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Best Adventure Outfitter
Western River Expeditions
It's been said that Utah has too many options for adventure seekers—like having so many buffet options that it causes one to pile up on just a few items and never sample everything. That's not really a bad thing, especially when, among the centerpieces of Utah's adventure buffet, is world-class river-running. And there, Western River Expeditions dresses the entire table, focusing on Moab but also extending into Oregon, Idaho and Arizona.
westernriver.com
2. Brighton Mountain Sports
3. Women's Wine Hiking Society
Best Bike-Friendly Neighborhood
9th and 9th
The 9th and 9th neighborhood has long been the unofficial cycling capital of Salt Lake, with smaller-scale blocks and narrow, tree-lined streets helping to keep cars at bay, a charming variety of shops and restaurants, and the weekly 999 bike ride. But the new 9-Line Trail has taken things to another level, making 900 South the one corridor in the city where two-wheeled travelers are treated with the respect that drivers take for granted elsewhere.
2. Park City
3. Sugar House
Best Bowling Alley
Bonwood Bowl
Bonwood Bowl is, has been, and always will be a staple attraction for family fun, office holiday parties and tentative first dates. Lanes galore entice the senses upon entry, and laughter of all ages beckons near and far across the large building. With finger-licking good salty snacks always on hand, a bar area for 21+ bowl aficionados, and affordable prices, Bonwood is the pinnacle of fun and games in Utah.
bonwoodbowl.com
2. Olympus Hills Bowling Lanes
3. Pins & Ales (Draper)
Best Camping
Spruces Campground
While many of us dream of owning a cabin up Big Cottonwood Canyon to cool off and unplug, a more budget-friendly option is camping at Spruces. Nestled among towering spruce, aspen and pine trees, this scenic getaway offers dozens of spacious campsites, including group sites, and access to hiking trails, mountain biking and fishing. Enjoy cool mountain air, babbling streams and stunning views of the Wasatch Mountains. Open May-September, no dogs allowed.
gocamputah.com
2. Bear Lake
3. Cecret Lake
Best Dark Sky Park
Capitol Reef National Park
A designated International Dark Sky Park since 2015, Capitol Reef offers pristine night sky vistas and unparalleled stargazing. The park hosts four Night Sky Data Collection Sites and seven recommended stargazing areas including three campgrounds, Panorama Point, Danish Hill, Slickrock Divide and more. Pick up a night sky chart at the visitors center to help pinpoint constellations visible at various times of the year.
nps.gov
2. Goblin Valley State Park
3. Dinosaur National Monument
Best Disc Golf Course
Roots Disc Golf Course
The Roots course was one of the first-ever Utah disc courses in the 1980s before being converted to a par-3 ball golf course, then back to a disc course in 2014. But it's not just nostalgia that makes it a favorite, as the location boasts plenty of mature trees near the Jordan River Parkway and offers both a great course for beginners and the challenge of obstacles like the river.
pdga.com/course-directory/course/roots-disc-golf-course
2. Brighton Resort
3. Goblin Valley State Park
Best Family Fun: Indoor Attraction
Natural History Museum of Utah
Learning rocks! Whether it's freezing cold or blazing hot outside, gather the kids together and let them explore the great outdoors from the comfort of an HVAC system. With new events and exhibitions opening all the time, hands-on fun and games and extensive knowledge of the wonderful world around us, don't miss out on the knowledge that lies outside your backdoor, and those that cultivate it.
nhmu.utah.edu
2. Clark Planetarium
3. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
Best Family Fun: Outdoor
Hogle Zoo
If you were to draw up a list of patently all-American ways for a family to enjoy an afternoon together, a trip to the zoo would be high up on said list. Hogle Zoo, with its rolling hills and multi-sectioned exhibits, begs for a several-hour visit. Not to be missed is the three-acre Wild Utah exhibit, which features animals with close ties to the region. Various discounts and seasonal promotions are available.
