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City Cast Salt Lake

Adrian González

How close have you been paying attention to the news? Test your knowledge with this crossword puzzle.

Shelby Hintze

This is not the week for outdoor activities, with high heat in the Salt Lake Valley. So stay inside and catch some local theater. From professional to volunteer, there is no shortage of talent and entertainment just around the corner.

When it comes to the Utah theater scene, the Hale family has had an outsized influence. Ruth and Nathan started with a 99-person theater in Glendale, California in the 1940s, which has transformed into two theaters in Utah, with capacity for more than 1,500 theater-goers, combined.

 combines professional-quality sets, costumes, and performances with an intimate, in-the-round stage that places every audience member close to the action. The nonprofit theater presents a year-round season of musicals, family favorites, and classic plays, earning a reputation for spectacular production values and immersive storytelling.

 entertained audiences for 35 years as Hale Center Theater Orem. The company moved in 2025 to a state-of-the-art performing arts center on the doTERRA campus in Pleasant Grove. Each season features Broadway musicals, classic plays, comedies, youth productions, and educational programming.

Since opening in Murray 1989, the Desert Star Playhouse has become known for its original, family-friendly musical parodies that spoof everything from blockbuster movies and Broadway hits to television shows and pop culture. Desert Star puts a melodramatic twist on familiar stories, encouraging audiences to cheer the hero, boo the villain, and expect plenty of improvisation and Utah-specific jokes along the way.

The Draper Historic Theatre has been a cornerstone of the south Salt Lake Valley arts scene since 1938, when it opened as The Pearl, a neighborhood movie house. In its early days, audiences enjoyed vaudeville performances before feature films, and the theater quickly became a gathering place for the growing community.

Today, the nonprofit Draper Historic Theatre produces affordable, family-friendly musicals, comedies, and youth productions while offering opportunities for performers, technicians, and volunteers of all ages. 

Local Theater Recommendations in Utah

Hot Local Theater to Cool You Off

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Salt Lake

To go or not to go, that is the question.

Whether tis nobler in the mind to suffer the three hour drive from Salt Lake City

Or to remember it’s a world-class theater event in our own backyard

And by attending, participating in a 65-year tradition.

Thanks to my 11th grade AP Lit teacher for the extra credit for every line of the Hamlet soliloquy we memorized. And I thought I’d never use that again …

 is in full-swing in Cedar City, at Southern Utah University. Over the course of the summer and fall, actors and crews from around the world will put on productions for over 100,000 people! Add in an elevation climb and you have the perfect outdoor (and indoor) theater weather, in the mid 70s and 80s.

Founder Fred C. Adams began the festival in 1961 after joining the faculty at SUU and seeing the number of tourists who came to the area for state and national parks. Why not capitalize on a semi-captive audience?

Even if you don’t have tickets to a show, you can still participate in a free performance each night before the curtain rises. The Greenshow is a free, 30-minute outdoor performance presented before evening productions. 

Conceived by Barbara Adams, Fred's wife, the Greenshow recreates the festive atmosphere of Elizabethan theater with live music, dancing, storytelling, comedy, and audience participation on the lawn outside the theaters. The Greenshow is open to everyone and has become one of the festival's most beloved traditions.

A Guide to Utah's Shakespeare Festival 2026

Road-tripping for Shakespeare

If you haven't been outside today, congratulations on making excellent decisions. It's already hot, and 

 even more. Once the forecast starts flirting with triple-digit temps, frozen treats officially qualify as a food group. But before you reach for a pint of ice cream, remember: Not all frozen desserts come in a carton. Let's branch out.

Hot (cold?) take: We gave up on frozen yogurt far too quickly. It seemed there was a froyo place in every strip mall during the Golden Years of Hope and Change, and now just a few national chains remain. But one local chain has held on, bringing by-the-ounce frozen goodness to the masses.

 has three Utah County locations offering the froyo flavors and toppings you expect. My personal favorite is the original tart with loads of fresh fruit. It’s like a reward. But while some national chains feel like you’re encouraged to get your food and get the heck out, Froyo Frozen Yogurt is designed specifically for people, especially families, 

. A cool treat AND A/C? Sounds great to me!

Thanks to Utah's large Polynesian community, we get to enjoy island favorites like shave ice — and despite what I initially thought, it is 

 just a snow cone. The secret is in the ice itself. Shave ice is made with incredibly fine, fluffy ice that soaks up the syrup instead of letting it pool at the bottom of the cup. Add a scoop of vanilla ice cream underneath (trust the process), and suddenly you're wondering why every frozen dessert isn't made this way.

if you'd like. But the real question is: Where should you get it?

 in Sugar House is the top rated shave ice stand on Yelp.

 serves up elevated shave ice flavors like rose and green tea matcha.

 offers Latin-inspired flavors as well as indoor seating.

