SALT LAKE CITY

SALT LAKE CITY



Positioned on the southern shores of the Great Salt Lake in Utah, this western city blends all the energy of a growing metro region with the strong history and traditions of the original Mormon pioneers.

Salt Lake City, Utah began in 1847 when 143 men, three women and two children, led by founder Brigham Young, settled here. The Mormons came to Utah to find a place to practice their religious beliefs, which included polygamy at the time, without interference from the U.S. Government. The city has evolved greatly since that time and polygamy is no longer condoned by the mainstream Mormon Church.

Salt Lake City is watched over by the glorious Wasatch Mountain Range, home to some of the best skiing in the United States. This Utah capital experiences the full range of four seasons with hot summers and cold, dry winters, with snow on the mountains and great skiing the year round.

The Great Salt Lake and its islands provide recreational activities and the lake's waters are harvested for salt and other minerals.

ADDITIONAL UTAH CITY PAGES:

• Provo

• Salt Lake City is built on a grid system with almost every street going in a precise north-south or east-west direction.
• This western city saw the very first Kentucky Fried Chicken store in 1952.
• It is against the law to carry an uncovered Ukulele on the streets of Salt Lake City!
• More than 50% of the metro Salt Lake City population is Mormon.

There are many great things to do in Salt Lake City area for any Utah travel plan!

The surrounding mountains, rivers and rugged terrain offer visitors a wide variety of outdoor adventures such as hiking, off road trucking, white water rafting and camping. Salt Lake City attractions include great family escapes such as water parks, zoos, the homes of the Mormon founders, great city parks, restaurants and theaters. Read on for a few of the most interesting attractions in beautiful Salt Lake City.

• Temple Square
  Temple Square, containing the country's most beautiful and historic Mormon institutions, is the most popular attraction in the entire State of Utah.
  
  Within its walls you can visit the magnificent Tabernacle, home to the world famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The Tabernacle's towering pipe organ (11,623 pipes), and dome shaped structure produce near perfect acoustics.
  
  The Beehive House is the historical home of Brigham Young and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Originally the Utah Hotel, it's a moving shrine to the lifelong work of the Mormon leader. Nearby, the Salt Lake City Family History Library is the most prestigious genealogical research center in the world.
  
  
• Salt Lake City Skiing
  Salt Lake City sits at the base of the pristine Wasatch Mountains, home to world famous Utah ski resorts including Brighton, Snowbird, Solitude and Alta. All of these excellent resorts offer ski equipment rentals, lessons and runs from beginner to double black diamond.
  
  The area is home to a wide range of accommodations from luxury ski lodges to quaint inns to budget motels. Brighton Resort is known for its family friendliness and affordability. The ski park has three separate terrain layouts, unique snowboard runs and receives 500 inches of pristine Utah snow annually.
  
  
• Clark Planetarium
  The big western skies of Utah are perfect for observing the Cosmos in all its glory. The Clark Planetarium is a renowned facility located a couple of blocks from Temple Square in Salt Lake City. The Hansen Dome planetarium theater features a variety of star shows such as ‘Black Holes’ and 'Extreme Planets'.
  
  Enjoy the IMAX Theater for NASCAR and Space Station 3D shows, Laser Shows delivering music from Pink Floyd in psychedelic wonder and educational programs keep amateur astronomers excited about the night skies.