Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah, a destination for outdoor recreation with nearby mountains and ski resorts made famous by the 2002 Winter Olympics. It is also well known as the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS or Mormon church), with Temple Square as a major attraction. The city has a growing food scene, a walkable downtown grid, and serves as a hub for exploring national parks.

Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), just off I-80, is a major Delta hub with over 120 daily departures for Delta alone. The TRAX Green Line light rail connects the airport to downtown. Amtrak's California Zephyr stops at the Salt Lake Intermodal Hub once daily each direction. Greyhound and Salt Lake Express buses serve the city. FrontRunner commuter rail runs to Ogden and Provo with fares from $2.50 to $10.30.

Salt Lake City uses a consistent street grid radiating from Temple Square. TRAX light rail, FrontRunner commuter rail, and UTA buses provide public transit. The GREENbike bike-sharing program costs $3 per 60-minute ride or $9 for a day pass. Walking is easy downtown due to the compact grid.

Summers are long, hot, and dry; winters are cold and snowy with frequent inversions causing poor air quality. Spring and fall are mild but windy and rainy. The ski season runs from mid-November to early March. For pleasant weather and outdoor activities, late spring and early fall are ideal.

Budget options include Avenues Hostel (from $23) and Camelot Inn & Hostel (beds $18–23 per person). Mid-range hotels like Peery Hotel ($79–139) and Salt Lake Plaza ($75–125) are downtown. The KOA campground near the Power TRAX station offers tent and RV sites year-round.

Local specialty fry sauce (ketchup and mayonnaise) originated at Arctic Circle. Popular eateries include Red Iguana (Mexican, $10–20), The Pie Pizzeria ($6–20), and Squatter's brewpub with a nice patio. Many international cuisines are available, including vegan and gluten-free options. Coffee shops like Beans & Brews and The Rose Establishment offer good wifi.

Must-see attractions include Utah State Capitol (free), Temple Square (free), Natural History Museum of Utah ($14.95), and Clark Planetarium ($8). Outdoor activities: skiing at Brighton and Solitude in Big Cottonwood Canyon (20 min away) and Snowbird in Little Cottonwood Canyon (30 min). Sports fans can catch a Utah Jazz (NBA) game or Real Salt Lake (MLS) match.

Downtown is generally safe, but Pioneer Park is best avoided after dark due to homeless activity. Winter inversions can cause hazardous air quality; check forecasts. Violent crime is low, but keep valuables secure.

Free WiFi is available at many downtown restaurants and hotels. The Salt Lake City Main Library offers free WiFi and public computers. Cellular coverage is excellent with major US carriers.

A daily budget for a backpacker might be $50–80: $18–23 for a dorm bed, $15–25 for meals, $5–10 for local transit, and the remainder for activities. Many museums and attractions have free or discounted entry times.

Nearby getaways include Park City (ski resort and historic mining town), the Great Salt Lake, and Antelope Island. For a longer drive, Moab (Arches and Canyonlands) is about 4 hours away but doable as an overnight. Ski resorts in Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons are 20–30 minutes from downtown.

When visiting Temple Square, dress modestly and avoid loud behavior. Alcohol laws are strict: beer above 3.2% ABW is sold only at state liquor stores or by the drink at licensed establishments; no alcohol sales on Sundays in grocery stores. Many locals observe Sunday as a day of rest.

North: Jackson Hole and Yellowstone National Park (few hours). West: Bonneville Salt Flats and Wendover. East: Park City, Mirror Lake Highway, Dinosaur National Monument. South: Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion National Parks via I-15.