Where to Go, Stay, and Eat in Salt Lake City, Utah

We lived in Utah for years and have visited Salt Lake City countless times. But, no matter how many times we visit, we still find a new place to explore!

Over the years, we’ve gathered a list of our favorite things to do, eat, and see in Salt Lake City, and I’m excited to share them with you!

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Salt Lake City Travel Guide

Best Place to Stay in Salt Lake City

I’ve had my eye on the Asher Adams Hotel, a Marriott Autograph Collection property, ever since it opened in November 2024. I was excited when we finally had a chance to stay there, and it lived up to my expectations!

What makes the Asher Adams so special is that it’s housed inside the historic Union Pacific Depot, which first opened in 1909 and served as a bustling train station until 1987.

Today, it has been meticulously restored into a luxury hotel, while still showcasing its original features, including stained-glass windows, mosaic tile floors, and stunning architectural details.

Be sure to check out the gallery wall near the elevators to see photos of the original building in its heyday.

We also loved the photo booth in the lobby, the photo strips made for a fun little souvenir!

Thirteen suites are located in the restored train station. The second-floor suites feature exposed brick, soaring ceilings, and massive windows.

We stayed in a junior dormer room suite on the third floor. It was cozy and beautifully designed, though next time I’d book earlier to snag one of those second-floor rooms!

In addition to the historic suites, the hotel also has a new 8-story tower with over 200 rooms. The rooms and suites are modern and tastefully decorated with vintage-inspired touches.

We’ve stayed in both types of rooms, and I preferred the historic while my husband preferred the modern.

The hotel is centrally located next to the Delta Center and the Gateway outdoor mall. It is also within walking distance to shops, restaurants, and the free TRAX train line downtown.

For more cool hotel recommendations, see our guide, 9 Unique Places to Stay in Utah.

Best Places to Eat in Salt Lake City

Rouser

Asher Adams’ on-site restaurant, Rouser, quickly became one of our favorite breakfast spots. We loved both the ambiance and the food.

My favorite was the Blueberry Lemon Curd French Toast, and my husband loved the Hot Shot Benny.

We also liked the Dutch Apple Skillet Pancake, and the omelet was delicious too. We only tried breakfast, but the lunch and dinner menus also looked fantastic.

Hall Pass

Hall Pass is a modern food hall located at the Gateway. Don’t worry, it’s not your typical mall food court, and you won’t find any greasy fast food joints here!

Instead, you’ll find a fun and vibrant ambiance with a curated collection of artisanal restaurants, a bakery, and a bar.

We ordered food from Skinny Fats and Lamb & Feta and really liked them both.

The gyro wrap from Lamb & Feta was unbelievable, and the arancini balls from Skinny Fats were amazing too.

Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade

Sweet Lake Biscuits & Limeade is one of our favorite places to go for brunch in Salt Lake City.

Each dish is made fresh from scratch, and you can literally taste the quality in every bite.

Our favorite go-to dishes are the Hoss Biscuit Sandwich and the Blueberry Biscuit Bake. Be sure to also order a side of hashbrowns with quinoa!

A Few More of the Best Places to Eat in Salt Lake City:

Adelaide Urban Brasserie: A cute brunch spot that doubles as a cocktail bar at night. Order the Praline Bar, Lemon Ricotta Pancakes, or Jalapeno Cheddar Cornbread,
Carson Kitchen: Offers an innovative tapas menu and a chic ambiance.
Slackwater: A solid choice for pizza, sandwiches, and wings.
Copper Onion: Great pasta, sandwiches, and seafood in the heart of downtown.
Mrs. Backer’s Pastry Shop: This cute bakery opened in 1941 and serves the most decadent mini-cakes and pastries!

Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City

Tour the Utah State Capitol

The Utah State Capitol is one of the most beautiful capitol buildings in the U.S. It was built in 1916 with granite from Little Cottonwood Canyon and is perched on top of the old Arsenal Hill.

Utah State Capitol Building, Salt Lake City, UT

The building underwent a major restoration project between 2004-2008 and still stands as one of the most impressive structures in the state.

Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour of the Capitol building, or free guided tours are offered Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 3 PM on the hour (except certain holidays). Tours last 40–45 minutes. Pre-registration is required for groups. Click the link for tour information.

Some of the main highlights include the soaring rotunda and 250-foot dome. The rotunda is painted with 13 murals depicting Utah’s rich pioneer history.

I also liked taking a peek inside the Supreme Court room and the room where the House of Representatives meets.

There is also an ornate reception room off the rotunda, which I assume is for hosting dignitaries. Outside the room is the original state flag, hand-embroidered in 1931 by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

The Capitol complex includes Council Hall, the Pioneer Museum, and the White Memorial Chapel as well.

Utah State Capitol Building Council Hall

The grounds also serve as an outdoor museum, featuring the Vietnam Memorial and the Mormon Battalion Memorial. If you’re visiting in the springtime, you’ll be treated to blossoming cherry trees that date back to 1931.

