Purely America

Salt Lake City
in 72 hours

Salt Lake City will surprise you. Surrounded by mountains, this lively city has an interesting and unusual past and a bright future. The vibe is friendly and laid-back, and the access to both urban and outdoor adventures creates opportunities for travellers of every ilk.

Exciting Additions
Salt Lake’s urban landscape is changing exponentially, and the fruits of this transformation are increasingly enjoyable. The Natural History Museum of Utah houses world-class exhibitions in a gorgeous building in the foothills. The outdoor City Creek Shopping Centre features over 90 stores and restaurants and has two fully retractable glass roofs, ensuring a year-round, climate-controlled environment. Other highlights include the architecturally astounding Salt Lake Public Library, the Leonardo Science and Culture Museum, and the Rio Tinto Stadium, home of the Real Salt Lake soccer team. The Eccles Theatre performing arts centre opened on Main Street in 2016. 

Good Taste
Salt Lake is for food lovers. Sophisticated palates should reserve a table at Valter’s Osteria for an authentic taste of Tuscany, or La Caille for a night of elegant French cuisine. Log Haven’s romantic mountain setting, New American menu and award-winning wine list will leave you starry-eyed. Downtown, don’t miss Pago’s locally sourced, seasonal plates; Frida Bistro’s incredible Mexican brunch; or Beer Bar’s bratwursts. Salt Lake is bubbling over with nationally recognized breweries and creative mixologists, so be sure to sample the craft beers and cocktails.

Uniquely American History
While Salt Lake’s origin story incorporates familiar Wild West themes, its cast of characters is extraordinary. The valley was settled in 1847 by Mormon pioneers who crossed the country, facing unbelievable obstacles, in hopes of practicing their religion and way of life unhindered. You can learn about the city’s history at some of Salt Lake’s most iconic attractions, such as downtown’s Temple Square, where tours are given in over 40 languages. You can also see evidence of the city’s heritage in the spirited ongoing dialog between the modern-day faithful and Salt Lake’s secular citizens, who now make up the majority of the city’s population.

 User Friendliness
There’s a reason Salt Lake was recently named the USA’s “Least Stressed City.” From the moment you arrive, you’ll notice that things are relatively hassle-free. Services and amenities are always close by, the streets are easy to navigate, public transportation is punctual, and an extensive shareable bike program lets you cruise around downtown for a charge that amounts to pocket change.

The Gateway to Utah’s Wild Places
Utah is famous for its natural wonders, which span everything from towering desert spires to lush alpine forests. There are five national parks within a couple hours’ drive, and Salt Lake is the perfect place to plan and unwind from your adventures. Even closer are 11 world-class ski resorts, a distinction that earned Salt Lake the moniker of “Ski City,” where you can spend the day skiing, the evening at the symphony and the night in the club or the hotel bar.

Welcome to Salt Lake City

On arrival in Salt Lake City we will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your hotel.

This evening settle in and have a nice meal so you are ready and refreshed for the next few days exploring Salt Lake City.

Day 1

Morning

Kicking off the first day in The Crossroads of the West with breakfast, make your way to The Park Café just south of Liberty Park in the heart of Downtown, where a hearty, family-style meal awaits overlooking the lush greens of the park from the dining room.


Working off breakfast with a stroll through Liberty Park, the city’s oldest and second-largest park, visitors have a chance to soak in effortlessly tranquil views of the lush greens and urban amenities, including swimming pools, tennis courts and even the Tracy Aviary, home to over 300 species of birds, surrounded by the city skyline and Wasatch Mountains.

 

Following lunch, take a short stroll to one of Salt Lake’s most iconic landmarks: Temple Square. Spanning five landscaped city blocks, this historic site serves as the spiritual heart of Downtown and the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Even as the Salt Lake Temple undergoes partial renovations, there’s no shortage of things to experience here.


Visitors can explore the striking Assembly Hall and the Salt Lake Tabernacle, home to the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Those visiting on a Thursday can even attend a live rehearsal, where the harmonious sounds of the 360-voice choir fill the space in a moving celebration of music and faith.
 

Beyond its religious significance, Temple Square also offers engaging visitor centres, interactive exhibits and guided tours that bring to life the stand history behind this remarkable landmark. Set amid manicured gardens and seasonal floral displays, it’s a place that beautifully captures Salt Lake’s balance of heritage, artistry and community.

               

Afternoon

Heading into the early afternoon, venture north of Temple Square towards the Utah State Capitol Building, taking in some of the city’s iconic urban art murals along the way, some of which paying homage to community activists, rock legends and even the Utah Jazz basketball team.