hoglezoo.org
2. Red Butte Garden
3. Tracy Aviary & Botanical Gardens
Best Fishing Guide Services
Western Rivers Flyfisher
Over the years, there's surely been a would-be outdoors-person whose ambition to explore outstripped their knowledge of a given area. Western Rivers Flyfisher offers the types of services that'll keep you from winding up on the evening news, lost in the great western expanse. With a combination of services including retail sales, guided tours and classes, this operation has been around since 1986.
westernriversflyfishing.com
2. Trout Bum 2 Fly Shop
3. Swiss Mountain Outfitters
Best Family Friendly Festival
BOOtanical At Red Butte Garden
Every October, Red Butte Garden transforms into a bewitched wonderland where you'll discover spooky surprises around every hedgerow. While the Halloween theme changes annually (previous years included Alice in Wonderland and Harry Potter), you can expect family-friendly scavenger hunts by day and slightly scarier sights by night, along with costumed characters, storytelling, live music and hot chocolate.
redbuttegarden.org
2. Living Traditions Festival
3. Salt Lake City Greek Festival
Best Getaway: Bordering State
Lava Hot Springs
Need to soak away your stress? World-renowned Lava Hot Springs is just a hop, skip and a jump across the Idaho border. Summer sees families floating the Portneuf River and surging down water slides at the Hot Springs' Olympic Swimming Complex. Come winter, head four blocks upriver for a warming dip in the famous hot pools. There are five to choose between, and the swimming complex is open 365 days a year.
lavahotsprings.com
2. Jackson Hole
3. Maple Grove Hot Springs
Best Utah Getaway
High Uintas
Need to get away? How does more than 450,000 acres of off-grid wilderness in Utah's highest mountain peaks sound? It's no wonder the High Uintas are our favorite remote retreat, legally designated in 1984 by the Utah Wilderness Act. Dispersed camping can be found nearly anywhere (stay at least 200 feet from water sources), and with a high-clearance ride, you can venture as far off the beaten path as your adventurous side will allow.
2. The Cliff Spa
3. Crystal Hot Springs
Best Glamping
Conestoga Ranch, Bear Lake
The most luxurious way to enjoy Bear Lake is Conestoga Ranch. Its well-appointed tents and charming wagons blend rustic charm with modern comfort, providing cozy beds, private bathrooms and hotel-level amenities, but with the open air and starry sky views that make camping so appealing. On-site dining at the Campfire Grill offers delicious farm-to-table fare, because who wants burnt hot dogs when you can enjoy local wagyu burgers and Idaho trout?
conestogaranch.com
2. East Zion Resort
3. Under Canvas Moab
Best Golf Course beyond the Wasatch Front
Moab Golf Course
Southern Utah is fast becoming the idyllic destination for golf enthusiasts. In 2024, the PGA Tour returned to the Beehive State for the first time since 1963, a testament to the growing popularity and pride Utahns have for the sport. Surrounded by a serene backdrop of red rock and well-maintained greens and fairways, Moab Golf Course is an out-of-this-world golf experience. Rates are affordable too, coming in at $52 a round.
moabgolfcourse.com
2. Palisade Golf Course
3. Carbon Country Club Golf Course
Best Hiking Trail: Wasatch Front
Bells Canyon Trail
Bells offers a moderately challenging 4.8 mile hike that is beloved as much for its stunning scenery as it is for a good workout. Beginning near Little Cottonwood Canyon, it traverses a series of short switchbacks before leading to the reservoir. For a shorter hike, you can loop around the reservoir and return back down, or continue onto the upper trail and test your endurance with rockier terrain up to a waterfall.