Soft serve is my favorite form of ice cream. Its lighter, creamier texture makes it infinitely easier to eat on a hot day, and it plays especially well with mix-ins. Instead of getting soggy while sitting in a carton, cookies, candies, and toppings keep their crunch. It's science. Probably.

 serves soft serve that's anything but normal. The menu changes every month to showcase seasonal flavors, so there's always a reason to come back.

If you're a soft-serve purist, though, my pick is 

. Their classic chocolate-and-vanilla swirl has the perfect texture — slightly icier than most.

 is your answer. Frozen custard has more egg yolks than traditional ice cream, giving it an ultra-smooth, velvety texture that somehow feels both lighter and more indulgent. Bonus points for pairing it with a basket of fries, because sweet and salty is one of life's greatest combinations. Again, science. Probably.

The Best Cold Treats for Salt Lake's Heatwave

Cold Treats for a Hot Week

My Mexican-American nieces asked recently for paletas. Sure, we can get popsicles. No Auntie Shelby. Paletas. I had no idea I was stepping into a whole new world of frozen treats on a stick. If you've never had a paleta, imagine the world's best popsicle — handcrafted with real fruit, fresh cream, or both. They're creamier, fruitier, and infinitely more satisfying than the sticky, brightly colored popsicles many of us grew up with. And in Utah, we are lucky to have lots of local paleta makers!

Born from the rich paleta-making tradition of Tocumbo, Michoacán, 

 is bringing an authentic taste of Mexico to Salt Lake City. Founder Don Sergio learned the craft from his grandparents as a child, beginning at just nine years old. Rather than relying on written recipes, he perfected his techniques through memory, instinct, and experience — a philosophy that still guides every batch today. Since opening Heladita in 2019, the family-owned shop has combined three generations of knowledge with a commitment to fresh, natural ingredients and traditional craftsmanship.

The menu features more than 150 rotating flavors of artisan ice cream and paletas, from classics like tamarind, lime, coconut, and strawberries and cream to creative seasonal specialties. Every frozen treat is made with real fruit, fresh cream, and 100% natural ingredients, letting the flavors speak for themselves. Whether you're craving something bright and refreshing or rich and creamy, there's almost certainly a paleta with your name on it.

Heladita treats are available in Mexican grocery stores across the Wasatch Front, like Rancho Market and Anaya's Market.

The Problem With Paletas? There Isn’t One.

Emily Means

Mark your calendars for a whale of a party: 801 Day 2026 is going to be the Salt Lake event of the year.

Expect a beer garden hosted by Neighbors Bar, live music sponsored by KRCL, a local marketplace, and a huge surprise: the unveiling of the new mural for "Out of the Blue" aka the 9th and 9th Whale! This is a party by locals, for locals. The City Cast Salt Lake team will be there, and we can't wait to celebrate with you!

801 Day is a new holiday honoring our favorite area code — but really, it’s a one-of-a-kind celebration of the quirks and delights that unite us as locals and make our community great. City Cast Salt Lake hosted our inaugural 801 Day event in 2023, and we're psyched to keep the party going.

Where: Milk Block (402-430 East Harvey Milk Blvd. Salt Lake City, UT 84111)

Cost: Free entry, but we encourage you to RSVP!

👉 RSVP here!

This event is made possible by our sponsors:

Keep an eye out for more details to come!

City Cast Salt Lake's 801 Day 2026

Everything You Need To Know About 801 Day 2026

Find the best of everything that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

While Utah came to the U.S. of A. party a little later than some, there are some Salt Lake businesses that even pre-date Utah statehood. So while a 100-year-old business might seem like a startup to our friends across the pond, Salt Lake is home to plenty of local institutions that have stood the test of time.

Did you know Utah’s climate is ideal for making hard candies? The dry climate and cool winter temperatures brought British immigrant William Daw Startup and family to Utah and 158 years later, the Utah territory’s first candy shop is still selling confections today. You can buy their signature lollipops at 

 that Sterling Furniture Company is the latest Fun Time Kidz Kare, a place everyone seems to know but no one has actually been … or is ever seen coming or going. Sorry to ruin the fun, but it does seem to just be a furniture store. But not just any furniture store: one of the last bastions of 

. After several locations along the Wasatch Front, the iconic blue-awninged building opened its doors in 1941. The company’s longevity also isn’t hurt by the fact that the 

family owns and manages surrounding properties

 that house other small businesses and apartments. It may not sell the trendiest furniture but you will find quality, made-in-America pieces for a decent price. And you don’t have to put it together yourself.

