Founded by Mormon leader Brigham Young and home to the second largest saltwater lake in the world, Salt Lake City is fast becoming a hopping urban center and vital tourist destination.

As the site of the 2002 Winter Olympics and with a consistent ever-increasing county population (800,000+), SLC is disarmingly easygoing and surprisingly intimate. This abundantly-rich-in-recreation hotspot is well worth a stopover for a couple days when switching gears is in order. Besides the world-class skiing, which is kind of a given when you think of Salt Lake City, the area boasts amenities ranging from great family attractions, spectacular scenery, shopping among the best in the world, and exciting nightlife and cultural happenings. Style has the top 10 sights to see when you find yourself in the capital city of Utah. In alphabetical order…

1. Clark Planetarium. Find nothing but amazement when you explore the Planetarium. Check out scale models of the Ares I Crew Launch and Ares V Cargo Launch vehicles at the ATK: Project Constellation exhibit. clarkplanetarium.org.

2. Discovery Gateway. With exhibits and hands-on demonstrations, DG is the premier children’s museum in the state of Utah, conveniently located inside the Gateway retail center offering a great escape from the cold of winter and the dry heat of summer. discoverygateway.org.

3. Energy Solutions Arena. Great entertainment of all kinds can be found at Energy Solutions Arena. Catch fast-paced basketball action courtesy of the NBA Utah Jazz. Thrill to your favorite singers and bands in concert. Plus, you’ll enjoy rodeos, ice shows, family shows, and motor sports. energysolutionsarena.com.

4. Gallivan Center. The Center features unique art, an amphitheater, an ice rink and pond, an aviary and more. Also, enjoy special events, including fairs, parades and holiday celebrations. thegallivancenter.com

5. Museum of Fine Arts. Delight in a wonderful display of work at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. The museum’s permanent collection is comprised of more than 17,000 pieces from such diverse cultures as African, Oceanic and the New World, Asian, the Ancient and Classical World, European, and American. For more information, visit umfa.utah.edu/.

6. Powder Mountain. Best known for its gold -medal terrain and excellent “powder” snow, this resort is one of the most booked in all of Utah. Enjoy live music, bonfires, and friendly competitions at the Night Jams held the first Thursday of the month from 5-8 p.m. Powdermountain.com.

7. Red Butte Garden. Connected with the University of Utah, Red Butte Garden is blooming with more than 100 acres of display and natural gardens, walking paths and hiking trails. redbuttegarden.org.

8. Temple Square. In downtown Salt Lake City, enjoy the stunning Salt Lake Temple and the Tabernacle, home of the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Tabernacle organ. visittemplesquare.com.

9. The Great Saltair. Built in 1893 by the Mormon Church, the historic Saltair Resort has had quite a history of being destroyed and then rebuilt. This private club has reinvented itself and has in recent years featured big names such as Dave Matthews and the Black Crowes. thesaltair.com.

10. Utah Olympic Oval. The Utah Olympic Oval was built specifically for the 2002 Salt Lake Olympic Winter Games speed skating competitions. Open for public ice skating, the Oval also features recreational gyms, weight facilities, and swimming pools. olyparks.com/uoo/index.asp.

POSTCARD FROM SALT LAKE CITY:

By Ali Adam

Stay

Salt Lake Plaza Hotel
801-521-0130
Plaza-hotel.com
 
Hotel Monaco
801-595-0000
monaco-saltlakecity.com

Armstrong Mansion
801-531-1333
armstrongmansion.com

Play

Pioneer Theater
801-581-6961
pioneertheatre.org

Gateway Shopping Center
801-456-2000
shopthegateway.com

Skiing

At Park City Mountain Resort
435-649-8111
parkcitymountain.com/winter

At Deer Valley Resort
435-649-1000
deervalley.com

At The Canyons Ski Resort
435-649-5400
thecanyons.com

Eat

Lamb’s Grill Café
lambsgrill.com
801-364-7166

Bambara
801-363-5454
bambara-slc.com

Red Iguana
801-214-6350
rediguana.com