The Great Salt Lake runs for 1,700 square miles, making it the biggest natural lake in Utah, and the largest between there and the Mississippi River. The lake’s salty nature is due to the mineral deposits it leaves behind when it evaporates, and it is this iconic body of water that gave Salt Lake City its name.
Utah State Capitol: 350 N State St, Salt lake City UT 84103 CLICK HERE MAP
The Utah State Capitol has its home in Salt Lake City itself, where it serves as one of the region’s main attractions. It rises 300 feet into the air and is located on Capitol Hill, designed classically with stunning and regal architecture. It is elegantly opulently decorated, with a dome topping that can be spotted from across the city and marble furnishings within. The Capitol is open to visitors. You can enjoy sights of the Golden Room, which is where the Governor holds receptions, as well as some interesting galleries furnished with rotating exhibitions.
-Vietnam, Cambodia & Laos Veterans Memorial: This memorial honors veteran soldiers from Utah who served in the Vietnam Conflict. It lists 388 names of men and women who died or went missing in action. The bronze of a soldier was sculpted by Clyde "Ross” Morgan and the circular wall was created by Mark Davenport. This memorial was dedicated on October 14, 1989.
-Mormon Battalion Monument: This monument commemorates the sacrifices made by 500 Mormon pioneer volunteers who joined the U.S. Army during the Mexican-American War. The 100-foot rose pink granite and bronze monument was sculpted by Gilbert Riswold and dedicated in 1927. Figures appear on all sides of the monument, chronicling different periods of the Battalion’s history: the Enlistment, the March, the Discovery of Gold in California, and the Arrival of the Pueblo Detachment at the Capitol.
Ensign Peak: Trailhead: (40.79139, -111.88833) Peak: (40.794721, -111.890959) CLICK HERE
If you’re in Salt Lake City for the weekend, one of the best things you can do is take a hike up to Ensign Peak, which offers an incredible view of this Utah City. It’s only about half a mile’s hike up, making it a simple and easy option for beginner hikers, and it provides extremely rewarding results! Sunset is undoubtedly the most opportune time to take a trip to this stunning peak, though it can be crowded at this time. Still, the extra people are worth the journey regardless! You’ll be treated to views of the Great Salt Lake bathed in the evening, orange sun, and you’ll even be able to look over Salt Lake Valley, and to the city Capitol.
Fisher Brewing Company: 320 W 800 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 CLICK HERE
The Fisher Brewing Company was once an auto shop, but it wasn’t long before Albert Fisher, an immigrant from Germany, decided to start up this Salt Lake City, Utah company in the Granary District. This was back in 1884, and since then, generations have taken up the helm and continued their tradition – albeit in a smaller way. Now, Tony Fisher, the great-great-grandson of Albert Fisher, continues to operate the brewery, though this is done on a smaller scale. Fisher alcoholic beverages are only sold from the brewing company’s taproom, so it’s pretty exclusive to Salt Lake City and won’t be found in any retail outlets. Adults will especially enjoy taking a trip to this brewery, where you’ll get to sample delicious and well-crafted Fisher, as well as enjoy fare from food trucks near the entrance.
Utah Olympic Park: 3419 Olympic Pkwy, Park City, UT 84098 CLICK HERE
The Utah Olympic Park was built for the Winter Olympic Games of 2002, and it’s among the top must-see spots near Salt Lake City. Back then, it hosted a variety of events, such as Nordic ski jumping, bobsleigh, luge, and more. You can go on guided tours so you can witness all the places to see within the park. A variety of activities are available, some of them being seasonal. Summer promises the Xtreme Zipline, which is the steepest of its kind internationally, the Quicksilver Alpine Slide, freestyle ski jumping, and more. Meanwhile, the winter brings Nordic ski jumping, the Comet Bobsled, the terrain park, the Rocket Skeleton, and more.
Park City: 445 Marsac Ave, Park City, UT 84060 CLICK HERE
(Home of the Sundance Film Festival)
Park City lies east of Salt Lake City in the western state of Utah. Framed by the craggy Wasatch Range, it’s bordered by the Deer Valley Resort and the huge Park City Mountain Resort, both known for their ski slopes. Utah Olympic Park, to the north, hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics and is now predominantly a training facility. In town, Main Street is lined with buildings built during a 19th-century silver mining boom.
