City Guide 2025 

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• betterutah.org
• Alliance for a Better Utah protestors at the Utah State Capital

Get Active, Get Marching
Whatever cause is dear to your heart, you can find a local group to fight alongside you.
By Babs De Lay

When I was a young and dumb in the 1970s, it seemed like the world was changing fast ... for the better and for the worse. The vibe, when I think back, is just like the chaos that we're experiencing now with MAGA supporters and the pro- and anti-war division towards the Ukraine/Russia and Israel/Palestine conflicts. And if you're someone inclined towards political activism, you can find local groups that continue the legacy of making "good trouble" that kicked off more than 60 years ago.

The Vietnam War was over when the last U.S. troops left the country in 1973; we didn't win that undeclared war, but lost almost 60,000 troops. So many of us were against that war for a myriad of reasons, but partly because of the mandatory draft for men over 18 years of age, most of whom, because of student deferments, seemed to be young men of color. Racial justice work continues in groups like Utah's Black Lives Matter (blacklivesmatterutah.com), which has been around Utah since 2014, even though only 2% of our state population is Black. George Floyd was murdered in 2020 in Minnesota and the repercussions around the world echoed here as well, with Black Lives Utah coming to the forefront of local protests. The group is still active in the state, being a voice for marginalized communities and against police violence.

The civil rights movement triggered the women's rights movement of the '60s and '70s, as women sought to end inequality, including rights to their own bodies. The Roe v. Wade ruling by the Supreme Court was in 1973, but the National Organization for Women (NOW) was formed in 1966. Utah's local chapter (now.org/chapter/utah-now) focuses on such issues as reproductive rights, ending sex discrimination, constitutional equality, promoting diversity and ending racism, economic justice, stopping violence against women and LGBTQIA rights.

The Salt Lake Rape Recovery Center (raperecoverycenter.org) was created in 1975 to assist victims of sexual assault. Beyond those groups, there are currently more than 170 different women's networks, groups and associations across the state focused on politics, higher education and business to this day.

The Stonewall "gay riot" happened in New York City in 1969, and members/allies of the LGBTQIA+ community formed support groups and held marches throughout the country for basic civil rights. Equality Utah (equalityutah.org) formed in 2001 as the largest organization in the state fighting for the rights of people and protections on the basis of one's sexual orientation or gender identity.

The United Farm Workers was founded in 1962 in California by César Chávez and Dolores Huerta, and has fought for years to gain better working conditions and pay for agricultural workers around the U.S. There's no chapter in Utah, but there is the Utah Farmer's Union (utahfarmersunion.com), which is committed to representing the interests of Utah farmers on issues like sustainability, genetically modified crops, markets, conservation and the environment.

Comunidades Unidas (cuutah.org) is an immigrant and Latino advocacy group based in West Valley City that promotes voter registration, as Latinos are the largest minority group in the state. There's also the Utah Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (utahhcc.com) that helps to inform, uplift and support minorities living here.

We live in a beautiful state, one that includes many organizations advocating for preserving our air, water and green spaces through environmental protection. That list includes Save Our Canyons (saveourcanyons.org); HEAL Utah (Healthy Environment Alliance) (healutah.org); Friends of Great Salt Lake (fogsl.org); Utah Open Lands (utahopenlands.org); Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (suwa.org); and Breathe Utah (breatheutah.org).

For those committed to preserving political accountability, the progressive Alliance for a Better Utah (betterutah.org) advocates for such policies to help make Utah an even better place. The local ACLU (acluutah.org) chapter advocates for civil rights and freedoms of everyone.

Basically, there's a group/cause in the state that fits your personal beliefs and passions. All that's left for you to do is make the effort to find and align yourself to one.

• dogmode.com
• A happy guest at Dog Mode’s Aquatic Fitness Center

Creature Comforts
How to find, care for and have fun with your pet in SLC
By Carolyn Campbell

In Utah, according to a 2018 study by the American Veterinary Medicine Association, 58.5% of households have a pet, with 36.2% owning dogs and 24.7% owning cats. In fact, more Utah residences have pets than have children. Pet ownership is rewarding because pets are tremendously giving creatures. The owner offers food and care, and the animal provides friendship and company.

Utah pets are available from breeders, shelters, rescues, classifieds and pet stores. Before getting a pet, evaluate your finances, suggests Ryan DeGrey, special programs coordinator with Salt Lake County Animal Services. Be prepared for starter materials like bowls and leashes and ongoing maintenance items such as food, treats, and toys. DeGrey adds, "Make sure you are also available for emergency expenses, such as x-rays or specialized treatment."

Once you feel you've found the right pet, read about it to learn more, suggests Jodie Hanger, a veterinary technician at Midvalley Animal Clinic. Familiarity can help you decide if an animal is compatible with your family regarding maintenance, accommodations and temperament. "Consider your lifestyle and what sort of care a pet needs," advises Hannah Whiting, hospital manager at Riverside Pet Care in Saratoga Springs.

Go to dog shows; talk to people who own the breed you are interested in. For example, "Doodles and poodles need consistent grooming." Whiting is willing to answer questions from pet owners who email her at hannahw@riversidepetcare.com.

