Blending local culture with outdoor pursuits is an excellent way to get to know Salt Lake City, Utah. Recently, I spent 72 hours in Salt Lake City with my 18-year-old granddaughter for our annual skip-gen trip.
In a city where mountains frame historic architecture and cultural gems invite exploration, each day brought a new adventure. We even managed to fit in some shopping and spa time. And we gained insight into the SLC vibe from a local’s perspective with a visit to the Maven DISTRICT, where unique shops, wellness experiences and eateries are owned and operated by women.
The writer was hosted..
Day 1 – Exploring Downtown Salt Lake City
Overview
Downtown Salt Lake City seamlessly blends historic landmarks with dynamic cultural offerings. In Temple Square, you’ll find the historic Salt Lake Temple. A robust arts community is reflected in galleries, public murals, and regular art exhibitions, highlighting downtown’s commitment to creativity. The culinary scene offers numerous dining options. And, shoppers delight in a visit to an innovative shopping mall.
City Creek Center
When I travel with Katherine, shopping is always a priority! We kicked off our adventure at City Creek Center. Occupying two city blocks, this mega shopping center boasts 75+ stores and 20+ places to dine. While the shops mesmerized Katherine, the architecture caught my eye.
City Creek Center features a retractable roof, a pedestrian skybridge over Main Street that seamlessly connects the two blocks, and a 1,200-foot-long authentic re-creation of the south fork of City Creek. This iconic waterway once flowed through Salt Lake City. Distinctive fountains and two 18-foot-tall waterfalls complete the scene.
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A Walk in the Park
Often referred to as SLC’s Central Park by the locals, Liberty Park is the city’s oldest and second-largest park. Recreational options abound in the park, including basketball and volleyball courts. The popular Multi-use Path is ideal for walking, jogging and skating.
Don’t miss the chance to visit Tracy Aviary. Located inside the park, Tracy Aviary covers eight acres and hosts over 300 birds from around the world, including endangered species. It’s a lovely way to end your afternoon as you stroll through botanical gardens and explore the themed exhibits.
Chasing Murals
I have to admit, it’s hard for me to pass by a mural without taking a photo. In The Blocks, a Downtown Alliance Arts District initiative, 44 murals await. Each shares a story of creativity as they highlight the city’s diverse artistic talent. Bonus: Murals make excellent Instagram posts!
Day 2 – Adventures in Snowbird
On the second day of our skip-gen adventure, we visited Snowbird. This four-season resort is located in Little Cottonwood Canyon in the Wasatch Mountains about a 30-minute drive from downtown Salt Lake City. The resort is a favorite snow skiing destination in winter. But when the snow melts, there’s plenty of other adventures to pursue.
Summer Adventures
Blue skies and warm temperatures provided a perfect day for our adventures in Snowbird. We kicked off the fun with a tram ride to the summit. The views were incredible and Katherine even spotted a moose lapping water in a pond beneath us on the ride down.
She also managed to talk me into riding the Mountain Coaster which included 3,120 feet of gravity-induced twists and turns–slightly out of my comfort zone! We also cruised down the mountain on an alpine slide and hiked a lovely wildflower trail. Despite Katherine’s efforts, I couldn’t commit to the ropes course, which was probably for the best!
Winter Adventures
For the lucky souls who live nearby, Snowbird offers an abundance of winter adventures. Of course there’s snow skiing, but for those who want to literally elevate that experience, try helicopter skiing. Snowboarding is also popular at Snowbird and classes are offered for both skiing and snowboarding. A guided snowshoe tour gives winter adventurers another option for exploring.
Avid skiers will be delighted to know that Snowbird averages 500+ inches of snow in winter. The resort also boasts 3,000 vertical feet of ski runs and 2,500 acres of expansive terrain.
