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City Cast Salt Lake

Shelby Hintze

This 801 Day, we’re taking to the streets. 900 South, to be specific. Businesses from Central Ninth all the way up to 9th and 9th are offering 

 and the new artwork that will be unveiled for the Whale! In addition, you can enter to win prizes by stopping at locations and getting a stamp on your 

Now, I am not a coffee drinker, but I LOVE a coffee shop. The smell, the people watching, the third space of it all. So, I’m starting my day at Loki Coffee for a Peach Please (peach mango syrup, orange juice, and sparkling water) and an avocado toast because I am a homeowner so I can treat myself and I need carbs to gear up for the day.

The husband-wife duo behind Loki Coffee have 

impressive resumes in the coffee shop world

. You can tell there is a lot of passion there, not just for the product but also the community around coffee and local businesses. Loki Coffee emphasizes ethically and sustainably sourced coffee, warm hospitality and meaningful partnerships with local businesses

801 Day Deal: Buy one, get one free voucher

It may be the world we live in, it may be the SSRI, but I have been having weird dreams recently. So I am very intrigued by the 801 Day offer at Blissed Out Heart: a free insight into a dream.

holistic wellness practice founded by Angie Castor

 that helps people reconnect with themselves through body-led healing. Through different mediums, like breathwork and FootZonology, the goal is to help you slow down, release emotional burdens, and listen to yourself.

Next, I’ll be ruminating over the insight into why I am still having dreams about failing a class in high school nearly 20 years later over a lobster roll. I don’t usually associate our landlocked state as a bastion for seafood, but Freshie’s has the awards to prove its bona fides.

The roll, featuring “shore to door in 24” fresh lobster with the perfect blend of butter, mayo, and herbs, was named the 

 at the 2017 Down East Lobster Roll Festival in Portland, Maine. Those folks know their lobstah. And if the unofficial mascot of SLC is going to be a whale statue, might as well lean into it.

801 Day Deal: ½ lobster roll + 8 oz. chowder and drink for $18.01

One of my favorite places to shop, Koo De Ker has been redefining Salt Lake style since 2001 with thoughtfully curated fashion that blends timeless design with everyday wearability. Founder and owner Kyong An Millar has impeccable taste, she’s famous for it (name that movie) and passes it on to her customers. She carries designer pieces alongside inexpensive, but still high-quality pieces for nearly every budget. The store also smells really, really good.

Koo De Ker proves independent boutiques can thrive by prioritizing personal service, quality and lasting style over fast fashion.

801 Day Deals in Salt Lake City

An 801 Day Itinerary Full of Deals

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Salt Lake

Salt Lake is full of modern pioneers. They built businesses from scratch, preserved cultural traditions, created jobs, and helped make the valley a more connected, vibrant place. Today, these businesses feel like they've always been here — but each one had to carve out its own path, changing Salt Lake along the way.

Workshop SLC has become one of Salt Lake City's premier creative spaces, making art accessible to everyone — from complete beginners to professional artists. The studio offers hands-on classes in 

 and more while fostering a welcoming community built around creativity. Through partnerships, artist residencies, and community outreach, Workshop SLC has become a cultural hub where people connect by creating together.

Scion Cider Bar didn't just open another bar — it introduced many Utahns to an entirely new drinking culture. As one of the nation's first bars dedicated exclusively to hard cider, Scion transformed cider from an occasional seasonal beverage into a 

. With an inventory of independent cider makers from around the world alongside local producers, Scion has expanded Salt Lake's beverage scene.

Note: 21+, outside food welcome, dog-friendly patio

Game Night Games helped transform tabletop gaming from a niche hobby into a thriving community. By hosting 

 for board games, role-playing games, and trading card games, the shop became a gathering place where friendships formed across generations.

Quarters Arcade Bar helped redefine nightlife in Salt Lake City by proving that bars could be 

playful, nostalgic, and deeply community-focused

. Blending classic arcade games, pinball, craft cocktails, and local beer, Quarters created a space where people gather and stay awhile. Its success helped spark a new wave of experiential entertainment across the valley, showing that memorable experiences, not just drinks, make neighborhood hangout spots extra special.

Note: The Downtown bar is located down a flight of stairs. 21+.

