Salt Lake City is probably best known as the world headquarters of the Mormon Church. A majority of the citizens of Utah are Mormons (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints), many of them descendents of original settlers of the Utah territory. The Church's prominence has led the people of Salt Lake City to erect several stunning monuments to their faith and the to the trials of the original settlers. The Mormon Temple was erected in 1893 after 40 years of hard work by expert craftsmen. Only confirmed Mormons are allowed to enter, but the public may tour Temple Square and enjoy its many monuments. The Mormon Tabernacle was designed with acoustics that enable a listener seated in the last row to hear a nail drop from the lectern at the front. It is here that the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs. Visitors interested in their families' roots may use the facilities of the Family History Library, the largest library of genealogical information in the world.

Outside the city, Utah's beautiful landscape and unique geological features continually amaze visitors. The Great Salt Lake is the second saltiest body of water in the world, and it has been mysteriously refilling itself in recent years, leading to an explosion of life in and around the lake. The Timpanogos Cave National Monument leads to several miles of exciting and interesting underground sights. The center of the caverns opens up to display a vast array of dazzling white crystals.

Salt Lake City's greatest outdoor venue continues to be its mountains. The Wasatch Mountains offer some of the best skiing in the world and are one reason why Olympic officials chose Salt Lake City to host the winter Olympics in 2002. For years, travelers tended to overlook this serenely beautiful, sunlit, historic city, but this is no longer true. The whole world seems to be coming to Salt Lake City, and the city and its people are ready.

Population:                  181,743

Elevation:                    4266 feet above sea level

Land Area:                   109.1

Location:                     Located adjacent to the Great Salt Lake in the central section of Utah, at the intersections of Interstate 84 from the north, Interstate 15 from the south, and Interstate 80 from the east and west.

Time Zone:                  Salt Lake City is in the Mountain Time Zone (when it’s noon in Salt Lake City, it’s 11am in Los Angeles and 2pm in New York City).  Salt Lake City observes Daylight Savings Time from April - October

Weather:

Climate

Local Seasons:                       

As the capital city of Utah as well as being both a business city and a leisure destination, Salt Lake City sees a multitude of visitors year round.  Visitors come to enjoy the nearby mountains, explore Temple Square; the worldwide headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, as well as to hear the world renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  In the winter, temperatures in the city can reach into the 40’s F during the day, while dropping to the 20’s F at night.  This is mild compared to the nearby mountains.  Spring and summer are quite pleasant.  In the spring, temperatures rise about 10 F each month, beginning in March, making it a great time to explore the many out of doors activities and sites available.  Summers are very dry with low humidity, but temperatures can approach 90 F, making it seem much warmer.  Fall is lovely with the temperatures comfortably cool in the day and just right for a warm drink by the fire at night.  Whatever time of year, this remarkable city welcomes its guests with warm and friendly atmosphere.

How to Get There:

By Car

Major routes into the area are I-80 from the east and west, I-15 from the north and south, and I-84 from the northwest. 

By Air:

Salt Lake City International Airport

776 North Terminal Drive

Salt Lake City, UT 84116

801-575-2400

The airport is just north of I-80 at Exit 115, on the west side of the city.  It is served by many of the national airlines, certain international carriers, and a variety of regional carriers.

Ground Transportation

Most of the major car rental companies, as well as taxis and limousines, are available at the airport and throughout the city.

By Train

Amtrak

340 South 600 West Salt Lake City, UT 84101

800-USA-RAIL

By Bus

Greyhound

160 West S Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101

801-355-9579

How to Get Around:

Getting around town is quite easy by car.  The city has wide streets and ample parking.  In the summer, from June – August, the city also operates the Pioneer Trolley (801-240-6279).  It provides transportation in the Temple Square area.

National Holidays

New Year’s Day, January 1

Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the third Monday in January

President’ Day, the third Monday in February

Memorial Day, the last Monday in May

Independence Day, July 4

Labor Day, the first Monday in September

Thanksgiving Day, the fourth Thursday in November

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25

New Year’s Eve, December 31

Events

January

First Night Salt Lake City

Location:  Downtown

Held December 31st from 6pm to midnight

801-359-5118

Admission Charged

First Night is a New Year's Eve Celebration of the Arts, with music, art, theatre, dance, fireworks, and kid's activities held in indoor and outdoor venues.  There are two fireworks shows; the early bird's Children's Fireworks at 9:00 PM, and the classic midnight Fireworks Finale.

April

Salt Lake City Marathon & 5K- Run, Bump and Boogie

Location:  Starting line is at the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah, the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Athlete Village

Held end of April

801-412-6060

Admission Charged for marathon and 5K run, free to watch

The Salt Lake City Marathon & 5K is certified and sanctioned through USATF, and is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. The 26.2 mile scenic downhill course makes it an appealing run for a wide range of entrants. Entry classes will include open, masters and wheelchair divisions and will have 17 age divisions.  Top runners from around the world will enjoy crisp, cool running weather in April, in a setting that surrounds them with snow-capped peaks contrasting with spring blossoms, all along a flat and slightly downhill 26.2 mile course. The gentle course skirts the base of the towering Wasatch Mountains, passes by cozy neighborhoods and elegant estates, and winds through Salt Lake’s legendary wide streets, into the city center. The music rocks and crowds of enthusiastic spectators cheer participants on, all the way to the electric finish at the Olympic Legacy Plaza at The Gateway, in downtown Salt Lake.