2. Mt. Timpanogos
3. Natural Area At Red Butte Garden
Best Mountain Bike Trail
Bonneville Shoreline Trail
Utah mountain bikers are blessed—the envious might even say "spoiled"—with an abundance of world-class routes along the Wasatch Front. Tying it all together is the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, a 100-mile-long (for now) utilitarian workhorse that can serve as the first and last miles of a trek up through the towering peaks or as a standalone ride, alternately challenging and thrilling in its own right with some of the best valley views around.
bonnevilleshorelinetrail.org
2. Wasatch Crest Trail
3. Brighton
Best Must-See Rock Formation
Delicate Arch, Arches National Park
Utahns can't miss depictions of Delicate Arch—on license plates, billboards and commercials for the "Mighty Five," in guidebooks and galleries. And yet, there's no denying the magic when a hiker crests the short-but-steep trail and arrives at the state's most famous rock, perched atop a natural amphitheater on the edge of a vertigo-inducing cliff face—all of which combines for one of the greatest landscape views in the world.
nps.gov/arch
2. Goblin Valley Hoodoos
3. Bryce Amphitheater, Bryce Canyon National Park
Best Municipal Park
Liberty Park
Starting as a tree nursery in pioneer days before becoming Salt Lake's premier public park in the 1880s, Liberty has provided for countless activities and treasured moments for about as long as there has been a city in these parts. From play areas and historic landmarks to Tracy Aviary and innumerable locations for private mediation, Liberty Park is the jewel of Salt Lake's municipal crown. May its verdant luster ever shine.
slc.gov/parks
2. Sugar House Park
3. Murray Park
Best Paddleboard Lake
Causey Reservoir
Located just over 10 miles from Huntsville, the easily accessible Causey Reservoir restricts motorized boats, making it ideal for kayaks, canoes and paddleboards. It's also a great place for a family outing on the water. If you don't have your own paddleboard you can rent them for a day at multiple locations in Weber County and in Salt Lake County as well. Just be wary of the cliffs, ok?
visitogden.com/directory/causey-reservoir
2. East Canyon
3. Smith & Morehouse Reservoir
Best Pickleball Courts
Second Summit Hard Cider
Second Summit Hard Cider prides itself on relationships and camaraderie, achieved through activity and interaction. They offer ping-pong, cornhole, live music and movies, though it's the four lighted pickleball courts that are the centerpiece of activities at this Millcreek establishment. Second Summit is the quintessential locale to hang out, sip some cider and get your dunk and dink on.
secondsummitcider.com/pickleball
2. 11th Ave Park
3. Holladay City Center
Best Off-Road Destination
Moab
Moab is a special place, residing at the intersection of great beauty and remarkable history. Boasting a full range of incredibly scenic backcountry trails, you can bring your own vehicle, rent a jeep, or take a guided tour. The Moab Information Center offers maps and guides and assists you with information about trail conditions to ensure safety. Even if you do get lost, it might not be a bad thing in Moab country.
2. Capitol Reef
3. Wonderstone
Best Place for a Staycation
Bear Lake
With its turquoise waters and sandy beaches, Bear Lake is affectionately known as the "Caribbean of the Rockies." And if the influx of cabins in the area is any indication, it's cementing its staycation status pretty solidly! Expect the small towns dotting its shores to be swarming with tourists in the summer. Come winter, enjoy ice fishing and snowmobiling or make Bear Lake your ski base at nearby Beaver Mountain.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/bear-lake
2. Snowbird
3. Grand America Hotel
Best Public Golf Course
Mountain Dell Golf Course
Utahns are lucky to have such a quality public course like Mountain Dell in their backyard—offering 36 holes at an altitude of 6,000 feet, the Lake and Canyon Course at Mountain Dell is one of the most unique and blissful public golf courses you'll anywhere, bar none. Taken away from the rest, each hole could be regarded as a signature hole in any other track.
slc-golf.com/mountaindell
2. Eaglewood Golf Course
3. Nibley Park Golf Course
Best Remote Music Festival
Fort Desolation Fest
Music fans in SLC are blessed with a plethora of outdoor stages to enjoy concerts, with a few fests upping the ante. Cougar Ridge Resort, in the gorgeous and paranormally-active Torrey, offers a camping-and-concerts experience, featuring the rugged landscape of this corner of the state, along with a music lineup that's legit no matter the venue. Long may this fest exist under sunny skies and shady tents.
