Salt Lake City offers something for every type of traveler. Whether you want to check out the trendiest new restaurants and catch a concert or explore nature and try out Utah's famed ski resorts, this city rises to the challenge. With so many thriving neighborhoods and things to do, your hardest decision may be deciding where to stay in Salt Lake City.
We’ll guide you through some of the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, all of them centrally located in and around Downtown. Whether you’re traveling for pleasure, business, or skiing, there’s a neighborhood that ticks all the boxes. In fact, when you stay at our Downtown Salt Lake City hotel, you’ll be minutes from many of the city’s trendiest areas and most fascinating attractions.
Downtown Salt Lake City is an expansive neighborhood, with many smaller districts located within its boundaries. From bustling urban plazas playing host to musical events and art festivals to leafy residential streets steps away from historic monuments, Downtown has an eclectic collection of neighborhoods.
Our Downtown SLC neighborhood guide below will help you learn about each district's character, so you can choose the one that best fits your personality.
Central Downtown, also known as The Gateway District, is where many Salt Lake City accommodations are located for a reason. This neighborhood is the heart of the city, and it's home to some of the top sights, including the iconic Temple Square — arguably Salt Lake City's most famous attraction.
The area is also ideal for nightlife, shopping, and concerts, with the trendy Gateway Mall and the upmarket City Creek Center just steps away. Next door to the Gateway Mall you can catch a Utah Jazz game at the Delta Center.
Business travelers will also want to take advantage of the central location. When you stay in Downtown SLC you'll enjoy convenient access to Salt Palace Convention Center and the city's premier commercial and office spaces.
The Granary District is one of Salt Lake City's newest and trendiest neighborhoods. A former industrial area built around the railyards, the Granary has found new life by attracting artists, foodies, urban explorers, and other creative types. Its former warehouses have been transformed into some of the city's best microbreweries, galleries, and restaurants.
If you're looking for great places to eat and drink, the Granary is a great fit. Head to 900 South, where you'll find a cluster of excellent eateries, including Laziz Kitchen, serving up Middle Eastern cuisine, and Junah, offering refined meals in a contemporary setting.
The Granary is especially well-known for its art murals, with some of Salt Lake City's best artists contributing works. Walking or biking around and taking photos of these pieces is one of the best ways to experience the Granary while adding to your social media feeds.
The Blocks Arts District, also called the Cultural Core, is Salt Lake City's creative heart. Brimming with theaters, music venues, galleries, and art organizations, The Blocks is a vibrant neighborhood that celebrates Utah's creative energy.
This area is full of life all throughout the year, with events and festivals waiting to be discovered. The Mariachi Festival comes to the community in August, while Steppin’ on Main brings outdoor musical, artistic, and comedic performances to the steps of the Eccles Theater throughout the summer. Meanwhile, in winter you can explore the Glow Garden, an outdoor light installation that takes over Gallivan Plaza.
Sugar House is among Salt Lake City’s most hip and walkable neighborhoods. Home to trendy bars and eateries, independent shops, and Sugar House Park — one of the best parks in the city — Sugar House is easily one of the best neighborhoods in Salt Lake City.
Head to Raunch Records & Skate to immerse yourself in Sugar House’s creative and independent vibe. This old-school vintage record store sells a huge variety of vinyls and CDs, plus an impressive array of skateboards featuring colorful graphic designs. Then, walk around the corner to Sugar House Coffee, one of the neighborhood’s best cafes, serving up great coffee and lunch items in a community-focused space.
For a night out, try the Corner Brew Pub, offering delicious pub grub and award winning beers from local breweries Top of Main Brewery and Salt Lake Brewing Co. Nearby, Hearth and Hill serves New American cuisine in a trendy modern space. And for something really unique, Quarters Arcade Bar features both vintage and modern arcade games with bar food and drinks.
The Avenues and Capitol Hill are two of Salt Lake City’s most historic and affluent neighborhoods. If you’re looking for peace and quiet while still being centrally located, you can’t do better than this neighborhood.
With tree-lined streets home to majestic Victorian mansions and centered around the monumental Utah State Capitol, The Avenues and Capitol Hill feel like an entirely different world from the bustle of Central Downtown just a few blocks south.
Located on the edge of the Wasatch Mountains, this area is ideal for nature enthusiasts. You’ll have some of the best hiking and biking trails in your backyard, with incredible scenery and vistas over the entire city. Memory Grove Park, just east of the Utah State Capitol, offers a peaceful creekside retreat and provides access to City Creek Canyon’s trails.
You can also access the Bonneville Shoreline Trail from The Avenues, a network of hiking and biking trails that covers a huge area of the Salt Lake City region.
University and East Central comprise the University of Utah campus and surrounding area. One of the top attractions in Salt Lake City, This Is The Place Heritage Park is a living-history park focused on the pioneer history of the region.
Also check out the Natural History Museum of Utah, a stunning facility highlighting Utah’s rich geology and earth sciences, including an impressive collection of dinosaur bones.
Nearby, don’t miss the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum, a beautiful botanical garden with meandering paths and thousands of flowers. Here, you’ll find the Red Butte Garden Amphitheatre, which puts on a summer concert series featuring big-name acts from across the U.S. and globally.
For dining and shopping, head to the area known as 9th and 9th, located around the intersection of 900 South and 900 East. This walkable area is home to trendy restaurants, independent shops, and Tower Theatre, a historic art-house cinema that plays both new releases and cult classics.
When choosing where to stay in Salt Lake City, you’ll need to consider your priorities.
If you’re looking to see the biggest attractions, Downtown Central, Capitol Hill, and University are probably your best bets. Downtown Central is also home to many convention centers, so it’s ideal for business travelers.
For a quiet vibe, try The Avenues, or for something more urban and trendy, The Granary District, The Blocks, and Sugar House are great fits.
If you want to take in Utah’s legendary skiing, staying anywhere Downtown will put you within an hour of nearby ski resorts. While a car makes the trip easier, there is a free shuttle bus between Salt Lake City Central Station and Park City.
Fortunately, a car is not necessary in the city itself, as most of the neighborhoods we’ve mentioned are covered by TRAX, Salt Lake City’s light rail system. All lines converge in Downtown Central, making the neighborhood ideal for getting around the city.
Choosing the best neighborhood in Salt Lake City for you will depend on your travel style and the type of vibe you’re looking for. Some neighborhoods offer a wealth of cultural events, while others appeal to those who want a quiet escape close to nature.
No matter your itinerary, you can’t go wrong staying at Placemakr’s Downtown Salt Lake City hotel. With easy access to public transit, you can immerse yourself in the city’s eclectic mix of neighborhoods and still be just a short drive away from the scenery and skiing of the nearby mountains. Plus, you’ll have a comfortable space to come home to each day, equipped with your own chef-ready kitchen, in-unit laundry, and on-site fitness center.