Is SLC Walkable?
Image by Meagan Mullahy @ Mullahy Photography
Is Salt Lake City Walkable? The simple answer to this question, and one of the reasons we love Salt Lake City, is Yes! Salt Lake City is walkable. However, that is the simple answer that emphasizes the word CITY.
As a local, your idea of Salt Lake City may expand beyond the streets of downtown. We know it does for us! However, for today we are going to focus on the city of Salt Lake City and all the ways to explore this city on food. Visiting SLC? Come along with us because this will be your go-to guide to getting around Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City History
One of our favorite things about the city is the history that surrounds it. Yes, that includes some interesting history of the Mormon church BUT also a lot of other interesting things.
To get you in the mood, here is a bit of Salt Lake history that may be new to you - we know it was to us! In the early history of the city, all of the neighborhoods were technically Salt Lake City. It wasn’t until the 1980s that neighborhoods like Millcreek became incorporated as independent cities, and Cottonwood Heights didn’t even become its own incorporated city until 2005.
So, it is not surprising that for many of us who grew up here “Salt Lake City” includes far beyond downtown. However, as someone new to the Salt Lake City Valley - you may think of Salt Lake City only in regards to downtown. That’s why for today, we will focus on how to explore and where to wander through downtown Salt Lake City.
If you plan to be in our city for longer than a few days though, there are several other cute walkable areas beyond downtown. Make sure to read to the end to see some of these other walkable neighborhoods that you may want to explore.
How to Get to Downtown Salt Lake City
If you are visiting Salt Lake City for a day or want a fun area for a local staycation, then downtown is the place to be. With some of the best restaurants, bars, and shopping in the area, downtown SLC has more than enough to keep you busy and entertained for a few days.
If you are coming from out of town and plan to fly, the Salt Lake City International Airport is about 8 miles from downtown. This makes it easy to get to the city center without renting a car.
Both Lyft and Uber are prominent around the valley and it is easy to get a rideshare from (and to) the airport. Depending on the time of day, and where you are staying in the city, Lyft or Uber will typically cost you around $15-$20 from the airport.
If you want to keep your transportation cost even lower, jump on the light rail. The city’s light rail system, known as TRAX, runs directly from the airport to downtown. While it has limited hours, it is a wonderfully easy and inexpensive way to get downtown most of the time.
To get from the airport to downtown Salt Lake City, just jump on the Green Line. It will take you right through the center of the city and within a block or two of most hotels. You can easily walk to some of my favorites, like Hotel Monaco, The Peery Hotel, and Grand America.
Trax is also a great option for those of you looking to head downtown for a staycation. Simply jump on Trax, take a rideshare, or have someone drop you off. By leaving the car at home you get to fully immerse yourself in, and appreciate, how walkable Salt Lake City is. Moreover, you can save money (and time) by not having to pay for (or find) parking.
Where to Stay in Downtown SLC
As mentioned above, most of the hotels in the city are easy to get to using TRAX. They are also easy to walk to and from while exploring the city. The only question is, what type of hotel do you want to stay in?
If you are looking for a historic hotel then we suggest booking a room at Hotel Monaco or The Peery Hotel. Both hotels have stood in Salt Lake City for over one hundred years. They each have their own unique ambiance that makes them perfect for a special weekend getaway.
Speaking of special weekends, Grand America remains one of the most popular hotels in Utah for celebrating special occasions. Until 2022, Grand America was the only five star hotel in Salt Lake City. This is one of the reasons it has been a popular destination for birthdays, anniversaries, and engagements.
In October of 2022, Salt Lake City welcomed its second five star hotel - the Hyatt Regency. Located just a few blocks from the classic Grand America, this new hotel has a more modern feel. Its rising tower also exceptional views of the city, and if weather permits, you can also peep the city from its rooftop swimming pool.
Beyond these classics, there are several other hotels to choose from downtown. From Hilton properties to Marriott properties and plenty of affordable choices in between, there is a hotel for every occasion and every price range.
For those who are traveling with a big group of friends, or want to celebrate locally with friends and family, consider booking an Airbnb in the city. Several stunning and unique Airbnb properties around the city can accommodate small groups of a few friends to large family celebrations.
Whether you choose a hotel or an Airbnb you have plenty of options to choose from that are all easy to walk to and from while staying in the city.
