Salt Lake City, UT: Four of my favorite places
I've been to Utah about four times in the past four years. For different reasons and different lengths of time... so far in the fall and winter. I'm not a local, but I usually stay with people who have grown up in or around Salt Lake City.
The four places I've chosen as my favorites were chosen because they're the ones I consistently visit every time I'm there, and they're still just as fun/interesting/beautiful to me as the first time I explored them.
1. Salt Lake City Temple/ Temple Square
The Salt Lake City Temple itself, just from an architectural standpoint is incredible. And there's so much symbolism on the temple, it becomes more meaningful as you learn more about it.
I'm not just saying this because I'm Mormon. It really is beautiful. If you're there during Christmastime, the Christmas lights they hang all over Temple Square are magical.
One of the Visitor's Centers — there are two — shows a cut-out of the temple so you could see the inside as well.
Aside from the Visitor's Centers and temple, you can also attend the Mormon Tabernacle Choir weekly rehearsal Thursdays at 7:30pm in the Tabernacle for free. If you miss that, they also perform on Sundays at 9:30am, also in the Tabernacle. This is actually one of the things that's on my bucket list.
Surrounding Temple Square is some other notable favorite spots including the LDS Conference Center, which offers free tours. During warmer times, you can walk out onto the rooftop garden area (also on my to-do list).
The Church History Museum is also nearby, and includes really fun and interactive exhibits. I was actually kind of surprised by how much I enjoyed going through this museum and learning more about the history of Utah and the way they lived in addition to the church history. However, they are currently closed for renovation and opening this fall. So if you go this fall, check it out and let me know if it's still as fun as I thought it was.
And if you get tired of all the Mormon-ness, then just go to the mall — across the street on the other side.
This is kind of part of Temple Square, but I'm making it it's own thing. I've had two tours of this building. Just for fun. (Obviously I'm a tour person — I learn so much on a tour, and develop a greater understanding and appreciation for the place I'm in.)
Although the tours are informative, what really keeps me visiting this place is the view. The view from the top floor gives one of the best, if not the best overview of Temple Square and the temple. When I was there during Christmastime, you could watch as the lights started coming on.
And aside from the view, there's also a movie theater that has special showings once in a while, as well as a Family Search center that has a cute little set-up where you can get your picture taken like you had just come off the boat at Ellis Island.
Below is a little throwback from December 1913... 2013.
My favorite park in Salt Lake City. I don't know exactly why... I like that it's not obvious. The entrance is at the dead-end of a street, with very little parking. But you enter the gates and it just opens up into this beautiful park. I've been lucky to see this park in the fall, the winter with snow on the ground, and in winter... without snow on the ground. And each time I still want to spend hours there. I've followed the water path only partways — there's definitely more to be explored.
So far, one of the best places I've found to watch the sunset. I love that it sits on the top of the hill and you can(not) climb all over the stones.
I filmed one of my best friend's wedding video interviews on that hill, and afterwards made them run through the sprinklers because it had a nice effect on camera... and also how many times will your friend do something because you're the videographer and you said so?
This place has brought a lot of fun memories. And as I mentioned above, you can take stairs directly from Memory Grove Park.
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There's more things I've done in Salt Lake City, and will be added to the Salt Lake City guide someday... soon. For now though, be sure to check out these places.
Share your favorite places, I'd love to know!