The Travel Guide: Salt Lake City

Salt Lake City 

It’s the place we love to call home: Salt Lake City, Utah! After sharing our recent projects on Dream Home Makeover, we wanted to share our top recco’s of where to eat, shop, visit or stay in this beautiful city. Nestled along the Wasatch Mountain Range, our Studio McGee headquarters takes full advantage of its gorgeous location, so we love to invite others to our favorite spots—from hidden gems to well-known landmarks, new eateries to nostalgic donut shops. It’s all here in SLC!

No. 1. Stay –

The Grand America Hotel

As the largest hotel in Salt Lake City, the Grand America offers something for everyone in a classic hotel setting. For those looking to get out and explore the city, the Grand America is perfectly located in the heart of downtown. If rest and relaxation is the goal, spend a day at their luxury spa, lounge at one of the pools, or enjoy browsing their signature boutiques. And be sure to grab a bite at Laurel, even if just to enjoy the design details. 

No. 2. Eat –

Nona Bistro

Nona is the new sister restaurant to Pizza Nono in the 9th and 9th neighborhood. Set up as a (mostly) al fresco dining experience, the outdoor setting is all charm. And with a menu made up of simple, rustic, wood-fired dishes—it’s nearly impossible to choose just one favorite.  

HSL 

As an evolution of their Park City restaurant named Handle, HSL is an urban American eatery that’s beautifully stocked with locally sourced ingredients and thoughtful cocktails. The presentation and flavor combinations keep this restaurant at the top of our list.  

Tulie Bakery

Finely crafted and aesthetically simple—Tulie’s Bakery speaks to everything we love! The seasonal, fresh ingredients create a menu that’s dynamic, so there’s always something delicious to look forward to.  

Beaumont Bakery & Café

What was initially a bakery built on the decadence of the French pastry, Beaumont has since grown to include a menu of fresh seasonal salads, sandwiches and the most mouth-watering brunch menu. The bakery’s interior is like a cool bow on a very tasty package  

Banbury Cross Donuts

A Salt Lake staple! Go for the donuts, stay for the fritters and muffins. It’s the perfect blend of classic donuts, great hospitality and a nostalgic atmosphere that sets this bakery apart.  

Valter’s Osteria

Another SLC classic, Valter’s is an upscale Italian eatery with bustling, but intimate setting. Every bite from their menu is phenomenal, and the plating and friendly service only make the experience that much more elevated. The restaurant is perfect for celebrating a special occasion, and you may even be lucky enough to have Valter himself stop by your table.

The Copper Onion 

This welcoming and approachable restaurant is the perfect date night spot. With everything from brunch to dinner menus, the Copper Onion is a truly delicious American brasserie. Every item is delectable, and the drinks are just as good. For a special experience ask to be seated at the Chef’s table and enjoy both your meal and the chefs at work!

Finca

Finca is a European-style Spanish tapas restaurant that brings unique and colorful flavors to life! Everything is made from scratch, and with an extensive wine list and in-house sommelier, you can find the perfect dinner pairing.

Current Fish & Oyster

The simple and understated design of Current allows the fresh, delicious menu to absolutely shine. When you’re in the mood for fresh seafood, this is the place. Current is a high-end dining experience, and the historical architecture of the building is especially cool.

Pago

Living by their motto, “wild to table,” Pago delivers seasonally fresh dishes week after week. Their ingredient-driven cuisine means their menu changes regularly with the seasons. They source most of their ingredients from local farms and artisans. While there are a couple of locations in the Salt Lake area, the restaurants are quaint in size so be sure to make a reservation in advance!

Takashi

Sushi! What more can we say? For Japanese-inspired cuisine in SLC Takashi tops the list. Each dish is meant to be shared, which is great because you’ll want to try a little bit of everything. Every bite is fresh and its clear quality is a top priority.

Caffé Molise

In the heart of downtown, Caffé Molise is an upscale Italian-inspired restaurant. The historic brick building lends itself to a cozy, inviting ambiance, while live jazz and welcoming service make you want to linger over your meal just a while longer.

Oquirrh

This neighborhood spot features locally sourced ingredients and an eclectic menu for the foodie at heart. The menu features elevated classics made of fresh ingredients that give the restaurant a true farm-to-table feel.

Eva’s Bakery

A pastry lovers dream, the boulangerie-inspired bakery is filled with bread, croissants, sandwiches, and more! Trust us and get the french toast – you won’t be disappointed.

Arlo

Arlo is an elevated, yet unfussy dining spot that has become a new favorite among locals. The humble, simple menu changes with the season and leaves nothing to be desired! This will surely become a spot you’ll want to revisit again and again.

No. 3. Visit –

Millcreek Canyon

With quick access from the city, Millcreek Canyon offers an abundance of year-round recreational activities. With two restaurants and hiking and biking trails, there’s something for every casual or experienced adventure-seeker.  

Donut Falls Trailhead

Driving up Big Cottonwood Canyon will land you at the Donut Falls Trailhead, which is one of the McGee’s favorite spots to hike as a family. The 3.3 mile out-and-back trail is a fairly easy route with a rewarding waterfall view at the end!  

The Living Room

This short but steep 2.5-mile hike sits above the Natural History Museum in Salt Lake, and it’s absolutely worth the trek. The panoramic view—with a rock seating arrangement that gives this trail its “Living Room” name—is a beautiful payoff.  

Red Butte Garden

It’s no secret that we love flowers, so Red Butte Garden is one of our floral favorites—especially in the Spring when 500,000 blooms come to life. The botanical garden hosts concerts, private events, hiking trails, and a rose garden that’s not to be missed.  

No. 4. Shop –

Jolley’s 

As jovial as its name, this shop truly has it all. With its collection of gifts, sweets, apparel and baby accessories…you could spend hours perusing each and every last item in this shop. The best part? You can grab a drink or pick up a floral arrangement as you browse.  

The Children’s Hour Bookstore

This playful, eclectic shop started as a bookstore 37 years ago—and it’s now also home to a wonderfully curated selection of children’s clothing, accessories, toys, gifts, and pieces for women. And the books! You’ll gladly while away hours of a quiet afternoon browsing their collection. 

Koo de Ker

Proprietor Kyong has curated a gorgeous shop at Koo de Ker with a selection of pieces that speak to her well-traveled and detailed-oriented aesthetic. This shop nails both the high-end and affordable price points in feminine styles that are right on trend, season after season.  

City Creek Center

For the best mall shopping experience in Salt Lake City, City Creek Center is the place. The retractable glass roof and unique indoor landscaping make this an elevated shopping experience any time of year.