Salt Lake City Neighborhoods

Featured Neighborhoods in Salt Lake City

1 Glendale

On the west side of Salt Lake City, Glendale is a lively neighborhood conveniently close to both downtown Salt Lake and the Salt Lake International Airport. Just west of I-15, Glendale’s suburban streets include several historic structures, such as the George Q. and Caroline Cannon House. A variety of outdoor space allows hiking, walking and picnicking in warm weather at the International Peace Gardens, Glendale Park and along the Jordan River. Jordan Park is the largest green space, hosting the weekly People’s Market a hub of local goods. An 18-hole public golf course offers more outdoor fun. Dining options abound, including many well-regarded ethnic eateries with Mexican, African and Italian cuisine. The Uinta Brewing Company is also located here, the largest brewery in Utah. The Sorenson Unity Center, a cultural enclave that celebrates diversity, hosts films, plays, and art exhibits. Seven Peaks Water Park is also located in Glendale, with a wave pool and slides. Should the wide arc of sky above Salt Lake City not provide enough stellar spectacle, the Clark Planetarium will fill the bill. Daily star shows and nightly music/laser light programs attract different crowds, but other Planetarium exhibits, including a scale model of the solar system, bring the school groups together with the Pink Floyd aficionados.

2 Federal Heights

Adjoining the University of Utah and the Wasatch Mountain Range, affluent Federal Heights includes many classic homes that are historical in nature, having been built in the 1900s. Originally planned as officer’s quarters for Fort Douglas, this walkable neighborhood adjoins the Red Butte Canyon Research Natural Area and the Tomahawk Natural Area. City Creek and the City Creek Natural Area are also located here. Beautiful scenery and plenty of open space are basic facts of life in this community. With plenty of hiking trails and nature at hand, Federal Heights is nonetheless less than a 10-minutes drive from downtown Salt Lake City. The City Creek Shopping Center is located near by. [Photo courtesy of University of Utah]

3 Poplar Grove

This western Salt Lake City neighborhood is named for trees planted in the area in the 1800s. A pleasant, suburban neighborhood, grocery stores and chain shopping options are conveniently located here. Seasonal attractions such as holiday lights displays, a “Castle of Chaos,” and the Fear Factory haunted Halloween attractions add to the feeling of community. In September, the Utah State Fair holds forth at the fairgrounds on the edge of Poplar Grove, with rides, live music and animal and crop exhibits.

4 Sugar House

One of Salt Lake City’s oldest neighborhoods and the location of Westminster College, Sugar House is a sweet spot to call home. Two shopping centers, The Commons and Sugar House Center, are located in this community south east of downtown. The centers feature national retailers and chain eateries. There’s also a ten-screen movie theater. Smaller independent shops are located near Highland Drive, including art galleries, coffee shops, clothing and shoe stores. Hidden Hollow Natural Area, developed for the 2002 Winter Olympics and Sugar House Park both offer plenty of green space. The latter hosts a large scale 4th of July celebration with fireworks display every summer. [Photo courtesy of Sugar House Art Walk]

5 The Avenues

The Avenues, or The Aves, gets its name from the numbered avenues and streets in what was one of Salt Lake City’s first neighborhood enclaves. Drawing professionals and artists, this area just northeast of downtown, provides easy access to the city’s core and great views of the Wasatch Mountains. Older Victorian-era and Queen Anne style houses, modern apartments and townhouses fill the area, which is primarily residential, tree-lined, and peppered with green space, such as Popperton Park. The LDS Hospital complex is located here, as is the Shriners Hospital for Children. Local shops and galleries also dot the neatly laid out and narrow streets.

6 Rose Park

Located in the northwestern part of Salt Lake City, Rose Park was developed so that its streets follow the shape of roses and its main drag, American Beauty Drive, forms the stem. Not floral enough? Roofs in this planned community were originally made of red or green shingles. Adding to the floral motif, two parks, one a part of the larger Jordan River Parkway, and two public golf courses offer outdoor adventures. A large community garden and an eco-park bring more open-air activities to the mix. Rose Park is known for its variety of excellent Mexican eateries, and for its annual Rose Park Festival, held each spring, with crafts, food and entertainment.

7 Downtown

Downtown Salt Lake City's development radiated from Temple Square, the site of Utah's first Mormon church. These days, the temple Brigham Young built shares a block with Energy Solutions Arena, home to the Utah Jazz, and lies around the corner from downtown Salt Lake City nightlife. Downtown also includes Main Street, the main business and commercial district of the city. The neighborhood is home to the burgeoning Gateway District, with a bustling open air shopping area and office space. Sprawling across three downtown blocks, City Creek Center offers shopping and numerous restaurants options. A large farmer’s market runs weekly in the summer and bi-weekly indoors in the winter months at Rio Grande Depot. The Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center hosts live theater and special events. Beautiful Pioneer Park offers walking trails and community activities, such as summer weekly movies in the park. [Photo courtesy of Downtown SLC]

8 Central City

Just east of downtown, Central City borders the University of Utah campus and is home to many restaurants, cafes and local boutique shops around Trolley Square. New condominium developments have arisen here, where light rail lines offer easy public transportation through the community and into downtown Salt Lake City. Liberty Park, with a small lake at its center and Sunnyside Park near the university both offer outdoor recreation. The Salt Lake Regional Medical Center is also located here. Popular with students and downtown office workers, Central City’s vibrant real estate includes single-family homes, condo complexes, and apartments. The Desert Edge Brewery offers live music in an historic structure. The distinctive, modern Salt Lake City Public Library holds more than 500,000 books, while outside in its attractive plaza, annual outdoor events such as the Pride Festival, Jazz Festival and the Living Traditions Festival attracts locals and visitors. [Photo courtesy of www.trolleysquare.com]

9 Capitol Hill

Home to the Utah State Capitol, this neighborhood offers expansive views of the Salt Lake City area all the way to the great Salt Lake. Historic buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places adjoin City Creek Canyon, providing plenty of walking space and outdoor recreation. The Pioneer History Museum, Lake City Theater and the adobe John Platts Home are notable landmarks. In the summer, the Capitol Preservation Board holds community outdoor film screenings projected from the south lawn onto a flat wall of the Capitol building. Capitol Discovery Day is another annual summer event, offering building tours and live music events.

10 Foothill

Within the mostly residential enclave of Foothill is the well-regarded Place Heritage Park. Bordered by I-80, Foothill is perched at the base of the spectacular Wasatch Range, and is named for the main street paralleling the mountains, Foothill Drive. The University of Utah abuts this community, which has a suburban feel with broad streets and many single-family homes and condominiums. You’ll also find the Hogle Zoo here, and if monkeying around isn’t for you, there’s the lovely Red Butte Garden and Arboretum to explore. For shopping, Foothill Village Shopping Center fits the bill with a bevy of smaller stores and nationally known chains. Golfers can enjoy the Bonneville Golf Course and history buffs can explore the Fort Douglas Military Museum. Emigration Creek offers wildlife and bird watching.