Salt Lake Businesses that Blazed a Trail

Modern-Day Pioneers

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

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

Summer has officially arrived, and we’re making the most of it. Use this guide to make your July even more interesting.

 where a former mining and railroad community is finding new life through art, small businesses, and historic preservation. Grab a pint at Helper Beer, stroll Main Street, and stop by 

July is Utah Museum Month. Did you know we have almost 300 museums statewide? See how many you can explore: visit at least five museums this month, download 

 so you can collect stamps, and claim a collectible sticker.

. Before Mack's Finest Gelato opens its first Salt Lake location, they’ll park their gelato bike outside their future shop at 313 E. 900 S. every Saturday starting July 4.

, a volunteer group that takes shelter dogs from Animal Care of Davis County on weekly runs. The outings help reduce the dogs’ stress, improve their behavior, and give them a chance to spend time outside their kennel.

What sounds more magical than an evening of ballet within the mountains of Park City? 

 concludes on July 17 at The Amphitheater at Canyons Village. Bring a blanket or low-back chair and settle in for a scenic performance by principal dancers.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in July 2026

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

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

It’s great to play tourist in your own city, but sometimes you want to go somewhere else entirely. If a plane ticket isn’t in the budget right now, food is a pretty good substitute. For less than the cost of gas to get to the airport, you can transport yourself to the islands with a visit to 

This mom and pop business (literally) started in 

, first in Hawaii and now in Utah. There, Jolene began making budda rolls to sell around the holidays. A budda roll, for the uninitiated, is a fluffy dinner roll packed with an almost irresponsible amount of butter. What started as a seasonal side hustle quickly grew into a devoted following, eventually leading to a brick-and-mortar location in Pleasant Grove and, most recently, a new outpost in Salt Lake City.

According to the Budda’s team, I wasn't the only one making the Utah County pilgrimage. In fact, the steady stream of Salt Lakers showing up for pastries and plate lunches helped convince the family that it was time to expand.

While the bakery case alone is worth the visit, don’t overlook the rest of the menu. Budda’s serves breakfast all day, including island favorites like Loco Moco, Spam musubi, and Portuguese sausage. On my visit, I ordered a breakfast sandwich and then exercised remarkable restraint by limiting myself to only ONE box full of pastries to take home. Everything was excellent. For lunch and dinner, you'll find burgers, teriyaki plates, bulgogi bento boxes, and other Hawaiian comfort-food staples that make it very difficult to decide on just one thing.

What makes Budda’s stand out, though, isn’t just the food. The Keli’iliki family has built community service into the business itself. At both locations, customers can prepay for a meal for someone who may be struggling. The receipt is posted on the wall, and anyone in need can simply take one to the counter and redeem it for a meal. It's a simple idea, but a powerful one.

When I asked about the program, the Budda’s team described it as a small way to give back to the communities that have supported them from a home kitchen to multiple locations. And honestly, that might be the sweetest thing on the menu.

Hawaiian Food to Try in Salt Lake

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Recently on the City Cast Salt Lake podcast, the team shared their 

. While experiences are great, I also love a good trinket to remind me of a trip. So where should you shop for a Salt Lake souvenir, whether you're treating yourself or sending an out-of-towner home with a piece of Utah?

My favorite spot for the classic souvenir, but elevated. (Get it? 

 OK, moving on.) You'll find fine art and prints featuring Utah's natural beauty, locally made soaps and candles, and yes, the requisite magnet. The shop features work from more than 350 makers, most of them local, all of them small and independent. Wear your love for Salt Lake on your sleeve … or on your Stanley or your fridge.

Note: The 9th & 9th location is not wheelchair accessible, but the Fashion Place location in Murray is!

Another 9th & 9th favorite, Mochi Kids is packed with the funnest toys, clothes, games, and craft supplies to take back to the kids you're temporarily abandoning on your staycation. You may also end up with a sheet of stickers for yourself because vacation is about finding joy. And breaking news, 

You may recognize Mochi Kids from their screen-printed T-shirts at events like Craft Lake City. They've since grown into a full brick-and-mortar and online shop stocked with much more than tees, while continuing to support local printers and socially minded causes.

Think of it as the farmers market that never closes. With four locations across the valley, it's the easiest way to stock up on local favorites year-round: June Pie, Milk Honey yogurt, Cutler's Cookies (my personal champion in Utah's cookie wars, but that's a newsletter for another day), and dozens of other Utah-made treats.

If you want a souvenir you'll actually use, grab a bottle of Redmond Real Salt. It’s harvested from an 

 in Redmond, Utah, in Sevier County. Every pinch can transport you right back to your vacation.

