one day in salt lake city

One Day in Salt Lake CityAAA editors suggest these activities for a great short vacation experience.

Morning Market Street Grill & Oyster Bar Downtown (48 W. Market St.) has a reputation for seafood dinners, but it's under the radar for breakfast. Fuel up for a morning of sightseeing with eggs Benedict or an avocado-topped crab omelet; both come with potatoes and toast you can slather with homemade raspberry jam.

Then explore Temple Square , the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. The Salt Lake Temple , built by Brigham Young's devoted followers over a 40-year period beginning in 1853, is the massive and inspiring focal point of the square. Take a tour of the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Temple Square (50 West North Temple St.), home to the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The acoustics are amazing: It's said that a pin dropped at the front of the cavernous interior can be heard all the way at the back. The Church Office Building has an observation deck; visitors are welcome to take the elevator to the 26th floor and enjoy the panoramic city views.

The Beehive House (67 East South Temple St.), one of church founder Brigham Young's two former Salt Lake City homes, is named for the image of a beehive—the symbol of industriousness—that sits atop the residence. Young served as Utah's territorial governor and, as president of the Mormon church, helped establish pioneer settlements throughout the West. Tour the house for a look at how the Young family lived in the 1850s.

Afternoon Salt Lake City's dramatic backdrop of towering mountains sliced by deep canyons offers wonderful scenic drive opportunities, so hit the road. One of the most popular routes is east via I-80 to Parleys Canyon, on the eastern side of the Salt Lake Valley. Side roads off the interstate wind through forests that blaze with color in the fall.

If you don't feel like a drive trip, spend time at Trolley Square (602 South 700 East). The brick buildings that house mall standards like Lululemon, Pottery Barn and Williams-Sonoma once served as storage barns for the cars that made up the city's trolley system.

And if you want to spend time outdoors but not behind the wheel, head to Wheeler Historic Farm (6351 900 East). This restored dairy farm offers cow-milking demonstrations, tractor-pulled wagon rides and tours of the historic Wheeler house, where Henry and Sariah Wheeler and their six kids lived when not engaged in wood chopping, butter churning, soap making and various other tasks. You can also take a walk along Little Cottonwood Creek.

Evening Locals swear that the Red Iguana (736 W. North Temple) has the best Mexican food in Salt Lake City. It's a festive, fun destination complete with plastic poinsettia-pattern tablecloths and strolling mariachis. The seven different moles include mole Amarillo, an unusual blend of golden raisins, yellow tomatoes, zucchini and guajillo chiles. The strawberry margaritas and Mexican beers pack a potent punch. It's very popular, so reservations are advised.

The ornate decorations and huge crystal chandeliers at the Capitol Theatre (50 West 200 South) are reminders that going out to see a show can still be a special occasion. The home of Ballet West and the Utah Opera also presents touring Broadway productions and holiday perennials like “The Nutcracker.”

The Tavernacle (201 East 300 South) is a dueling piano bar that also offers karaoke on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays. Reservations are recommended; phone (801) 519-8900.

Lumpys Downtown (145 Pierpont Ave.) is favored by the college crowd. Expect the usual at this rowdy sports bar—pool tables, foosball and private booths with HDTV for game viewing. There's also an upstairs dance floor with DJ music Friday and Saturday nights.