fortdesolation.com
2. Moab Music Festival
3. Desert Reverie
Best River Guide Company
Western River Expeditions
This company's well aware that you might be a Utahn who feels as if you've covered a good amount of the geography of this state. Luckily, they've got options for you jaded types, including guided trips in Oregon, Idaho and the Grand Canyon. But if you're newer to Utah's natural wonders, or simply wish to experience things you've never known (via white water raft) they've got you covered. Multiple day packages are available.
westernriver.com
2. Sheri Griffith River Expeditions
3. High Country Adventure
Best Running Trail
Pipeline
Over 10 miles long and suitable for newcomers and intermediately skilled runners, Mill Creek Pipeline Trail is the crème-de-la-crème of trail running in the state. Pipeline has different access points, allowing folks to increase or decrease the level of difficulty on demand. It's mostly flat aside from a few switchbacks, but don't let that deter you from the spectacular views of Salt Lake Valley you'll receive during your hike or run.
2. Friendship Trail
3. Folsom Trail
Best Scenic Drive
Alpine Loop
This iconic 20-mile drive connects American Fork Canyon with Provo Canyon. While it is the must-go place every autumn for the breathtaking scenery, it's equally stunning to visit during the summer months. An alternative byway cutoff takes you through the Cascade Springs into Midway, where you can drive slowly to soak it all in. If you have visitors from out of state, this is a great intro to Utah's beauty.
utah.com/things-to-do/scenic-drives/alpine-loop-scenic-drive
2. Mirror Lake Highway
3. Guardsman Pass
Best Side Trip: Eastern Utah
Dinosaur National Monument
Time travel might not be possible right now, but Dinosaur National Monument is the next best thing. This playground for dino lovers located on the Utah-Colorado border is packed with more than 1,500 fossils that bring the prehistoric past to life. Beyond the bones, you're in for jaw-dropping scenery, with rugged canyons, winding Green and Yampa rivers and ancient petroglyphs to explore.
nps.gov/dino
2. Helper, Utah
3. Nine Mile Canyon
Best Skate Park
Utah State Fairpark
This west side skatepark has hosted both the Vans Park Series World Championship and the Street League Series Championship Tour. So, not too shabby, eh? Over the past few years, it has expanded to include more street-style aspects like rails, stairs and boxes. It's a treasured facility for skaters and open daily until dusk. Bring your skateboard and check it out!
utahstatefair.com/p/skatepark
2. Woodward Park City
3. Holladay City Skatepark
Best Side Trip: Zions/Bryce Area
Coral Pink Sand Dunes
Formed by the gentle dance of wind over ancient Navajo sandstone, Coral Pink Sand Dunes is a magical desert realm where vibrant pink sands create surreal dreamscapes of rolling hills and hidden valleys. Take an exhilarating descent down a dune with a sandboard or bask in the ethereal beauty of the sunset. With its captivating scenery, Coral Pink Sand Dunes feels like a secret oasis in Utah's red rock wilderness.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/coral-pink
2. Kolob Canyon
3. Bentonite Hills
Best Side Trip: Moab Area
Dead Horse Point State Park
Can't get into Arches? No worries, Dead Horse Point is even better. Offering some of the most breathtaking views around, it's perfect for hiking, camping, biking or soaking in the desert scenery. Perched high above the Colorado River, the park's famous overlook provides stunning panoramic vistas of deep canyons and red rock formations. Legend says that cowboys once used the narrow point as a corral for wild horses, hence the name.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/dead-horse
2. White Rim Overlook
3. Elephant Hill Trailhead
Best Side Trip: Northern Utah
Flaming Gorge
Whether you're into world-class boating, fishing for trophy-sized trout or paddle boarding across the shimmering reservoir, Flaming Gorge is an adventure-lover's paradise nestled among the towering red cliffs that inspire the name. For adrenaline junkies, there's whitewater rafting on the Green River just below Flaming Gorge Dam while hikers and campers will find endless trails winding through rugged canyons and untouched wilderness.