DeGrey adds that when an owner adopts a new pet from Salt Lake County Animal Services (saltlakecounty.gov/animals-pets), it will already be sterilized, current on vaccines and microchipped. "Adopting a shelter dog or cat helps the facility maintain its status as a no-kill shelter," he says. The Humane Society of Utah and Best Friends Animal Society are other shelters with adoptable pets.

Hanger recommends that families considering dogs have a fenced yard and undergo training with their new pet, such as obedience or socialization. Camp Bow Wow (campbowwow.com), Bark Busters (barkbusters.com), Dog Training Elite (dogtrainingelite.com) and The Canine Mind (thecaninemind.org) are among the top dog training facilities in Utah. DeGrey suggests using Google training videos to help a dog learn general commands, and recommends choosing a training that offers positive reinforcement—treats and/or positive rewards when the animal exhibits a desired behavior. "If a boss tells me I am doing a good job and rewards me, our relationship will be better than if he comes over and yells at me. It's the same for animals."

A calm, quiet introduction to the new environment may help an animal to assimilate smoothly. Hanger suggests that owners bring kittens home and place them in one quiet room for their initial adjustment: "If they have the run of the house at first, they may become anxious and 'misplace' their litter box." After the cat feels at home, move the box wherever you want. "The cat can roam through the house without being disoriented," she says. "Place puppies in a quiet room in a kennel or crate with water and toys." This begins "crate training," where the theory is that a puppy will not soil where he sleeps.

Puppies are born with maternal antibodies that start tapering off. "Please bring them to the vet—the sooner, the better—for booster vaccines to help restore their immunity," says Whiting. Bring any new animal to a veterinarian for a first exam regarding vaccines and medical concerns, says DeGrey. "You can choose a vet based on financial charges, closeness to home, online reviews, or ease of scheduling," says DeGrey. "Find one you are comfortable with. Salt Lake County Animal Services will give you a voucher to have a vet see your pet."

Consider dog parks such as Parley's Historic Nature Park (2667 Heritage Way), Herman Franks Park (1371 S. 700 East) or Cottonwood Park (1580 W. North Star Drive) for a socializing opportunity.

"Read the park signs. Some require a license tag or have specific days or areas where it's okay for your dog to be off-leash," says DeGrey. "Make sure your dog has some recall to you, so he will return to you after you let him off-leash."

Consider trails such as the Jordan River Parkway Trail, McClelland Trail and the 9-Line Trail for on-leash walks. Check out dogfriendlyslc.com for more info on dog-friendly businesses.

Daycare is another chance for your dog to meet others. Boarding facilities such as Camp Bow Wow, PetSuites Herriman (herriman.petsuitesofamerica.com) and Dog Mode (dogmode.com) offer equipment such as webcams for pet owners to watch during the day, indoor pools, and playgrounds.

It's no secret that pets can contribute to happiness. Studies show that dogs reduce stress, anxiety and depression; they ease loneliness, encourage exercise and improve overall health.

Take care of your furry friend, and they'll help take care of you.

• Clint Burlap
• A Fab Five at Arnie’s Dog Spa

Best Pet Groomer
1. Arnie's Dog Spa
Dog moms and dads rave about the gentle and thoughtful treatment that Isabel, McKenna and the other groomers provide. The spa has earned a reputation for working with larger breeds like German Shepherds and huskies. Looking at the before and after pictures of their clientele is definitely worth at least 15 minutes of your time.
arniesdogspa.com

2. A Cut Above Pet Salon
This Millcreek establishment specializes in mini and full grooms as well as bath and brush services for dogs of varying sizes. For that pup in need of extra primping, they also provide teeth brushing, CBD drops and "pawdicures." Whatever the breed, they'll satisfy the need!
IG: @acutabovepetsalon

3. Kibbles & Cuts
With locations in Draper, South Jordan, Sandy and Highland, Kibbles & Cuts has become a reliable destination for gentle grooming services that encompass both cats as well as dogs. Whether kitty's an odorous tangle or doggy's a matted mess, you can schedule an appointment. Before you know it, your fur baby will be feeling (and smelling) like new.
kibblesandcuts.com

Best Pet Supply Store
1. The Dog's Meow
If all you want is a 50-pound bag of mass-produced kibble, you've got grocery stores and chain pet emporia. But if you want options for the healthiest specialty pet food, you need a place like The Dog's Meow, with its impressive stock of wholesome options for dogs and cats. And if you're visiting select locations, you can also take advantage of dog-washing stations to keep your pooch their fresh-and-friskiest.
dogsmeow.com

2. Healthy Pets (Salt Lake City)
Bursting at the seams with natural foods, salubrious supplements and quality toys, Healthy Pets is one of Salt Lake City's preeminent locations for all your animal's needs. They proudly aim for a stock free of harmful chemicals and offer monthly specials by the brand, so check them out regularly. You can also visit their website's Pet Gallery to add a dollop of adorable to your day.
healthypetsslc.com

3. Ma & Paws Bakery
Since 1998, Ma & Paws has made a specialty of promoting healthy eating and quality care for your beloved cat or dog. Offering raw, alternative and canned foods, plus supplements, toys, a self-serve washing station and a bakery for quality doggie treats, this really is a one-stop shop for the pets in your life.
maandpawsbakeryinc.com

• Talsey Hunter
• Skip traffic and take Trax to the City Creek Mall.

