Salt Lake City

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Taking The Guess Work Out of Salt Lake City

A travel journal to Salt Lake City by Judy Andreson Best of IgoUgo

This on-going journal reports on what to do and where to stay, play and eat in Salt Lake City. Special entries on shopping will be the primary focus.

  • 18 reviews

Taking The Guess Work Out of Salt Lake CityBest of IgoUgo

Overview

If you love bargain shopping, this journal entry will amaze and delight. I will continually add new entries of places where I've shopped and can recommend. The journal will also include interesting events and attractions, great restaurants and places to stay.

Quick Tips:

With the upcoming Olympics taking place in Salt Lake City, the city is in a continual state of flux. Even so, it is still an enjoyable, vibrant city. Salt Lake is experiencing record temperature highs this summer (100+ degrees), so dress accordingly. Hats or umbrellas and sunscreen are a must if you plan to spend any time outdoors.

Best Way To Get Around:

It seems like all of Salt Lake City is under construction! Driving is still your best option because the city is so spread out. I'll try to include updates on road construction where ever possible so you can avoid the hassles.

Wyndham HotelBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Editor's Note: Since this review was written, the Wyndham has been changed to the Radisson Hotel Salt Lake City Downtown. You can contact the Radisson by calling 801-531-7500.

As with all the Wyndam Hotels, the one in Salt Lake City is first class all the way. This one has 381 rooms and is conveniently located right downtown. They have an indoor swimming pool, whirlpool, fitness facilities and room service. We really enjoyed our stay here, our room was spacious, spotless, and quiet. The staff was professional, friendly and really helpful. Parking in their private garage was an extra $6.00 per day.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on August 6, 2000

Wyndham Hotel
215 West South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84101

Homestead SLC-SugarhouseBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Homestead Village"

This is a really great place to stay if you're going to explore Salt Lake City for a few days. Each suite has a kitchenette complete with cooking facilities, dishes, pans, a sink, refrigerator, microwave, etc. It's really nice if you'd like to cook your own meals. There is a full service coin-op laundry room that has a honor grocery store. It's stocked with food items, laundry soap, toothbrushes and anything you might need for your travels. The place it brand spanking new so you'll love it.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on November 4, 2000

Homestead SLC-Sugarhouse
1220 EAST 2100 SOUTH Salt Lake City, Utah 84106
801-474-0771

Fairfield Inn by MarriottBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

Clean and comfortable, just what you''d expect from any Marriott property. The hotel is located a little north of Salt Lake City, but just a few minutes away from the downtown area.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

Fairfield Inn by Marriott
2437 South Wildcat Way Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 298-3900

Cafe PierpontBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

If you enjoy Mexican cuisine, you'll enjoy this festive place. It's located in a historic SLC building on Pierpont Ave. They serve lots of traditional Mexican favorites and fresh seafood specials with south-of-the-border favorites. All desserts are made in house. I tried the fresh veggie enchiladas and they were delicious. Great chips are served with three types of freshly made salsa. The inner decor is wild with color and three-tiered dining. Great news for kids! If your little ones can walk under the cactus they dine for free! The service is exceptional. Dining is available outside on the patio during the summer months. Lots of parking nearby on street or in a lot. They are open for dinner everyday, and for lunch Monday-Friday.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on January 5, 2001

Cafe Pierpont
122 West Pierpont Ave Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
+1 801 364 1222

Big City SoupBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is one the coolest casual restaurants I've ever dined in. The concept is simple, soup, soup and more soup! The restaurant is super clean, there are about a hundred choices of soup (well, maybe only a dozen or so) and you can sample your choice before you buy it. You get a big roll with a piece of cheese with your order and the price is right! The gazpacho was the best I've ever had!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

Big City Soup
235 South 400 West Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
+1 801 333 7687

Dee's Family RestaurantBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Dee's Family Resturant"

Here's a family-style restaurant sort of in the same mode of a Denny's. There are 11 of them in the Salt Lake City area. The food is good, cheap and the service is fast and courteous. I had a patty melt and it was delicious. Not a fancy place, but a down 'n dirty diner type place for a quick meal.
  • Member Rating 2 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

Dee's Family Restaurant
855 W. North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84116
(801) 359-3916

Frontier Pies Restaurant and BakeryBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

Here's another comfortable family-style restaurant (there are 4 of them in the Salt Lake City area). The restaurant is charming and decorated with antiques. The service is prompt and friendly. The menu is varied and the food is good, plentiful. Save room for pie, there are many to choose from!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

Frontier Pies Restaurant and Bakery
735 W. North Temple Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 521-4700

Cracker Barrel Old Country StoreBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

This is a franchise chain restaurant, I know they have them all over the country. I'd never been in one before so I thought I'd write it up. It is a nice cozy type of place decorated with antiques. The food is good simple fare, what you'd expect in a family style place. The country store is a nice diversion. I looked around while I was waiting for my meal.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
2283 City Cinter Ct. Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
(801) 977-8221