flaminggorgecountry.com
2. Spiral Jetty
3. Sun Tunnels
Best Ski Resort
Snowbird
Snowbird Ski Resort is a winter wonderland in the Wasatch Mountains, known for epic powder and awesome alpine terrains. There's no shortage of thrilling runs for those who like it steep and deep, featuring both challenging slopes and family-friendly trails. Après-ski options range from bar bites to fine dining. And with cozy lodging options and The Cliff Spa to end the day, it all amounts to one unforgettable trip.
snowbird.com
2. Brighton Resort
3. Alta Ski Area
Best Small Town Main Street
Helper
Helper is home to a nationally registered historic Main Street, a true melting pot of cultures and ethnicities where 27 languages were spoken in the early 1900s. Today, Helper is a vibrant hub of the arts with galleries and studios and home to the Rio Theater. Their town is so adorable that the Smithsonian chose it to be part of a touring photography exhibit of Main Streets across the nation.
visitutah.com/places-to-go/cities-and-towns/helper
2. Park City
3. Kamas
Best Snowboarding Resort
Brighton Resort
How do you make the best snowboard resort in Utah even better? The latest additions include the high-speed six-seater Doppelmayr lift, reserved parking, the new Snake Creek Lodge and Sidewinder restaurant, menu updates at Milly Chalet, Molly Greens and The Rose. With more than 1,000 acres of powder-filled alpine terrain, 500+ inches of average annual snowfall, unparalleled backcountry access and a locals-first vibe, Brighton keeps us renewing our season passes year after year.
brightonresort.com
2. Snowbird
3. Snowbasin Resort
Best Spa Retreat Getaway
The Grand America Hotel
The Grand Spa is consistently awarded Forbes Five Star certification and offers treatments ranging from massages and mani/pedis to Hydrofacials and honey body wraps. Locals can purchase a resident pass and enjoy access to the fitness center, complimentary yoga, hot tub, pool and saunas, plus spa discounts and more.
grandamerica.com
2. Snowbird
3. Stein Eriksen Lodge
Best Summer Camp
Camp Cloud Rim
Tucked away in the mountains above Park City, Cloud Rim nestles itself around the shores of Lake Brimhall. Its beautiful landscapes and sunsets are rivaled only by its accommodations: bunkhouses or cabins along quiet, peaceful trails. The lodge is enormous and boasts breathtaking views while the surrounding property offers all sorts of water and hiking related activities. Owned by the Girl Scouts, the property is available for rental outside of the May-August season.
gsutah.org
2. Woodward Park City
3. Camp Tuttle
Best Sunset View
Red Butte Garden - Water Conservation Garden
For a romantic evening walking along some beautiful gardens, check out the three-acre Water Conservation Garden at Red Butte. You can experience Utah's iconic, rich sunset surrounded by beautiful, native plants. There are a variety of themed gardens such as Desert Harvest, Groundcover Tapestry, Flowering Shrub Hillside and Adaptive Beauty gardens so you can keep going back to experience many more sunsets.
redbuttegarden.org
2. The Great Saltair
3. The Sky Terrace at the Natural History Museum Of Utah
Best Utah Curio Shop
Dancing Cranes Imports
From gemstones and jewelry to talismans and textiles, Dancing Cranes Imports offers a soothing and spiritual shopping experience where your intuition guides you among the aisles. Explore incense and herbs, create a ritual with meditation pillows and singing bowls, tap into the unknown with tarot and oracle decks. The shop also offers yoga classes, meditations, sound baths and psychic readings!
