With nicer weather comes the opportunity to plan a getaway. So why not head down to the town of Helper, around two hours southeast of Salt Lake City. It’s got infinite charm and a burgeoning arts community. Salt Lake’s own Friar Tuck’s Barbershop even packed up and moved down there.
What’s In a Name
Once a busy coal mining town, “helper” locomotives would stand by to assist trains making the trip up to Soldier Summit, hence the name Helper.
Dwindling mines took a toll on the town, so residents took to the arts to help revitalize its economy, as illustrated in a lovely video from Communities by Design, “From Coal to Canvas.”
Mythologically, rural Utah is associated with conservative views, but Helper is home to a strong LGBTQ+ community.
Helper is located in the central-east part of Utah. (Courtesy of Carbon County Utah)
Take in the Arts
The first stop should definitely be The Helper Museum, where you can catch up on Helper’s evolution through the decades.
And as with any small town, one must stroll down main street to get acclimated. There, you’ll find art galleries like Helper Art Space and Kilpatrick Art Garage, a car-lover’s playground. Go antiquing at Outlaw Antiques, or catch live music at The Rio Theater.
The Helper Music, Arts, and Film Festival brings together creatives and vendors for a unique alchemy of arts and history. Dates for this year have yet to be announced, but it typically takes place in August.
Helper’s fiberglass “Big John” statue honors the town’s mining history. (Courtesy of Carbon County Utah)
Eat & Drink
Let’s arrange these by vibe.
- 🧋 Chill: Grab a coffee or a boba tea from Happiness Within. The name speaks for itself.
- 🌭 Snacks: Pick up a hot dog from the tiny Filling Station, or a beer and a slice of pizza at Helper Beer.
- 🥙 Big Meal: Order a chicken sope at Balance Rock Eatery & Pub.
- 💃 Rowdy: Play pool or enjoy a cheap beer at Regis Club, a great local dive bar.
- 🌳 Outdoors: From parks to ball fields, there are plenty of ways to spend time outside.
- 🔑 Stay Put: The converted filling station is a true Airbnb experience.
Are you part of the Helper hive? What did we miss?
