Trips to Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City surprises a lot of our guests. Most expect a stopover between the airport and the mountains, and leave wishing they'd built in more time. It's Utah's capital, framed by the Wasatch Mountains on one side and the Great Salt Lake on the other, and the elevation here makes an overnight stay worth it before heading into the mountains or the desert. Between the ski areas, hiking trails, Utah Olympic Park, and a downtown full of museums and shopping, it's a city that holds its own, not just a place you pass through.
Getting To and From Salt Lake City
Getting here is rarely the hard part. Canyon Spirit arrives by rail, with guests transferring in from a nearby siding rather than pulling right into downtown. The airport sits just ten minutes from the city center with service from 13 airlines, so flying in works well for a lot of our guests too. Rental cars round out the ways in. Seats and rentals here rarely require the months of advance planning some of our smaller stops do.
For more information on Canyon Spirit arrivals and departures, visit: Canyon Spirit
Guests arriving in Salt Lake City on Canyon Spirit will disembark at a designated rail siding rather than at Salt Lake Central Station. To comply with safety requirements, a coordinated transfer is provided from the siding to The Grand America Hotel or the Asher Adams, Autograph Collection, ensuring a smooth and efficient arrival experience.
Upon arrival at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), travelers have two main options to reach downtown Salt Lake City. Taxis are readily available outside the baggage claim area at each terminal. A taxi ride to downtown Salt Lake City hotels typically takes about 10 minutes and costs approximately $20.
Travelers can take the Trax Light Rail System, with service available on the Green Line from the airport. The station is located on the ground level outside Door 1A on the east side of the terminal. Trains operate every 15 minutes, with weekday service generally running from 05:30 to 23:30 and reduced schedules on weekends. The travel time is approximately 20-25 minutes, and the fare is $2.50. Tickets can be purchased using the UTA transit app or with cash at station vending machines, and the light rail system is fully accessible. Guests staying at Asher Adams Hotel should disembark at Arena Station, whereas guests staying at The Grand America Hotel or The Little America Hotel should disembark at the Courthouse Station.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is served by 13 airlines and their affiliates, offering more than 700 daily non-stop flights. The airport is approximately 10 minutes from downtown, making access quick and convenient for visitors staying in the city center.
The California Zephyr Train travels through Salt Lake City, arriving and departing from Salt Lake Central Station. Schedules, fares, and arrival times vary based on the departure city and chosen service. The station offers convenient access to taxis, rideshare services, and local public transportation, making onward travel to downtown hotels and nearby neighborhoods straightforward upon arrival.
At Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), rental car counters are located in the Gateway Center, adjacent to the parking garage, accessible from the terminal via the two baggage-claim bridges. Onsite rental companies include Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, and National.
For offsite providers such as SIXT, shuttle service is available, with pick-up and drop-off located to the west of the Parking Garage.
Guests departing Salt Lake City on Canyon Spirit will be transferred from The Grand America Hotel or the Asher Adams, Autograph Collection to a designated rail siding, as boarding does not take place directly at Salt Lake Central Station. This arranged transfer is required for safety compliance and provides a seamless connection between the hotel and the train.
For departures from Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), taxis are widely available throughout the city, with fares averaging around $20. While most hotels do not provide complimentary airport shuttles, pre-booked shuttle services are available, and some hotels can assist with reservations through their concierge.
Travelers can also take the Trax Light Rail System, with service available on the Green Line to the airport. The trains operate every 15 minutes, with weekday service generally running from 05:30 to 23:30 and reduced schedules on weekends. The travel time is approximately 20-25 minutes, and the fare is $2.50. Tickets can be purchased using the UTA transit app or with cash at station vending machines, and the light rail system is fully accessible. Guests staying at Asher Adams Hotel should board at Arena Station, whereas guests staying at The Grand America Hotel or The Little America Hotel should board at the Courthouse Station.
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is served by 13 airlines and their affiliates, offering more than 700 daily non-stop flights. The airport is approximately 10 minutes from downtown, making access quick and convenient for visitors staying in the city center.
