When Joseph Smith first established a new settlement for members of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints in a large basin bounded by the Great Salt Lake to the west and the Wasatch mountains to the east in 1847, few people expected that this area located beyond the boundaries of the United States would amount to much. Today, the Salt Lake City metropolitan area has a population of over 1.2 million people and has emerged as a thriving center for commerce, outdoor tourism, and cultural activity for a young and surprisingly diverse group of residents.

This evolution occurred due to some interesting historical developments. The great westward expansion of people to new territories in the Pacific Northwest and California passed through Utah in several locations. Salt Lake City became a practical place for adventurers and settlers to replenish their supplies and sometimes end their journeys. The local Mormon population was very adept at building a modern city out of the wilderness within several decades and importing the manufactured goods needed to serve residents and passersby.

Trade and Tourism Expansion

Three unexpected events over the past 150 years cemented the city’s role as a center for trade and business. First, large deposits of silver and gold were discovered in the mountains of the surrounding region attracting an influx of workers and prospectors and generating considerable wealth for the mine owners. Second, Mormon leaders collaborated with the Central Pacific Railroad to connect the city to the Transcontinental Railroad in 1870 only a year after it opened to train traffic. Third, after the mines closed, people throughout the country became fascinated with the mountains, ski slopes, and outdoor lifestyle of the area. Those attractions led to major events such as the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Sundance Film Festival, and year-round resorts. Today more than 12 million people per year visit the area annually as a destination or to pass through to the region's other attractions.

Young Workforce

Salt Lake City’s culture has also changed with the times. Major western financial institutions have regional offices there and numerous national corporations have found that the friendliness and manners of the local population make it an ideal place to locate call centers and back-office services. These unique factors generated tens of thousands of new jobs in high-tech companies and other business sectors and created a workforce with the youngest median age of any city in the nation. This influx of new residents has taken place both in the formerly staid downtown area of the city and in the expanding suburbs.

People coming to Salt Lake City for a business convention, a family trip or excursions to the mountains should consider the following activities during a stay here.

1. Visit the Great Salt Lake- Salt Lake City is located approximately 15 miles east of the Great Salt Lake. Although the breadth and depth of the lake has decreased significantly in recent years, it still takes up an area larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware. The Great Salt Lake is most impressive when viewed from the air upon arriving or departing the city. That is the best way to appreciate the majestic colors of the lake, the desert, the salt deposits, and the evaporating areas in between.

Most visitors to the lake seek out two destinations. One is the State Park pavilion on the south shore of the lake. This location historically offered bathers the opportunity to float on the salty waters, take boat rides or vacation. Today, however, the activities available here are limited because of receding waters and emerging mud flats. Instead, many visitors drive north to the Antelope Island State Park which can be reached by a causeway from the mainland. Beach activities are more accessible at this location which is famous for its California like terrain, wide open hiking trails, and wildlife including a large herd of more than 750 resident bison.

2. See Landmarks and Heritage Sites- The role of the Mormon church in the growth of Salt Lake City cannot be understated. While Mormon Church members now comprise less than half of the City’s residents, church landmarks located in and around Temple Square remain at the heart of the city’s history. The centerpiece of the area is the huge temple surrounded by a peaceful park and a reflecting pool. This temple was constructed over four decades out of solid granite and has gold lettering and intricate symbols on the outside. Next door is the Mormon Tabernacle which houses a large organ to accompany the church’s famous choir.

Nearby are some support buildings dedicated to church affairs. There is a large conference center and auditorium for church meetings along with the highly regarded Library of Family History which contains extensive genealogical information on millions of people. In addition, a visitors’ center provides background information on the history of the church and its teachings. Church representatives at these locations welcome and assist church members from around the world and visiting tourists. Unfortunately, most of the Temple Square area is in the middle of a massive revitalization project so only some of the structures are open and others can only be glimpsed at a distance.

Up the hill from Temple Square is the impressive Utah Capital Building known for its large dome and a series of beautiful murals. These paintings known as the Cyclorama depict the struggle of Utah pioneers to settle the state and other important events here such as the hammering of the Golden Spike at the Promontory Summit in 1869. Outside is a poignant memorial to the Mormon Brigade, a little known group of 500 Mormons who marched over 2000 miles from Iowa to southern California at the request of President Polk to defend the territory from foreign incursion at the end of the Mexican War.

3. Enjoy Cultural Attractions- Local residents are very proud of the cultural amenities now available in Salt Lake City. The Eccles Performing Arts Center has brought world class music, ballet, and theater to the community, while other venues offer everything from Sundance Film Festival events to dance company shows, comedy acts, and speaking programs. Art is also prominently displayed throughout the city at museums focused on contemporary art and fine arts. Family visitors can enjoy the mountainside National History Museum of Utah, which features everything from excellent exhibits on fossils, minerals, and dinosaurs to a special feature on Egypt, or the Clarke Planetarium which offers exhibits on space and an IMAX Theater.

4. Eat Good Food and Shop- A $5 billion sustainable design project to revitalize an area close to Temple Square called City Creek Center was completed in 2012. The project consisted of a pedestrian friendly mall, corporate offices, and housing. It helped attract local businesses back into downtown and it wasn’t long until food and fun followed. By one count there are now 20 brew pubs in the city and over 2,000 restaurants. Young residents and foodies flock to restaurants like HSL, an offshoot of a famous restaurant in Park City, which offers varied and creative dishes. Meanwhile, traditional diners seeking a special Italian meal may enjoy Valter’s Osteria.

5. See the Great Outdoors- Even though snowcapped mountains can be seen in the distance throughout the year, it can be incredibly hot in Salt Lake City in the middle of the summer. So, whether seeking top notch ski slopes at nearby resorts in winter or a cooler place to recreate in the summer, people head for the hills to enjoy the great outdoors. To the east lie the trails and beauty of Little Cottonwood Canyon and Park City, while to the south near Provo visitors can fish, sail or row around the non-salty Utah Lake or hike and bike on the lengthy Provo Parkway. Within the city, City Creek Canyon which proceeds up the mountain east of the Capital along a stream provides excellent views and exercise for hikers and bikers.