Visitors will be stunned as they approach the Capitol Building, one of Salt Lake’s most standout landmarks, and, depending on the season, may even be lucky enough to see it encircled by blossoming trees in the spring. Open seven days a week to the public, the building has stood as a centre for the state government for almost a century. For those curious to venture inside, free guided toursare available to join on the hour from 10am to 5pm on weekdays, offering insight into not only the building’s awe-inspiring and artfully guided interior, but also it's history, architecture and the workings of government processes themselves.
 

Approaching dinnertime, head for an anything-but-ordinary dining experience at Junah. An unlikely pairing of Italian and Japanese cuisine in what’s known as Itameshi, Junah delivers one of the most unique menus in the city, featuring everything from matcha tiramisu to gyoza ravioli. Having opened early in the spring of 2025, suffice to say it’s a new and certainly notable stop for foodies on any Salt Lake itinerary.


Day 2

Morning

Day two begins by heading eastward with a visit to where it all began for Salt Lake. This Is The Place Heritage Park pays homage to the very spot where the city’s first pioneers laid eyes on the valley that would later blossom into the destination we know today. From interactive exhibits depicting earlier life to the towering monument marking the historic moment Brigham Young declared, “this is the place,” the park offers a vivid window into Utah’s pioneering past.

 

Visitors can step into a recreated 19th-century village complete with blacksmith shops, log cabins and working farms, or simply take in the sweeping views over the Valley that inspired the city’s founding. With its blend of history, hands-on experiences and scenery, it’s a fitting way to connect with the roots of the Beehive State before diving back into the modern energy that defines the city today.
 

Leaving This Is The Place Heritage Park, it’s time to head a few minutes further east via Emigration Canyon Road where brunch awaits at Emigration Brewing Company. From breakfast classics to an array of brunch-only cocktails, a seasonal menu and craft brew rotation, this rustic yet elevated eatery ties itself in deeply with the region’s roots, celebrating Utah’s vibrant brewing history.  

 

Afternoon 

This afternoon calls for a journey towards Big Cottonwood Canyon for adventures at altitude at Brighton Ski Resort. Come summer or winter, the resort offers plenty of opportunity for outdoor thrills and recreation.

 

Alongside being one of the destination’s premier ski resorts during the snowy season with plenty of action for avid skiers and snowboarders, Brighton Ski Resort offers everything from scenic hiking trails to mountain biking and even disc golf in the warmer months, making it the perfect stop either for an afternoon carving fresh tracks in the powder, or soaking in the sights on an idyllic lift ride.
 

Once back on ground level, the evening calls for something with a little atmosphere Downtown. Repeal brings a moody, jazz-infused energy to the city’s nightlife. Low lighting and nightly live music set the tone, while its Mediterranean-inspired menu channels the spirit of the Prohibition era with a modern twist. With craft creativity and a touch of elegance at the core of the experience, Repeal also holds one of the state’s largest rare bourbon collections, promising an evening as memorable as it is flavourful.

Day 3

Morning

Begin your final morning in Salt Lake with breakfast at The Rose Establishment, a gem that blends the buzz of morning coffee with eclectic specials and mouth-watering takes on breakfast favourites, elevating the senses early and setting the pace for the day ahead.


Afterwards, head east towards the Natural History Museum of Utah, perched on the edge of the Wasatch foothills and home to a vast collection of nearly 2 million objects to discover. Immersive exhibits tell the story of Utah’s natural and cultural past, from dinosaur fossils and ancient minerals to Indigenous artistry and modern ecology.
 

By lunchtime, make your way to the 9th & 9th neighbourhood, one of Salt Lake’s most characterful (and walkable) corners. Independent shops, public murals and tree-lined streets give it a distinctly local feel, perfect for exploring on foot. For lunch, opt for Sapa if sushi is calling, or stay close to the action in 9th & 9th with a relaxed bite and a craft beer at East Liberty Tap House, a neighbourhood staple perfect for sunny patio moments.

               

Afternoon

This afternoon, venture beyond the city to Antelope Island State Park, the crown jewel of the Great Salt Lake and the largest of its islands. A haven for wildlife lovers and photographers alike, it’s known for its sweeping lake views, rolling landscapes and a 500-strong roaming bison herd, the nation’s largest and oldest public herd, in fact.


Return to the city for a memorable dinner at Table X, where farm-to-table cuisine meets minimalist design. Dishes are crafted around locally sourced produce, changing with the seasons to showcase Utah’s flavours at their best. Elegant, creative and unpretentious, it’s the perfect way to end three unforgettable days in Salt Lake.


Price Guide:
Everything we offer at Purely America is totally flexible, so you can travel on any day and stay in any grade of hotel in any room type and therefore the cost is unique to your needs.  Please either give us a call on 0844 80 444 80, email us or complete the tailor-made enquiry form below to obtain a quote.