The California Zephyr Train travels through Salt Lake City, arriving and departing from Salt Lake Central Station, with pricing and departure times varying by destination. Tickets can be purchased online through the Amtrak website or in person at the station, where staff can assist with reservations and travel information.
Multiple car rental companies are available in the downtown area, with Avis (on 255 S West Temple), Enterprise (on 300 W), Budget (on W 500 S), and Hertz (on 750 S Main St) being the closest to our preferred properties of The Little America Hotel, The Grand America Hotel, and the Asher Adams, Autograph Collection.
Where to Stay in Salt Lake City
Where to Eat in Salt Lake City
Craft cocktail lists and wine programs here rival cities twice the size, and that's just the start. Local ingredients show up across kitchens all over downtown, and there's enough range that a quick bite and a proper night out are both easy to find within a few blocks of each other. It's not what most guests expect from a stopover city, and it's part of why we tell people to build in a full evening here rather than just passing through.
More than 75 wines by the glass, with pours starting at just 2 ounces, means you can work through a few different ones in an evening instead of committing to a single glass. We like it for exactly that reason. Cocktails, beer, and small bites round things out, and full entrees are there if the night turns into a real dinner.
Sunday to Thursday | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Friday & Saturday | 5:00 PM – 12:00 AM
What stands out to us at Oquirrh is how much of the menu ties back to the valley itself, the kitchen works with local artisans, and regional ingredients show up in ways that give the food a real sense of place. Service matches the pace: attentive, unhurried, never stiff.
Dinner | Daily | 4:30 PM – 10:00 PM
Brunch | Saturday & Sunday | 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Located at the culinary center of the Asher Adams, Autograph Collection in Salt Lake City, Rouser pairs bold, charcoal-grilled flavors with genuine hospitality. The inviting atmosphere encourages lingering meals and shared conversations, creating a dining experience that celebrates connection, craft, and memorable flavors.
Breakfast | Daily | 7:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Dinner | Daily | 5:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Valter’s Osteria offers a refined dining experience inspired by the warmth, joy, and elegance of traditional Italian hospitality. Guests are welcomed into an atmosphere defined by gracious service, timeless charm, and a celebration of classic Italian dining traditions that have made the restaurant a cherished destination in Salt Lake City.
Salt Lake City Sightseeing Tours
Frequently Asked Questions
Our guides field these questions from Salt Lake City guests constantly, so we've put the most useful answers in one place: getting around, what's worth your time, and how to plan a visit that doesn't feel rushed.
Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol, and viewpoints out toward the Wasatch Mountains make up the core of most guided tours here. Our partnered guides pair each stop with the history and architecture behind it, not just a drive-by.
Yes. Guests can join group or private sightseeing tours to nearby attractions, including natural landmarks and mountain vistas, with comfortable transportation and knowledgeable guides for a relaxed experience.
Temple Square, the City and County Building, Liberty Park, and the Wasatch viewpoints top our list. Every one of these is built into our tour routes, so you get the shot without hiking to earn it.
They are. Downtown streets, historic neighborhoods, and cultural districts all lend themselves to an easy pace on foot, paired with commentary along the way.
One to two full days covers the main attractions comfortably. That’s enough time for a guided tour plus some unhurried hours at a museum, park, or viewpoint of your choosing.
Absolutely. Private tours give you control over the itinerary, the pace, and which stops matter most, well suited to couples or small groups.
Local art, architecture, historic landmarks, and museums all factor in. Guests come away with a real sense of the city’s heritage alongside its present-day character.
Yes. Tours are designed with comfort in mind, combining scenic drives, photo stops, and informative commentary, allowing guests to enjoy the sights without rushing or strenuous activity.
You can, and we’d recommend it. The Wasatch Mountains and other scenic overlooks are close enough to fold into the same trip, all with guided transportation handling the logistics.
Salt Lake City Vacation Packages
