Uncover Utah’s Capital: Things to Do in Salt Lake City, UT

But first, coffee

The first step to the perfect Salt Lake City day is by stopping at a local coffee shop and fueling up. We’ve outlined a robust day so you may need some caffeine, but if that’s not your style, a pastry for breakfast never hurt anyone.

In the heart of Salt Lake Valley, Honeysuckle Coffee Co. has two locations to choose from for your morning meal. With their specialty coffee and tea beverages, house-made pastries, and light brunch items, you’re sure to find something to enjoy. The perfect start to your day begins with “relaxing on one of the patios with an iced lavender latte and avocado toast under a striped umbrella, shaded from the sun,” describes owner Jennifer Biffert.

If you’re located in the West Jordan area, stop by Canyons Coffee for your morning sip. “Their outdoor seating is the perfect place to sip an iced latte or espresso tonic as you chat with a friend,” says co-owner Steven Swank. Espresso tonics are extremely ‘in’ right now, but they also have several classics to choose from and enjoy.

“Located on the 900 line in Downtown Salt Lake, Loki Coffee is your friendly neighborhood specialty coffee shop serving up your classic coffee & espresso drinks,” says Loki’s Helen. Here you can find an array of pastries, breakfast items, desserts, and seasonal and signature drinks alongside a serving of hospitality and community. If you happen to have more time in your day or don’t see something that piques your interest in this itinerary, consider coming back here for one of their classes, community bike rides, coffee demos, or other community-focused events.

Navigate a new neighborhood

For the first half of the afternoon, pick a Salt Lake City neighborhood and explore! Pop into local shops for a new outfit, gifts for friends back home, or decor for your SLC rental home, grab another coffee (we don’t judge), and really get a sense of the unique character each neighborhood offers.

According to Steven Vargo of Vargo Photography, “Locals know 900 South is where it’s at.” He suggests a walk or bike ride (easy to rent) along the newly paved bike paths to explore all this long street has to offer. His favorites include The Pearl, Water Witch, and Central 9th Market for food or drink, The Stockist, Acre, and Essential Photo Supply for shopping, and Liberty Park, The Whale Art Installation Roundabout, Tracy Aviary, and 9th West Peace Gardens for things to see.

If you’re looking to explore a more “hippie” area with that Salt Lake artisan flair, look no further than the Sugar House District. This area has incredible local art galleries, bookstores, and boutiques to explore – all of which have that diverse and eclectic feel. For a break in between stores or after a little shopping extravaganza, stopping at Sugar House Park is a must. This park features several acres of luscious hills, trees, a picturesque lake, and a gorgeous view of the Wasatch Mountains making it the perfect afternoon spot.

Located in Downtown Salt Lake City, the Historic Trolley Square is a great way to spend the afternoon. Originally the home of the Utah Light and Rail Company’s trolley cars, this area now features several stores while also maintaining the beautiful architecture, nostalgic ambiance, and preserved history of the area. While we of course recommend strolling in and out of local boutiques, we can’t suggest paying a visit to the Trolley History Museum or taking a tour of the Trolley Square Tower enough.

Take a drink detour

After hours of exploring, it’s time to stop for a break and recharge (yourself and your cell phone). Although there are several sweet little treats and sweet little spots to choose from, try one of the options below!

Sweet sodas

Utah is known for its soda shops, so stopping for a fizzy drink is a must. Thirst Drinks is a SLC staple and has been in the community for over eight years. Located in the heart of Downtown Salt Lake City, this shop not only has mixed sodas, but also some tasty bites like fresh baked soft pretzels, beignets, and popcorn (which is free)!

In the walkable Harvard/Yale neighborhood, Crema Coffee & Soda is a hub for residents. This spot serves up infamous Utah dirty sodas alongside locally roasted coffees, espressos, and a variety of treats. “With its cozy outdoor patio and convenient drive-thru, Crema has a combination of offerings that is sure to delight,” says Crema’s John.

If you’re looking for even more of a grab-and-go option, you can pick up SodaBeers at all local grocery stores and head to a park to decompress and recharge for the next activity. These alcohol-free craft sodas are a local favorite that offer a “taste of tradition and community spirit in every sip,” says CEO ​Ashley Simmons. She especially recommends their award-winning apple flavor to enjoy on your perfect day.

Best (alcoholic) bevies

If you’re more in the mood for an alcoholic beer or cocktail, we have a couple great spots to head to – as long as you’re over 21. These spots are uber fun and the perfect way to enjoy your day the adult way.

Our first recommendation is none other than Kiitos Brewing in Downtown Salt Lake City. Blogger Georgina D’Angelo of Alpacka My Bags notes that Kiitos Brewing is the perfect place to wind down: “with a wide selection of beers brewed in-house and friendly staff, Kiitos offers a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.” This spot also has a variety of pinball machines to enjoy alongside your brew.

If you’re craving something a little more upscale or want to bar-hop, we suggest stopping by UnderCurrent Bar. Also just a couple blocks outside Downtown Salt Lake City, UnderCurrent is a casual bar with an original and classic cocktail program. “We feature seasonal craft cocktails, a unique spirit collection, oysters, and other small bites,” says general manager Lyssa Story. We especially recommend checking out their Farmers Market Series for drinks and dishes made with local ingredients, but be warned, you may not be able to get your new favorite cocktail again since this menu rotates weekly.

