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City Cast Salt Lake

As the weather cools down, it’s a great time to head to southern Utah. But do you want to experience the magic of the “Mighty Five” without all the fees, crowds, and chaos? City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta shares her guide to the best places to get 

“The next time you're planning a weekend getaway, think about 

 instead of Zion. And if I could offer another tip here, getting [there] you actually get to stop at some of my favorite places in Utah. One of them is the 

 in Hurricane. They are growing pistachios down there because the climate of southwestern Utah is very similar to the climate in Iran or Iraq where pistachios originate. The pistachios that grow at the Red Rock Pistachio farm are very sweet and bright green. And as it happens, fall is harvesting season.”

“In Cedar City, which you will also drive through on your way to Snow Canyon, there’s a pastry shop that looks like a shed. You can buy the most beautiful little tarts and other pastry delights from a French chef there. It's in this parking lot right next to 

. And if the chef isn't inside, you ring the bell and he just runs out from a nearby building.”

“If you have kids and they don't want to be doing big hikes and treks, no problem. You can pack the car and drive from Boulder to Escalante over this stretch of road called the Hogsback, that gets so narrow and fully drops off on either side of Scenic Byway 12. Everyone in the car will be screaming.

 in the off-season and get a discounted rate. They have rooms that accommodate pets, which is awesome if you're bringing the dog. A lot of the areas around here are dog-friendly [which the national parks aren’t]. If you don't want to see a soul, you can hike 

 to the top of the waterfall, where there's a swimming hole and gorgeous red rocks. While you're there, 

, which the town is named after, is also right there. And it's alpine, like you can also be in big, beautiful, deep green trees, hiking around.”

“There is a place I love to take people that visit from out of town, which is the 

. [It’s] free to drive up there. It's going to be a bit of a physical activity because walking in sand dunes, as you can imagine, asks a lot of all the muscles in your legs. But these sand dunes are actually pink! And you can take your friends there and have a full 'Dune' photo shoot. They're also slidable, so you can climb up to the top of one and send your body fully down the sand dune. I mean, come on, that's so cool.”

Listen to the podcast for more recs 🎧

The Best Places To Visit Near the National Parks

Neighborhood Guides

 and adorn your house with skulls and decorative gourds. Leaf peeping is grand (and we’ll get to that later this week), but today we have alternative fall activities that will satisfy any Salt Laker, whether you’re more pumpkin spice or goth chic.

 at Holdman Studios in Lehi. Each pumpkin is $65 and participants must be 15 years or older.

, but they are good for the soul. Craft your own candles with cozy autumnal scents. 

 pumpkin train in October for a scenic view of Heber Valley. Tickets are $10-$15 and include a pumpkin cookie and a pumpkin from their pumpkin patch.

Located at the Utah Motorsports Campus in Grantsville (near Tooele) is the 

. It’s like Oktoberfest and Halloween combined. It will take place over four weekends in October, featuring zombie paintball, local craft brews and a haunted drive-in movie theater.

Check out the local haunts (😱) in Ogden with a 

 in southern Utah. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

 in Santaquin. You can go apple picking and then get apple cider slushies (hot tip: add caramel ice cream) and apple cider donuts. If you bring kids they will experience a sugar high, so let them run around the orchard and tire out.

Send me an email

Fall Activities for Every Type of Salt Laker

Salt Lake's Best

I joined lead producer Emily Means and producer Ivana Martinez on the City Cast Salt Lake podcast to talk about the best ways to 

. Turns out, it’s all about slowing down, doing the things you love, and connecting with people (or cats) in your community.

My most romanticized Salt Lake City day is very food-centric. Ideally, I'm going to a specialty grocery store. A few weekends ago, I went to a pop-up hosted by a variety of local food vendors. That, to me, is ideal! Getting a little treat and then following it up with a hot girl city walk. I feel most romantic when I'm by myself strutting my stuff in downtown SLC among the tall buildings like Mary Tyler Moore.

Ivana Martinez on skating in the park: “My friend was like, let's go roller skating, let’s go to Liberty Park. And you could smell the rain in the air, and nobody's at the park, and it's twilight. We both lace up our skates and we're going around the park with our headphones in and it's a beautiful moment.”

Emily Means on the perfect SLC day: “My husband and I rode our bikes down the 300 S. protected bike lanes to 

 at Pioneer Park. And once we get [there], the most Salt Lake thing happens to me, which is I run into someone I know and strike up a conversation immediately. Then I bought some Utah peaches and got to talk with a farmer from Brigham City. Then, I sipped a latte from 

, where I also ate a hot pastrami sandwich, and just stared lovingly into my husband's eyes and said, ‘This is the most beautiful, perfect day I've ever had.’”