Visit Temple Square

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is headquartered in Salt Lake City. Temple Square is where you’ll find the administration buildings, as well as religious and historic buildings.

Temple Square is currently undergoing a major restoration project that is due to be completed in 2026, with an open house scheduled from April to October 2027. Just keep in mind that many of the buildings and tours are currently closed during the restoration project.

Temple Square is open for visitors to take a self-guided tour. Guided tours are also available at Temple Square, the Conference Center, Welfare Square, and the Humanitarian Center.

The Church History Museum is a great place to start your visit, where you can learn about the history of the church and early pioneers in Utah. You’ll find interactive exhibits and hands-on activities for kids.

The crowning jewel of the complex is the Salt Lake Temple, originally built by pioneers from 1853-1893.

The interior of the temple is closed to the public, but be sure to stop by the reflecting pool for the best photos of the exterior.

The historic Salt Lake Tabernacle is also a gem at Temple Square. It was built by the pioneers in 1867 and was used as a gathering place for the church’s bi-annual General Conference for 133 years. The main feature of the tabernacle is the beloved 11,623-pipe organ.

The tabernacle is home to the world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. If you are visiting on a Sunday, you can actually attend Music & the Spoken Word, a free concert hosted by the Tabernacle Choir.

It is held every Sunday at 9:30 am in the Tabernacle, except in the summer and December when the performance is moved to the Conference Center.

In 2000, the 21,000-seat Conference Center replaced the tabernacle as the General Conference venue. The Conference Center is open for self-guided and guided tours.

I recommend taking a guided tour to learn interesting facts and history about the Conference Center and Temple Square.

Be sure to check out the rooftop garden and viewing deck for great views of the temple and Salt Lake City.

The Beehive House has always been one of my favorite buildings on Temple Square. This was once Brigham Young’s home, and it is still furnished with some original pieces dating back to the 1800s. Missionaries are on hand to take you on a guided tour of the home.

The Lion House is next door and is also where Brigham Young once lived. Today, it has been turned into the Lion House Pantry, a cozy little restaurant known for its home-cooked dishes.

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building is also worth visiting. The interior is stunning, and there is a free observation deck on the 10th floor.

We also love eating at the Garden Restaurant and The Roof Restaurant on the 10th floor. The Garden Restaurant is more casual, while The Roof offers amazing views for a special occasion dinner. We celebrated our 2nd anniversary here and loved it!

The Legacy Theater is also located in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, where you can watch church related films and movies.

Assembly Hall is another beautiful historic building that was once used for worship. Visitors can step inside to admire the stunning interior. The building is still in use for devotionals and performances.

The Church Office Building is the tallest building on Temple Square. This is where the church administration offices are held, but visitors can take an elevator to the 28th-floor observation deck for great views of the city.

Shopping at City Creek Center or The Gateway

Salt Lake City has two fantastic shopping options, City Creek Center and Gateway Mall.

City Creek Center is such a beautiful mall with a retractable glass roof and a babbling creek running through the center.

It’s like an indoor park with over 100 shops and restaurants. You’ll find everything from large department stores to smaller boutiques.

The Gateway is an outdoor mall with popular stores, restaurants, museums, and even small playgrounds and a splash pad.

It is also a public event space with activities and events scheduled throughout the year.

Spend the Afternoon at a Museum

My favorite museum in Salt Lake City is the Clark Planetarium. I remember going on school field trips back when it was the Hansen Planetarium, and being completely mesmerized by the laser star show.

It is still one of my favorite places to take my kids. It is such a fascinating place to learn about outer space through interactive exhibits and shows.

The Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum was also a favorite spot to take my kids when they were younger. This multi-level museum is filled with hands-on educational activities and is the perfect place to let your kids get lost in their imaginations.

A few more museums located in downtown Salt Lake City include the Utah Sports Hall of Fame, Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Museum of Illusions. You might want to consider getting the Salt Lake Explorer Pass for admission to multiple museums and attractions for one price.

Discover a Hidden Speakeasy

At first glance, the Bodega seems like any other unassuming corner convenience store.

Bodega & The Rest Speakeasy, Salt Lake City, UT

However, if you head to the basement, you’ll find The Rest, one of Salt Lake City’s best-kept secrets!

The Rest is a dimly lit hidden speakeasy and subterranean restaurant. It has a moody vibe with brick walls, vintage lightbulbs, exposed ductwork, and shelves of old books.

In addition to drinks, The Rest also offers a surprisingly delicious food menu! We ordered a few appetizers on the tapas menu and enjoyed everything we ordered. Reservations are highly recommended.

Rent a Scooter to Explore Downtown

The TRAX train offers free rides around the downtown area and is a great a hassle-free way to get around. But if you’re looking for a fun way to explore, then pick up an electric scooter.

