City Guide 2025 

• Cover Illustrated By Dung Hoang

The Good Kind of Weird
Utah native Kerry Jackson is the co-host of Radio from Hell, the longtime morning show on KXRK 96.3 FM which has Hall of Fame status in City Weekly's annual "Best of Utah" reader voting.

A very long time ago, I was at a party in New York City, and was asked by one of the locals, "Where you from?"

"Utah. Salt Lake City," was my reply. 

She cocked her head to one side and continued questioning. "Do you ski?" No, I replied. "Are you Mormon?" Again, I replied no.

She exhaled and seemed annoyed. "Then why do you live in Utah?"

Again, that was a very long time ago.

Recently I was in Southern California at a bar. The bartender asked, "Had to travel out of state to get a real drink, eh?" I asked the bartender for High West Whiskey, and asked him to read where the serious brown liquor was made. That's right, Utah.

I've been asked by people who are planning to come to Salt Lake City for the first time, "What are some things to do there besides the usual, very famous sights and sounds?"

Well, I suppose you should go to The Heavy Metal Shop and get one of their world-famous skull logo t-shirts (buy a few; your friends will want one back home). Memory Grove is quite lovely and pleasant. Right after that, you should then go to the Gilgal Sculpture Garden for a real night-and-day headscratcher, and say hello to the Joseph Smith sphinx while you are there—Mr. Brick Pants. Swing by the Capitol City Antique Mall for some funky vintage stuff for your living room and your closet.

I'm told our greatest contribution to world cuisine is the Pastrami Burger. Everybody in town has their favorite, and fights have broken out over the subject. I won't weigh in. There is a local food truck I'm digging right now called Grumpy Dough. Great breakfast sandwiches. You can find them right next to RubySnap Cookies, a damn fine treat as well. If you are not from Southern California, Red Iguana is real-deal mole. I like the Fish Taco Combo or "Maria's Plato" at Lone Star Taqueria.

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If you really want an experience, I very strongly recommend you take a "Whiskey and History" walking tour from the Wine Academy of Utah. Founder Jimmy Santangelo is extremely entertaining and if you're not careful, you may learn something before it's done.  

The articles that follow include many additional excellent recommendations for your time here. Get out and try a few, and your stay in SLC will be quite memorable.

I heard a local tell a visitor the other day, "We're not the bad kind of weird; we're the good kind." Twisted logic, yes. Kinda sums it up for me, though.

By Kerry Jackson

• Frank Gleeson
• The Salt Lake Valley, as seen from Utah’s Capitol Hill

SLC Mythbusting
Not everything you think you know about this place is true.
By Thomas Crone

Arriving in Salt Lake during the first days of 2022 with a COVID-affected partner, not a stick of furniture and a clock that had long passed its midnight, I wandered into our bleak, bedless apartment for a few hours of poor sleep. In the morning, I walked outside and my tired eyes spotted something notable at the very end of our street: a snow-capped mountain! Maybe I should have expected that, dear reader, but as a lifelong Midwesterner, that initial impression of daytime Salt Lake City never left me—and I've often found myself glancing into the mid-distance, appreciating the horizon in a way that probably escapes locals.

True, I should've had more of a sense that Salt Lake City was ringed by mountains. But with only five weeks to sell a house, pack a life and hit the road for a new reality in a city I'd never even visited, my pre-move crash-course in SLC culture was a binge view of The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, a show that would suggest to the average viewer that the region's dominated by intense, hair-extended serial entrepreneurs. Turns out that I never met such a person in real life; guess I just hung in the wrong social circles.

Some of the stereotypes that accompanied me to the Beehive State proved easy enough to shake off. Others took a li'l more time. Here's a quick roundup of some memorable ones.

Hiking Shmiking: If you arrive in town by air, within the first few minutes of landing at SLC's airport, you notice the long bags that every eighth person is carrying. "Skis," you intuit after seeing a few dozen. Skiing and every type of outdoor activity is something that you're assumed to be "into" when moving to Salt Lake and, to be honest, that outdoor life's not my ... bag (unless you're counting multiple walking rounds of the duck pond at Liberty Park, at which I'm practically a pro). The fact is, there are plenty of coffee shops, music venues and other indoor activities to keep us nerds happy.

