Salt Lake City – When mountain meets metro a host of vacation possibilities explode!
Historic Temple Square is one of Utah’s most popular tourism attractions. Guided tours feature historic sites, art displays, gardens, the world’s largest genealogy library and the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Across the street is the City Creek Centre, one of the USA’s largest mixed-use downtown redevelopment projects featuring more than 100 stores and restaurants all under a fully retractable glass skylight. Stores include high-roller retailers like Tiffany & Co, Michael Kors, Nordstrom and Coach.
Discover the sights of Salt Lake on one of our open-air buses. The 90-minute sightseeing tour with on-board commentary gives you a quick way to see the city’s main attractions. Combine the bus tour with the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass for cost saving access to Salt Lake’s most famous attractions including Natural History Museum of Utah, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Red Butte Gardens and the Clark Planetarium.
Favorite dining options in Salt Lake include:
The Roof Restaurant, Utah’s signature fine-dining buffet overlooking Temple Square on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.
Salt Lake City’s flourishing epicurean landscape is very often attributed to chefs Bowman Brown and Viet Pham, owners of Salt Lake City’s Forage and creators of the state’s most innovative cuisine.
Pork belly, mussels and sweetbreads are among the outstanding delicious fare found at the Copper Onion.
Enjoy a casual dinner at Squatters or Red Rock breweries for an award-wining lineup of microbrews.
A well-priced and simple but satisfying tapas menu is outshone only by the top-notch wine list at Eva.
For a more laid back, pub-like encounter, belly up to the antique bar at the Beehive, where they serve more than 150 labels from around the world
Parks and Canyonlands
Moab is a small resort town at the center of some of the most stunning red rock landscapes on earth. After your visits to Arches and Canyonlands National Parks, visit the Moab Information Center, on the corner of Main & Center Streets. They can provide information on ½ day Colorado River floats, 4×4 adventures and lesser known attractions such as wineries, museums and art galleries.
Locals Moab favorite dining spots include Moab Diner, Red Rock Bakery & Café and Peace Tree for breakfast. Dinner fun spots include Moab Brewery, Fiesta Mexicana, Singha Thai Cuisine and Pasta Jay’s.
Join Canyonlands by Night for a sunset wine tasting float on the Colorado River followed by a delicious cowboy-style Dutch-oven dinner.
No visit to Monument Valley is complete until you have experienced Goulding’s Trading Post Museum. Opened in 1989, the museum is both a showcase of varied artifacts and a glimpse into a bygone era. Goulding’s Lodge is not just a famous locale for Old West movies, but is also steeped in a rich history of trading and culture as well. Admission is on a donation basis. Donations provide for college scholarships for local high school graduates.
Fiery colors and endless vistas give way to spectacular landscapes in Bryce Canyon National Park. Fairy tale castle-like rock formations known as Hoodoos capture your imagination. Hike into the depths of the Hoodoos via trails such as Navajo Loop, Queens Garden and Peekaboo Loop.
Enjoy an evening of old fashioned western fun, music and great cowboy food at Ebenezer’s Barn.
Bryce Canyon is the ultimate place for star-gazing and for learning about astronomy. Join the ‘Dark Rangers‘ to participate in an educational and entertaining celebration of natural darkness and discovery.
Tribal Trails
This IS the American West. Capitol Reef transcends time with its history and scenic beauty. Hike to Cassidy Arch, named after an infamous outlaw, Butch Cassidy. See historic Fruita orchards and pictoglyphs of the ancient Freemont people. But… first visit the Capitol Reef National Park Visitors Center. The Center is one of the most interesting and friendly information centers in Utah’s park system. The park is so large, the center provides prospective via videos, maps and tasty fruit treats.
Ever tried rattlesnake? Torrey’s Café Diablo offers great dining in the beautiful scenery of Capitol Reef Country. And yes rattlesnake is on the menu.
Zion National Park is known for striking contrasts found within its boundaries. Immense red and white sandstone cliffs stretch from the forested river bed to the brilliant and breathtaking reaches of the sky. Look up. Tilt your head back. Let your eyes trace the landscape while your hear soars to new heights.
Zion TO DO List:
Hike Emerald Pools, Weeping Rock or stroll along the Riverside Walk
Hike Angels Landing, Observation Point or Hidden Canyon
Visit the Human History Museum
Take a horseback ride
Join the Zion Adventure Company for an Overland Cliffs and Canyons Backcountry Tour
Locals favorite restaurants include Bit & Spur Restaurant & Saloon, Oscar’s Café, Switchback Grille & Trading Company and Zion Lodge Red Rock Grill.
Thomas Cook Tours featuring Utah
If the above has given you an appetite for a visit to Utah then take a look at our some of our amazing tours all visiting this impressive state. Click on the links below to learn more.
Parks and Canyonlands of the Wild West
Tribal Trails
America’s Rockies & National Parks
