HOW TO DO DOWNTOWN

BY: JOSHUA JONES, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING, DOWNTOWN ALLIANCE

At the center of commerce and culture is downtown Salt Lake City.

Many visitors breeze through Salt Lake on their way to some of the most beautiful vistas in the world. However, if one lingers longer downtown, you’ll find an urban scene that pairs nicely with Utah’s Mighty Five national parks.

THE ARTS

Utahns attend performing art concerts more than any other state in the nation, leading to a bountiful and diverse supply of entertainment.

Four beautiful theaters within one block of each other house the Utah Symphony and Opera, Ballet West, and traveling Broadway performances. These and a plethora of smaller arts groups like Ririe Woodbury Dance Company (one of the oldest modern dance companies in the Country), Plan-B Theatre, and Jazz SLC produce over 80 arts and cultural events each month.

At 90 years old, most visitors are surprised to learn Utah’s oldest art organization is the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA), which exhibits provocative exhibitions from around the globe and is a six-time recipient of the prestigious Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts Award. For younger art fans, don’t miss interactive exhibits at The Leonardo, a museum of creativity and innovation, the Clark Planetarium, and Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum.

THE BARS

Ok, we’ve heard the rumors, and we are here to tell you — yes, you can find a cocktail or two in Salt Lake, and anywhere in Utah for that matter.

Located in the historic Hotel Victor, the posh Lake Effect lounge has the largest liquor selection in the state and regularly teases unique drinks made with homemade syrups and hand-squeezed juices. Next, don’t miss Post Office, a sophisticated and sexy little space on Market Street that offers dozens of Japanese Whiskeys. At the Gateway, sip at Seabird, an elegant postage stamp of a space overlooking the Olympic Fountain.

Looking for something a little more low key? Check out Main Street, where you’ll find haunts with decades of character. Beerhive has a menu with hundreds of beers from around the world, curated by the owner (rough life!). And, if you’re a shot-and-a-beer type of person, wander into Cheers 2 U, a literal hole in the wall with oodles of personality. (You’ll instantly love it or hate it.)

THE RESTAURANTS

Start your day at Market Street Grill & Oyster Bar, side-by-side Utah classics since 1980.

They’re known for fresh seafood, but also hearty breakfasts that come with a delicious orange-frosted roll. Find a lighter brunch at Zest — you won’t even notice it is a vegan restaurant if you order the biscuits and gravy with a homemade biscuit and mushroom gravy with a walnut patty.

For lunch, please do not miss Caputo’s, purveyors of regional Italian foods. Wander their market next door after you order the muffaletta sandwich with Genoa salami, ham, mortadella, lettuce, basil, and olive oil, on a sturdy roll. If you’re looking for a two-martini lunch, check out the new Pago on Main. Scott Evans received a glowing New York Times review ten years ago that set off his culinary empire, and his newest opening lives up to the original.

If you have a big group with a lot of picky eaters, head to Hall Pass at The Gateway. Don’t call it a food court, this chic ‘food hall’ has eight vendors serving everything from bao to lobster rolls in a contemporary setting.

Salt Lake’s dining scene continues to evolve with a cornucopia of elegant restaurants serving seasonal menus with hyper-locally sourced ingredients. Eva’s on Main is delightful and ingredients for the crispy trout and oink oink oink (pork belly) all come from within 60 miles of the restaurant. Recently opened, Mar | Muntanya is proud that the ingredients for the elk carpaccio and chicken confit all come from within Utah.

THE SHOPPING

From marquee national retailers like Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. to beloved and storied local merchants like Ken Sanders Rare Books and O.C. Tanner, you can fill days upon days with unique shopping experiences. The gorgeous City Creek Center offers more than 60 shops, many you can’t find within 400 miles of downtown. Plus, added bonus, an actual trout-filled creek runs through the middle of the two-block shopping center!

Just two blocks away, The Gateway has become a canvas for local artists to bring some color and murals to a formerly beige shopping center. Now, this tree-lined, winding outdoor corridor hosts local shops and experiential dining and gaming outlets like Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club and Dave & Busters.

Salt Lakers love their locally-owned businesses and the colorful characters behind them. You’ll either find Ken Sanders on PBS’ Antiques Roadshow or inside his iconic shop which houses tens of thousands of books. He somehow knows exactly where every single one lies in the maze of corridors. Just around the corner, The Green Ant sells vintage furniture and if you like mid-century modern interior design, don’t miss their unique treasures. In its fifth generation, Utah Woolen Mills offers the charm of family ownership, while also bringing designer men’s suits from around the world. Finally, round out the day at Diabolical Records, a hole in the wall that is a vinyl-phile’s dream — look for everything from Roy Orbison to BTS — and if you arrive at the right moment, expect to hear some live music.

An incubator for business, a catalyst for artists, and a caldron of diversity — SLC is a brash and spirited intersection of humanity. Come explore and discover a place that will surprise and delight you.