleepy town this place has been transformed to an artist retreat which attracts many wealthy Americans keen to spend to decorate their sprawling ski mansions.
The locals are more than happy to accept the people in open arms, and are very proud on how much park city has changed over the course of the last couple of years.
When I asked about how do I get to the snow were very helpful to point out the free ski buses, when they come, where they go and of course where I can find the best snow today!
One thing the states offers Australian visitors is cheap clothes, and salt lake did not disappoint. If you are heading here be sure to give the local Tanger outlet a visit. The place was huge and everything was heavily discounted!
Back to Salt Lake City, there are some nice local pubs, but Port-o-Call was my favourite. Very busy on a Friday night, with quite a line when I got there.
After waiting outside in the cold I was happy to see how lively the place was inside, and it continued going till the late hours of the night. The only drawback being the membership fee. A legal requirement for all pub customer to be a member, and at $20 it wasn’t cheap.
And for food, you can’t get any better than Spencer’s steak house. Spencer’s menu had a large selection to suit every budget, the service was great with staff very knowledgeable and the wine menu was one of the best I have seen with even some Australian representatives available.
Leaving Salt Lake City, the view again once the plane took off was amazing, with the evening sun slowly disappearing beyond the mountain range.
This travel diary has been written by an anonymous writer who has chosen to write under the alias of Mordac (Preventer of information services).
Mordac is one of the minor characters in the Dilbert TV series and comic strip.
If you’ve travelled somewhere off the beaten track, can write well and have good quality photos I encourage you to contact me and I’ll consider publishing your travel diary here including generous attribution and links back to your website as thanks for your contribution
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Salt Lake is definitely a beautiful place. I guess I take it for granted sometimes because I only live 40 minutes South, in Provo. I’ve been all over SLC but I’ve never stopped at the Family History Library. I’ll be sure to do that thanks!
I’d love to visit salt lake city — it’s definitely one on my next to visit list. Reading your post made me feel that culture and atmosphere I wouldn’t have discovered from reading the usual travel book. Thanks.