Your Dream Vacation is Here
UTAH
Created by: Hannah Ashton
UTAH
- Introduction
- Transportation
- Accommodations
- Food & Beverage
- Meeting and Convention
- Recreation & Entertainment
- Itinerary
- SWOT Analysis
Introduction Location: Utah
LOCATION
I have chosen to write about Utah not only because I have been born and raised in Utah, but because I want others to know how beautiful and unique the state is! Utah has a variety of landscapes, a lot to explore and many recreational activities to participate in!
HISTORY
The first known inhabitants of Utah are the Anasazi people from about 2000 years ago. Around the 19th century the state was inhabited by hunter and gatherer Native Indians. There were 3 main tribes of peoples, which included the Ute, Paiute and Shoshone tribes. These tribes still existed as Utah was being settled by other people. By the Mid 1800’s Brigham Young led pioneers from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints to Utah. They were seeking refuge from previous religious persecution in the east. Once they had settled in the Salt Lake valley, they quickly established communities, and many other LDS pioneers continued to come west.
WEATHER
Utah is located in the Mid-West in the United States and has a dry and arid climate. The state experiences four seasons with very hot summers and cold winters. There is a variety of tourism activities year-round no matter what season, so there is never a bad time to come to Utah. Depending on what tourism activities you want to participate in should determine when to come to Utah. Utah is known for its snow and many ski resorts so many tourists flee to Utah to experience the resorts and the snow. Utah is also home to Beautiful Mountains, thousands of hikes, and Unique National parks that tourists come to during the warmer months.
TOURISM
Tourists come to Utah to experience a wide variety of adventures! Utah is all things outdoors! With its snow topped mountains, red rock canyons, flowing rivers, green forests and more, there is so much to explore. Utah offers a huge variety of recreational activities such as hiking, biking, climbing, skiing, snowboarding and countless others. Utah’s ‘Greatest Snow on Earth’ brings thousands of people each winter to ski or snowboard at the many resorts Utah has to offer. Utah is home to 5 breathtaking National Parks located in the southern part of the state. Explore the colorful red rock of Bryce, Zions, Canyonlands, Arches and Capitol Reef, each having their own uniqueness. Utah also has a wide selection of arts and culture, Park City holds one of the world biggest film festivals, the Sundance film festival. Numerous theatres and art galleries are also found in Utah. Salt Lake City is known for the LDS Salt Lake temple and Temple Square, where people visit to learn more about LDS church history and see the lights lit up in December. Salt Lake City also offers great dining, shopping and parks. Tourists who visit Utah usually stay between 1-2 weeks. In 2018 Utah’s national parks recorded 10.6 million visits in a year and 5.1 million skier days. In 2019 visitors to Utah spent 10.06 billion which supported 141,500 jobs. This resulted in 1.33 billion Dollars in state and local tax revenue. The currency used in this state is the US dollar. Overall Utah is home to a variety of outdoor activities and arts and culture! Visit Utah today!
Transportations
Getting To Your Location
The Major way Tourists get to Utah is by land or Air travel. Once in Utah, it is helpful to have a car.
Air: Utah’s biggest and most primary airport is the Salt Lake City airport, that will take you right into the city. The SLC airport happens to be a Delta Airline Hub. Some of the other major airlines that fly out of SLC include, American, JetBlue, Royal Dutch Airlines, SkyWest, Southwest and United. There are many airlines to choose from. Utah’s smaller primary airports include Cedar City, Logan, Ogden and St George.
Water: Unfortunately, Utah does not offer travel by means of water, it being a landlocked state. However, there are many other options for transportation.
Ground: Once in Utah having a car would be very helpful to get you where you want to go and allow for more flexibility. Utah does also offer public transportation that is affordable and reliable.
Getting Around Your Location
Utah being the 13th biggest state in the United States means there is a lot of open road to be traveled upon. The recommended way to get around Utah is by Car. Whether it is road tripping from another state or renting a car from the airport having a car will allow you to see more of Utah and have total flexibility. Car Rentals from the SLC airport can usually range from $15-$100 daily depending on the type of car and the brand you rent from. Utah also offers some great public transportation. In the Salt Lake valley UTA buses, a commuter rail system ( Front-Runner), and light rail (TRAX) are all offered. Front-Runner and Trax can get you anywhere in the Salt Lake area and fare is usually $2.50-$5.00. UTA provides Ski bus services that will take you up to Alta, Snowbird, Brighton and Solitude ski resorts that pick up at select locations in the Salt Lake valley. The Grey Hound Bus company can take you to further destinations such as far north as Ogden and as far south as St. George. The fare will depend on how long your destination is away. Overall depending on where you want to visit, flexibility of your time in Utah, and budget should determine your transportation! There are many great options to choose from!