A Sugar House business almost as old as the modern bicycle itself, Guthrie Bicycle is one of, if not THE, oldest bicycle shops in the country. The shop started in 1888 by two brothers, just a couple years after the modern “

” you and I would recognize as a bicycle, was invented. The business changed hands several times in the proceeding years but has been owned by the same family for the last 50 years. Guthrie Bicycle sells new bikes for all ages and terrains, as well as offers repair and fitting services, and all the accessories for your hobby.

I’ll be the first to admit that my knowledge of menswear begins and ends at the feed of writer 

. But UWM Men’s Shop, formerly Utah Woolen Mills, has been meeting the suiting and tailoring needs of Utahns since 1905. The business has 

that whole time, even as the focus shifted from textiles to high-quality menswear. 2020 was not the year for any of us, and the earthquake left the building on South Temple unsafe. After 119 years on the same block, the storefront recently reopened in Murray.

The Oldest Salt Lake Businesses

Salt Lake Businesses in It for the Long Haul

Terina Ria

If you're looking for a way to celebrate the Fourth of July without lighting personal fireworks, you've got plenty of options. Between professional shows, drone displays, concerts, and community festivals, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the long holiday weekend.

Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals this year and watch fireworks in 

Murray, West Valley City, West Jordan, Riverton, Magna, 

. Stadium of Fire will also feature Brad Paisley, Nitro Circus, and a drone show.

Drone shows are becoming a popular alternative to traditional fireworks. They're quieter, smoke-free, and a little easier on pets, wildlife, and people with sensory sensitivities. You can catch drone shows at:

, and a $15 food voucher for the first 1,500 attendees.

 with lucha libre wrestling, aerialists, fire performers, and ending with a drone show around 10 p.m.

, the drone show will follow a tribute to Toby Keith.

 around 10 p.m., synced to music on KPCW 91.7 FM.

Not every Fourth has to revolve around fireworks or drones for that matter. Here are a few ideas if you'd rather keep things low-key:

 for a free patriotic concert featuring American classics, Broadway favorites, and film music.

, one of the largest Independence Day parades in the West.

Spend the day at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. They’re 

Gather neighbors or friends for a backyard meal in the 

, a nationwide initiative encouraging people to connect over food on July 5.

 Personal fireworks are banned throughout Salt Lake County this year. If you spot someone setting them off you call the non-emergency line. If there's an immediate fire or emergency, call 911.

Utah is entering the holiday weekend under extremely dry conditions, and is already 

 Expect heavy traffic throughout the weekend. If you can, take TRAX or arrive early.

: This Fourth marks America's 250th birthday, which is why you may notice even more celebrations than usual.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Utah with fireworks, drone shows, parades, concerts, and family-friendly events across Salt Lake City and beyond.

Where to Watch Fireworks in Utah Fourth of July 2026

Skip the Backyard Fireworks. Here's How To Celebrate the Fourth in Salt Lake.

Everything to know about Salt Lake City neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Salt Lake Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Look, I think every great diner should be owned by a former cabaret singer with an unfiltered-two-pack-a-day habit. That's exactly the kind of person I trust to make exceptional diner food. 

At 96 years old, Ruth's isn't the oldest spot on this list, but in restaurant years, it's practically prehistoric.

I'm genuinely disappointed Ruth didn't live forever, or at least write a memoir. She made it to 94 despite a legendary smoking habit, and by all accounts she had enough stories to fill several books.

She opened her first restaurant, Ruth's Hamburgers, across the street from a downtown "house of ill repute," where she became an unofficial confidante to the women who worked there and heard plenty about their 

 clientele. When the building was demolished, Ruth moved into an old trolley car before hauling the whole thing up Emigration Canyon, where it still serves as part of the restaurant today.

For decades, Ruth's was a favorite of University of Utah students, particularly fraternity brothers, thanks to its famously relaxed approach to smoking and drinking. Her chihuahuas also had a reputation for biting customers they didn't care for. It’s a good thing Yelp didn’t exist in those days.

After changing hands a few times, including to one of those former frat boys, the diner is now owned by a husband-and-wife team who both worked as Ruth's employees. They've carefully modernized the restaurant with a spacious patio, live music, and, much to the likely dismay of Ruth herself, actual enforcement of indoor smoking bans and ID checks.

