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Get To Know University/East Central

Posted on August 23, 2023   |   Updated on September 30, 2025
Terina Ria

Terina Ria

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.

🥲 Two Places To Cry

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.

🖼 Two Museums

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.

🍕 Two Places To Eat

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 their mysterious closing) 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.

Mapping out a day around the University/East Central neighborhood. (Google Maps)

Mapping out a day around the University/East Central neighborhood. (Google Maps)

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