ACCOMMODATIONS
There is a wide variety of types of hotels in Utah ranging from luxury resorts to overnight stay hotels. No matter where you want to visit or how long you plan to stay, Utah has accommodations that can match your needs and wants! Some of the most popular areas traveled to in Utah include park city, Southern Utah, Ski resorts and Salt Lake City! These places especially provide amazing accommodations!
HOTELS / RESORTS
| Name | Category | Cost | Amenities | Audience | Stars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Accommodation name | Resort/mid-range/ economy/ etc. | Cost per night | What kinds of services would attract guests? | Who does this accommodation appeal to? | Usually reported as 1–4 |
Grand Summit resort Park city | Luxury Resort | From $239 | Large pool. 3 hot tubs, sauna, spa, room service, fitness room, restaurants. | People in search of a nice getaway. Ski and snowboarders, nearby ski resorts. Beautiful hikes nearby for hikers. | 4 |
Marriott Courtyard St. George | Mid-range | From $189 | Pool, hot tubs, fitness room, restaurants, bbq. | For those looking for a nicer hotel for a trip to St. George or nearby areas. | 3 |
Zion Ponderosa Ranch Resort | Resort | From $123 | Pool, hot tubs, tennis courts, mini golf, firepits, beach volleyball court, zipline, kids camp. | This ranch resort is very family friendly. The resort offers many amenities and activities. The resort is also very close to Zion national park and other nearby national parks in southern Utah for those looking to explore Utah’s national parks. | 3 |
Best western Bryce Rubys Inn | Mid-range | From $76.46 | Pool, hot tub, fitness room, restaurant, mountain bike rentals, horseback guided tours. | This hotel is located close to Bryce canyon and nearby other National Parks for a cheaper price. Audience includes those that want to spend less on hotel to enjoy the outdoor recreation more. | 2 |
The Cliff Lodge Snowbird | Luxury resort | From $150-250 | Pool, hot tub, Snowbird ski resort, fitness room. Sauna, restaurants, shopping. | Great for those who want to ski or snowboard and have a place to lodge right at the resort. Includes, many amenities along with being at a ski resort. | 4 |
Hampton Inn Salt Lake City Cottonwood | Mid-range | From $76 | Free breakfast, indoor pool, fitness center | A cheaper option for those wanting to go to ski resorts in big/little cottonwood that is close to the bottom of the canyons. UTA ski bus shuttles nearby stops. | 2 |
Grand America Salt Lake City | Luxury hotel | From $199 | In room dining, concierge, pools, hot tub, fitness center, luxury rooms. | This is one of Salt Lake’s most luxurious hotels. This attracts people who want a very nice hotel experience in the city. | 4 |
Hilton garden inn Salt Lake City | economy | From $80 | Free shuttle to airport, pool, good location downtown. | For guest who want to be close to the Salt Lake valley but for a cheaper price | 2 |
Holiday inn express Salt Lake City | economy | From $68 | Indoor pool, spa | For those who want a cheaper hotel close to airport for in and out travels. Also, cheaper option for those who want to explore city. | 2 |
While Utah has great options for hotels and resorts, it also has a variety of accommodations for rental as well! Many of these rentals include Airbnb, vacation homes and condos. Rental is great way to find accommodations with more living space and tend to be a little cheaper than other resorts and hotels in Utah. It is best to figure out what you most want out of your accommodations for a visit to Utah, and then decide if a hotel or rental option suits you best!
