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City Cast Salt Lake

A cheat sheet for getting beyond your block.

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

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

 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

Hey Salt Lake reader El G. said, “I would love to see a Spanish Fork guide. I would love to go out there for a splash pad I have heard good things about, but since it is quite a drive, I would like to make it a day, you know?” Spanish Fork (

) is a town in Utah County, about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City. Here’s how you can spend a day — whether at their iconic splash pad, picking baskets of fresh fruit, or visiting the nearby flooded ghost town.

 is a beautiful landmark that hosts festivals (like the 

) and yoga classes throughout the year. There’s also an adjoining llama farm, if you’re into that kind of thing. I’ll say it: Llamas are overrated, and you can quote me on that.

 and stay for the local selection of food and fresh produce — from 

While technically not in Spanish Fork (don’t yell at me), there are a number of fruit-picking farms nearby. Take advantage of the season and pick raspberries at 

 is on another level. It includes a sensory garden, a 24-foot treehouse slide, and a splash pad that’s a giant waterfall/mountain/river hybrid. This place will provide hours and hours of entertainment for your family.

Nothing compares to scenic fall drives in Utah to view the changing leaves. Drive through Spanish Fork Canyon and make a pit stop at 

 with killer views. Spanish Oaks Reservoir is great for fishing or swimming, but bring your own umbrella (BYOU) for shade.

Spanish Fork (or Spanish Fahrk) is a town in Utah County, about 45 minutes south of Salt Lake City. Here’s how you can spend a day — whether at their iconic splash pad, picking baskets of fresh fruit, or visiting the nearby flooded ghost town.

Get To Know Spanish Fork

Class is in session. Whether you’re a student heading back-to-school or simply a student in this school called life, spend a day around the University (and East Central) neighborhood of Salt Lake City.

Many of you suggested cemeteries as a great place in the city to cry in public. Walk among the tall trees and headstones at Mount Olivet Cemetery. You may even spot the occasional deer.

Let the tears flow at Red Butte Garden, a botanical oasis that sprawls over 100 acres. They have beautiful walking trails and a giant collection of plants. They’re also a hub for water and plant conservation and they host events throughout the year like the outdoor concert series.

Feel like a main character and walk around the Utah Museum of Fine Arts by yourself. Current exhibitions include “Tatau: Marks of Polynesia,” “ACME Lab: Hot Dog Bridge,” and “The Unique Perspective of Abelardo Morell.”

Explore billions of years of our state’s history at the Natural History Museum of Utah. The dinosaur exhibit is incredible and it’s a great place to take kids.

A University staple that’s open until 11 p.m. most nights. Try the chedda pull-a-part dipped in marinara and creamy ranch and their micro-brewed root beer.

Publik Ed's inhabits the old Big Ed's (read about 

) right below the university. It features the delicious coffee you've grown to love from Publik but also has a banging breakfast sandwich on a tasty bun with IPA jam and pickled onions.

Class is in session. Whether you’re a student heading back-to-school or simply a student in this school called life, spend a day around the University (and East Central) neighborhood of Salt Lake City. 

Get To Know University/East Central

Looking to escape the heat? Spend the day in Park City. City Cast Salt Lake lead producer Emily Means commuted there from Salt Lake City every day for a year for her job as a municipal reporter at 

, so you can say she knows her way around town. Here's her guide to 

I love downtown Park City. Historic Main Street is magical any time of year. But you should know you're going to pay a premium to eat/drink there. If you get off Main Street, prices ease up a bit.

If you're visiting Park City from Salt Lake, you should absolutely take the new 

, but it's being discontinued. Driving up and down Parley's Canyon can be so stressful, especially during the winter. Have a carefree, scenic ride up the canyon, then hop on the fare-free bus from Kimball Junction to downtown Park City. Enjoy the sights, like the historic 

 and the occasional elk herd that crosses SR-224.

: Summit County has started paying for that bus, 

 This lovely cafe on Main Street roasts their own beans. It's the first place I ever had a lavender latte, and my world changed forever. They also have fresh juices, if you're into that. FYI if you like their roasts, you can buy their beans at Tulie in SLC.

. Another beautiful cafe in a stunning, sunlit building at the bottom of Main Street. This is the place to meet a friend for avocado toast before work.

One of my favorite places to sit and eat my lunch when I worked at KPCW was at a picnic table outside the Park City Municipal building. You get a picturesque view of downtown, and during the winter, you can see skiers tearing up the slopes.

 (up past the top of Main Street) to see historic structures from Park City’s silver mining days. It’s a beautiful hike, and you can see an old explosives vault and an old office building. Nature is neat.

And if you want to learn more about Park City's mining 

Bonus rec from City Cast Salt Lake host Ali Vallarta: 

They do breakfast all day. Try the hotcake or shakshouka!

