Fun Things to Do While Visiting Salt Lake City

Surrounded by breathtaking views of majestic mountain peaks, Salt Lake City provides a memorable setting for the 2008 NAFA Institute and Expo. Salt Lake City was founded in 1847 and is full of rich history. Nicknamed the “Crossroads of the West” due to the construction of the first transcontinental railroad in 1869, Salt Lake City also hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Downtown Salt Lake City Sight-Seeing

While staying in downtown Salt Lake City for the convention, take a moment to visit the Salt Lake Art Center, which includes rotating contemporary visual art exhibits.

The Gateway is an open-air shopping center, complete with dining and entertainment. With more than 115 shops and restaurants, there are numerous places to pick up a memento from your trip and grab a bite to eat. The Olympic Legacy Plaza water display is located at the north end of The Gateway. The Olympic Snowflake Fountain is coordinated to music every 30 minutes. The names of all 28,000 Olympic volunteers are carved in rock on the wall of honor behind the fountain.

Also at The Gateway, Clark Planetarium features Utah’s only 3-D, IMAX Theater, along with a state-of-the-art full-dome star theater, science store, and free admission to exhibits.

The 1908 Union Pacific Depot is an outstanding example of French Renaissance architecture. Original artwork adorns the Grand Hall with murals and stained glass depicting Utah’s history.

The historic Temple Square is a 10-acre plot that contains the six-spired Salt Lake Temple, the central worship facility for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Also on the Square is the domed Tabernacle, home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Assembly Hall where free concerts are given most weekends. Free tours are offered daily in 30 languages and start every few minutes at the flagpole.

The Eagle Gate was originally erected in 1859 at the entrance to Brigham Young’s property, which led to the mouth of City Creek Canyon. Capping the 76-foot span of Eagle gate is a 4,000-lb. eagle with a wingspread of 20 feet.
  

A remnant of Utah’s first public building and the first theater west of the Mississippi, the Social Hall Heritage Exhibit is a glass enclosure that displays the walls of the original building, along with artifacts.

Rent a Carriage for Hire. Year-round, horse-drawn carriage tours depart from the Temple Square south gates after 6 p.m.

Fine Dining in Salt Lake City

The Cucina Toscana was rated “Best Italian Restaurant” and “one of Utah’s Top 25 Restaurants” by Salt Lake magazine. The restaurant specializes in serving authentic Tuscan fare in a visually dramatic atmosphere.

The Red Iguana specializes in traditional Spanish, Mexican, and pre-Hispanic cuisine. Established in 1985, The Red Iguana is renowned locally and worldwide for its rich food and authentic atmosphere.