Bella & Nick
Things To Do
Red Butte Garden
This is where Bella spent 3 years working at the front desk during her college years! Nick found this botanical garden when he started his PhD and it became a very special place for him as well. Next thing you know, Nick takes Bella to Red Butte Garden to propose to her during the Solar Eclipse! If you love nature, botanical gardens, and being basically in the mountains, this is a great place for you to visit while you are in town! Your admission buys you entrance in to the garden for the day, you can bring your own food and drinks in, and you will have access to tons of hiking trails that will allow you to see across the valley.
Normal Ice Cream Store
Looking for a funky spot to visit in SLC? Normal ice cream is one of the best ice cream spots in the city if you're looking for something unique to Salt Lake. Check it out if you are looking for a sweet treat to beat the heat!
Hiking Trails
If you want to get some hiking in while you're in town, use this site to find trails that fit your activity level! There are so many different spots to hike around while in Salt Lake, so get out there.
Templin Family Brewing
Nick and Bella go to TF Brewing with their friends to play board games, eat some take out, and drink REALLY GOOD beer! You can bring in any outside food, but have to purchase drinks at TF. It's a really fun way to experience the night life in SLC!
Ruth's Diner
If you want to experience the beautiful canyons of SLC and get some delicious local food, head up to Ruth's Dinner! This is where Bella and Nick celebrated their engagement together right after he popped the question. Bella spent many a weekend brunching at Ruth's during her college years. She event met Tan France here! If you are going, make sure to get up there as early as you can. It gets PACKED real quick! That shows you just how good it is.
Natural History Museum of Utah
Nestled in the mountains, the Natural History Museum of Utah (NHMU) is a great place to spend a hot day. One of Bella's first jobs was at the cafe at the Natural History Museum of Utah! You are also able to hop right on to the Shoreline Trail in front of NHMU that runs all along the Wasatch Front with great views of Salt Lake. Ticket prices on their site.
Swig
Utah is known for our "dirty sodas". Do with that what you will. You won't be disappointed in their Spring Fling!
Cafe Rio Fresh Modern Mexican
Cafe Rio is a Utah known Mexican chain that has the best sweet pork, house dressing, and tortillas. Try their chips and queso! The best location is the one above.
Café Zupas
This is a great local chain for soups, salads, and sandwiches.
Rio Grande Cafe
Rio Grande is a fantastic Mexican place in an old train depot by the University of Utah. This is one of Nick's faves!
Sugar House Coffee
Bella spent almost every day of her undergrad at Sugar House Coffee studying for tests, meeting with friends, singing at open mic nights, and enjoying a sense of community. Sugar House Coffee is a watering hole for the LGBTQ+ community and does amazing work for marginalized groups in our city and state. They also have THE BEST coffee, food, pastries, and goodies. Go support local!
Beirut Cafe: Lebanese Cuisine & Farr Better Ice Cream
A yummy spot to get fresh, made to order Lebanese food. Support our local Lebanese and Middle Eastern entrepreneurs and neighbors! They also serve Farr's Ice Cream, which is a 100 year old company in Utah. Bella's favorite ice cream is Play Dough!
Sumac Cafe
Nick's favorite Iranian food spot!
Pretty Bird Hot Chicken, Downtown
Pretty Bird is a local hot chicken spot in SLC. This location is the original, right by City Creek Mall, and is always busy! If you like chicken, this is the place to go!
City Creek Mall
City Creek is the downtown mall that has a ton of different shopping options with an retractable glass roof that allows you to stroll through the climate controlled mall. It even has a stream running through it and you can feed the fish that live in it! It's a gorgeous mall with tons of high end shopping options and great food choices. It's definitely worth visiting!
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is a hiking/walking trail that roughly follows what used to be the shoreline of the ancient Lake Bonneville, a prehistoric lake. How cool! You can see most of Salt Lake City on this almost 100 mile long trail. There are multiple trailheads that you can follow for as long as you want, but the link above will show you the section that is most accessible from the city. Take your water bottles, snacks, and sunglasses!
Ensign Peak Trailhead
Ensign Peak is 0.9-mile out-and-back trail that lets you look out over The Avenues of Salt Lake City and see most of downtown. This is a short hike, but is relatively steep the entire way up. Enjoy!
Bonneville Salt Flats
Go see the beauty that is the Salt Flats. You might even catch Speed Week!
Antelope Island State Park
Go see nature! There WILL be lots of bugs.... but it is really pretty. And you'll see antelope and bison! Probably. Maybe. Go see!
Donut Falls Summer Trailhead
This relatively easy hike takes you to little waterfall that looks like it is coming through a "donut" hole. Nick likes to make plans to hike this trail and then get donuts instead. My kind of hiking.
The Bagel Project
The BEST bagels in Salt Lake City. Bella and Nick go way too often! Available until they sell out. Don't miss your chance!
Gourmandise Bakery and Cafe
Gourmandise is a staple in downtown SLC. If you are looking for a semi-upscale spot to grab a beautiful french pastry, delicious lunch, or a yummy coffee or chai, this is the place!
Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining
If you are looking for a bit nicer spot for lunch and want to be in the heart of downtown SLC, go to Whiskey Street! This bar/restaurant is located on Main Street, where Mormon pioneers first settled SLC. This is a great way to learn some history and sin a little ;)
A Bar Named Sue
Fun spot to play pool, get a great burger, and some yummy drinks. A favorite of Bella and Nick's!
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Bella and Nick's favorite canyon in SLC. A gorgeous drive and lovely ski resorts to stop at for lunch or a drink!
Liberty Park
This is a park in central Salt Lake City where Bella would walk Bennie, read books in the summer, and watch the drum circle on Sundays. Lovely walk and a good way to see the beauty of SLC!
Crumbl - Salt Lake City
Bella's favorite cookie spot!
Sugar House Park
If you want to be out in nature and not just in the mountains, go to Sugar House Park! This is Bella's all time favorite park in SLC. It has incredibly gorgeous views of the mountains, a duck pond, lots of pavilions and play areas for kids, and beautiful rolling hills. Pack a picnic from any one of the yummy restaurants listed and spend some time outside in the sunshine!
The University of Utah
Want to visit Bella and Nick's Alma Mater? The "U"'s campus is gorgeous and HUGE. If you want some good exercise and to see where they both grew in to the people they are today, go check it out!
Little Saigon
Amazing Vietnamese food in Sugarhouse.