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Saturday I walked about 4 miles around downtown to see what I could see without a car. Afterward I went over to the Hilton where they were having a Salsa convention and danced for all my 6 weeks worth of lessons worth surrounded by internationally famous salsa dancers who were rail thin and gorgeous. Fun was had by all. I learned that no matter how good, Salsa dancers want more people in their sport and are willing to be patient with those of us without a drop of Spanish or latin-american blood. It was amazing.
Here is the route I took. Click through on the map for more details. A slow stroll will take you through this route in under 2 hours leaving plenty of time for shopping or stopping in at the family history center or to search desperately for coffee. I'll post photos next.
1. Old Social Hall Museum - 39 S. State Street 321-8745. Remnants of first public building in Utah and first theatre west of the Missouri. A glass enclosure displays the walls of the original building, along with artifacts. Historical tours available.
2. Beehive House - Surrounding Neighborhood - 67 E. South Temple 240-2671. A National Historic Landmark. Served as the official residence of Brigham Young when he was President of the LDS Church and Governor of the Utah Territory. Free tours daily.The surrounding neighborhood is full of great old homes of completely differen't styles.
3. Utah State Capitol -Interesting architecture which tries to look old, even though it is a relatively new replacement to the previous capitol which burned down.
4. Brigham Young Park - Located across State Street from the Church Office Building plaza. Free one-hour "Concerts in the Park" are presented Tuesday & Friday evenings during June, July and August.
5. LDS Church Office Building - 50 E. North Temple 240-2190. This imposing structure is the world-wide headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has two observation decks with views of the mountains and valley. They are open to the public on the 26th floor. Free tours Mon-Sat 9 am-4:30 pm. Closed Saturdays between Labor Day and Memorial Day. Also, free guided tours of the beautiful gardens on the building plaza are available on a seasonal basis. Phone 240-5916 for a Garden Tour schedule.
6. Eagle Gate - State Street & South Temple. Erected in 1859 at the entrance to Brigham Young's property which led to the mouth of City Creek Canyon. Replaced several times over the years, the present 4,000-pound. eagle with a wingspread of 20 feet caps the 76-foot span of Eagle Gate.
7. Family History Library - for all of you genealogists out
8. Brigham Young Monument - Just north of the intersection of Main Street & South Temple. This monument honors LDS Church leader and pioneer-colonizer, Brigham Young, and pays tribute to the Utah Indians and fur trappers who preceded Mormon settlers into the Salt Lake Valley.
9.Tabernacle on Temple Square - 50 W. North Temple 240-2534. The centerpiece of this beautifully landscaped 10-acre plot of ground in the heart of downtown Salt Lake is the six-spired Salt Lake Temple. Also located on the Square is the domed Tabernacle, home of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir; the Assembly Hall where free concerts are given most weekends; two visitor centers and more. Free tours are given daily in 30 languages. Tours start every few minutes at the flagpole. The public is invited to the Tabernacle Choir rehearsals on Thursdays at 8 pm (come and go as you like), and to the Sunday morning network broadcast at 9:30 am (you must be seated by 9:15 am). Daily organ recitals are given Mon-Sat at noon and 2 pm (noon only in the winter), and Sundays at 2 pm. All concerts and recitals are free. Please phone 1-800-537-9703 for a Temple Square Concert Series schedule and other information.
10. EnergySolutions Arena - Home of the Utah Jazz and tons of scalpers
11. Shopping, hey I get tired of shopping online and being from Alaska sometimes
12. Clark Planetarium - If you have extra time stop by, otherwise the building is cool architecturally. 110 S 400 W, 801.456.STAR (7827). Daily star shows, music entertainment shows, and Utah's only 3D IMAX theatre. Two floors of free, interactive exhibits, and a unique science store.
13. Capitol Theater - 50 West 200 South 323-6800 / Ticket Office 355-2787. Built in 1912 to host touring vaudeville shows, the theatre is home to Ballet West, Utah Opera Company, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, and hosts many other touring performers and shows.
14.Gallivan Center Ice Rink - Right outside my hotel window I watched the skaters on the last night before it closed. So sad as this weekend was the first weekend the one in Fairbanks was warm enough to open. Truly magical at night with the pretty twinkle lights.
15. Marriott Downtown - Started and ended here. A good value for a comfy room and saints preserve us a Starbucks in the lobby. Apparently for $30 each way (lower if you negotiate) you can take a cab from the Marriott to the Great Salt Lake. A group of 4 splitting the cost could make it worthwhile.
Updated 4/6/09 Apparently I missed a spot that might be of interest, the Discovery Gateway Museum for Kids, Four floors & over 60,000 square feet of interactive, hands-on FUN for all ages! Their website says: "Discovery Gateway is more than a museum; it's an experience you never outgrow. Our engaging workshops, programs, and exhibits inspire children to use their imagination, discover something new, and connect with their world." Hours: Monday through Thursday 10 am-6 pm and Friday and Saturday 10 am-8 pm (444 West 100 South
Salt Lake City, Utah 84101 801-456-KIDS)