dancingcranesimports.com
2. The Pleiadian Altar
3. Antique Shoppe
Best Utah Destination Hotel
Boulder Mountain Lodge
Visit the town of Boulder and your plate of remarkable vistas may be served with a side of politics (it's one of Utah's junctions of old west and new reality) at the James Beard-nominated Hell's Backbone Kitchen on site. That's just one major plus. Among the others are Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, the Anasazi State Park and, of course, looking into crystalline skies where the Milky Way and the naked eye unite for something everyone should behold.
boulder-utah.com
2. Red Cliffs Lodge
3. Skyview Hotel
Best Town That Time Forgot
Helper
Born into a dual role as a railroad-and-mining hub in the 1880s, Helper was a one-time boom town in Carbon County. Now a tourist destination, the village is home to period structures that serve a mix of locals and visiting adventurers. Gallery events and festivals of all sorts routinely dot the annual calendar. Main Street remains the draw, but the whole town can be traversed on a nice evening.
helpercity.gov
2. Eureka
3. Huntsville
Best Urban/City Bike Trail
Jordan River Parkway
Utah's state leadership recently entered the trail game, endeavoring to create car-free connections through and between cities. But it was really Salt Lake County (with assists from Utah and Davis counties) that got the wheels turning with the Jordan River Parkway, a 40-mile-long trail system and linear park—decades in the making—that ties the Wasatch Front together in an emerald ribbon of nature, open space, recreational amenities, safe commuting routes and people-first neighborhood connections.
2. 9 Line
3. Murdock Canal Trail
Best Utah Day Trip
Salt Flats Rest Area
Located 90 minutes west of Salt Lake City, the world-famous salt flats deserve more than a mere drive-by; they invite a deeper exploration. Take the time to step onto the flats and immerse yourself in their vast, serene silence (easy access from the service station at mile marker 12 near Wendover). Many folks conduct photoshoots here, since the landscape feels particularly otherworldly. The salt flats are undoubtedly a must-see; just don't scratch them up.
visitutah.com/articles/bonneville-salt-flats-planning-guide
2. Helper/Helper Beer
3. Veyo Pool & Canyon Resort
Best Utah Ghost Town
Eureka
Eureka, set in the once-bustling Tintic mining region, stands today as a memorial to a time in Utah history brimming with adventure, mystery and folklore. A visitor will learn a thing or two about mining and the old west, and just might catch a glimpse of a lingering ghost in the process. Far from moribund, Eureka is also a popular base camp for rock hunting, off-road adventures, camping, dining and unique shopping opportunities.
eurekautah.org
2. Cisco
3. Iosepa
Best Utah Heritage Site
This is the Place Heritage Park
Very few states have a history as unique as Utah, and This is the Place Heritage Park expertly shows us a glimpse of the places and things seen during the state's earliest days. It's a theme park of sorts, a state park and a place for wedding receptions. Generations of kids have been brought here, too, given the vast, outdoor venue featuring everything from small-gauge train rides to conversations with prospectors and apothecaries.
thisistheplace.org
2. Anasazi State Park Museum
3. Golden Spike Monument
Best Utah Small Town
Helper
Named for the little "helper" engines that once moved coal through the steep mine incline canyons, Helper is home to a number of events with two anchor events being the Helper Arts, Music, and Film Festival and the Electric Light Parade. Throughout the summer months you can visit and enjoy Helper Vibes and beginning 2025, catch a ball game now that USU Eastern calls Helper's fields their home! Diamond from coal, indeed.
helpercity.gov
2. Kanab
3. Kamas
Best Utah State Park
Goblin Valley State Park
Looking to escape the crowds at Utah's "Big 5" National Parks? Want to see natural wonders you can explore in a single day? Need a dog-friendly destination with convenient camping? Consider Goblin Valley your go-to. This park offers a handful of hiking trails and encourages visitors to get up close to its unique sandstone hoodoos. Canyoneering, mountain biking, stargazing and a disc golf course also let you adventure your way.
