Travel Guide: Salt Lake City, Utah

Mountains, hiking trails, delicious cafes…oh my!

Have you ever adventured to Salt Lake City, Utah before? I recently did for a girls trip and had so much fun. Salt Lake City is surrounded by stunning mountains and dense forest, it was especially beautiful going at the end of September when the leaves were changing colour.

What To Do

Get Outside

One of the most popular outdoor activities in Salt Lake City is hiking, this city is home to several scenic trails, including the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, which offers panoramic views of the city and the Great Salt Lake. Another popular hiking destination is the Wasatch Mountains, which are located just east of the city and offer a variety of trails for all skill levels. If you are an outdoor enthusiast, you will love it here! In the fall, the Utah State Fair is a must-see event, featuring carnival rides, livestock exhibits, and live entertainment. The fair also has a variety of food vendors too!

If you plan on visiting in the winter, you are in for a powdery treat as this city is home to several world-class ski resorts, including Alta Ski Area, Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort, and Park City Mountain Resort. These resorts offer a variety of terrain for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels, as well as other winter activities such as snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. Coming back in the winter for a family ski trip is definitely on my travel list.

Visit a Museum – Natural History Museum of Utah301 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108

If history excites you, or if you are a homeschooling family like us, the Natural History Museum of Utah is a must-see. This museum features exhibits on the state’s natural history, including dinosaurs, fossils, and minerals. The museum also has a variety of interactive exhibits for visitors of all ages! The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week and remains open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.

Where to Stay

The Kimpton Hotel Monaco – 15 West 200 South 
Salt Lake City Utah 84101

During our visit to Salt Lake City, Utah we decided to stay at The Kimpton Hotel Monaco downtown Utah. We wanted a beautiful hotel that was in the centre of it all, had a 24 hour fitness centre, a great food scene and was walking distance to popular restaurants and more. This property is so well designed, comfortable and very clean! Some of my favourite complimentary features of this hotel are the loaner bikes you can use during your stay, every room has a yoga mat, they have a coffee & tea service every morning and they also have the sweetest borrow a plant offer. While in the hotel lobby we were able to pick a plant (that has a name and everything) to bring to our room and have a sweet green touch during our stay. Learn more about this property or book your stay {here}.

Where to Eat

Bambara – The Kimpton Hotel Monaco

Salt Lake City has a diverse food scene, with a variety of local restaurants, cafes, and breweries. One of the reasons we chose to stay at the hotel we did, was to sit back and relax some delicious food right downstairs at Bambara. Not only was the food delicious, the staff was so kind and welcoming and the chef even came out to greet us and tell us about the menu. There is such a great vibe at this spot, we highly recommend it!

Blue Iguana – 165 S West Temple, Ste 2, Salt Lake City, UT 84101-1407

The BEST Mexican restaurant in Salt Lake City, hands down. This is an authentic spot you do not want to miss. I felt like I had stepped into a real life COCO movie, the music, the decor, the delicious smells…again, a must visit. We all shared some guacamole & chips, tacos and marguerites. They have gluten free options which was great and yes they also have churros!

White Horse Spirits & Kitchen – 324A Newbury Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-2702

If you are looking for a looking for fresh oysters or a great steak, this is the spot!

Eva’s Bakery – 155 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-1917

This bakery is a beautiful spot to snag a picture for Instagram and of course enjoy a delicious cafe and croissant. You will feel like you are in Paris!

Vitality Bowls – 51 S Main St, Suite 140, Salt Lake City, UT 84111-7502

This is a great spot to stop for a quick smoothie or smoothie bowl in between shopping, it’s right inside a great outdoor/indoor shopping complex and has a variety of options!

Salt Lake City is a great place to visit, with friends, as a couple or as a family. Sadly, we only had a few days there to explore but we can’t wait to get back for a longer stay! Whether you enjoy exploring the outdoors, are a a foodie, or both, Salt Lake City has something for everyone.