Schlotzsky's DeliBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

My mouth waters everytime I think of this place! They are a franchise- chain, but the food is wonderful! The sandwiches are hot and deli-style. Their "original" is three meats, three cheeses, mustard, marinated black olives, onion, lettuce and tomato on their own toasted sourdough bun. The buns are fantastic! I've had the turkey, chicken and vegetarian sandwhiches and some of the salads and they've all been yummy! The price is right, the food is always fresh and they give free refills on the drinks. Try their fresh lemonade, it's great! There are two of them in the Salt Lake area.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

Schlotzsky's Deli
36 S. State Street Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 596-7440

Wild Oats MarketBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Wild Oats Community Market"

Commonly known as a health food store, Wild Oats is that and so much more. They have a wonderful juice and java bar serving up the best coffee and smoothies you'd ever want. Choose from fresh juices, green power fusions and a menu of boosters. The organic coffee is wonderful alone or in a delicious coffee drink. Your mouth will be watering over the pastries, cakes, pies and myriad of other sweets. If it's more than a snack you're looking for, there is the deli where you can build your own salad and try one of several freshly-made soups.
They make hot and cold sandwiches grilled panini sandwiches and wraps. Create your own masterpiece by selecting from a large variety of meats, cheeses and toppings. Yum!
If that isn't enough to choose from there is pizza and a huge selection of other prepared foods, both hot and cold. Don't forget to do some shopping while you're there. The merchandise is very well displayed. It's a joy to shop and eat here!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on November 14, 2000

Wild Oats Market
645 East 400 South Salt Lake City, Utah 84102
+1 801 355 7401

Moriarty's Antiques & CuriositiesBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Moriarty's Antiques "

This mall, open just over a year, holds a variety of goods presented by over 50 antique dealers. It's a fun place, housed in a 10,000 sq. ft. old building. Merchandises ranges from architectural items, kitchen and tableware, furniture, kids toys, textiles, and everything in between. If you like stuff from the 1950s you'll have a good time here. Friendly and helpful staff! Plenty of free parking in the adjacent private lot. Open everyday, 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m Monday-Saturday, noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Phone: (801) 521-7207.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on August 1, 2000

Moriarty's Antiques & Curiosities
959 S West Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
(801) 521-7207

Treasures Antique MallBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Here's an antique mall stuffed with treasures from the 1920s to the 1970s. With over 50 dealers bringing in merchandise frequently, the variety and selection is constantly changing. You'll find everything from grandma's attic, kitchen, sitting room, basement and garage. They have shopping carts to give you a hand's free shopping experience, a rarity in the antique business. Open everyday except Sunday.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on August 1, 2000

Treasures Antique Mall
1940 W 3500 S Salt Lake City, Utah 84119
(801) 571-7690

Ec-lec-ticBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Eclectic is the perfect name for this fun little shop. It contains lots of items from the 1950s. The layout and displays make it really easy to view the merchandise. You'll find everything from chairs, couches, tables, lamps, glassware, textiles, pottery, jewelry and more. Getting there is a bit tricky because of road construction on Pierpont, but it's definitely worth it!
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on August 1, 2000

Ec-lec-tic
380 West Pierpont Avenue Salt Lake City, Utah
(801) 322-4804

ZCMI CenterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "ZCMI Center Mall"

Did you know that the very first department store in the United States was opened in Salt Lake City in 1868? That's right! ZCMI Center Mall (Zions Cooperative Mercantile Institution), located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, is one of the largest shopping malls in the country. You'll find department stores, specialty shops, food courts, restaurants, beauty salons, movie theaters and a whole bunch more. Open M-F 10:00 AM-9:00 PM; Saturday 10:00 AM -7:00 PM; Closed on Sunday.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on August 8, 2000

ZCMI Center
36 South State St Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
+1 801 321 8745

FamilySearch CenterBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Family Search Center"

This place is really cool! It contains computerized genealogical records for hundreds of millions of deceased people. There are 180 computers you can use free of charge to look up information about your ancestors. Once you find the information you can print it out or save it on a floppy. There are staff members to help.
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on August 8, 2000

FamilySearch Center
15 East South Temple Salt Lake City, Utah 84150
+1 801 240 4085

Deseret Industries Downtown StoreBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Deseret Industries"

There are 10 of these thrift shops run by the Mormons in the Salt Lake City area. You'll find some of the best thrift shopping in country here! I'm not kidding, I've never seen such huge stores with so much merchandise. The prices are fair, the stores are well organized and it is such fun to hunt for treasures. You'll find everything from designer clothing to antiques to housewares. I love these stores and I'm tempted to tell you they are the pits, just so I can keep the secret to myself!
  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

Deseret Industries Downtown Store
131 E 700 S Salt Lake City, Utah 84111
(801) 532-6201

The Great SaltairBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

I'm not sure what to call this place, besides an attraction. It touts itself as one of the most popular places to visit in Utah. The famous Saltair pavillion was completed in 1893 and was a place for early pioneer settlers to relax and bathe in the lake. It burned down at one point and was rebuilt. Today it includes an arcade, pool tables, a food court, museum, Saltair history video, gift shop and beach.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by Judy Andreson on February 20, 2001

The Great Saltair
Exit 104 on I-80 Salt Lake City, Utah

About the Writer

Judy Andreson
Judy Andreson
Elko, Nevada
  • "Experienced travel writer with more than 200 published articles on travel in the U.S. and Europe."
  • 26 journals
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  • 122 reviews

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