DINING + DRINKS
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Mr. Shabu | The Gateway
159 S. Rio Grande St.
Mr. Shabu's website notes that "shabu-shabu" is Japanese for "swish-swish," referring to the variety of hotpot broths that set that stage for a delicious meal. Customers can select from popular hotpot broths or create their own distinct flavors. Thinly sliced meats, seafood and vegetables are then dipped into the hotpots, making for a meal that is both yummy and fun. There is also a buffet-style bar for noodles, veggies, seafood and other goodies. The atmosphere is inviting and family-friendly (so is the entire Gateway area). The service is notoriously attentive and polite. And yes, the bathrooms are stocked with toothbrushes, toothpaste and mouthwash so patrons can leave Mr. Shabu with sparkling clean breath!
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Red Iguana | The West Side
736 W. North Temple and 866 W. South Temple
Red Iguana regularly tops "best of" lists for its self-proclaimed killer Mexican food. It's hard to argue with that assessment once you've had their enchiladas smothered in one of their unique mole sauces. Small touches like adding a pinch of cinnamon to their red sauce make for extra-flavorful burritos and chimichangas. The peach margaritas are a special treat for adults, while kids of all ages should conclude their meal with fried-ice cream. Red Iguana is a bustling place on weekends but the staff is always unfailingly friendly and attentive. Even diehard Mexican food fans are won over by the combination of incredible meals and fun atmosphere — all at an affordable price.
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Oasis | Downtown
151 S. 500 E.
By now, we’ve all admitted that breakfast any time of day is awesome. Nestled in the heart of downtown Salt Lake, Oasis Cafe's goal is to “help people every day to have a bit better life and simply be happier.” offers breakfast cuisine that is a notch above the rest. Enjoy a classic breakfast or brunch of French toast, eggs and bacon, breakfast burrito and more on the flower-filled outdoor patio. There are also plenty of vegan/vegetarian options. You can also enjoy Oasis’ dinner menu!
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The Copper Onion | Downtown
111 E. Broadway St. #170
The Copper Onion is an upscale-but-affordable American style restaurant. Familiar favorites like burgers and steak are fantastic, but it's worth exploring other meal options that satisfy the adage "try to order food you can't make at home.” Ricotta dumplings, miso polenta and pork chops & farroto are just some of the rotating specialty dishes prepared by the skilled chefs. Exotic options such as braised octopus and native Utah trout circulate into the menu, as do many farm-fresh veggies. Simply put, the meals are creative and the setting is elegant but not intimidating.
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See a full list of options here.
ARTS + CULTURE
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Red Butte Garden and Arboretum
Red Butte Garden is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West and together with the University of Utah, is the State Arboretum of Utah. We are located on 100 acres in the foothills on the eastern edge of the University of Utah campus. The Garden has welcomed guests since 1985 and consists of over 21 acres of developed gardens and five miles of hiking trails winding through an extensive Natural Area. The Garden; which is community-funded; is renowned for its numerous plant collections, display gardens, 560,000 springtime blooming bulbs; including a vast collection of daffodils; gorgeous private event spaces, a world-class outdoor concert series, and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs.
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Clark Planetarium
Clark Planetarium offers an out-of-this-world experience, featuring three floors of free exhibits, as well as the breathtaking Hansen Dome Theatre and Northrop Grumman IMAX Theatre.
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The Leonardo
Leonardo da Vinci was an artist, an engineer, a scientist, an architect, a musician, and a humanitarian, among many other things. One of his most important skills was learning how to learn. Consequently, Leonardo’s famous curiosity was a more important tool than his paintbrush. He asked questions nobody had ever asked before by experimenting, questioning, and exploring the world around him. Above all, he found answers nobody found before him. He made no distinction between art and science and saw the interconnectedness of all things. We created The Leonardo to honor and embody the spirit of this Renaissance Man. We see the world as he saw it: full of wonders to be uncovered, always asking why? Our museum is a place where you can freely wander and wonder. Come and discover your inner genius, just like Leonardo did. Look around. Ask the big questions. Have fun. Get your hands busy. Welcome.
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Natural History Museum of Utah
The Natural History Museum of Utah opened its doors to the public in the George Thomas Building at the University of Utah in 1969. Since then, collections have been transferred from the University's academic departments and grown through research, acquisition, and contributions to number nearly 2 million objects. The Museum has solidified its position as the state museum of natural history and has developed strong programs of exhibits and education, both on-site and statewide. In November 2011, we moved to a new home, the Rio Tinto Center, with state-of-the-art collections care and research facilities.
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See a full list of options here.
HIKING + OUTDOORS
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City Creek to Dry Creek
This trail is also uniquely suited to tap into Salt Lake City’s TRAX light rail system and create the ultimate urban hiking tour. Start at the City Creek Center TRAX stop near Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City. From here you can walk up Memory Grove to the back of City Creek Canyon to access the Bonneville Shoreline Trailhead. At the other end, the University Medical Center TRAX stop is just a short walk from the JCC parking lot. You’ll transfer at the Courthouse Stop to either the Blue or Green line to complete the journey back to City Creek Center.
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Emigration Canyon Road Cycling and Miner's Trail
From the Salt Lake Valley, the road to the trailhead cruises along Emigration Creek and passes by a famous SLC food destination, Ruth’s Diner known for its creekside patio and super tall breakfast biscuits with homemade jam. Undoubtedly, you’ll also pass many Salt Lake area road bikers who enjoy the vigorous ride up to Little Mountain Summit, which overlooks neighboring Parley’s Canyon, so keep a careful eye out. Alternatively, you can access the top of the canyon by the less scenic drive up I-80.
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Millcreek Canyon's Desolation Overlook
Next to City Creek, Millcreek is Salt Lake’s most well-trafficked urban canyon, entrance requires a small fee but the canyon accesses some of Salt Lake’s best trails and is a lovely scenic drive in and of itself. The Desolation Overlook trailhead is easy to find.
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Mount Olympus
If Salt Lake City hikers were all in a college fraternity, Mount Olympus would be considered a hazing ritual. This hike is no joke — a quad-wrenching climb of nearly 4,800 feet in elevation over 3.3 miles. However, like all things involving peer pressure, you may not be considered a real Salt Lake hiker until you’ve stood atop Mount Olympus and gazed down imperiously on the valley below (after you’ve caught your breath and maybe thrown up).
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