More Snowbird Amenities
When you’re ready for a break from your summer or winter activities, Snowbird offers several options for dining. From by-the-slice pizza cafes to SeventyOne featuring American grill favorites to The Steak Pit which serves prime and Wagyu steaks and seafood in a rustic steak house, you won’t go hungry!
Day 3 – Smell the Roses & Meet the Mavens
On our final day in Salt Lake City, we toured the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum in the morning. For our afternoon outing, we resumed our shopping adventures with a visit to the Maven DISTRICT.
Smell the Roses
Located at the University of Utah, Red Butte Garden and Arboretum is one of the most extensive botanical gardens in the Intermountain West. Renowned for its extensive plant collections, the garden spans 100 acres and displays 3,000 plant species and trees in themed gardens and natural areas.
Garden tours are offered from May 1 through September 30. Visitors may select either a 1.5-hour walking tour or a 1-hour tram tour. During our visit, we participated in a walking tour led by a volunteer guide who offered valuable insights into the garden’s history and the significance of its diverse plant collection.
Music in the Garden
Red Butte Garden also features a popular summer concert series. Among the artists in the 2025 lineup were Alison Krauss, Rick Springfield, ZZ Top and numerous others. If you’re interested in the 2026 lineup, be sure to book early, as the concerts typically sell out.
Meet the Mavens
Discovering the Maven DISTRICT in Salt Lake City was one of our favorite experiences. Located on 9th South and 2nd East Streets in SLC, the Maven DISTRICT is a place where women support each other with a focus on local, independent businesses.
From a fitness studio, to beauty and wellness professionals, to shopping and dining and even a boutique hotel, there’s plenty to explore in this charming section of the city. And, it is the largest community of women-owned small businesses in the world. What’s not to love?
Shopping in the Maven DISTRICT
The shops in the Maven DISTRICT offer a wide variety of wares. You’ll find housewares, beauty products, hair care, wellness items, clothing, jewelry and books to name a few.
One of our favorites, The Lovebound Library opened in February 2024 as Utah’s first romance-only bookstore. Decorated in shades of pink, the shop “aims to provide a safe and empowering place for all to explore the romance genre.”
The Salt Lake City Community
Researching a trip online always sparks ideas, but getting to know the locals and the community’s traditional events adds another level to the travel experience. The residents in Salt Lake City aren’t just friendly; they genuinely want to share their community with you. Whether it’s introducing themselves at an event or sharing tips for eating, hiking or shopping, they’re always ready to help.
Connect with the Community at Local Events
We arrived in town for the Days of ’47 Rodeo—one of Utah’s longest-standing traditions. The Days of ’47 events commemorate July 24, 1847, when Mormon pioneers entered the Great Salt Valley. Katherine and I enjoyed delicious local BBQ, trying on cowboy hats, the impressive rodeo competitors and an incredible light show in the skies above the Utah State Fair Park.
Insider Tips from a Local
Tessa Arneson, the dynamic co-founder and chief executive officer of the Maven DISTRICT, loves to share her “SLC Locals Itinerary” with friends, family and even a writer who dropped by with her granddaughter!
If anyone knows the best places to eat, it’s a local. Here are a few of Tessa’s recommendations in the Maven DISTRICT:
Where to Stay
For our 72-hour adventure in Salt Lake City, we stayed at The Grand America Hotel and it was definitely grand! Katherine and I had a suite with a separate living room, a luxurious bathroom with a shower and a clawfoot bathtub.
Shops in The Grand America
In addition to the fabulous accommodations, The Grand America houses several shops including JouJou – a colorful children’s boutique showcasing handcrafted items for toddlers through teens.
Additional Amenities
Dining options are plentiful with everything from ice cream to grab-and-go pastries to the upscale Laurel Brasserie & Bar serving European-inspired cuisine. For a special treat, we enjoyed an afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge.
Amenities include an indoor pool, seasonal outdoor pool, fitness center and The Grand Spa. Appointments at The Grand Spa provided a grand ending to our skip-gen adventure.
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