| Name | Category | Cost | Amenities | Audience | Stars (customer review based out of 5) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
The Cozy log cabin-Brighton Airbnb | Mid-range-luxury cabin | $256 a night | Close proximity to Brighton, kitchen, fireplace, firepit, tv, parking 3 bedroom, 6 beds, 1 bath. | The guests in this cabin enjoy the whole cabin to themselves. This would be great for families or a larger group of people who want to spend time up in the mountains and going to Brighton ski resort. | 4.9 |
Moab Condo casita #4-air bnb | Mid-range | $179 | Bigger living space, kitchen, 1 bed, patio, grill, sauna, close proximity to town. | This place would be great a couple getaway! In close proximity beautiful Moab and having a many fun amenities it makes for a great place! | 4.9 |
Convenient Private room Murray-Airbnb | Economy | $23 a night | Kitchen, parking, Tv, parking Convenient location for anything in the valley. 10-minute drive to downtown Salt Lake. 30-minute drive to cottonwood ski resorts and Park city. | Good for 1 or 2 people that are looking for a very affordable more spacious place to stay that is in a convenient location to get anywhere in Salt Lake valley quickly. | 4.8 |
The Ledges- St George Condos | Mid-range condos | $120-240 a night | Pool, hot tub, tennis court, pickle ball court, golf course, kitchen | People in need a relaxing and fun getaway. The activities and bigger condo size make this place very family friendly. In close proximity to town. | 4.8 |
Food & Beverage
Utah has wide variety of quick service, casual dining and fine dining options! Utah’s food and beverage sector has a variety of foods just as diverse as the state’s landscape itself! Major cities in Utah is where the finest dining restaurants will be found. Quick service and casual dining restaurants can be found almost anywhere in Utah! Many cuisines are available for whatever you may be feeling. In the chart below a variety of the cuisines that are available all over the state of Utah is provided. While in Utah you will have to try the famous fry sauce at a burger joint or a soda from one of Utah’s well known soda mix in shops! Travelers should know that no matter where you go in Utah there will be plentiful options for quick service dining as you are on the road. To fine dine look for locations in bigger cities! A good amount of casual dining should be generally be found in and around cities. There are less options for Fine dining in southern Utah but still great dining options!
Quick Service Restaurants:
| Name | Cuisine | Meals | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Chick-Fil-A (many locations) | Chicken sandwich, Chicken nuggets, fries, salads, shakes, beverages. | Breakfast, lunch and dinner. | Great service and delicious fast food | $ |
In-n-out (Draper, American Fork, Orem) | Burgers, fries, beverages, shakes, | Lunch, dinner, | In-n out popular burger joint that can be found only in western states | $ |
Lone star taqueria (fort Union) | Mexican food-tacos, burritos, beverages | Lunch, dinner | One of Utah’s most popular quick Mexican food joints. Fun outdoor setting | $ |
Casual Restaurants:
| Name | Cuisine | Meals | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Fast casual: Café Rio (many locations, including St George) | Mexican | Breakfast. Lunch, dessert | Well known for their Pork, Salads, burritos, enchiladas and tomatillo green ranch. Popular restaurant that locals love. Café Rio only found in Midwest! | $ |
Fast Casual: Café Zupas ( many locations) | Bakery Style | Lunch, Dinner, Dessert | Offers house made soups, sandwiches and salads! Each meal comes with a roll and a chocolate strawberry! | $ |
Casual: Olive garden (many locations including St. George) | Italian | Lunch, Dinner Dessert | Family friendly, serves pasta, soups and salads! | $$ |
Casual: Main Street Noodle & Pizza (Park City) | Italian | Lunch, Dinner | Pizza and pasta in a vibrant atmosphere on Park City main street. Conveniently just off shops on main street | $$ |
Fine Dining Restaurants:
| Name | Cuisine | Meals | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Aerie restaurant (snowbird) | Modern America Gastropub | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner | Fine dining located at beautiful Snowbird. High end and delicious dishes served. High end wine. | $$$ |
The melting Pot (SLC) | Fondue | Lunch, dinner, dessert | Fondue served for appetizer, entrée and dessert with items to dip. Fun atmosphere and memorable experience. | $$$ |
Ruth Chris Steakhouse (Park city and SLC) | Steak | Dinner, dessert | Delicious steaks, excellent service and high-end atmosphere. | $$$ |
MEETING/CONVENTIONS
10 different venues or facilities for family reunions
- Aspen grove- https://aspengrove.byu.edu/section/family-camp
- Zion Ponderosa Ranch- https://www.zionponderosa.com
- Timber Moose lodge- https://www.timbermoose.com/
- Ideal beach- https://idealbeachresort.com
- Reed Ranch- https://www.reidranch.com
- Arcadia Resort – https://www.arcadiaresort.com
- Snowbird/the cliff- https://www.snowbird.com/lodging/the-cliff-lodge/
- The Inn at Entrada- https://www.innatentrada.com/en/
- The Grand Summit- https://waitingroom.snow.com/?c=vailresorts&e=vailresortsecomm1&ver=v3-aspnet-3.6.2&cver=119&man=Sapphire%20-%20All%20Non%20Reservation%20Pages%20and%20APIs%20-%20PROD&t=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.parkcitymountain.com%2FPlan-Your-Trip%2Fstay%2Fdetails%2Fgrand-summit-hotel-a-rock-resort%3Flocation%3D50016540
- Moab Springs Ranch- https://www.moabspringsranch.com
- Hidden springs ranch- https://www.hiddenspringsutah.com
The best Venues/facilities for people with disabilities-
- Zion Ponderosa Ranch- The ranch features many ramps with those using wheelchairs. There are still activities people with disabilities can participate in such as ziplining!
