I have been traveling to Salt Lake City every year for the past 9 years, and this time I decided to explore the city rather than go straight to the ski resorts. I am glad I did because it was so much fun! Here are the places my friends and I visited when exploring the city.
SIGHTS TO SEE
1) Relive the Olympic experience at Utah Olympic Park
Relive the Olympic experience at the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics. Even though the Olympics are over, there is a nice museum that documents the Olympic games that year. There are interactive experiences such as a ski jump simulation as well as a motion “ride” that simulates powder runs and bobsledding.
Holding the Olympic torch
Inside the Utah Olympic Park museum
The actual bobsledding course is open to the public to try bobsledding, although it’s a bit pricey at $175 per head.
Seeing the bobsledding course up close and personal
2) Hike to a view of the city at Ensign Peak
A quick and easy hike (~25 minutes) to the top to get a beautiful view of Salt Lake City. We went when it was super windy, so our hair looked crazy, but the view was worth it.
View of Salt Lake City at Ensign Peak
3) Take a stroll at historic Park City
I love walking up and down Main Street. There are lots of cute shops, restaurants and bars. Definitely a great place to spend the day/night.
4) Visit Olympic Cauldron Park
If you have time this is worth a quick visit. The original cauldron park had been converted into a university football stadium, but the cauldron still remains. They didn’t do too much around the cauldron so it’s not too impressive. However you can always say you’ve been there. 😉
Olympic Cauldron Park
WHAT TO EAT/DRINK
High West is known for its delicious whiskey, and it is Utah’s first distillery since the 1870s. There is a dining area that gets busy especially after a good day of skiing/snowboarding, and there is also an outdoors patio area with firepits for having a few drinks. Seating is first come first served.
I chose to have a flight to try out the different whiskeys they serve. The flight even comes with a sheet describing the flavors of each sampler I was tasting.
Whiskey sampler flight at High West
I also decided to have lamb stew for dinner. It was great!
High West dinner – Lamb Stew
A hidden gem at the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. It is a modern speakeasy that serves a variety of drinks, including bourbon, of course and also dinner. Prices are really affordable. Consider the below $14 prime rib, available only on select days….
Prime Ribs at Bourbon House
3) Bayou
Cajun restaurant and bar, serving over 220 beers from around the world. Always a fun place to visit and end our trip at.