Beverages of All Sorts: There are ideas out there that coffee's going to be hard to find in Salt Lake, but the opposite is true. There's a good coffee shop in pretty much every neighborhood, and LDS-adjacent coffee substitutes like Postum are more of a random curiosity than a daily sight. Alcohol, too, is assumed to be a thing that you'll do without, but if you're a drinker, you'll surely find a place that suits your needs, even if some of the customs are very specific to Utah's nanny-state drinking rules 'n' regs. As an example, we were turned away from bars a few times on those sad occasions when one of us forgot our ID. A friend of ours in his 70s was made to finish the last ounce of his beer before his second was placed on the table. And we were reminded of the vagaries of Utah liquor laws when ordering a 5.1+% beer at a brewpub (which is a whole 'nother conversation) or when trying to find certain products at Smith's grocery store, only to learn that those could only be found at a State Liquor Store. Odd moments, these, from amusing to infuriating on a given day.

That LDS Thing: Once you've declared your move to Utah, you can expect questions about the role of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, with most folks assuming that "everyone there is Mormon." It doesn't take long to realize that, no, not everyone ascribes to the faith, but there's going to be a fairly constant conversation about the role of the church in daily life, and how its own history has seeped into that of the broader, secular culture around it. Over time, I noticed that there were a couple of parallel conversations happening. One was with other folks who'd emigrated into the state in later years; most of us were not LDS and were puzzling through the lingering role(s) of the church. Long-timers, meanwhile, came in several camps, with those who'd fallen away from the tenets of LDS serving as pretty regular discussion partners. A quick trip through the used stacks at Weller Book Works and Ken Sanders Rare Books can give you all the info you need if you're the book-readin' type, and learn best through the printed word. Oddly, some of the running storylines on Housewives proved useful conversation starters on the LDS topic. No lie.

Blue City, Red State: I moved to Salt Lake from St. Louis, then moved back, before decamping to New Orleans, where I sit to write this. All three are deeply blue cities in deeply red states, though Utah's largest city's identity as the state capital gives it a slightly different profile. Learning about some of the civic leaders who called the state home, from pioneer days through contemporary times, suggested an extremely conservative social climate. Yet, we ended up walking in the 2022 Pride parade with an arts group and were blown away by the attendance. Making the logical leap that most folks along that lengthy, heavily-attended parade route tended towards a more liberal mindset, there was a sense that my own preconceptions were at least somewhat skewed. There's a lot of cultural and political life in SLC that leans left, with boho enclaves around if you dig about a bit.

There's Nothing to Do: False. Read the calendar here at City Weekly or airing on KUAA or KCRW. There are plenty of activities across plenty of interest ranges at most price points. This myth doesn't deserve any more play: SLC's got life and energy. Things can feel a bit overdriven by capitalism, for sure, but in the wake of hyper-development, there's abundant, street-level action, aka "stuff to do."

Bouncing Back: Though I left Utah residence after less than a year, I've returned a half dozen times since, and am working on a half-baked plan to move back to the state in '26. If you're hiring, let me know, as I still need to try one of those "dirty" sodas I've heard so much about. Maybe, with my first sip, I'll finally crack the remaining codes.

• Utah Pride Center
• Salt Lake City’s annual Pride Parade

LGBTQ+ in SLC
Where to connect with all the queer fabulousness the city has to offer.
By Cat Palmer

If you think Salt Lake City is all temples and tabernacles, honey, you've only seen the surface. Beneath that squeaky-clean, postcard-perfect skyline is a thriving, glitter-dusted, rainbow-waving queer community that knows how to turn up, show up, and shake things up. From drag brunches that could convert a missionary to underground dance parties that defy the desert heat, SLC's LGBTQ+ scene is serving sass, class and a whole lot of fabulousness. Buckle up—it's time to spill the tea on the queerness that keeps this city fierce.

Mark your calendars: SLC Pride (slc-pride.org) is coming in hot on June 28-29, 2025, and it's all about turning up the volume on visibility, belonging, support and equity. This isn't just a party (though, trust me, it will be a PARTY)—it's a bold, joyful and beautiful community celebration of what it means to be queer here in the state of Utah. With an atmosphere designed for acceptance, understanding and full-throttle fabulosity, SLC Pride is making sure our voices are heard and our stories are celebrated.

