Emma & Evan
Things To Do
Places to Eat!
Please check out our Google Docs, which list all the restaurants we have tried in the SLC Metro and the ratings we have given them! There are many great options in SLC so if it isn't on the list, it just means we haven't tried it, but we would love to hear if you tried it and liked it! We highly recommend The Copper Onion, they have amazing upscale American food and are well equipped to handle allergies & dietary restrictions.
The Living Room Trailhead
For our guests who want a quick hike, this is a relatively steep but short hike to a perch on the foothills of the Wasatch Moutain Range. It is both a quick workout at only 2.5 miles round-trip and provides a panoramic view of the Salt Lake Valley! Warning: The altitude will catch you quickly and there isn't much shade along the trail. This was the first hike we did as an engaged couple!
Bloods Lake Trailhead
This is one of Evan and I's favorite hikes! It's 2.8-miles round trip, with great views of the mountains, wildlife (known for spotting Moose), and at the end, a lovely lake you can take a dip in! Consider driving all the way through Guardsman's Pass (only accessible in the summer) to Park City for some more amazing views and a quaint historic downtown.
Deer Valley Resort Scenic Overlook
For those of our guests that want views from the mountaintops without actually having to hike, Deer Valley Resort is a great option. For $20/person (discounts for children, seniors, and more), you can ride two chairlifts to the top and hike a short 0.25 miles to the overlook point. You can also stop mid-mountain between chair lifts for lunch at the Royal Street Cafe.
Mount Olympus
For our adventure-seeking, adrenaline junkies, you won't want to miss the Mount Olympus Hike. This hike is no joke, it's a quad-wrenching climb of nearly 4,800 feet in elevation over 3.3 miles (6.6 round trip - don't forget you have to go back down)!
City Creek Center
For our shoppers of the group, check out City Creek Center. This shopping center encompasses two entire city blocks and features more than 100 different stores and restaurants. Not to mention, the naturalized creek that runs through the middle! An added bonus, if you're visiting from over 50 miles away, the center offers a 'Passport to Shopping' program with special discounts. Stop by the customer service desk for more details. Be aware the mall is not open on Sundays.
Natural History Museum of Utah
For our history buffs, the Natural History Museum of Utah features twelve permanent exhibitions dating back millions of years. It boasts the largest collection of horned dinosaur fossils in the world! They are located next to the Red Butte Gardens, so if you're interested in touring the space, you will have ample time between the ceremony and the reception.
Red Butte Garden & Arboretum
This is where we are getting married! This is a botanical garden and arboretum renowned for its plant collections, themed gardens, and 5 miles of hiking trails. They have waived the entrance fee for all of our guests, so we invite you to come explore the gardens between the ceremony and the reception.
Temple Square
You can't miss Temple Square. It is a beautiful cornerstone of Utah's heritage and it is well-worth visiting. The grounds, museums, and visitors center are free and open to the public. It is currently under construction so don't be alarmed when it doesn't resemble the picture, however, the grounds have amazing landscaping you should definitely check out.
Park City
Park City is located just under 45 minutes from Salt Lake City. Our ceremony is at St. Mary's Catholic Church just on the edge of the city. We invite you to explore Park City before the ceremony or during your visit. Park City is best known for its Mountain Resort, which is the largest ski resort in the US. Additionally, Utah Olympic Park located to the north hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics, is projected to host the 2036 Winter Olympics, and is currently used as a training facility. Check out the downtown lined with buildings built during the 19th-century silver mining boom! We recommend driving there via Gaurdsman's Pass for some stunning views.
Stansbury Island
This mysterious pink lake is one of Utah's best-kept secrets. Located about an hour from downtown Salt Lake, on the southwestern shore of the Great Salt Lake you can find the pink lake! Bonus: It is safe to swim in and you'll find the high salt content makes you quite buoyant. This is where Evan proposed to Emma!!!
Bonneville Salt Flats
For those of you looking for a unique experience, you cannot miss the Bonneville Salt Flats. As ancient Lake Bonneville dwindled down into what is now the Great Salt Lake, it left behind the Bonneville Salt Flats. They are best known as the location where landspeed world records have been set, but they are also a serene backdrop. The salt flats are located approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes west of Salt Lake near the Nevada border.
Arches National Park
Almost 4 hours southeast of Salt Lake City, you can find one of Utah's 5 national parks. There are lots of hikes to do at Arches, but it can be quite busy this time of year. Reservations are required, so make sure to book your visit. If you're looking to make a 2 park stop, Canyonlands National Park is just 30 minutes south of Arches.
Canyonlands National Park
Four hours southeast of Salt Lake is another one of Utah's 5 national parks. Canyonlands feature the island in the sky, the needles, Native American rock paintings, and the Maze, divided by the Colorado River. The park is still quite busy this time of year, but you won't want to miss it. If you're looking to make this a 2 park stop, Arches is located just 10 minutes up the road.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Four hours southwest of Salt Lake City is the third national park in the state. Bryce Canyon National Park boasts crimson-colored hoodoos, spire-shaped rock formations. The best times to view are around sunrise or sunset, but there are tons of gorgeous hiking trails for any time during the day. If you're looking to make this a 2 park stop, Zion National Park is located just an hour southwest of Bryce Canyon.
Zion National Park
Just 3 and a half hours southwest of Salt Lake City is home to Utah's fourth national park, Zion. Zion is best known for its steep red cliffs, emerald pools, and expansive canyon. Zion is also busy during this time of the year, but it is well-worth the trip. If you're looking to make this a 2 park stop, Bryce Canyon is located just an hour northeast of Zion.
Capitol Reef National Park
Located just 3 and a half hours south of Salt Lake City is Utah's 5th and final national park, Capitol Reef. It is known for its white sand dome, the waterpocket fold, the Hickman Bridge Arch, and the Chimney Rock Pillar (not to be mistaken for Chimney Rock in NE)! If you are looking to hit more national parks on your tour, Capitol Reef is located 3 hours from Zion and 2 hours from Bryce Canyon, Arches, and Canyonlands National Parks.