Ivana Martinez on Small Lake City: “I love this city and for me, one way that I get to really enjoy  it is by running into people that I know. For example, getting to know the family who runs my favorite breakfast spot in the Avenues, and getting my breakfast burrito, and then saying hi to the cashier who knows my name.”

Emily Means on petting your neighborhood cats and riding the train:  “I have two recommendations, they are also not for everyone, but maybe you'll find joy in this — pet your neighborhood cats. I used to walk around Liberty Wells just petting cats, block by block. There are so many there. So I love talking with them. I don't know, it just brings me a lot of joy. I also love riding the train. It’s a little slice of life in Salt Lake City, and people are talking with each other or they're trying not to talk to other people. And I'm just sitting there happy as a clam watching it all go down.”

How do you romanticize your Salt Lake City life?

The Best Ways to Romanticize Your Salt Lake Life

Looking to make new friends? A great way to meet people is through volunteer work. Here are a few ways to give back to your community.

. A portion of the harvest goes to their hunger relief programs. There are opportunities to volunteer from September to mid-October, morning or evening shifts. Benefits include getting to take home fruit each shift (score). Enter the access code GULB 

OK, we’re not talking the animal here. We’re talking goathead stickers (or puncturevine). These pesky weeds have sharp spines that can injure humans and animals. 

 on the Jordan River Trail in West Valley (1055 W. 2320 S.) on Sept. 23 from 9 a.m.-noon.

The Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake is seeking donations for their 

. Drop off through Sept. 22 from 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. at 120 W. 1300 S. Items needed include coats, sleeping bags, underwear, and hygiene products.

Meet Friends in Salt Lake Through Volunteer Work

Make Friends in Salt Lake Through Volunteer Work

Help Your Neighbors

If you’re headed to the homecoming football game at the 

 this weekend, take the TRAX! Not only does it save you the headache of finding parking, but your event ticket gets you 

. Here’s how to spend a day in Salt Lake City along the TRAX red line.

The Rice-Eccles Stadium has a clear bag policy, only see-through bags 12”x18” are allowed. They also have an expedited line for people with no bags.

Only one factory-sealed water bottle is allowed per person. No other outside food or drink is permitted.

Grab a slice from Snowmobile Pizza. This place will make you feel like a kid again if you grew up in the ‘80s. The table numbers have iconic characters like Garfield and the Goonies.

There’s nothing that says football like a slice and a cider (or at least that’s what I’ve heard). After Snowmobile, head across the street to Scion Cider for a pint of their ever-changing lineup of draft ciders.

Take in the beautiful architecture of the Salt Lake City Library. Check out a book or two, 

 (anyone know the stadium's ukulele policy?). 

Stop for a treat at Doki Doki, a Japanese dessert cafe. They have crepe cakes, cream puffs, and taiyaki (fish-shaped) waffles in yummy flavors like ube, passion fruit, and sakura (cherry blossom).

A hidden gem that offers large family-style portions. Try their marinated beef, hot & sour soup, and Thai iced tea. They have plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, too.

A University of Utah classic, hit up B&D Burger for a good ol’ burger and shake.

Get To Know the TRAX Red Line

This week’s roundup of food news includes a seasonal cocktail contest and new locations.

Salt Lake Magazine is holding a farm-to-glass cocktail contest with 20 local bartenders. Each person crafted a seasonal concoction using seasonal ingredients. 

 in a day. Which is best? [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

Some things have changed in Sugar House. Fiddler’s Elbow has moved next door to the former site of Salt Lake Pizza and Pasta. They have new owners, staff, and an elevated menu. Where the Fiddler’s Elbow used to be is now The Locker Room, Salt Lake City’s only gay sports bar.

to cars (between 400 S. and South Temple) for

 also opened a new location on Main, replacing the old Ramen Bar.

Salt Lake Magazine's Farm-to-Glass Cocktail Contest

Food & Drink

Whether you’re an avid birder or a casual nature enthusiast, the fall migration season provides a unique opportunity to see a wide range of birds in northern Utah. In fact, 

 stop by the Great Salt Lake on their journey to warmer temps. On Sunday night alone, an estimated 92,000 birds 

. Here are some of the species you can see this season.

Sandhill cranes are known for their complex mating dance. Also, the red on the 

 The Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is hosting a 

 on Oct. 7 in Jensen, three hours east of Salt Lake.

Roughly 85% of the population of Eared grebes in North America 

 in the fall to feed on brine shrimp. You can identify them by their distinctive, bright red eyes. They migrate largely at night and can be viewed flying in large flocks on weather radar.