But wait—there's more! The Utah Pride Festival (utahpride.org) is the state's biggest LGBTQ+ celebration, lighting up Library Square the first weekend of June with a dazzling parade, electric performances, a massive march down State Street, and all the rainbow-filled revelry you can handle. It's a can't-miss event that proves Utah's queer community is here, fierce and thriving.

Looking for community, connection and maybe a little comfort food? Encircle (encircletogether.org) is serving it all—literally! With programs like friendship circles and themed nights for different corners of the LGBTQ+ fam, they're creating safe, supportive spaces where you can show up exactly as you are. And did we mention they serve dinner every weekday? Yep, they're nourishing our youth (ages 12-24) in every way.

But let's be real—Salt Lake City's queer scene is way more than just meetups and support groups. This city is bursting with underground music, powerhouse poets and nightlife that keeps the party going. Don't sleep on The Galaxxy Band, Talia Keys or Zaza Historia VanDyke; if you want to stay in the know, UBLAC (ublac.org) is a must-follow. For spoken-word magic, keep an eye on Andrea G. Hardeman, Wynter Storm, Cydney Caradonna and Artikulate—they are serving truth, rhythm and realness.

Thirsty for a good time? Milk+ (milkslc.com) is the spot—one of the biggest LGBTQ+-focused, locally-owned bars in the city. Whether you're hitting up their Karaoke Sundays or one of their legendary events, you're in for a good time. And if you're craving drag with your brunch, look no further than the "Sip & Slay" brunches at HK Brewing—where Ivy Dior Stephens and friends serve up high-energy performances alongside craft cocktails, mocktails and kombucha (21+). Meanwhile, if you're sober but still want to be social, Queer & Sober SLC (IG: @queerandsoberslc) has your back with community events that don't require a drink in hand.

Did you know Salt Lake City is home to one of the longest-running international queer film festivals? That's right, we've been serving cinematic realness for 22 years! The Utah Queer Film Festival (utahqueerfilmfestival.org), formerly known as Damn These Heels, is back and ready to slay the big screen once again. Save the date for October 24-25, 2025, at The Rose Wagner Center for an unforgettable lineup of queer storytelling, with extra online screenings the following week. Lights, camera, fabulous—we'll see YOU at the movies.

Craving a good book or a chill way to find your people? Under The Umbrella (undertheumbrellabookstore.com) Bookstore & Café and Legendarium Books (legendariumbooks.com) are where it's at. From open mic nights and book clubs to queer speed dating, author events, drag story hour and youth art nights, these spots are serving up all the cozy, community vibes. So whether you're here to read, mingle or just soak up the queer magic—pull up a chair and stay awhile.

Want to keep your coins in queer-friendly spaces? The QPages (qpages.com) has your back with a hand-picked directory of businesses and services across Utah—because spending your money where it matters just hits differently. And if you're looking to support LGBTQ+ owned and allied businesses, let the Utah LGBTQ+ Chamber of Commerce (utahlgbtqchamber.org) be your guide. We love our inclusive city and all the amazing businesses that keep it thriving, so go show them some love.

In this state, we never forget our roots, and we know exactly how crucial the "T" in LGBTQ+ is. The first Pride was a riot—and we see you, Stonewall, giving us all the courage we needed. Want to stay plugged in to all the transgender fabulousness happening in town? Make sure you're following The Glitter Foundation on Instagram! And if you spot those rainbow flags staked around the state, you can bet it's thanks to Project Rainbow, spreading love and visibility far and wide.

Keep up with the drag royalty and follow @darcy_willey, @theonlysequoia, @theonlykaybye, @willietouchya and @madazon_can_can on Instagram to stay on top of all the must-see shows, karaoke nights and the hottest happenings in town. Because if you're not following the Qweens & Kings, are you even in the know?

Salt Lake City's queer scene is loud, proud and absolutely unshakable—no matter the political climate. We're here, we're fabulous and we're not going anywhere. From drag brunches to underground beats, poetry slams to all-night dance floors, we're building an inclusive, thriving community that welcomes everyone with open arms (and maybe a glitter bomb or two). So whether you're born and raised, freshly unpacked, or just passing through, know this: Queer Utah is alive, electric and the place to be. Stay loud, stay proud, and we'll see you on the dance floor!