A La Mode
Salt Lakers who drive to the train never have to hunt for downtown parking.
By Benjamin Wood

There's a simple trick to driving in Salt Lake City that, once mastered, means never having to hunt for parking ever again: Park near a train stop.

No really, that's it. Utah's capital city is served by three high-frequency Trax light rail lines (soon to be four), plus the regional Frontrunner Train and the S-Line Streetcar through Sugar House. If one's destination is within a half-mile or so of a train stop—and most major ones are—then that person need only get themselves to the Trax or Frontrunner station nearest to their home, where competition for parking from fellow car-owners is likely to be far less intense.

One-third of Utah's population lives in Salt Lake County, and the bulk of the Wasatch Front's day-to-day travel demand is derived from people going into, out of, around and through the capital city. Drivers aren't in traffic; they are traffic.

A multi-modal trip combining driving and rail service is not just possible, it's a convenient alternative that many Salt Lakers have been missing out on for years. And with plans to expand and improve the passenger rail network before the 2034 Olympics, this life hack will only pay higher dividends in the future.

Here are a few examples of how to go multi-modal to Salt Lake City's marquee destinations, starting from a baseline assumption that readers have already made it to a train station. For more information on transit routes, schedules and fares, visit rideuta.com.

To the Delta Center
Trax: Blue and Green lines to Arena Station; Red line transfer at Courthouse Station
Frontrunner: North Temple Station

According to the Downtown Alliance, the busiest days in Salt Lake City are when something is happening at the Delta Center. And that's more true now than ever, with the Utah Hockey Club joining the Utah Jazz in the heart of the city, plus a range of year-round programming like Disney on Ice, concerts and monster truck rallies.

Don't let gridlock on the streets spoil a great night—drive to a Trax station and transfer to either a Blue or Green train, or arrive directly on Frontrunner with a short walk from North Temple Station. Better yet, you can make a night of it by heading to Main Street for drinks and bites after (or before) the big game and catch the train home from a different station.

To the University of Utah
Trax: Red Line to Stadium Station, University South Campus Station, Fort Douglas Station or University Medical Center Station; Blue and Green lines transfer at Courthouse Station
Frontrunner: Transfer to Red Line Trax at Murray Central Station

Universities are like their own mini-cities, and Utah's flagship campus is lucky to have the option of passenger rail. The U hosts four Trax stations, currently serviced by the Red Line, but plans are in motion to extend the rails into Research Park and double the Trax frequency on campus with the addition of a new Orange line to the SLC Airport, via downtown. Much of the car traffic headed to Rice-Eccles Stadium, the Huntsman Center, the LDS Institute, Kingsbury Hall, Pioneer Theatre or the medical center would be far more efficiently addressed by folks parking elsewhere and catching a train for the last leg of their trip.

To Temple Square/City Creek
Trax: Blue and Green lines to City Center Station or Temple Square Station; Red line transfer at Courthouse Station.
Frontrunner: Transfer to Green Line Trax at North Temple Station; transfer to Blue Line Trax at Salt Lake Central Station and Murray Central Station.

While most Utah drivers know that Salt Lake City's (and County's) addresses are based on the Latter-day Saint Temple at Temple Square, it may not have occurred to many that the true zero-zero point in that grid is the intersection of South Temple and Main Street. This is also where the original 2002-era Trax route bends through the core of the city, which is why the best way to get to Utah's most famous man-made landmark is by train.

But multi-modal travelers should still note the abundant underground parking at Temple Square and the corresponding LDS-owned shopping center to its south. For a fun night in the city, it's often easiest to park at City Creek (the first two hours are free) and then utilize Trax to visit multiple destinations in a single evening, like the Delta Center/Main Street combo noted earlier.

To Sugar House Monument Plaza
Streetcar: Fairmont Station
Trax: Red, Blue and Green lines transfer at Central Pointe Station.

Salt Lake's historic neighborhoods developed around trolley lines that used to be ubiquitous throughout the capital city. And it's no coincidence that the most beloved areas of town are those that retain a pre-car philosophy in their built environments.

Sugar House is one such neighborhood, and its seemingly endless growing pains are largely the consequence of trying to shoehorn car traffic into a space that wasn't built for it and, now, trying to undo that mistake and revert back to being a "second downtown" designed around people.

The good news is that it's working—so long as you don't try to experience Sugar House by car. Instead, catch the S-Line Streetcar (or try biking the beautiful trail that runs alongside it) to Fairmont Park, where a short walk along McClelland Street will deposit you on Monument Plaza. A streetcar extension is in the works, which in time will deposit riders directly at the shopping center on Highland Drive and a stone's throw from Sugar House Park.