Their bills are long, thin, and curved upwards. They feed by standing in shallow waters and swinging their bills back and forth to catch 

Several songbirds that breed in Canada and winter in Central America, 

, will make a pit stop in Utah. Although they’re diurnal (most active during the day), they usually migrate at night.

Listen to the City Cast Salt Lake podcast for a beginner’s guide to birding in Salt Lake.

Tweet tweet

Birds to Watch in Northern Utah During Fall Migration

Urban Almanac

 in the country, and residents report more 

 than the national average. When you’re already struggling, it can be overwhelming to navigate how to seek help. Bookmark this article for a non-comprehensive list of important resources for mental health.

Connect with certified crisis counselors who provide support in suicide prevention and de-escalation. They also have a veterans and Spanish line.

Essentially, this is the local version of 988.

When calling for someone you know: 801-587-3000

Provides in-person support primarily for people within Salt Lake County.

Trained counselors provide confidential support to LGBTQ+ young people.

A service that provides crisis intervention through a live confidential chat. They’ll also send links to find support nearby. Call or download the app to chat.

Westminster University’s Community Clinic

Hours: Monday & Thursday 12:30-7 p.m., Tuesday & Wednesday 12:30-5 p.m.

Bookmark These Mental Health Resources

Salt Lake Life Hacks

The City Cast Salt Lake team ventured to the Utah State Fair to take in the sights and eat fried foods. This cherished annual event is going on through Sunday, Sept. 17. Here are just a few of the best things to see and do there.

 to buy tickets in advance and most importantly scope out all the food options. A star means they’re a fair food champion.

Every year, artists Debbie Brown and Matt McNaughtan use 600-800 pounds of butter to create a unique cow sculpture. It’s been a tradition at the fair since 1998. A large portion of the butter is recycled and reused for several years of sculptures.

We approached the food with a strategic game plan. We needed to cover the three main food groups — savory, sweet, and fried — and also try a couple of the

 items. We started out strong with a foot-long corndog, Navajo taco (a fair food savory winner), and a giant torta that contained boiled hotdogs 

 ham. Then we had a funnel cake, fried oreos (classic), and a 32-ounce lemonade in a baby bottle. Finally, we finished out strong with a bbq turkey leg and fresas con crema (a fair food sweet winner).

One of the best parts of the fair is feeling like a kid again. We couldn’t quite muster the carnival rides on our full stomachs, but we did go on the giant slide. I was reminded of my age when I felt dizzy from the height at the top, but then quickly forgot as I screamed all the way down. What a thrill!

The blue ribbon competitions range from textile arts to agriculture. The Joan of Arc quilt above took our breath away but there were so many incredible submissions. What we really wanted to know is, how do we sign up to be food judges?

There’s a reason why the fair brings hundreds of thousands of guests each year. It provides hours and hours of wholesome family fun. We talked to a group of people there to see the ‘80s Rock Invasion concert and we saw other families who wore matching outfits so they didn’t lose each other. So grab your loved ones, head to Fairpark, and make some memories.

Do you have a favorite Utah State Fair memory?

🎵 Memory 🎵

The Best of the Utah State Fair

 now through Sept. 17. Spend a day in the Fairpark neighborhood and you may even encounter a rafter of turkeys.

 serves amazing vegan Vietnamese food that even a meat eater would love. Try the “egg” rolls, lemongrass banh mi, and pho.

 is one of my favorite restaurants in Salt Lake City. Their specialty is birria, a rich and flavorful beef stew. You can’t go wrong with the birria tacos (get a side of consomé for dipping), and the birria ramen is a game-changer.

This is yet another attempt to get you all to 

. Rancho Market is a great place to peruse the aisles (may I suggest the candy section). Plus, they have tasty pastries, the produce section is fab, and you’ll find spices and chiles that are hard to find at other grocery stores (for much less $).

If you’re lucky (or unlucky, depending on how you look at it) you’ll run into the Fairpark/Rose Park turkeys, a family of wild turkeys that roam the neighborhood. Don’t mess with Rosie. She’s 

Take your pup to Cottonwood Dog Park. This spacious off-leash park has a water pump, so your four-legged friend can stay hydrated. Plus, a 💩 station with free bags.

If you want to grab a drink before or after the fair, head a teeny tiny bit outside of Fairpark and visit 

. The Garten Cider House & Bar is their outdoor patio space where they feature live music from local bands during the warmer months.