- Timber Moose lodge- very wheelchair accessible. Features elevators and ramps. Spacious lodge.
- Aspen Grove- Staff very willing to accommodate to disability needs. Options for activities suitable for people with disabilities.
RECREATION AND ENTERTAIMENT
Just as Utah offers a variety of landscapes it offers a large variety of recreational activities and entertainment! Utah has a range of outdoor activities no matter what time of the year it is. The north part of Utah feature recreational activities such as skiing, snowboarding, rock climbing, hiking. The southern part of Utah’s recreational activities includes hiking, water activities. canyoneering, boating, river rafting and more! Utah also has a variety of entertainment. This includes sports games, theatres, arts museums, festivals and cultural scenes. Utah is great place to enjoy the outdoors and see what adventure is really like. Utah also offers great entertainment options as well!
Water Activities:
- Cliff jump at sand hollow
- Paddle board at Tibble Fork reservoir
- White water raft Moab-Green river
- Boat at Lake Powell
- Soak at 5th water hot springs
- Kayak at bear lake
Natural Wonders:
- Hike to Delicate Arch at Arches National Park
- Explore Zions National Park, for adventurers-Angels landing hike
- Visit lookout point at Bryce Canyon
- Hike to Stewart falls in Provo canyon
- Explore Canyonlands and Capitol Reef national parks
- Drive through beautiful big/little cottonwood canyons
Sports & Recreation Spas:
- Ski/ snowboard at one of Utah’s many ski resorts
- Watch Utah Jazz basketball game at Vivint smart home arena.
- Rock climb in big cottonwood canyon
- Mountain bike Moab
- Luxurious Spa at Park City Hotel
- Ride alpine coaster in Park City
Arts, Culture, Entertainment:
- Sundance Film Festival
- Visit Temple Square-during December see Christmas lights
- Visit the Utah museum of fine arts in SLC
- Shop at city creek center in SLC
- Watch a performance at Tuacahn outdoor amphitheater
- Park city arts festival end of Summer
Couple/Friend SLC area December 3-day Itinerary
Day 1-SLC
Explore Salt Lake City by checking out City Creek shopping center, eating out at some of the unique food options and visit Temple Square
Morning:
Visit the beautiful City Creek center and shop or browse the 110+ shops! Visit the Cute French bakery down the street from city creek, Eva’s Bakery for breakfast, lunch or one of their delicious pastries!
AFTERNOON/EVENING:
Stroll through the largest art museum in the intermountain west, The Utah Museum of Fine arts. Utah is well known for its soda shops that have flavor add ins. It is a must to try a soda and a sugar cookie from one of these places. Thirst Drinks in SLC is a great option. Big Hire’s burger joint is a great option for lunch in Salt Lake.
For dinner, eat a delicious entrée at the neighborhood bistro, the Dodo. Walk through temple square at night to see colorful lights lit all around the grounds and explore the visitor center!
Day 2-Ski Resort!
MORNING/AFTERNOON:
Head up to Little or Big Cottonwood Canyon to spend the day skiing or snowboarding! Brighton and Solitude are found in Big Cottonwood Canyon, prices seem to be cheaper here and less busy, but trails and terrain are more beginner/intermediate friendly. Alta and Snowbird are a little bit more expensive and busier but offer more difficult terrain and trails for more experienced people. Alta is skiers only. Based on your preferences decide what is the best fit! I suggest skiing or snowboarding at Brighton for a laid-back day! Eat lunch at the Brighton lodge where you will find many options for food. Enjoy staying on the slopes till evening because of the night skiing Brighton offers.
Rent skis/snowboard at Brighton resort or for a cheaper option rent from one of the shops at the base of the canyon such as Ski n See!
EVENING:
On your ride back from the canyon before 8 enjoy dinner at the cozy Silver fork lodge, overlooking the beautiful honeycomb canyon with delicious options for dinner.
Day 3
Explore the cute small town of Park City!
MORNING:
Spend an overnight stay at Park City’s Grand Summit Hotel and enjoy a scenic morning by the pool and hot tub. Enjoy a relaxing afternoon at the spa that the hotel offers.
AFTERNOON/EVENING:
Go on a 1-2 hours snowshoeing tour of the beautiful local area led by All Season Adventure located in park city!
Spend the rest of the day checking out park city’s main street. Explore the shops, galleries and dining options along this street. Eat dinner at the main Street Pizza and Noodle restaurant!
