Community post by Shon Harris (Linkedin, X)
Welcome to Salt Lake City, KubeCon + CloudNativeCon attendees! You’ll see the beautiful Wasatch Mountain range to the east as you take in the sights. This area is known for its stunning ski resorts and picturesque fall and winter landscapes. It’s often called the ‘Silicon Slopes’ due to the presence of major universities and big tech companies along the Wasatch Range from Logan to Provo. With over 100 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and exploring, I’m here to help you make the most of your time in Salt Lake City, where we do things a little differently!”
When you arrive at Salt Lake International Airport (SLC), you have several transportation options to get to downtown. You can hop on the Green Line directly from the airport, or you can use ride-share apps. A useful tip for leaving the airport: when looking for the bus/light rail, taxi, or limo at Baggage Claim, head downstairs instead of crossing the bridge.
If you use a ride-share app or have someone pick you up, head across the sky bridge after grabbing your bags at Baggage Claim and then take the escalator or elevator downstairs. If you find yourself by the Starbucks or the “Things to do in Utah” info booths, you will have to head back up and over because outside, you won’t be able to cross over to the Ride-Share / Pickup lanes from that side.
The Grid System: When exploring Salt Lake City, you’ll encounter distinctive addresses like “1320 East 200 South” for various gatherings and events. This is due to the unique street numbering system used in Salt Lake City and most of Utah, centered around a specific point. Salt Lake City’s central point is at the intersection of South Temple and Main Street. For example, if you go thirteen blocks to the east and two blocks to the south from this central point, you will reach the address we used as an example (Which just happens to be home to the best pizza you will find in Utah). This numbering system can seem daunting initally, but once you get the hang of it, really it simplifies navigation in the downtown area, making it easier to find your way around and back to your hotel.
Public Transit: Get to know the fantastic public transit system in Utah! The Utah Transit Authority (UTA) runs an extensive network of lightrail, high-speed trains, and buses, with convenient service to and from the airport. Hop on and off in the free fare zone without buying a ticket, and easily transfer between buses and trains using just one ticket. For just $25.00, you can grab a five-day transit pass that works seamlessly with the Ride UTA App. This handy app lets you use your pass and provides access to schedules, real-time updates on train and bus locations, and route information.
Remember, Sundays have different operating hours and restrictions, so plan accordingly. Take some time to explore the various services available – it’s worth it!
You can learn more about UTA and their services here;
What should you wear? The weather can be quite diverse, with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to the mid-60s during the day and getting as low as the mid-30s at night. It’s always good to dress in layers and don’t forget to bring a coat for those chilly nights. And if you’re exploring the canyons, wear cozy socks and shoes to stay warm!
The dry desert air can be a hurdle for your skin, so be sure to pack moisturizers like chapstick and lotion to keep dryness in check. Also, keep a saline spray handy to avoid any unexpected nosebleeds caused by the dry air.
Heading to the canyons? Don’t forget to pack sunscreen to shield yourself from the sun’s rays, especially if you’ll be rocking sunglasses. Trust me, you don’t want to end up with raccoon eyes from a sunburn! Bring an umbrella in case of a surprise shower, sleet, or snow during your outdoor adventure.
Where should you go? One of the best things about the Wasatch Front is the amount of stuff you can see or do. Sure, there is Temple Square and the Headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. But there is so much more to Salt Lake and the Surrounding area!
- Visit A Museum:
- The Utah Museum of Natural History above Research Park will give you an indepth view of the Intermountain West and our unique geology and climate
- The Univerity of Utah Museum of Fine Arts, on the “Lower” part of the University of Utah Campus, houses a unique collection of over 20,000 pieces of art that have been sourced and has fun immersive experiences as well
- Clark Planetarium: Explore the universe with a large showcase of exhibits about Space, Black Holes, and the Universe at large
- The Leonardo: A museum that encourages hands-on learning about technology and exploration.
- Check out a Sporting Event
- Brigham Young University vs. The University of Utah: If you get to Salt Lake early, you will notice everyone wearing Red or Blue around town. The historic rivalry game nicknamed “The Holy War” between the University of Utah and Brigham Young takes place on November 9th at Rice Eccles Stadium – a Short train ride on the Red Line to the “Stadium” station. If you have never experienced American College Football at the highest levels – this is the place to do it.
- The Utah Jazz Are playing right across the street from the Salt Palace. They will be playing on November 12 and 14. It is really easy to grab tickets, and it is a fun experience.
- Brigham Young University vs. The University of Utah: If you get to Salt Lake early, you will notice everyone wearing Red or Blue around town. The historic rivalry game nicknamed “The Holy War” between the University of Utah and Brigham Young takes place on November 9th at Rice Eccles Stadium – a Short train ride on the Red Line to the “Stadium” station. If you have never experienced American College Football at the highest levels – this is the place to do it.
- Get Outside: Salt Lake has many fantastic, spacious, easily accessible green spaces.
- Liberty Park (500 East 900 South) is in the Liberty Wells Neighborhood and is one of the largest parks. It has old trees and an aviary where you can see a collection of native and exotic birds.
- This is the Place Heritage Park: It is a celebration of when Brigham Young and the early Mormon pioneers descended from the canyons to the east into the Salt Lake Valley and famously declared, “This is the place.” This is the Place Park is right next to the Hogle Zoo, which has a large collection of animals and exhibits. It is a great way to spend a fall afternoon.
- Catch a Show: Downtown Salt Lake City has several theatres and concert venues that are relatively easy to walk to. Because Salt Lake City is between major cities like Denver and Reno there is always a show, concert or performance you can catch at the Eccles or Rose Wagner Theatre or Abravanel Hall, where you can see the Utah Symphony in all its glory. Not to mention the number of independent venues around town.
What About Where to Get a Drink? You may have heard rumors about Utah, and it’s strange approach to Liquor laws. Fear not. I am here to help. Basically, there are two sorts of places you can find yourself at, and a sign will usually tell you which.
The Bars in Utah are easy to spot. They will have a full selection of food and drink to keep you going. They are allowed by law to operate from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Restaurants with full-service (Beer, Wine, Liquor) licenses Open at 11:30 a.m. You must be in the restaurant to partake, and you can only have one drink per legal-aged person at the table. Utah does not allow for “sidecars” (Beer and a Shot), nor will they make you a “Double” drink. These restaurants will require you to order some food with your drink, or even before you can order a drink to ensure compliance with the law.
Beer and Wine Only: Follow the same laws as above, but can only serve you beer that is 5% ABV or Lower and will not liquor available. Similar to a full-service license, you will still need to order some kind of food off the menu before you can order a drink.
Wait. Where is the bar?! Some restaurants will have a Full Service License, but you may not be able to see the Liquor selection, or there will be some door to the side where your server goes in and comes out with your drink. This is one of those Quirky Utah laws where the liquor has to be hidden from sight. We lovingly call it the “Zion Curtain”.
Do I need a membership? Previously, you needed to be a member of a private club at each bar to drink full liquor. If you were from out of town or visiting, you needed someone to sponsor your membership. Utah did away with this unique law during the ramp-up for the 2002 Olympics.
Just remember your ID. Utah is very strict about IDs being scanned. This can be your driver license, your passport, but if you don’t have it you won’t be allowed in to a bar, or to order drinks.
I hope you enjoy your time here and enjoy everything our vibrant city offers. From the stunning natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage to the diverse museums and exciting sporting events, there’s something for everyone. Whether exploring the trails, visiting a museum, catching a game, or simply enjoying the local cuisine, Salt Lake City is ready to welcome you and the rest of the KubeCon/CloudNativeCon attendees with open arms.