You can easily find these scooters all over downtown, and they can be activated through the Lyft or Uber app. The electric scooters are a little pricey (they were .47 cents per minute at the time of our visit), but it’s fun to ride them around for a little bit.

We rented scooters to ride to the top of the steep hill leading up to the State Capitol Building, and I loved admiring the beautiful homes along the way.

The city GREENbikes are a cheaper alternative to the scooters, but they are not electric.

Tour the Salt Lake City & County Building

While you’re exploring downtown, be sure to stop by the historic Salt Lake City & County Building located at Washington Square Park.

Salt Lake City & County Building, Salt Lake City, UT

This impressive Gothic Revival building was completed in 1894 and was once the old courthouse. It now serves as the city and county administration building.

The historic building is open to the public for self-guided tours, or you can reserve a guided tour to see the chambers and clock tower.

Stop by the Salt Lake City Public Library

I love the architecture of the Salt Lake City Public Library! When you walk in, you’re greeted with a grand 3-story atrium with sunlight streaming through the glass ceiling. There is also a spiral staircase leading to each of the open levels.

It’s worth stopping by just to grab a photo of the interior. You can also check out the rooftop garden and beehive. Check the calendar for events such as rooftop yoga and outdoor movie nights.

Tour the School from High School Musical

Did you know that you can tour the actual high school where scenes from the movie High School Musical were filmed? Yes, you can walk the same halls as Troy and Gabriella!

East High is located on the east side of Salt Lake City near the University of Utah. It is still an active high school, but self-guided tours are available Monday through Friday from 3:30 to 6 pm when school is in session.

You can pick up a map from the office that shows the different filming locations on campus, like Sharpay’s locker (that is still painted pink) and the cafeteria.

Take a Day Trip to Antelope Island

I can’t believe I lived in Utah for 17 years and never visited Antelope Island! We recently took a drive out there, and it was the perfect day trip from Salt Lake City.

Antelope Island is about a 45-minute drive from downtown, but it feels like it’s a world away.

This is the biggest island on the Great Salt Lake and covers approximately 42 square miles. It is also home to one of the largest free-roaming bison herds in the US.

There are literally hundreds of bison just wandering around, along with antelope, coyotes, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and over 250 bird species!

A herd of 12 bison was first introduced to the island in 1893. Today, the herd is around 500, and there is an annual roundup and auction to keep the numbers under control. The bison roundup is held every October and is open to the public. It looks like a fun and unique event to attend!

When we visited, we drove along the scenic shore road for about 20 minutes until we reached the historic Fielding Garr Ranch.

The ranch was established in 1848, and you can tour the original farmhouse, barn, and outbuildings.

The drive itself has a unique beauty with expansive views over the lake and surrounding mountain peaks.

There are also several hiking trails on the island. The most popular include Buffalo Point or Frary Peak for panoramic views.

Bridger Bay Beach is also a popular spot to relax. The Great Salt Lake is known for its high salinity level, and you can actually float in the salty waters!

Just avoid getting the salt water in your eyes, and it will burn if you have any cuts or scrapes. Also, be aware that the gnats are horrible from April-June.

See our guide, 9 Utah State Parks We Can’t Get Enough of, for more of our favorite state parks!

Find the Pink Lake at Stansbury Island

Stansbury Island is also a fun day trip from Salt Lake City. It is located on the southwest shore of the Great Salt Lake, about 40 miles west of the city.

Stansbury Island Pink Lake, Great Salt Lake, UT

This is where you’ll find one of the two pink lakes that can be found within the Great Salt Lake (the second is by the Spiral Jetty).

The pink water is caused by microorganisms that thrive in water with high salt levels. It is so cool to see it in person!

We noticed that the water appeared pinker from above while using our drone. Drone permits can be picked up at the Great Salt Lake State Park visitor center.

For more information and details, see our guide, Utah’s Best Kept Secret: The Pink Lake at Stansbury Island.

Visit Wheeler Historic Farm

We stumbled across Wheeler Historic Farm, and it was a fun little hidden gem! It’s one of the few 19th-century farmsteads that still remain in the Salt Lake Valley.

Wheeler Historic Farm, Salt Lake City, UT

Today, it is a 75-acre working farm that is free to visit. You can stop by and see the farm animals and vintage farming equipment.

For a small fee, you can also attend a milking demonstration, go on a wagon ride, and take a tour of the original farmhouse.

They also offer seasonal events, farmers’ markets, walking trails, and the Rosebud Country Store.

We only had time to walk around the farm, but I would love to go back and tour the farmhouse and visit during their Pumpkin Days festival.

Final Thoughts

Whether you are looking to fill one day or an entire week, there is so much to do in the city. I hope this guide will help you experience the history, culture, beauty, and tastes of Salt Lake City!

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Where to Go, Stay, and Eat in Salt Lake City, Utah

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