An afternoon in Salt Lake City
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Update: One of the main benefits of living in or visiting this city is its’ proximity to so many amazing national parks. We didn’t have much time on our first visit to see anything outside of the city but really the national parks in Utah are number 1. I can’t say enough good things about Zion National Park. The scenery here is just out-of-this-world and there are so many ways to explore. I recommend a hike along the Emerald Pools trail (you get to see 3 stunning waterfalls!), a bike ride along the Pa’Rus, and a drive along the Zion Canyon Scenic drive for non-hikers.
This Saturday, we took a day trip to Salt Lake City from Idaho Falls, a small city in southern Idaho where we are currently living. The best part about living in Idaho Falls for the past year has been the easy access to so many other great places, from national parks, to world-class cities like Salt Lake.
The drive to get here was long and boring consisting of 3 hours of barren desert scenery, although when we finally arrived, we agreed that SLC is a gorgeous place. The mountains surrounding the city are spectacular. I don’t think I have ever been so impressed driving into a city. As we normally plan vacations around outdoor based activities, we decided to do something a bit different this time, focusing on spa and cultural attractions.
Relaxing & detoxing at the Seasons Spa
First, we stopped at a spa called Seasons Salon and Day Spa in Orem to use the infrared sauna. I highly recommend using an infrared sauna because they offer more health benefits than a traditional sauna as the rays penetrate deeply into your muscles. As an added bonus, you can stay in an infrared sauna longer because of the lower temperatures.
A traditional sauna heats the air around you, while the infrared sauna uses infrared heaters to emit radiant heat which is absorbed by the body. Some of the benefits of infrared saunas are: detoxification, lower blood pressure, improved circulation, relaxation and more. We first got into using infrared saunas a few years back when we lived in the L.A. area (they were quite popular there and we received a free promo).
Most sessions in an infrared sauna are pretty costly. However, this spa offers great prices! One session costs $10 per person (Update – now $15), which is one of the cheaper prices I have come across. Each sauna is big enough for 2 people and features relaxation music with speakers inside. Make sure to bring a lot of water as you will really sweat (electrolyte mixes are also good for restoring lost minerals). They also offer a free infrared sauna session with a massage. I may have to try that next time!
Update: Please check the spa website for updted pricing and seasonal specials.
A healthy lunch
We stopped at Sweet Tomatoes in Midvale for lunch. This is a great salad buffet restaurant with one of the biggest salad bars around. They have every topping imaginable. In addition, they have about 8 homemade soups per day, which vary based on the theme of the month.
Also available is a baked potato bar, muffins, breads, a few various sides, and a small dessert bar. I love this restaurant – it’s the perfect choice when you are simply seeking a quick, affordable, and healthy place to eat, thus making it my choice when I am busy running around.
Update: This amazing restaurant is now closed, however Jason’s Deli is a great alternative. They also offer a huge salad bar, plus amazing soups and sandwiches.
A shopping adventure
Next, we stopped at Fashion Place Mall in Murray. This was a decent mall with a wide selection of stores. They just opened a Teavana store, one of my favorites. We got to try plenty of tea samples!
Next, we took an hour trip to Gardner Village, which is a historic shopping village in West Jordan with all sorts of locally owned specialty businesses. The stores are diverse and include everything from a model train shop, to a yarn shop, to a specialty bookshop. There is a combined magic show/restaurant called the Prestige.
It felt very festive all decorated in a Halloween theme. Many people were walking around in Halloween costumes that day adding to the holiday atmosphere. It was fun to browse through all the different shops, many which sold holiday decorations. As someone who loves everything fall and Halloween, I really enjoyed strolling around this village.
Update: I really love walking around these pedestrian friendly villages and popping in and out of the local shops. Another one I’ve visited in recent years is Old Mistick Village in Connecticut. It’s such a throwback to the past to enjoy all the local boutique shops and cafes in our modern age of chains and strip malls.
I recommend checking it out. And if you are a Halloween buff who also likes the small village charm, it doesn’t get much better than Essex Street in Salem. I absolutely love visiting around spooky season. Check out my Salem travel guide for more details.
The Grand Theater
SLC is known for its’ strong art scene which includes many renowned galleries and theaters. We had tickets that night to see “The Wizard of Oz” at The Grand Theater at the Salt Lake City Community College. The theater was small, and thus, we scored great seats right in the front.
The play was better than I expected it to be for a community college production. Most of the actors were great singers and did a good job portraying the characters from the film. The best part was the adorable dog who played Toto, who was quite talented. You could tell that the actors had treats in their pocket which he kept trying to get. It was so funny and cute and really everyone in the audience was having a great time.
It was a long drive from Idaho, but worth it for the great scenery and multitude of activities! On our next trip, we will definitely be hitting some of the incredible trails surrounding the city!
