Located at the foot of the rocky Wasatch Mountains and stretching to the south shoreline of the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City boasts some of the country’s best scenery. The crossing point between city and nature attracts residents and visitors alike to the Salt Lake Valley. There are not many other places that offer urban conveniences and, within 20 minutes, hiking on mountain trails or relaxing by a rushing stream.
Despite its growth, Salt Lake City maintains its small-town ambience. It is enjoyable rather than exciting, relaxed and friendly rather than lively, although plenty of activities are on hand. Shopping centres, brew pubs and ethnic restaurants combine to lend an ever more cosmopolitan feel. Interesting museums and cultural attractions are plentiful, but outdoor recreation is probably a greater draw for visitors and locals alike.
Home to one of Utah’s most comprehensive selections of hotels, Salt Lake City offers numerous accommodation options. Chains such as Best Western cater for those who choose to rely on accommodation with an international reputation. If you are on a more modest budget, the Quality Inn offers good accommodations for reasonable rates.
Salt Lake City was founded on 24 July 1847 by a group of Mormon pioneers searching for a place to freely practice their faith. Led by Brigham Young, they were the first non-Indians to permanently settle in the Salt Lake Valley. The original group amounted to 148, consisting of 143 men, three women, and two children.
The pioneers faced a great deal of hardship as they established their community. In 1848 a late frost, drought and a plague of crickets almost destroyed the settlers’ harvest. Flocks of seagulls ate the crickets and enough of the crop was saved letting the settlers survive the winter of 1848-49. In thankfulness, the seagull was later chosen as Utah’s state bird.
The University of Utah was founded in 1850. The California gold rush of 1849-50 also led many settlers to the region who, after a harsh journey through the unforgiving Rocky Mountains, didn’t want to cross the desert to get all the way to California. Construction on Temple Square began in 1853, with granite blocks individually hauled by ox and wagon from Little Cottonwood Canyon to the building site.
The 1890s brought much change. The Mormon Church officially stopped the practice of polygamy. In 1896, Utah became the 45th state and the third in the country to give women the vote. Salt Lake City became the state capital. The modern character of Salt Lake City began to evolve in the early 1900s and many other historic buildings were constructed during this period.
Copper, silver, gold, coal and lead mines were established all over the state with many of the city’s most elegant mansions being built by those early mining tycoons testifying to this affluent time in the state’s history.
Salt Lake City enjoys warm, dry and sunny summers and cold winters with good snow conditions. Springtime is warm, though the weather can be changeable, with unexpected showers occurring.
Summer is from June through August, with the hottest months being July and August, when daytime temperatures can soar to over 30°C, followed by cool nights. Summer thunderstorms are not uncommon, bringing wet weather and sporadic downpours.
Autumn starts in September and lasts until November, bringing unsettled weather. The wet weather doesn’t last very long and this is generally a pleasant season with warm, sunny days and cool nights.
Winter is from November through to early March and the coldest months are December and January, seeing daytime temperatures drop to around 2°C. Night temperatures are a lot colder and snow falls from December onwards with heavy snowfalls in the mountains, but much less in the city.
