By Lauren Kmec
Salt Lake City
Utah
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Salt Lake City is the capital of Utah and the most populous city in the state. Nestled at the base of the Wasatch and Oquirrh Mountains, Salt Lake City is a favorite destination for winter sports enthusiasts. But this beautiful Western city has so much more to offer, including captivating historic sites, fascinating museums, and rich cultural institutions.

Let EscapeWizard.com help you plan your next vacation to Salt Lake City. Fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC), a major hub for many U.S. airlines, which is located only 10 minutes from downtown Salt Lake City. Take advantage of the excellent rates we can find and book your flight through EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/flight.php). For hotel accommodations, choose from EscapeWizard.com’s top selections below. Our number one selection would be the Holiday Inn Express for having such an excellent and helpful staff. Just follow this link to book through EscapeWizard.com (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).

Once you are here, EscapeWizard.com recommends a trip to the Great Salt Lake, located about 17 miles west of the city. The Great Salt Lake is actually a remnant of the prehistoric Lake Bonneville, a massive body of water that once stretched into parts of Nevada and Idaho. Although the Great Salt Lake is much smaller today, it is still the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere, spanning 2100 miles. This lake is one of the most popular sites in Utah, and for good reason: visitors can swim or kayak in the salty waters, bask in the sun on one of the white-sand beaches, or explore Antelope Island, the biggest of the Great Salt Lake’s nine islands. Antelope Island offers hiking trails, a marina for sailboats, and designated camping areas.

Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, and EscapeWizard.com encourages travelers to visit some of the Olympic venues. Olympic Cauldron Park is a great place to start. Adjacent to the University of Utah’s Rice-Eccles Stadium, where the opening and closing ceremonies took place, the park immortalizes the Salt Lake City Winter Olympic experience. Skiers and snowboarders will enjoy seeing some of the other Olympic venues, many of which are located at ski resorts within an hour’s drive of Salt Lake City.

EscapeWizard.com recommends a trip to the State House. Here visitors can take part in a guided tour which leaves every hour on the hour from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. After this stop, Salt Lake City’s many interesting museums make learning fun for the whole family. EscapeWizard.com suggests a visit to the Utah Museum of Natural History, which boasts a vast collection of North American archaeological objects, thousands of animal and plant specimens, and a stunning geological collection. Visitors to the museum can venture into the Romney Mine, a reconstruction of a 19th-century Utah mine. Those looking to explore outer space will love Salt Lake City’s Clark Planetarium. This exceptional facility features a state-of-the art Hansen Dome Theatre, 3D IMAX Theater, and a series of cosmic light shows sure to entertain and delight. The Children’s Museum is an excellent place to take children if you are traveling as a family. And for art lovers, the Utah Musuem of Fine Arts is perfect to see a wide collection.

For a unique “living history” experience, EscapeWizard.com recommends spending an afternoon at This Is The Place Heritage Park. Step back in time at This Is The Place, a 450-acre replica of life in the Old West. Watch a blacksmith or furniture maker demonstrate his craft, ride around the park in one of three replica trains, and visit the Native American village, formerly home to five Native Utah tribes.

EscapeWizard.com also encourages visitors to visit some of Salt Lake City’s picturesque gardens. Nature lovers will feel at home at Red Butte Garden, the only arboretum in Utah. Wander through Red Butte’s 11 themed botanical gardens or bring a picnic and listen to internationally known artists as part of the outdoor concert series. Located on the banks of the Jordan River, the International Peace Gardens strive to promote peace and understanding between all peoples of the world. Twenty-six nations are represented here; each has a plot of land to create a garden containing that nation’s native plants, as well as sculptures of its peaceful leaders.

Considering all of the attractions in Salt Lake City, this amazing place is clearly so much more than just a skier’s paradise. Plan your next vacation to Salt Lake City today with EscapeWizard.com.
Hotels in Salt Lake City
By Sandy O'Neal
Holiday Inn Express
4465 Century Drive, Salt Lake City, UT
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Centrally Located, the Holiday Inn Express in Salt Lake City gives you easy access to many of valleys ski resorts, as well as downtown. Just 12 miles from the Salt Lake City International Airport, you can easily catch a taxi and be at the hotel in 20 minutes. Check in is at 3:00 p.m., check out is at noon.

With 130 guest rooms and suites covering 2 floors, you are sure to find a room accommodation that meets your needs.  And pet friendly rooms are available for an additional fee. While room amenities vary depending on your selection, typical amenities include TV (with in room movies, pay per view, and video games), high speed internet, coffee maker, microwave oven, mini refrigerator and tea maker.  

If you are looking to maintain your fitness routine while you are away from home, the onsite fitness center is equipped with treadmills, elliptical bike and stair climber. After a grueling workout, spend some time relaxing in or beside the outdoor pool. 

If you wake up hungry you will be delighted to know that a free breakfast bar is waiting for you with a rotating selection of hot entrees, and includes a selection of low calorie options like yogurt, granola and cereal.  

The hotel is equipped to meet the needs of the business traveler too. The onsite business center has computers and printers available on a 24 hour basis, as well as high speed internet service. The hotel is equipped with 3,000 square feet of space for your meeting or group event. On site catering is available and professional sales staff is ready to assist you in arranging your event.

Whether your travels to Salt Lake City are for business or pleasure, EscapeWizard.com is sure that the Holiday Inn Express will exceed your expectations. To book your next stay, just click this link (www.escapewizard.com/hotels.php?flag=htl).