What neighborhood should we explore next?

Send me an email

Looking to escape the heat? Spend the day in Park City. City Cast Salt Lake lead producer Emily Means commuted there from Salt Lake City every day for a year for her job as a municipal reporter at KPCW Radio, so you can say she knows her way around town. 

What To Do in Park City

Get To Know Park City

How often do you venture to North Salt Lake? The city, surprisingly, is part of Davis County. It’s also home to greasy spoons, a kangaroo zoo, and a chocolate factory.

Kick rocks, Willy Wonka, North Salt Lake has 

. Take a tour of the chocolate factory, or simply stop by for a sweet treat.

Sadly, this isn’t a zoo filled with kangaroos, but they do have 

 and a giant blow-up kangaroo. A fun place to take the kids.

 — play tennis, take a hike, and catch a breathtaking sunset. There’s a reason so many people come here for family photos (Google 

 is a solid North Salt Lake staple to add to your brunch rotation. Try their cinnamon rolls and Utah scones (aka fry bread).

 literally has the best chilaquiles ever. Savory, perfect, carne asada and homemade, spicy, delish salsa.”

What’s your favorite thing in North Salt Lake?

Get To Know North Salt Lake

The neighborhood of Sugar House — named after 

 that were cultivated in the area by early pioneers — is known for 

, and its charming small community vibe. With plenty to choose from for eating, drinking, and shopping, here are a few must-see places.

 houses Hello! Bulk Markets, Olio Skin & Beard Co., The Bean Whole, and other local favorites.

. They have things you never knew you needed like a Lizzo Jesus candle or beer socks. It’s also right next to 

, so make a day of it and get that piercing you’ve always wanted.

Feel like a kid again but drink like an adult (responsibly) at 

. Play arcade games, skee ball and don’t miss out on their yummy food.

While it’s a little smaller and lesser known than Sugarhouse Park, 

 has all the amenities you need for a lovely park day. A pond, skatepark, pickleball courts, and an aquatic center for swimming.

, and Feldman’s Deli is a much loved staple. For all my pickle people out there, order a side of pickled veggies and thank me later.

 makes consistently tasty boba drinks. I always go for the classic milk tea (50% sweet, iykyk) but they have a ton of flavors — from honeydew to taro. They make amazing scallion pancakes, too.

What’s your favorite spot in Sugar House?

The neighborhood of Sugar House — named after sugar beets that were cultivated in the area by early pioneers — is known for Westminster College, the construction on 1300 East, and its charming small community vibe. With plenty to choose from for eating, drinking, and shopping, here are a few must-see places.

A Neighborhood Guide To Sugar House

ICYMI, it’s the second-to-last season the Salt Lake Bees will be at Smith's Ballpark 

. Catch a baseball game. They have home games all this week, and here’s what to do in the neighborhood.

 has pastries and desserts that are almost too pretty to eat. Try the passion lime cheesecake.

 is a Smith's Ballpark staple, located right across the street. The burgers cannot be beat. Heads up, though, it’s 21+ only.

🍺 Squatters and Wasatch Taproom & Beer Store

Another great place to grab a cold pint and snack before the game is 

Squatters and Wasatch Taproom & Beer Store

If you have some time to kill, peruse the aisles of this 

. Technically, there aren’t any outside food or beverages allowed at Smith's Ballpark, so buy some treats to save for later 

? When you don’t quite know what you’re in the mood for, grab a bunch of things to share. Try a B.L.O.T. (bacon, lettuce, onion jam, tomato) at

Where’s your favorite pre-baseball game spot?

The second-to-last season of the Salt Lake Bees will be at Smith's Ballpark before they move to Daybreak. Catch a baseball game there. They have home games all this week, and here’s what to do in the neighborhood.

A Guide To Salt Lake's Ballpark Neighborhood

. Make the most of the small suburban town feeling by spending the day at local markets, food spots, and 

With locations around the Salt Lake Valley, 

 is the place for fresh and affordable produce. Their tropical fruit, like papayas and mangoes, are especially choice.

Speaking of tropical fruit, it’s smoothie weather, so grab a drink at 

. Try the sabor papaya or sabor papelon limon.

Make the most of your taxpayer dollars and feel like an Olympic athlete at the 

. Run around the track, ice skate, or learn to curl. It’s a great place to recreate all year long.

🏊‍♀️ Kearns Oquirrh Park Fitness Center

. There’s an indoor and outdoor pool the whole family will enjoy. It features water slides, a giant diving tower, hot tub, and sauna.

Get incredible Salvadorean food — from pupusas to plátanos — at 

. Plan ahead, though, because they’re only open Thursday-Sunday.

 is a staple for longtime residents of Kearns. They have an excellent meat department with knowledgeable and friendly butchers.