• Courtesy photo
• Pickleball has become quite popular with older adults in SLC.

SLC For Seniors
A multitude of activities for fun and learning
By Carolyn Campbell

Businessman Bernard Osher believed that adults are never too old to learn, so he established a national learning network for people "age 50 and better." Osher Foundation President Mary Bitterman helped launch the University of Utah Osher program 20 years ago. Today, 1,600 lifelong-learning students—people over 50—study everything from Dungeons & Dragons to whitewater kayaking.

"The University of Utah enjoys one of the largest and fastest growing Osher institutes in the country," says director Jill Meyer. She adds that Osher offers more than continuing education courses; there are other classes, tours and field trips. If you're not 50, you can register online for Lunch and Learn to hear Zoom talks from local celebrities such as Matt Gephardt, Sterling Poulson, Rod Decker and Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera.

Four of the 15 senior centers spaced across Salt Lake Valley offer the café model, where pre-registration is not required for people of all ages to dine together, says Darcy Dockery, center program coordinator for Millcreek Senior Center. At Kearns, Midvale, Draper and Millcreek: "You can have lunch and meet and chat with someone who is new to you. Everyone can eat here, children, grownups and elderly grownups." For those over 60, lunches are free with a suggested $4 donation (lunch price for under 60 is $9). Pre-registration is required at the other congregate centers, and diners must be 60 and over.

Senior center activities for 60-plus people relate to numerous interests, such as exercise, health and wellness classes. "Affinity classes" include offerings such as knitting, archery, or "write your life story" classes. Some classes relate to student experiences such as widowhood or chronic health conditions. A virtual senior center offers activities for seniors less inclined to leave home.   

"These classes are self-directed. You might have a craft kit delivered, or we can send you the art supplies. You are meeting new people without leaving home or putting on your 'outside pants,'" says Afton January, Marketing Communications Public Relations Manager at Salt Lake County Aging & Adult Services. She adds that a senior center class catalog and their Senior Scoop newsletter can be found at slco.org/aging.

Susan Fine, substitute librarian with the Salt Lake County Library, says the County's 20 library branches offer many adult programs that seniors will enjoy. "Many seniors attend Tim Chambless' current-events program at East Millcreek Library," says Fine; Chambless has taught seven different courses for the University of Utah's Department of Political Science since 1987. There's a cookbook club where participants discuss cookbooks. "Each month, they discuss one cookbook and later prepare a recipe to share with the group," Fine adds. The Wordcraft Chapter of the League of Utah Writers (LUW) holds monthly meetings at Holladay Library on the first Tuesday at 1 p.m., a senior-friendly hour. The LUW is open to anyone interested in any kind of writing.

Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center features the Silver Sneakers fitness program among its amenities for active seniors. Silver Sneakers is a health, exercise, and wellness program that helps adults ages 65 and older live healthy, active lifestyles. In the U.S., Silver Sneakers members have access to more participating fitness locations (from national gyms to local community centers) than Starbucks coffee shops. A Silver Sneakers membership allows access to many facilities and classes. At Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center, senior-friendly features include heated pools with adult-only lap times, an indoor track, indoor racquetball courts, outdoor tennis courts, new state-of-the-art fitness equipment, circuit training, and numerous group fitness classes.

Although the average age of pickleball players is about 35, the sport is quite popular with older adults. A 2023 report by the Sports and Fitness Industry Association (SFIA) found that adults 65 and up were tied for second as the age group with the most participants in the sport. Thepicklr.com and the Utah Pickleball Forum's Facebook page are two places to learn more. "You can be in peak condition and play fast and furious, or you can move slow," says Kristin Sokol, a relationship development coach. Whether you are new to the game or a seasoned veteran, The Picklr has events, leagues, and clinics for all skill levels. They also provide snacks, drinks and other amenities to make your experience more enjoyable.

As a senior, no matter what option you choose, you'll benefit from activities for elderly individuals. You can make new friends, boost your mood, strengthen your body, or meet new people for much-needed emotional support. You don't need to stick to one activity, either.