Get To Know Fairpark

This week’s roundup of food news includes new locations of Salt Lake staples and a Clearfield farmers market.

 is worth a trip up north. They are a family-owned farmers market in Clearfield. This week their produce selection includes golden raspberries, strawberry lemonade raspberries, yellow watermelon, and Elberta peaches. They also make incredible jarred products like mango lime salsa, bacon bourbon BBQ sauce, jalapeno honey mustard, pear preserves, and farmhouse pickles.

 in Salt Lake City, known for yummy donuts, confections, and drinks — is 

 in Utah County. The passionfruit cream donut and ube matcha latte are my go-to’s.

, which started as a food truck, has opened their 

 in North Salt Lake. Try their street corn, veggie tacos, and sopapillas.

A Family-Owned Farmers Market in Clearfield

Tattoos are more than skin deep in the Pacific Islands. Although they may go by different names — in Hawaii it’s “kākau,” in New Zealand it’s “tā moko,” and in Samoa it’s “tatau” — the Pasifika tradition of tattooing is deeply rooted in ancestral connections, spirituality, identity, and culture.

On the City Cast Salt Lake podcast, lead producer Emily Means spoke with Verona Mauga, co-founder of the Pacific Islander advocacy organization 

, about this tradition and its revival, as well as 

“The word ‘malu’ actually means to shelter and protect. And so that is what the tatau is called that the women wear. It comes from our upper thigh, just right down below our knee, and then to the back of our calves. It's a reminder to us [in] everything that we do there's meaning and purpose behind it. It's something sacred that we wear daily, it's tattooed onto our bodies, but it's also a connection to our ancestors. My great-grandmother had her malu, and my aunties have their malu. I've always admired the women who had the courage to go under the au [tattooing tool].”

“Three summers ago, my sisters and I went through our own special tatau journey and it's something we grew up always wanting. It meant more than a regular tattoo. It was something that was a reminder of our culture, our heritage, how we serve others, how we serve our family. It was a very special journey that we prepared for and were fortunate enough to experience it with each other. My sisters are actually the other founders of Le Malu, which we created after we received our malu.

“It's all done traditionally. We're not sitting on a massage table or even in a chair, we're laying on a floor on mats, just how you would do it back in the islands. And it's done the traditional way with the au, which is the tool that's used, and so they're hand tapping it. You're surrounded by your family members, people bring pictures of family members who have passed on, and so it's a very inviting space for connection.”

How did you feel while taking part in this tradition?

“It was one of the most spiritual experiences I've ever experienced, to be surrounded by your loved ones and to be laying there on the floor. You're also very vulnerable because it's on a part of your body that you may not always show to others … and you have needles being tapped into your body. But at the same time, you open your eyes and you see that you're surrounded by your loved ones, and when your eyes are closed you feel it.”

” exhibit at the Utah Museum of Fine Arts. It’s open now through December. Plus, this 

An Interview on Tatau, the Legacy of Samoan Tattooing

3 Questions With

Salt Lake sunsets truly cannot be beat. The way the sky lights up with warm oranges, soft pinks, and deep purples. It forces me to pause, to slow down, to reflect, even if for just a moment. Here are a few of the best places to watch the sun go to sleep.

There’s no shortage of amazing hikes in and around Salt Lake (did you hear about the guy who hiked 

?). But for some particularly stellar views, visit 

Hear me out — this is a great option for minimal effort. Because sometimes you make it to the 

and realize you don’t actually want to hike, you want to 

. Can confirm, this also works at the Trader Joe’s parking lot and the 

 in Salt Lake City and take yourself on a date. As the sun goes down, grab a cocktail and talk to strangers, if that’s your thing, or don’t and be the enigmatic main character. Don’t forget to 

Whether you venture to your favorite park or hit up your 

, you really can’t go wrong with a park sunset. Bring a book and a picnic, and 

. If you’re south of the valley, visit 

 in Draper (you might get to watch some paragliders and hang gliders, too).

Where’s your favorite place to watch the sunset?

The Best Places in Salt Lake To Watch the Sunset

Are you looking for ways to give back to your community? Here are a few opportunities to volunteer (a great way to make new friends!) or donate.

 with Salt Lake City Public Lands on Thursday, Sept. 7, 6-8 p.m. Volunteers will assist with tasks like weeding, cleaning, and clearing fallen branches throughout the park.

YWCA Utah is in need of donations for the families on their campus. Items include fitted sheets for a twin bed, pillows, shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. You can schedule 

 on Sept. 30, and they’re looking for volunteers to help with the event. You can sign-up for 2-4 hour shifts between 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. Volunteers will get a free t-shirt, lunch, and either a free STRONG class (one class per hour of volunteering) or CREATE (co-working space) pass. 

Help Preserve Allen Park

This week’s roundup of food news includes a new cafe to try, a coffee shop coming soon, and some fruity events.

