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Salt Lake City Solo Guide: Essential Info (2025)

Heading to Salt Lake City? This short, sharp guide skips the fluff—get the essentials for an epic trip (top hostels below)!

QUICK FACTS

  • Utah’s capital and its largest city, with 200,000 inhabitants.
  • Named after the Great Salt Lake, which stretches out 17 miles west of the city.
  • Encompasses roughly 110 square miles.
  • Founded by mormon followers (including Brigham Young and Isaac Morley) in 1847.
  • Nicknames: SLC, Crossroads of The West, City of the Saints, “Silicon Slopes” due to its growing tech industry.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

  • Currency: U.S. Dollar (USD)
  • Spoken languages: English.
  • Best time to visit: from September to November for the best weather. Summers are too hot, spring sees a lot of rain.
  • Despite winter snow, temperatures are generally warmer than at most ski destinations, making it pleasant year-round.
  • Wasatch Mountains offer world-class skiing at nearby resorts like Snowbird and Alta.
  • Great festivals to catch:
    – nearby Park City hosts the world-famous Sundance Film Festival every January.
    – The Utah Arts Festival (typically held in June) is a great way to interact with local artists.
  • Arriving via airport: the Salt Lake City International Airport is just 20 minutes west of the city center by bus, taxi or light rail.
    – The bus ($2.50) ends early evenings, while light rail service TRAX ($2.50) ends around 11:30pm.
    – Taxis going downtown start at $15.

WHERE TO STAY

  • Best hostel for solo travelers in Salt Lake City: Park City Hostel.
    – Comfortable and clean beds, lots of space, and plenty of social activities to meet others.
    – Right on the bus route with easy access to Park City or Canyons.
  • Five-star hotels and bed and breakfasts can be found along Main Street and Temple Street, while a handful of hostels dot Central City.

GETTING AROUND

  • Many downtown attractions (Capitol Building, Temple Square, City Creek Center) are within easy walking distance.
  • Buses are free in the downtown free fare zone, while rides out to the suburbs or ski resorts in Cottonwood Canyons will cost you $2.25.
  • The light rail TRAX system has four lines that weave in and out of the suburbs for $2.25, but is free in the downtown area.
  • Salt Lake City has an extensive network of bike lanes and trails with bike-sharing services available.
  • Salt Lake City is an easy city to drive in, as the grid system is small, spacious and efficient. You may want to rent a car to get the best out of the city.

SALT LAKE CITY NIGHTLIFE

  • Drinking age is 21, and last call is at 2 AM.
  • As the home of the Mormon Church’s headquarters, Utah’s drinking laws are famously restrictive, but loosened up after 2009. As a result, there are lots of new bars and restaurants opening in the city.
  • Liquor licenses are difficult to obtain so there aren’t too many bars in town; many have to operate as restaurants that serve drinks too, however, the bars and bartenders must remain hidden; you must order food, show ID and order one drink at a time.
  • Note: all liquor stores are state-run and close on Sundays.
  • The bars in nearby Park City are a lot more relaxed.
  • Great bars in Salt Lake City to meet people: Under Current, Lake Effect, Templin Family Brewing, Craft by Proper, Paxton Pub, and Post Office Place.

UNIQUE LANDMARKS TO VISIT

  • Temple Square is a 10-acre complex of religious buildings, forming the symbolic heart of the Church of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Update: under renovation (limited access) until 2027.
  • Salt Lake City Public Library is one of the most architecturally-interesting libraries in the world, made up of five stories of curved glass facing a concrete wall.
  • Salt Lake City has numerous cultural tours related to its history. The Family History Library is one of the largest genealogical repositories in the world.
  • The Leonardo Museum focuses on the intersection of art, technology, and science..
  • The Natural History Museum of Utah offers insights into the rich geology and history of the state.
  • Utah State Capitol: offers tours and impressive valley views, especially at sunset.

INTERESTING WALKS

  • Gallivan Center is a public plaza in the heart of downtown SLC that’s been landscaped to perfection, signifying the progressive trend in design in the city.
  • Liberty Park is a scenic 80-acre urban park with a few trails and a little lake to traverse. Vegetation tends to stay green all year, lending the park a fairy tale-like feeling.
  • Ensign Peak is a quick hike that offers panoramic views of Salt Lake City.
  • Check out City Creek Canyon, accessible via paved pedestrian path from Memory Grove.
  • Stop for a break at Red Butte Garden (adjacent to University of Utah, extensive botanical collections).
  • Got a vehicle? Head to Little Cottonwood Canyon (scenic drive with mountain views, options for brunch at Alta Lodge).
  • Need a place to rest your legs and sip something delicious? Head to Three Pines Coffee, The Tea Grotto, or IndieGo Coffee.

WHERE TO EAT

  • Great restaurants in SLC that locals love:
    – Osteria Amore (Italian)
    – Jang Soo Jang (Korean)
    – Trolley Cottage Café
    –  Takashi (Japanese, sushi)
    – The Other Place Restaurant ($ – Greek)
    – Red Iguana (popular Mexican restaurant)
  • Vegan/vegetarian: Yumz Vegan Bakery,  Mumbai House (Indian, vegetarian-friendly).
  • Where to find good cheap eats: Cheap international restaurants can be found all over but the trucks at the Farmer’s Market in Pioneer Park (Saturdays) are the best.
  • Craving a delicious burger? Head to Crown Burgers and/or Lucky 13.
  • Fried chicken? Try Chick Queen.
  • For Asian food on a budget
    One More Noodle House (Chinese)
    Oh Mai Sandwich Kitchen (Vietnamese)
  • Local food tours (such as Savor Utah) allow travelers to explore different cuisines and meet others

LOCAL WISDOM

  • For real local wisdom, talk to a local! Residents of SLC are friendly and often eager to give you advice on how to make the most of your visit.
  • The East side of Salt Lake City is more conservative, affluent and Mormon than the west, where there’s more ethnic diversity and a thriving arts scene.
  • Check the schedule for free concerts at Gallivan Center during summer months.
  • Visiting in the winter? World-class skiing and snowboarding await in nearby resorts such as Snowbird or Park City Mountain Resort.
  • Dangerous areas: Salt Lake City has relatively low violent crime rates, but robberies do occur. Downtown is generally safe but exercise normal precautions after dark.
  • The Central and North West areas of the valley should be avoided, as well as some high-crime neighborhoods in South Salt Lake. Exercise caution when walking alone at night.

Recommended trip duration: 1-2 days


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