Utah - Day 3: Salt Lake City
Downtown Salt Lake City
On Monday, May 3, 2021, I took a bus from the suburbs to downtown Salt Lake City and began my day at Washington Square Park, a lovely space with trees, walkways, and statues surrounding the Salt Lake City and County Building.
From there, I walked to The Gateway, an eclectic, mixed-use shopping and entertainment destination located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City.
City Creek Center, an open-air shopping mall with offices, a fountain, and a simulated creek, was next on my itinerary. While I didn't make any purchases at either shopping center, both locations were really interesting to explore.
Temple Square is a popular visitor attraction owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, occupying a 10-acre city block. Since it’s such an iconic landmark in Salt Lake City and only a 2-minute walk from City Creek Center, I had to include it in my self-curated walking tour. Although I couldn’t go inside due to renovations (the building was closed until 2024), it was still an impressive sight to see!
Continuing my exploration, I proceeded to the Utah State Capitol. Situated atop a hill, the Capitol offers sweeping views of Salt Lake City, the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains. Surrounding the building are beautifully maintained and sculpted lawns, trees, flowerbeds, and shrubs.
Next, I walked to Memory Grove Park, home to veterans' memorials and a replica of the Liberty Bell. The park's main loop spans approximately 0.8 miles.
Ensign Peak
After exploring the park and walking along City Creek Canyon Road, a popular route for walking, jogging, and bicycling that extends into the northeast mountains, I stopped to take a Lyft to the Ensign Peak Trailhead, a short but steep 1-mile hike offering stunning panoramic views of the Salt Lake Valley, Wasatch Mountains, Great Salt Lake, and Antelope Island. It took me about 40 minutes to complete the trail.
Downtown Salt Lake City
I finished the hike around 2:30pm and decided to walk the 2.4 miles from Ensign Peak Trailhead to Whiskey Street, a well-known whiskey bar in the heart of Salt Lake City to meet up with Heidi and her husband.
After drinks, we stopped at Gracie’s, a gastropub with two patios and great city views, and ended the night at Takashi, a sushi spot known for signature rolls and an extensive sake list.
According to Google Fit, I logged an impressive 33,765 steps that day!