Enjoy the local art scene

In our eyes, the perfect day includes a little bit of art. After all, art is such a great way to immerse yourself in a city’s culture. Whether it’s taking a class to learn a new craft or catching a show to get a feel of the local music scene, taking a moment for art is a great way to start winding down the day.

Create at a community art class

With several different art options to choose from, The Art Cottage is the perfect way to spend part of your day. Located at the Gardner Village Shopping Center in West Jordan, this charming art studio “provide(s) art classes for all ages, fun paint parties, and delicious gelato to enjoy,” says owner Kayley Miller. They offer a variety of classes like watercolor, acrylic, and clay alongside unique and affordable art, art-related gifts, and art kits if you want to take some of that art magic back home with you.

Located in the Rose Park neighborhood, the Clever Cucumber is Salt Lake City’s free community art studio. Available to all, they invite you to “come work on any creative project in the company of new friends during Open Studio, or try one of their classes like stained glass or printmaking,” says director and teaching artist Kate Jarman Gates. If a class isn’t your speed for the day, they have a “free makerspace full of unique equipment and supplies, and a professional artist always on hand to help,” making it the perfect place to let your creativity run free.

See a stunning show

For all you music lovers, the Sandy Amphitheater is THE place in SLC for a concert experience. This venue “offers a wide variety of concerts and events not found anywhere else in Utah – from large national tours and music icons, to local music artists, to free community events,” says Elyse George, head of marketing and development. This venue is not only an award-winning outdoor amphitheater, but also has stunning views of the “Wasatch Mountains to the east and…sunset over the Salt Lake Valley to the west.” Whether you’re into rock or indie, you’re sure to enjoy the show as there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.

Dine out and about

We assume the day’s activities have worked up quite the appetite, so our last stop is supper. We’ve compiled six great dining options below, but feel free to pick two and go to one earlier for lunch instead – after all, it’s your perfect Salt Lake City day.

Our first restaurant recommendation comes from SLC Bookkeeping, a Salt Lake City bookkeeping service. Marketing director Austin Walker raves about Red Iguana on North Temple, especially for large dinners: “Their food is incredible. We purchase mole by the bucket. Even if there is a wait, so what? It’s absolutely worth it every. Single. Time.” Voted the best Mexican restaurant in SLC 25 years in a row, this spot not only serves the especially coveted mole, but also authentic Mexican food and killer cocktails.

If you’re more in the mood for Italian, Caffé Molise in Downtown Salt Lake City is truly one of the best. Great for both lunch and dinner, this place offers “fresh Italian cuisine inspired by the Molise region of Italy since 1993,” according to Caffé Molise management’s Carol. This full service restaurant focuses on regional specialties and uses local ingredients. Whether you’re at a table in the dining room or on the garden patio, we especially recommend hitting up this place on a Friday evening for their live jazz with the John Flanders Trio. You really can’t go wrong with a great Italian dish, a glass of wine (if you’re drinking), and some smooth jazz.

The SLC Eatery located in Downtown Salt Lake City has a rotating menu full of flavor. This small local restaurant creates contemporary comfort food like ricotta dumplings, french onion croquettes, and yuzu curd cake to name a few. If you can’t make it for dinner, they also offer brunch with favorites such as their Utah scone, kimchi rice bowl, and tres leches french toast. With their tasty menu, you’re sure to find something you love– and maybe are willing to share with your dinner/brunch partners.

Wherever your day leads you, Taqueria 27 has your Mexican cravings covered with five locations across the Wasatch front. This joint makes a point to use fresh ingredients with their cooks preparing meals fresh to order. We especially recommend checking out their taco bar and peeping at their taco, guacamole, cocktail, and dessert of the day.

Located in the 9th and 9th neighborhood, Pago has been serving seasonal New American Cuisine since 2009. Their innovative farm-to-table cuisine and world-class wine program has earned them several local and national titles like Best Wine Restaurants in the Country (from Wine Enthusiast) and Best Restaurant in Utah (from SL Magazine). This place celebrates small production, local ingredients, and sustainability which can be seen through every incredible dish.

Our last dinner recommendation is none other than Zest Kitchen & Bar located in Downtown Salt Lake City. We especially suggest this place if you subscribe to the vegan lifestyle since they offer healthy plant-based fare made with fresh locally sourced ingredients. If you’re dining alfresco in their outdoor space, owner Rahul Vaidya assures that your thirst will be quenched with their array of freshly squeezed juices or craft cocktails. He also suggests “treat[ing] yourself to our decadent dairy-free desserts,” like strawberry bundt cake or chocolate raspberry tart to finish your meal on a sweet note.

Wrapping up the best things to do in Salt Lake City

We hope you enjoyed our recommendations and found some things to do in Salt Lake City, Utah. Whether you’ve purchased a new trinket in 900 South, got a sugar rush from a soda, learned a new art skill, or have some dinner leftovers for later, our aim is that your main takeaway was some unforgettable memories. So, if you’ve lived in SLC for ages, just moved, want to (we’d love to help), or were just visiting, we’re happy to have played a role in your perfect Salt Lake City day.