Every meal begins with Ruth's famous Mile High Biscuits and raspberry jam, which are reason enough to make the drive into Emigration Canyon. I'm not much of a morning person, but I 

 a breakfast person, so I deeply appreciate that breakfast is served until 4 p.m. That means I can order the migas at a civilized hour, which, I choose to believe, is exactly what Ruth would have wanted.

The History of Ruth's Diner in Utah

Ruth's Diner: Burgers, Biscuits, and a Brothel

Test how closely you’ve been paying attention to the news in Salt Lake with this crossword puzzle. 

Salt Lake December News Crossword Puzzle

What Salt Lakers have been wondering. We break down why things in Salt Lake City are the way they are and how they work.

Salt Lake, Explained

Only true local news nerds will ace this one. See how well you’re paying attention to the headlines. Every answer can be found in recent editions of the newsletter. 

Salt Lake June News Crossword Puzzle

Ice cream is a yearlong treat but especially satisfying when the weather gets warm. As we head into summer, put your knowledge to the test: Do you know where you can find these frozen delicacies?

Spring in Salt Lake means blooming trees, warmer days, and that unmistakable smell. Test your knowledge on the city’s most notorious tree. 

Test Your Salt Lake Knowledge

Name That Ice Cream

Test your memory with our mini news crossword. Every clue comes straight from a recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletter!

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Think you know what it costs to live in Salt Lake City? Take our quiz and guess the rent on these local listings.

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

Maybe you skim the news, maybe you read everything: see how much stuck with this week’s mini news crossword.

Hint: Find the answers in recent City Cast Salt Lake newsletters.

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Lately, I’ve seen a number of Australian-style coffee shops in Salt Lake City popping up on my feed. But what even is Australian coffee?

“Australian coffee” isn’t necessarily a specific bean or roast, it’s more about the culture. Instead of chains, Australia’s coffee culture evolved through neighborhood cafes, with baristas focusing on quality and craft. It’s no wonder they fit right into Salt Lake City’s independent coffee scene.

If there is one drink that represents Australian coffee the most, it’s the flat white (though Australia and New Zealand both claim to have invented it). A flat white is made with espresso and finely frothed milk for a signature silky texture. Compared to a typical American latte, it’s stronger and contains a lot less milk.

Generally, flavored syrups aren't as common. But if you want something sweet try an iced coffee, which is espresso, milk, and ice cream. And if you’re in Tyra Banks’ Australia (aka Sydney) you can get a 

Where To Find Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

: One of the newest coffee shops in Millcreek. They take the laid back approach to Aussie coffee culture. Plus, they have a sick kookaburra mural, so you know they’re legit.

An Australian-owned restaurant in Park City that serves Aussie-style iced coffee (cold brew nitro and ice cream).

: With locations in Salt Lake City and Sandy, the founder has over 20 years of coffee experience that started in Sydney. You’ll find flat whites and iced coffee here.

: An Australian-style coffee truck, on a brief hiatus while the owner (a professional rugby player) plays rugby in Boston. But they’re set to reopen in the summer. Bonus: They 

What Is Australian Coffee?

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

This winter has been the warmest in Salt Lake City history, but that’s not the only thing we have in the record books. Think you know what other records SLC holds? Test your knowledge in our mini crossword.

A Mini Crossword of Salt Lake’s Record-Breaking Moments

Are you keeping up with Salt Lake news? See how much stuck with this week’s mini crossword.

Pssst: You’ll find the answers in recent 

Salt Lake, Explained

Salt Lake December News Crossword Puzzle

Adrian González

Share article

Salt Lake, Explained

Salt Lake June News Crossword Puzzle

Name That Ice Cream

Salt Lake April News Crossword Puzzle

Guess the Rent in Salt Lake City

Salt Lake March News Crossword Puzzle

Where To Try Australian Coffee in Salt Lake

A Mini Crossword of Salt Lake’s Record-Breaking Moments

Salt Lake February News Crossword Puzzle

The latest in Salt Lake

Hot Local Theater to Cool You Off

Road-tripping for Shakespeare

Cold Treats for a Hot Week

The Problem With Paletas? There Isn’t One.

Everything You Need To Know About 801 Day 2026

Salt Lake Businesses in It for the Long Haul

Skip the Backyard Fireworks. Here's How To Celebrate the Fourth in Salt Lake.

Ruth's Diner: Burgers, Biscuits, and a Brothel