A 3-day itinerary for a Salt Lake City visit

(Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — It’s summer, which means the kids are out of school, swimming suits are a viable option for clothing (as you may go at any time) and visitors. Lots of visitors.

While visitors are fun, they are also a lot of work. Where do you take them? What should we do? Are there enough clean towels for everybody?

To help with the first couple of questions, we’ve compiled an itinerary for you. This is an ambitious list of activities — adjust for age groups, budget, time contraints and interests. While you might not be able to do a full three days of activities, if you are able to, this can be a great introduction to Utah’s capital city, Salt Lake.

Day 1

Historic center of Utah

Any time you visit a new place, it’s a good idea to get an idea of its history first. While many cities are neat to just look at, understanding a bit of what has taken place puts the rest of your sightseeing into context you would miss out on otherwise.

Introduce yourself to the main characters of Utah and Salt Lake by visiting its historic center — Temple Square and Main Street.

For the full tour, park or take TRAX to the very center of town, Temple Square. This is where the pioneers began settling Utah and where the city’s modern street numbers begin as well.

If you choose to park, City Creek has affordable rates for the downtown area, but if your group is smaller, you may choose to take TRAX, which will sufficiently get you around the area outlined in Day 1 of touring.

You can join a 20- to 45-minute free tour guided by LDS Church missionaries (register online or call ahead) starting at the North Visitors Center or lead your own. If you are embarking on your own read about the temple and the beginnings of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the visitors center before heading to the outside of granite temple. From there, check out the Tabernacle and, if interested, Brigham Young’s home, the Beehive House.

Mike Terry/Deseret News

That is a pretty full morning. If you’re hungry, which is likely at this point, grab some lunch at the Lion House, Nauvoo Cafe or the Garden Restaurant, a sun-filled restaurant with a view. If you choose the last two, take a minute to view the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, formerly Hotel Utah, and read about its history. Otherwise, get your lunch at City Creek or along Main Street.

After lunch, go to Main Street Plaza on Temple Square and on the east side of the entrance, find point zero, where the street numbers begin. Start the Utah Heritage Foundation’s tour there by reading about JSMB and head south on Main to the ZCMI facade.

If you want to stop to shop, now is the time. You’re refueled, you’re at City Creek and you’re only one stop into part two of the historic tour.

After you have shopped your heart out, head down Main Street. The tour spans about three blocks and includes brown plaques that explain each stop. Along the way, there is the Judge Restaurant, Cinegrill, Michelangelo’s on Main, Lamb’s Grill, Bambara and Bistro 222 before 300 South, if you opted to wait for lunch.

Day 2

Great Salt Lake

Scott G Winterton/Deseret News

Start the day off with your favorite local breakfast spot. Penny Ann’s Cafe, Park Cafe and Blue Plate Diner are some favorites near downtown and Sugar House, but if those are out of your way, enjoy the meal elsewhere.

From there, visit the valley’s namesake: The Great Salt Lake. Though it's buggy in the summer, wearing lightweight layers or bug spray should help.

There is a lot to do out at GSL, so plan your day accordingly. If you’re getting an early start, you could take a hike on Antelope Island, avoiding hiking in the exposed landscape with the sun at its zenith. If you aren’t willing to get up early, though, view the island from the car, driving out to the various lookouts and stops, like the historical Fielding Garr Ranch. You can usually see bison from the road, too.

Don’t miss an opportunity to get out in the lake, however. Whether that’s floating, renting kayaks or paddle boats or taking a sailing tour, be sure to experience the natural wonder of the lake. Packages and deals vary for boating, so do some research before booking. Additional information about boating and rentals can be found here.

If you get back to Salt Lake City in time for dinner, stop in at Red Iguana for some Mexican. The restaurant has two sit-down locations, 736 W. North Temple and 866 W. South Temple. Call ahead to check the wait at the original Red Iguana.

Day 3

Big Cottonwood Canyon and the Capitol Building

If you’re lucky enough to have a third day, take your guests up Big Cottonwood Canyon. This gorgeous canyon contrasts nicely to the hot and exposed Great Salt Lake, offering you shade in its many trees and rock faces. And, it’s only a few minutes out of Salt Lake City.

You could hike, rock climb or photograph in the canyon. Many first-time visitors — especially those with children — may enjoy the Donut Falls hike. The 3.5-mile hike is of moderate difficulty with a nice payoff at the end.

Pack a picnic lunch and eat on the trail or head out of the canyon after your hike to a Utah classic, like Cafe Rio or Kneaders.

After lunch and maybe a shower, head up to the city’s capitol building for the final stop on the official tour.

Jordan Allred/Deseret News

You can get a tour guide to show you around the capitol or you can take a self-guided tour — including a scavenger hunt for kids. If you choose to take the 50-minute guided tour, meet just inside the east doors of the building on the hour. Tours run every hour from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last tour leaving at 4 p.m. Call ahead 801-538-1800 or email capitoltours@utah.gov to make reservations or check availability.

Self-guided tour brochures are also inside the east doors. For small groups (fewer than 15 people), the state has created a free, downloadable scavenger hunt.

If you and your visitors have one more activity left in you, head over to Liberty Park for a barbecue dinner. Let the kids play on the playgrounds, play a game of bocce ball or horseshoes, check out the duck pond or ride the carnival-style rides in the center of the park.

What would you add to the Salt Lake City list?

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Celeste Tholen Rosenlof

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