 (Sept. 6-9). Each year, the event-packed weekend attracts around 35,000 visitors. In addition to delectable pies, cobblers, jams, and ice cream, there will be a 10K race, a car show, a quilt show, and free concerts.

: Find out how Tagge’s Famous Fruit and Veggies Farm 

 for a whole peach. [City Cast Salt Lake 🎧]

 is a new market/cafe operated by various entrepreneurs from the International Rescue Committee’s Spice Kitchen Incubator. The program supports refugees and immigrants as they build food businesses. Check it out Monday-Friday, 8 a.m-3 p.m.

 at Wasatch Community Gardens! Celebrate the harvest season on Saturday, Sept. 9, 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. Every attendee will get a free tomato sandwich. There will be live music and garden-themed activities for kids.

: As leaf-falling season approaches, Wasatch Community Gardens tells us why we should 

 on Salt Lake City’s west side is coming soon. It’s called Coffee Culture, a BIPOC-owned business that will have an outdoor patio area. We can’t wait.

Looking for an excuse to get out of town? Head to Green River in eastern Utah for 

, Sept. 15-16. There will be a parade, live music, a watermelon carving contest, a seed-spitting contest, and more.

The Fruitiest Events in Utah

Do you know the tale of Hogi Yogi/Teriyaki Stix? They disappeared over the years, but 

. On City Cast Salt Lake, she regaled her personal story of love, loss, and redemption with the hoagie/frozen yogurt/chicken teriyaki chain.

“Hogi Yogi was a chain of restaurants that sold hoagies and frozen yogurt. There's nothing better to me than a build-your-own sandwich situation. They had a variety of breads, freshly baked — [at least] in my mind they're freshly baked. A really good sandwich artist would put together this hoagie for you, and then the frozen yogurt, to me, was the star of the show. They did a blackberry frozen yogurt that you could get in a waffle cone.

“Then later they decided, ‘Hey, we're not Japanese, but let's add some Japanese food to our menu,’ and opened a Teriyaki Stix at a separate counter, which sold chicken bowls with a really starchy rice and a teriyaki sauce that I believe was mostly corn syrup mixed with soy sauce and then like Cisco chicken. Disgusting, but also delicious, you know? So Hogi Yogi had something for you, depending on whatever mood you were in. It was a magical place.”

What is your best Hogi Yogi/Teriyaki Stix memory?

“It's kind of a tragic story, and I'm sorry to take us to this dark place. But I was in the car with my mom, grandma, and two siblings, and we were on our way back from St. George. There was a gas station that had a Hogi Yogi attached, which many did at the time before the great Hogi Yogi rapture. We all got our sandwiches, and my mom got this beautiful sandwich that had sprouts, freshly sliced cucumbers, banana peppers, and really good turkey. She went to get in the car, and the sandwich fell on the ground, and my mother, bless her heart, started crying. She was so devastated to have lost this perfect sandwich. And every time I ate Hogi Yogi after that, I was like, do not take this for granted. Understand the value of what's in front of you, because it could be gone at any moment.”

Tell us about your journey to rediscover the Utah Teriyaki Stix.

“I'm into adulthood, not really understanding that these things were vanishing from underneath my feet, until recently when my friend Scott Wessman posted a photo in front of the Teriyaki Stix at Lagoon, saying, ‘I believe this is the last Teriyaki Stix on Earth.’ I was like, ‘oh my gosh, there's only one of these left, I must visit.’ And so I did. It’s over by the entrance to the white rollercoaster, which I cannot believe is still functioning. It is just a lone little island in the middle of Lagoon. There's a crew of 12-year-olds operating it. [I] ordered my Teriyaki Stix — it still hits. Sadly, no Hogi Yogi available. You cannot get one of those sandwiches or that blackberry frozen yogurt. That is lost to time and a real shame, in my opinion.”

 opens Sept. 8, so it’s a perfect time to visit the last Teriyaki Stix. And while you’re at it, listen to the full episode on your commute 👇

How the Last Hogi Yogi/Teriyaki Stix on Earth Holds Up

An Interview With Hogi Yogi/Teriyaki Stix Stan Meg Walter

September is an awkward time of the year that falls right in between the end of summer and the start of fall. But City Cast Salt Lake producer Ivana Martinez argues it’s one of the best times of the year. She rounds out her 

Note: This year’s festival will be held at Liberty Park due to the construction.

“Say hi to Lulu the whale and grab some local art and some records!”

“I’m so excited for this! I’ve been wanting to go to the symphony for a while. Every time you get to listen to live music, it’s a very ethereal experience. And you get to dress up, too.”

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