Downtown Salt Lake City is a vibrant and widely known district nestled in the heart and soul of Salt Lake City, Utah– the capital and most populated city in the state. Also known as City Center, the Salt Lake City Downtown is swarming with exciting nightlife, world-renowned historical landmarks like Temple Square, panoramic mountain scenery, and spectacular urban adventures. The incredibly energetic Downtown Salt Lake City is known for having some of the best art, music, and restaurant scenes in the city. All things considered, living in Salt Lake City Downtown is ideal for those who crave an urban atmosphere while still feeling close to the raw essence of nature – it truly is a great place to live.
Where is Downtown Salt Lake City?
In northern Utah, the lively Downtown Salt Lake City is located just 17 miles from Great Salt Lake and is centered on Temple Square– the grid from which the entire city is laid out. Situated in a mountain valley, Salt Lake City Downtown is northwest of the Oquirrh Mountains and just west of the Wasatch Range. Downtown Salt Lake City is neighbored by Capital Hill to the north and Ballpark to the south.
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The distance from Downtown Salt Lake City to Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) is 5.9 miles northwest. Regarding commuting, Downtown Salt Lake City provides quick and easy transportation to various parts of the city. A few of the main roads in the area include North Temple, University Blvd, John Stockton Dr, and Veterans Memorial Hwy.
The City Center offers commuter trains, and light-rail, and 10 bus stops that are all served by the Utah Transit Authority. The bus rides and TRAX train rides are free in Downtown Salt Lake City. If you’d rather commute by foot or bike, take note that Downtown Salt Lake City is very walkable and offers plenty of bike stations scattered throughout the community.
Map of Downtown Salt Lake City
Downtown Salt Lake City History & Overview
In 1833, the Salt Lake City Downtown had its first planned layout which took place 17 years prior before the city was founded. Downtown Salt Lake City is the city’s oldest district. Mormon pioneers founded the area in and around Downtown in 1847. To this day, the historical Downtown Salt Lake City and the rest of the city continue to be a religious center of the Mormons or Latter Day Saints.
Calling all fellow history nerds 📢 To celebrate over 200 Salt Lake City History Minute videos, one of our GIS wizards made an interactive StoryMap to explore every facet of our City's history! Take a step back in time with us… 🕰️ https://t.co/bZgJLtQD2A pic.twitter.com/Htl5RgbnBy
— SLCgov (@SLCgov) August 22, 2022
As time progressed, so did the development of the City Center district. Today, Salt Lake City Downtown is a favored destination for both locals and tourists and is recognized for its numerous historical attractions that play a huge role in the city’s culture. Downtown Salt Lake City Utah has a population of 6,415 whereas the median household income is $49,712. Residents here have a median age of 34 and 5.99% are foreign-born.
What’s it Like Living in Downtown Salt Lake City?
Downtown Salt Lake City is the city’s most diverse and lively locale. Due to the district’s endless business opportunities, family-friendly events and activities, bustling nightlife scene, and close proximity to the city’s university, Downtown Salt Lake City is a great place to live for young professionals, families, and college students alike.
The creative district of Downtown Salt Lake City provides a unique dynamic that allows locals to tune in on open-air concerts, stroll the farmer’s market, watch sports games at the top-rated Vivint Area, and even browse breweries and distilleries. Downtown Salt Lake City is also famed for having some of the best museums in Salt Lake City. Music and performing arts like at the Salt Palace Convention Center, Metro Music Hall, Abravanel Hall, and Eccles Theater further play a huge part in Salt Lake City’s Downtown culture.
A few of the most popular events in Downtown Salt Lake City include, and Utah Pride Festival, Utah Twilight Series, and Utah Arts Festival– hosted at the Gallivan Center.
You can purchase the Connect Pass which allows you to get amazing deals on some of the top cultural activities in the area.
Unlimited access to urban amenities isn’t the only advantage this district has to offer– the serene views of the mountains in Downtown Salt Lake City is something that never loses its charm. The district also boasts incredible architecture which is famously abundant in Temple Square- a center of history and worship.
Temple Square
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The 10-acre complex known as Temple Square is by far one the most notable attractions in Downtown Salt Lake City and the rest of the city. It features over five city blocks of interesting exhibits, fun activities, and historic religious sites such as the iconic Latter-Day Saints Conference Center, Salt Lake City Tabernacle, and the soaring Salt Lake Utah Temple. If you appreciate majestic architecture and landscaping, gourmet dining, and fascinating history, the religious icon of Downtown Salt Lake City’s Temple Square does not disappoint.
Things to Do in Downtown Salt Lake City – Best Restaurants, Attractions & Shopping
Downtown SLC Shopping
Salt Lake City’s Downtown is home to upscale shopping like at the City Creek Center– a premier open-air shopping center with over 100 stores. Another great option is The Gateway. This mixed-use open-air mall features unique shops, dining, and even hosts the Utah Beer Festival.
Restaurants in Downtown SLC
When you’re not strolling through the farmers market, there are plenty of farm-to-table restaurants and upscale eateries to choose from. A few of the best local restaurants in Downtown Salt Lake City include The Bayou with delicious Cajun-style fare and Chedda Burger with its legendary hamburgers.
Things to Do in Downtown SLC
When you’re not busy watching sports, attending city events, or visiting the Mormon churches,
Downtown Salt Lake City has many more fun things to do. If you’re in the mood for learning, the Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum and Church History Museum are excellent museums to check out. You can also take your kids on an exciting experience at the Clark Planetarium which features IMAX films, exhibits, and laser light shows. Need to take your mind off things? Stroll around the paths and playgrounds of Pioneer Park!
- City Creek Center
- 50 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, (801)-521-2012
- The Gateway
- 400 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, (801)-456-0000
- The Bayou
- 645 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, (801)-961-8400
- Chedda Burger
- The Gateway, 190 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, (385)-322-3700
- Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum
- 444 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, (801)-456-5437
- Church History Museum
- 45 N W Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, (801)-240-8945
- Clark Planetarium
- 110 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, (385)-468-7827
- Pioneer Park
- 350 S 300 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, (801)-535-7800
Schools in Downtown Salt Lake City
The areas surrounding Downtown Salt Lake City are served by the Salt Lake City School District of over 20,798 students and a student-teacher ratio of 21:1. While there are no regular public schools within the district’s borders, there are plenty of quality schools nearby such as East High School and Bennion Elementary School.
Regarding higher education, Downtown Salt Lake City is just three miles west of the University of Utah’s main campus.
Is Downtown Salt Lake City Safe?
According to US News, Salt Lake City scores a 7.8/10 crime index score and has a lower crime rate when compared to metros of similar size. In Salt Lake City’s Downtown, the western areas tend to be the most crime-ridden as opposed to the rest of the district.
It’s the warm before the storm! Did you happen to check out the amazing sunrise this morning? The forecast shows the winds are going to pick up and temperatures are going to drop this evening into tomorrow. This may impact travel, so please plan ahead. #saltlakecity #slc #utwx pic.twitter.com/pvRkHRRTuH
— Salt Lake City Police (@slcpd) November 1, 2022
The Downtown Salt Lake City district is served by the Salt Lake City Police Department with its 523 sworn officers. You can learn more about crime in Salt Lake City’s Downtown and surrounding areas with the Crime Report Maps.
Downtown Salt Lake City Real Estate
Downtown Salt Lake City is home to some of the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City. The most specified neighborhood in the downtown area is known as Rio Grande Depot. Because the downtown isn’t particularly a highly-residential area, most homes here are mid to high-rise apartment complexes.
One of the top-rated apartment complexes in Downtown Salt Lake City is Seasons on City Creek:
According to Redfin’s insight on the Rio Grande neighborhood, Downtown Salt Lake City has a median house price of $487,500 which is around $46,700 below the state median. The average sale price per square foot in Downtown Salt Lake City is $459 which has decreased by 10.7% in the last year. If buying property is on your list of things to do, try searching for Rio Grande, Salt Lake City homes for sale online. You can draw around the entire Downtown area to see homes in the rest of the district. RentCafe has the average monthly rent in Downtown Salt Lake City and the rest of the city at $1,651– that’s around $150 below the national average.
If moving to Downtown Salt Lake City is on your bucket list, Wasatch Moving can provide a smooth and easy relocation. For the best Downtown Salt Lake City moving services in the region, call us at (801) 758-0030 or complete the “Request a Quote” form on this page!