VegFest

Location:  Plaza of the downtown public library

Usually held end of April

801-355-3320

Admission Free

Some of Utah's best live music is featured; along with jugglers, face painting, bounce houses, some of the best vegan (meat and dairy free) food around.

May

Prehistory Week

Location:  Various venues in Salt Lake City

Usually held early May

801-533-3529

Celebrate Utah's diverse and fascinating prehistory at events statewide. During Prehistory Week you can participate in tours, demonstrations, lectures, workshops, and hands-on archaeology.

Masonic Open House

Location:  Masonic Center

Usually held mid May

650 East South Temple

801-450-1421

Free & Accepted Masons cordially invites the public to attend their annual open house which includes tours of the historic Masonic Center.

Iris (flower) Show

Location:  Sugarhouse Garden Center

1602 East 2100 South Salt Lake City, UT 84106

Held on a Saturday in mid May and a Saturday at the end of May

The iris has sometimes been called the poor man’s orchid; however, people from all walks of life enjoy these beautiful flowers. The newer irises that have been developed in recent years are quite different in texture, form and color than the irises that were developed years ago. The first show features early blooming iris and the second show features later blooming iris.  Both shows are judged.

June

Salute Our Military Day

Location:  Hogle Zoo

Usually held the last week of June

801-584-1729

As a thank you to all who serve in the United States military, Utah’s Hogle Zoo hosts "Military Appreciation Week".  All military personnel and their immediate family (spouse and dependent children) receive free admission to Utah’s Hogle Zoo.

November

Psychic Fridays

Location:  Great Salt Lake Marina

Held Friday, Saturday and Sundays in November

801-252-9336

Enjoy live music and nightly events every Friday and Saturday nights. Get a psychic reading on Friday night. Sunday Football from 10:30am-3:00pm weekly.

Special Olympics Utah Fall Sports Classic

Location:  Utah State University

Held end of November

801-363-1111

More than 700 Special Olympics athletes participate in basketball, bocce, aquatics, gymnastics and power lifting.

December

Festival of Trees

Location: South Towne Expo Center

Usually held early December

801-588-3674.

The Festival of Trees is magic!  With over 700 uniquely decorated Christmas trees, wreaths, playhouses, centerpieces, and gingerbread houses, the South Towne Expo center becomes a magical wonderland.

Arts & Entertainment

Dance

Ballet West 50 West 200 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

801-323-6900

Call for performance schedules

Admission Charged

Ballet West ranks among the premier professional ballet companies in the United States. With 45 dancers, the company strives to bring new levels of excellence to ballet through innovative choreography, and to present balanced programs that represent a wide range of ballet styles and viewpoints.

Utah Opera

50 West 200 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 801-323-6868

Season runs October – May

Call for schedule of performances

Admission Charged

Symphony

Utah Symphony

Abravanel Hall 123 W. South Temple Salt Lake City, UT 84101

801-533-NOTE (6683)

Call for schedule of performances

Admission Charged

Founded in 1940, the Utah Symphony has become a vital presence on the American music scene through its distinctive performances worldwide and its well-known recording legacy.  The orchestra became recognized as a leading ensemble largely through the efforts of Maurice Abravanel, it’s Music Director from 1947 to 1979.

Theatre

Hale Centre Theatre

3333 South Decker Lake Drive (2200 west)

West Valley City, UT 84119

801-984-9000

Call for performance schedule

Admission Charged

Hale Centre Theatre performs comedies and musicals year-round and is Utah’s highest attended live theatre.

Off Broadway Theatre

272 South Main St.

Salt Lake City, UT 84101

801-355-4628

Call for performance schedule

Admission Charged

Home of Utah's long-running improv comedy troupe, Laughing Stock and known as Utah's wackiest place for great parodies, comedies, and musicals.

Repertory Dance Theatre

Located in downtown Salt Lake City

801-534-1000

Call for performance schedule

Admission Charged

Founded in 1966, RDT is America's premiere modern dance repertory company.

Broadway in Utah

610 East South Temple

Salt Lake City, Utah 84102

801-355-5502

Call for performance schedule

Admission Charged

Touring Broadway shows are presented at this theater.

Pioneer Theatre Company

300 South 1400 East

Salt Lake City, UT 84112

801-581-6961

Season runs from September to May, call for performance schedule.

Admission Charged

Utah's professional theatre company performs Broadway-quality plays; from classic to contemporary to world premieres plus large-scale musicals.

Sports

Utah Jazz

Professional Basketball (NBA)

Games play at the Delta Center

801-355-DUNK

Season runs October - AprilSal Lake Buzz

Minor League BaseballGames played at Franklin Covey Field

801-485-3800

Call for additional information Utah Starzz

Professional Women’s Basketball Games played at the Delta Center

801-355-DUNK

Season is in the fallUtah Grizzlies

Professional Hockey Games played at the “E” Center

801-988-8000

Season runs October - April