Things to Do in Downtown SLC
Now that you’ve got your stay covered it’s time to decide what to do during your visit. As with most walkable cities, one of my favorite things to do in downtown Salt Lake City is to simply wander around (in fact, that’s how I fell in love with the city after many years of refusing to call SLC home).
My favorite street to wander down is Main Street. With an assortment of amazing restaurants, bars, and shops, you can truly spend an entire day just walking up and down Main Street.
Beyond Main Street, there are plenty of other walkable places to explore. Below are a few favorites, including a unique place you will only find here in Salt Lake City.
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
The Gateway
Gilgal Garden
Trolley Square
The Delta Center
Even though these are a pretty easy walk, you can also get to them on Trax. There is a Free Fare Zone that runs through most of downtown. This makes it easy to jump on and off if you need to give your feet a little break.
In addition to everywhere you can walk downtown, there are also several other things to do that are nearby. Technically, you could walk to many of these if you were really up for the adventure. However, it is just as easy to grab a Lyft or Uber!
Red Butte Gardens
Memory Grove Park
The Capitol Building
The Natural History MuseumIf
If you want to enjoy the beauty of Utah you can also explore some of our local parks.
Places to Eat in Downtown SLC
A weekend in the city wouldn’t be complete without amazing food and drinks. Luckily, downtown SLC has some of the best restaurants in the valley and we mean, for every meal!
Here are some of our favorites that span downtown so you can enjoy a tasty bite no matter where you wander.
4 Fave Breakfast Places in Downtown SLC
Cupla Coffee
Evas Bakery
Honest Eatery
Ivy and Varley
4 Fave Places for Lunch in Downtown SLC
Squatters Brew Pub
Red Rock
Poplar Street
Bruges
4 Fave Dinner Spots in Downtown SLC
Caffe Molisse
Ivy and Varley
Evas (same owners as the bakery, different restaurant)
Takashi (if you can get in! It’s a fave for a reason)
As you explore the menus at these different places you’ll notice that many of them can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, brunch, or dinner! Therefore, choose what sounds best to you depending on the time of day and where you are in the city.
4 Fave Bars in SLC
If you’re local then you already know that despite some of our city’s history, we do indeed have some amazing watering holes. And, if you are new to our city - yes, we have bars!
Not just that, we have a bar for every type of drinker. From brew pubs to craft cocktails and even a wine bar in between.
Here are our top 5 spots to snag a libation in the city.
BTG wine bar
The Rest
The Red Door
Van Ryder
Beer Bar
Even though we have a great selection of places to drink there are some unique liquor laws to keep in mind if you’re new to Utah. The main one is that you are required to purchase food with alcohol if an establishment is licensed as a restaurant.
Therefore, even though some of our favorite restaurants also have amazing cocktails, we only listed the licensed bars above. That means you can simply walk in, order a cocktail on its own, and enjoy.
Other Things to Do in Salt Lake City
Depending on how long you are visiting Salt Lake City you may be looking for some other ideas of things to do in the area. And, if you are a local you may just want some new ideas on how to explore your hometown!
If you have a car, here are some favorite places to adventure to that are near downtown. While most of these you will need a car to get to, some of them are still an easy ride away with Lyft or Uber.
Park City
Millcreek Canyon
Big Cottonwood Canyon
Depending on the season, you may also consider taking in a baseball game with the Salt Lake City Bees or enjoying a Real Soccer Game at Rio Tinto Stadium
Walkable Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City
Beyond the boundaries of downtown Salt Lake City, there are several other walkable neighborhoods. These neighborhoods are a short drive from downtown. You can also get to them with a rideshare, on Trax, or if you are feeling extra adventurous consider jumping on the city bus.
Sugar House
Millcreek
9th and 9th
Liberty Heights
Holladay
When it comes to getting around Salt Lake City and its neighborhoods, it is not only possible to walk, but also fun! As a visitor to our city, walking allows you to get a feel for what the city has to offer. During the warmer months, it provides a wonderful opportunity to enjoy the beautiful nature Utah has to offer. However, it can also be a fun way to explore the city in winter (just make sure to bundle up).
If you live in Salt Lake City, taking time to go explore on foot is a wonderful way to reconnect with your hometown. In fact, it was wandering through the streets of downtown Salt Lake City that allowed me to fall in love with the city (and, that was a big feat considering I had spent most of my life telling people I lived in SLC but was NOT from here!).
Whether you are exploring Salt Lake City for the first time or reconnecting with it through the eyes of a traveler, I hope you will enjoy finding your own favorite spots to eat, drink, and wander.