Sugar House Distillery: 2212 S. West Temple Unit #14, Salt Lake City Utah 84115 CLICK HERE
Tucked on the west edge of Salt Lake City’s Sugar House neighborhood, Sugar House Distillery received federal approval for spirits distilling in September 2013, and Utah approval in January 2014. The distillery’s initial 2014 vodka release was followed later that year with a 100% malted barley whisky. In 2015, Sugar House distilling added both a silver and gold rum to the product line, with more exciting spirits currently in production. Come by the distillery to meet owner and distiller James Fowler, Master Distiller Eric Robinson, and assistant distiller and sales representative Jake Wood. They take education about their craft seriously, and encourage consumers to come by the distillery and see how true grain-to-glass spirits are made, one small batch at a time. No outsourcing. No additives. No artificial colors or flavors. Just grain or molasses, yeast, and time; finished with a little water and a lot of skill.
Fort Douglas Military Museum: 32 Potter Street, SLC UT CLICK HERE
The Fort Douglas Military Museum was registered by the Center for Military History as an official museum of the U.S. Army Museum System on 8 August 1974 with the date of establishment being two days later. Renovation of Building 32 began in June of that year. The Museum was dedicated on 26 October 1975 and officially opened on 14 May 1976. The sponsoring headquarters was the 96th Army Reserve command (ARCOM).
Camp Floyd Museum: 69 W. Main St, Fairfield UT 84013 CLICK HERE
Camp Floyd was an Army outpost quartering the largest troop concentration in the United States from 1858 to 1861. Troops were sent there to put down the "Mormon rebellion," after rumors that Mormons in Utah were rebelling against the US government. No military action was needed but the troops stayed to monitor the Mormons, explore the Western Frontier and provide safety for immigrants moving west to California, Oregon, and Washington.
Vietnam Memorial Wall Replica: 500 Constitution Circle, Layton, UT 84041 CLICK HERE
The Layton Vietnam Memorial Wall is 80 percent the size of the original and contains the names of all 58,000 plus Americans who died in the war are etched along its 360 feet in Layton commons park.
Salt Lake Brewery Pass: https://www.visitsaltlake.com/things-to-do/tours-experiences/salt-lake-brewery-tour/
The Cotton Bottom: 2820 E. 6200 S. Holladay UT
Relaxing, family-owned fixture featuring some of the best Garlic Burgers in Utah & Beer
Keys on Main: 242 S Main St, Salt lake City
Salt Lake City’s Premiere Dueling Piano Club. Offering a full liquor menu, light food, and the best all-request dueling piano show in Utah. Open Monday through Saturday from 7pm until 1am. Available for Private events on or off site. Weekend reservations recommended.
Good Grammar: 69 E. Gallivan Ave, Salt Lake City, UT
Trendy, late-night spot in a colorful, art-filled space serving cocktails & pub grub.
Whiskey Street Cocktails & Dining: 323 S. Main St, Salt Lake City, UT
Vintage-chic lounge & eatery featuring imaginative American bites & a huge beer & whiskey selection.
The Commonwealth Room: 195 2100 S, South Salt lake City, UT
Ice Haus: 7 E 4800 S, Murray UT
Beerhive Pub: 128 S. Main St. Salt Lake City, UT
Cozy pub with elegant, vintage decor that offers a wide range of craft beers & haute pub grub.
The Green Pig Pub: 31 E. 400 S. Salt Lake City, UT
Voted best sports bar in Salt Lake City 2020, award winning rooftop patio, quality food including our extensive vegan menu, we have something for everyone!
Sporting Events
NBA Utah Jazz Basketball: Delta Center 301 S Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
EHCL Utah Grizzlies Hockey: Maverick Center 3200 S, Decker Lake Dr, West Valley City, UT 84119
MLS Real Salt Lake Soccer: Rio Tinto 9256 S. State St, Sandy, UT 84070
UofU Football (College): Rice-Eccles Stadium 451 S. 1400 E. SLC UT
-Disclaimer
While the Department of Utah Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) strives to make the information on this website as timely and accurate as possible, the department makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the contents of this site, and expressly disclaims liability for errors and omissions in the contents of this site. No warranty of any kind, implied, expressed, or statutory, including but not limited to the warranties of non-infringement of third party rights, title, merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or freedom from computer virus, is given with respect to the contents of this website or its links to other Internet resources.
Reference in this site to any specific commercial product, process, or service, or the use of any trade, firm or corporation name is for the information and convenience of the public, and does not constitute endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by the Department of Utah VFW.