Since 1997, Ken Sanders Rare Books has specialized in Utah history, Mormon studies, Western Americana, national parks, the Colorado River, and the literary West. Inside the old Leonardo Museum, browse three floors of new and used books, artwork, collectibles, and ephemera. Even if you leave empty-handed, it's worth wandering the stacks and imagining what treasures are hiding on the next shelf.

The Best Places to Buy Utah Souvenirs

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

City Cast Salt Lake staff

March is here and bringing the end of Ramadan, its usual Madness 🏀, and maybe even 

. Here are ideas for making the most of the month in Salt Lake.

If you already miss Olympic ice dancing, Salt Lake is hosting the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships at the Maverik Center March 4-7. 

I recently learned that Fit2Recover offers nutritious meal prep! On Tuesdays, you can pick up 

. All while supporting their addiction recovery programs in the Ballpark neighborhood.

Salt Lake’s hottest new lunch (and dinner) spot is 

. The space is super sleek. Plus, five hand rolls and a beer for $36 (with tip) is a steal to me! Keep your eyes peeled for 

The 98th Academy Awards are Sunday, March 15, and the 

 a local watch party. Arrive in full glam; I’ll be doing red carpet interviews. (Really!)

The Central Wasatch Commission is the group tasked with implementing the Mountain Accord, a charter to balance competing interests in our precious Wasatch Mountains. 

 of their stakeholder council before March 20.

March is here and bringing the end of Ramadan, its usual Madness 🏀, and maybe even some snow. Check out these ideas for making the most of the month in Salt Lake.

Your Guide to Salt Lake City in March 2026

Your Guide to March in Salt Lake City

According to Redfin, Salt Lake City is the most 

, with Sugar House earning a special shout out for its local businesses. Sounds like a great excuse to spend a day exploring. Here’s a guide to what to eat and do in Sugar House.

 the SLC brewing operation), this restaurant is still locally owned! When the weather’s warm, grab a seat on their patio and order fried pickles for the table.

Morning, afternoon, or evening enjoy some seriously scrumptious sandos. They’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays, though, so don’t come then. My personal fave is the chopped cheese (which is like a chopped-up cheeseburger on a hoagie).

Come for the burgers, and stay for the shakes. Hot tip: Order your milkshake without a lid. You’ll get two to three more inches of cold, creamy goodness.

Salt Lake’s own “School of Rock,” this nonprofit provides music opportunities to youth through affordable access to instruments, recording equipment, and music lessons. Adults can take lessons, too (the first one’s free)!

A rad skateboard/vinyl record shop that’s been a long-time staple in the Sugar House neighborhood. After grabbing a cool new record and tuning up your board, head to Fairmont skatepark. Salt Lake City recently released the final design for 

The go-to shop in Sugar House for vintage and costumes for more than 30 years!

According to Redfin, Salt Lake City is the most neighborly city in the country, with Sugar House earning a special shout out for its local businesses. Sounds like a great excuse to spend a day exploring. Here’s a guide to what to eat and do in Sugar House.

Visit These Sugar House Businesses

Ali Vallarta

What could be more charming — and affordable — than cutting down your own Christmas tree? 

 from the Bureau of Land Management’s Salt Lake Field Office or 

 from the U.S. Forest Service and make some memories.

If your permit is from the U.S. Forest Service, you’ll be given a map with areas you can cut. If your permit is from the BLM, 

Pick from any species of tree, except the Ponderosa Pine.

 Cutting a wild Christmas tree improves forest health! The perfect Christmas tree is usually found in areas local forest health experts find will benefit from thinning.

Shake it. If needles start falling, keep movin’.

Cut close to the ground. Don’t leave a stump more than 6 inches tall.

Cut an extra 2 inches from the base of the trunk when you get home.

Place the tree at least 3 feet away from any heat sources (i.e. fireplaces, radiators).

Always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Kick that sucker to the curb in January. Don’t let it dry up in your living room.

Other ideas for a festive December

How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

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

things to do

An 801 Day Itinerary Full of Deals

Modern-Day Pioneers

Road-tripping for Shakespeare

Latest articles

An 801 Day Itinerary Full of Deals

Modern-Day Pioneers

Road-tripping for Shakespeare

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

Your Guide to Salt Lake in July 2026

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

Latest articles

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

Your Guide to Salt Lake in July 2026

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

Your Guide to March in Salt Lake City

Visit These Sugar House Businesses

How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree