Navigating The Dry Spots of Salt Lake City During Your Trip There

By Tommy Zimmer

In the past, Salt Lake’s liquor laws were a bit different than they are today. There was a private club law, which stipulated consumers to pay a fee to become a part of a club that allowed them to drink before they were ever able to go into a bar. The city abolished the private club law in 2009 as well as the different categories some restaurants may fall under such as private club or tavern. Now, they are either just a restaurant or a bar. The Utah government continues to regulate the state’s liquor industry. If you want alcohol outside of 3.2 percent alcoholic drinks, you have to go to the state-run liquor stores closed on Sundays and holidays.

While much of this might seem more important to someone who lives in Salt Lake City, this might be important for you since you may be going to Utah for a trip. It may be completely easier, however, for you to consider other activities in Salt Lake City, which do not involve drinking. You do not wish to end up succumbing to the influence of drugs and alcohol and ending up at faith based drug rehab centers. While the tourism site for Salt Lake City highlights their great restaurants and bar scenes, you may look into the many other selections the city has for you.

Here are some places you might wish to stop by during your travels in Salt Lake City:

1.) International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park. The International Peace Gardens came into being after the 1929 International Gardeners’ Association Annual meeting. The idea, by 1932, was to show the tale of two great countries discovering peace. The original aim for the gardens was the following: “To foster and to give protection and support to the material expression of a world ideal concerned in the interest of International Peace and its benefits to humanity.” It also stated: “(This ideal) recognizes that wars between nations have been humanity’s greatest curse; that its glories are a myth; and its continuance an abhorrence to the Creator.” It’s a living symbol of the continued peace between the USA and Canada for over two-hundred years.

2.) Natural History Museum of Utah. The museum opened its doors in 1969. Collections have been moved from the varied academic departments and increased through contributions, acquisition, and research. It has plenty of paleontology discoveries as well as gems and minerals discovered elsewhere. The Museum now is home to over 1.5 million objects. The Rio Tinto Center with new exhibit galleries and programs opened during November 2011. With all of the history within the museum, more work continues to be done.

3.) Big Cottonwood Canyon. The canyon has two ski resorts as well as many different climbing routes. During the spring and summer, you can take advantage of the hiking and mountain biking trails. Maybe, you considertaking a picnic too. Only twenty-five minutes from Salt Lake International Airport, you can explore all the fifteen miles of the canyon and find yourself calling it home during every season. If you choose to go hiking, you can be taken to bodies of water such as Desolation Lake or Silver Lake. You may feel relaxed in any situation.

4.) The Pioneer Memorial Museum. The reputation of the Pioneer Memorial Museum is that it is the world’s biggest artifacts collection on any particular subject. Inside the museum are remnants of pioneers that first journeyed out to the Valley of the Great Salt Lake until railroads formed Promontory Point on May 10, 1869. These pioneers came from 2,000 miles east in Nauvoo, Illinois and other parts of the world. They sought religious freedom and you can discover everything from their crystal salters to their pianos. There are also old homemade objects and Victorian decorum. You can get a taste of everything from the society these pioneers lived through.

5.) Wheeler Historic Farm. Salt Lake City acquired this farm back in 1969. It continues to be the only historical site still operated by the county. It’s continued to be preserved with the help of The Junior League and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places during 1976. The farm continues to run with the Walker Ditch-Little Cottonwood Creek moving through and going into irrigation ditches. There is plenty of space to have picnics and a playground for the children to have fun on. You can also check out the Activity Barn, the Ice House, and Party House. Wagon or cow train rides are also available.

6.) Church History Museum. If you are from out of town, you may wish to take advantage of learning more about the history of the Church of Latter-Day Saints within Salt Lake City and Utah itself. Within the museum itself, there are many programs such as Living History Programs where you can go to a living history day and interact with figures from the Church’s past. You could consider attending Gallery Talks to listen to stories of the biggest key players in the Church’s history. You could become a detective and explore the museum in under thirty minutes. And you can experience The First Vision Theatre, where Joseph Smith’s First Vision is shown a circular 240-inch screen as well as Spotlights of different artwork or artifacts within the museum.

Many activities exist and there are several other places for you to go beyond the local bars and restaurants. While those can be enticing, you could miss out on the chance to learn more about the history of Salt Lake City and the state itself. You would probably not wish to put yourself at risk for substance abuse if you went partying in Salt Lake City and ended up at faith based drug rehab centers. That could be real bad. By checking out all the sights and sounds of Salt Lake City, you will not only get a great education on the importance of this city to the Church of Latter-Day Saints but also an appreciation for the people that continue to live their today. Be a part of the history and recognize everything that’s there.

About the author: Tommy Zimmer is a writer whose work has appeared online and in print. His work covers a variety of topics, including politics, economics, health and wellness, addiction and recovery, and the entertainment industry.