stateparks.utah.gov/parks/goblin-valley
2. Antelope Island State Park
3. Dead Horse Point State Park
Best Utah Vacation Getaway
Moab
Moab is a known state icon, beloved for its red rocks, parks and miles of mountain bike and ORV riding. Of course, you must visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands and Dead Horse Point, but there's more. Aside from its landmarks, outdoor enthusiasts will love Moab's options of mountain biking, rock climbing, rafting, and hiking. Stay for a long weekend and don't miss out on the incredible sunsets and views of the night stars.
discovermoab.com
2. Uinta Mountains
3. Lake Powell
Most Overlooked Site/Curiosity
The Spiral Jetty
Located within the rising-but-mostly-falling waters of the Great Salt Lake, the Spiral Jetty isn't exactly near Salt Lake City at roughly a two-hour drive from downtown. But when the water's low, there's nothing like seeing Robert Smithson's 1,500-foot natural sculpture emerge in the distance. Come and scramble down to the lakebed to walk alongside one of America's remotest works of art. This site has been providing daily magical moments since 1970.
diaart.org
2. International Peace Gardens (Salt Lake City)
3. Fantasy Canyon (Vernal)
Best Animal Encounter
The Keas at Tracy Aviary
With apologies to the boisterous kookaburras nearby, Tracy Aviary's most-engaging residents may be the keas. These New Zealand parrots are active birds with high cognitive skills. They'll linger near their fenceline, engaging in all types of tasks right in front of Tracy's human guests, arranging and rearranging their various toys and trinkets in a day-long celebration of avian busy work. These are colorful, interesting, amusing and fascinating birds to experience up-close.
tracyaviary.org
Best Day Trip with a GPS
Republic of Zaqistan
It may not take quite as long to locate Zaqistan as it does to reach nirvana, but the tiny speck of Utah desert containing this micronation will require several things. Exact coordinates are a must, as are a high-riding vehicle with a full tank of gas, plus a sense of adventure. Your journey will take you through several hours of rough terrain with America's most remote, unique sculpture garden as your destination. IG: @zaqistanrepublic
Best Downtown Glow Up
The Radisson Hotel
The newly remodeled Radisson in downtown Salt Lake and the addition of executive chef Jason Hammett to Copper Canyon House & Tavern has received some buzz in the beehive. The refresh at the Radisson makes for a great staycation right in the heart of downtown SLC. The indoor pool and hot tub make it an even more attractive option year-round.
choicehotels.com/utah/salt-lake-city/radisson-hotels/ut302
Best Instagram for Urban Explorers
WalkSLC
Cities are complex organisms, and for every high-traffic attraction like Temple Square, Liberty Park or The Whale, there are hundreds of quiet corners, back alleys and other less-seen spaces that go undiscovered and unappreciated. On Instagram, the @walkSLC_ account takes an "all of the above" approach to local urbanism, zooming in for a closer look and finding beauty in the crumbling brick, rusted steel and burned-out bulbs that live off the beaten paths. IG: @walkSLC_
Best "New" Year Round Resort
Snowbasin Resort
Other than in-the-know locals, few knew much about Snowbasin prior to the 2002 Winter Olympics, where the downhill competitions took place. Afterward, Snowbasin wasn't forgotten, but it wasn't exactly top of mind, either—but things are changing. More Utahns are increasingly heading to this primo resort east of Ogden not only to ski, but to partake in a growing number of year-round opportunities and activities (Oktoberfest and Blues and Brews).
snowbasin.com
Best Outdoor Volleyball Tournament
Orem Labor Day Club Classic
Organizing these tournaments seems like a massive headache, but the Utah Outdoor Volleyball Association still finds a way to put one together each weekend. There were over 150 partnerships signed up for the Club Classic this year, and everyone goes hard. If you're looking for high level 2v2 volleyball played on the grass, this might just be Utah's pinnacle.
uova.org
