Plan a summer trip to Salt Lake City. Explore neighborhoods, restaurants, places to stay and practical local advice from AVARA's full editorial guide.
Salt Lake City — TL;DR
Salt Lake City features James Beard-recognised chefs, innovative cocktail bars and hidden neighbourhood gems, with downtown offering flavors from all over the world, from small plates to avant-garde cuisine.
Salt Lake City at a glance
What are the best things to do in Salt Lake City? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Salt Lake City trip feel like more than a checklist.
How many days do you need in Salt Lake City? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Salt Lake City — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for…
When is the best time to visit Salt Lake City? May to September offers warm weather for exploring downtown and the Wasatch mountain views.
Where should I stay in Salt Lake City for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport.
How do you get around Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network.
Salt Lake City overview
May to September offers warm weather for exploring downtown and the Wasatch mountain views.
Salt Lake City's downtown, Central City, and Sugar House neighbourhoods are connected by the TRAX light rail and walkable city blocks.
US Dollar ($)
English. Spanish is widely spoken in many cities.
MST (UTC-7, UTC-6 in summer)
Salt Lake City's bar and restaurant scene continues to expand, with a new bar inside the Asher Adams hotel featuring an upstairs whiskey bar with great views, and a new Indian restaurant downtown taking over the old Stanza space with over 8,000 square feet dedicated to Indian cuisine and the golden age of railway travel, reflecting the city's growing culinary ambition.
Where to eat, drink & do in Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City neighborhoods
Downtown Known for its temples and bars, offering flavors from all over the world, from small plates to avant-garde cuisine.
Sugar House Known for its restaurants, a distinct dining-focused neighbourhood.
Central City Home to attractions like Salt Lake City Public Library and Eccles Theater.
Practical info for Salt Lake City
Getting around in Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City's downtown, Central City, and Sugar House neighbourhoods are connected by the TRAX light rail and walkable city blocks.
When to go in Salt Lake City? May to September offers warm weather for exploring downtown and the Wasatch mountain views.
What's changing now in Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City's bar and restaurant scene continues to expand, with a new bar inside the Asher Adams hotel featuring an upstairs whiskey bar with great views, and a new Indian restaurant downtown taking over the old Stanza space with over 8
Seek out The Ellerbeck's Pioneer Breakfast in Salt Lake City? A three-course Pioneer Breakfast served in a six-room 1892 Victorian mansion, an intimate historic experience in the Avenues district.
Base yourself in Downtown in Salt Lake City? Known for its temples and bars, offering flavors from all over the world, from small plates to avant-garde cuisine. Known for temples, diverse dining.
Frequently asked questions about Salt Lake City
What are the best things to do in Salt Lake City? Balance one or two headline sights with unhurried time in the neighbourhoods highlighted in this guide — that mix is what makes a Salt Lake City trip feel like more than a checklist. Book any high-demand entries in advance, keep evenings loose for a proper dinner, and leave at least one afternoon completely unplanned for the small discoveries Salt Lake City tends to reward.
How many days do you need in Salt Lake City? Three to four full days is the sweet spot for a first visit to Salt Lake City — enough to cover the main neighbourhoods on foot, sit down for two or three proper meals, and still keep a day for a nearby day-trip or a slow morning. Extend to five or six days if you plan to combine the city with the surrounding region.
When is the best time to visit Salt Lake City? May to September offers warm weather for exploring downtown and the Wasatch mountain views.
Where should I stay in Salt Lake City for the first time? First-time visitors do best in one of the walkable central neighbourhoods covered in the Where to Stay section of this guide — the ones that put you within a short walk of dinner and public transport. Avoid staying next to the main transit hubs unless convenience trumps atmosphere for your trip.
How do you get around Salt Lake City? Salt Lake City rewards visitors who mix walking with the local public transport network. Rideshare and taxis fill the gaps for late-night moves or trips outside the centre.