Things To Do
Where to Hike/Run
There are a TON of trails and hikes that you can do here with varying elevation gain and difficulty (please see FAQ section on hiking outdoors). NO DOGS are allowed in Big and little cottonwood canyon (its a HEFTY fine - sorry!!!) Close to wedding venue - NO DOGS - Cecret Lake - Catherine Pass - Top of the tram at Snowbird (can hike up and take tram down for free) - Mt. Superior via Cardiff Pass - Monte Cristo (continuation of above hike if you love elevation gain) Other: - Lake Blanche - No dogs - Dog Lake - Via Millcreek canyon - Dogs ok! - Desolation Lake via Big cottonwood canyon - no dogs! - Salt Lake Valley Overlook via Desolation Trail - Dogs ok! - Grandeur Peak (East Trail) - West face/trail to see rattlesnakes/trash your quads - Pipeline Trail - Dogs ok! - Bloods Lake - No dogs - Donut Falls - no dogs - Willow Lake - no dogs - Bonneville Shoreline Trail (20+ miles of trail in the Foothills) - dogs!
National Parks
Utah is home to 5 National Parks (The Mighty Five - Arches, Bryce, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Zion), each with its own unique landscape and beauty. While this will require a long drive (and at least 1 overnight stay), if you are planning a longer trip to Utah this is something not to miss.
Where to Drink (Breweries/Pubs)
Here are some of our favorite spots for a pint in SLC. Fisher Brewing SLC - great beer/atmosphere + food truck Templin Family Brewing (T.F.) - German-style beer hall with great outdoor patio + food truck Level Crossing Brewing - Where we had our first date! Beer + Wood-fired pizza Tap Room - Cheap food and PBR, one of our go-to spots tucked away in Sugarhouse Tailgate Tavern - Great dive bar! Pitchers of Pacifico and pulled-pork nachos Twilight Lounge - Another great dive! Cash only, and carpeted :) Beer Bar - Great fries + huge selection of cans. Hog Wallow - Cool tavern with solid food and atmosphere + great outdoor patio The Cotton Bottom - known for their garlic burger, quant little spot near the canyon Kid Friendly (Some options for those with little ones): Wasatch Brewery Sugarhouse - OK food, less OK beer, but OK with kids Squatters - same as above, you go here because they allow kids in the door not for the beer
Where to Caffeinate (Coffee Shops/Tea Spots)
Looking for some good coffee? Here is a list of our favorites... followed by another list if you are not as picky as Nate. Holy Water Coffee & Bites Three Pines Cafe D'Bolla (if you want a 2 hours coffee tasting experience) Loki Coffee The Rose Establishment Others: Alchemy Publik Coffee Blue Copper Coffee Alpha Coffee (near the base of the canyon) For tea people: Tea Zaanti
Where to Eat
Here are some of our go-to spots for grub and what we get: Cafe Shambala (Tibetan): tofu-fried noodle and veggie momo's (get half steamed/half fried) Pho 33 (Vietnamese): Vegan Pho Taqueria Fernandez (Mexican): Tofu/Soy Chorizo burrito, Fish tacos Mahider (Ethiopian): Combination platter (you will be stuffed after this) Ruth's Diner (American): Mile High Cakes/Breakfast Roots Cafe (American): Pancake of the Day Lucky 13 (American): Cheeseburger Vertical Diner (Vegan): Anything Nomad East (Pizza/Italian): Pizza + Garden Salad Near canyon: Lonestar Taqueria (Mexican): Fish burrito, Chips + Guac Root'd (Cafe): Comfort Food Hog Wallow Pub (Pub): Pub Food Fancy: Finca (Spanish): Tapas + Wine bar (Casot) across the street Manoli's (Greek): Tapas Table X: Tasting menu w/ wine pairing (if you want to get real fancy)
Bookstore/Picnic Areas/Gardens/Museums
The King's English is simply the best. If you can make it inside the doors and not come out with a book, we will be very impressed! - Tulie bakery (pastry), Caputo's market (sandwich), Sweetaly Gelato (gelato) all in this neighborhood (15th and 15th) Some great spots for a picnic: - Millcreek Canyon (one of our favorite Canyons, lots of campgrounds where you can hang) - Liberty Park (in the City with awesome view of the mountains) Other things to do: - Red Butte Gardens - Natural History Museum - Bonneville Salt Flats
Super 'Utah' Things
Sugar - Utah folks cannot get enough sugar, so you will see a lot of dessert shops. If you want to see what the hype is about... here are a few to check out. - Straw Market - Cinnamon rolls (they're a go-to post run treat and $2 each) - Blacksmith Ice Cream Co. (Millcreek) - Normal Ice Cream (900S) - Crumble/Chip/Ruby Snap/Crave (Kind of all the same) - Fresh Donuts & Deli (State St.) Soda - Utah is home to a ton of soda shops, it is a pretty authentic Utah experience but cannot say we have had more than 1 in our lives. - Swig/Thirst/Splash (sensing a theme?) KFC - the first ever KFC franchise (3890 State St, Salt Lake City, Utah, 84115) Costco - The world's biggest Costco is in Salt Lake City (300W, Salt Lake City, Utah)
Oktoberfest at Snowbird
This is a months-long event that happens every Saturday/Sunday through August/September at the resort near our wedding venue. It is a fun atmosphere and right in the mountains so it's a pretty sweet place to drink some overpriced beer. This might be a good Sunday activity to curb the wedding hangovers.