We all have one child, one friend, one former partner who, in the midst of beauty, camaraderie or just plain old fun, will let you know that they’re not feeling it. I have one child who loudly declared on a family vacation to everyone within actual shouting distance, “I hate the beach!” OK, everyone has a bad day, but for others…you knew the shopping, the spa, the entertainment, or the après were the selling points.
Without debating the merits of one vacation over another or one location over another, there is one reason Utah, among all others, is hailed as the Most Likely to Please.
Reading this, you are probably planning or enjoying your glorious ski vacation…or you’re wondering how to make your mopey teen or your mother-in-law happy. Oh, I get it! As I was reapplying sunscreen, trying not to get sand stuck between my toes, I was thinking of a response — après beach, perhaps — to my sweet child’s declaration.
I Hate Saving Time and Money
When you consider where to plan your ski vacation, most consider: (1) snow, (2) ski school, and (3) nightlife. Those in the know, i.e, those who have had to keep a kid from throwing up on a twisty mountain road two hours from the airport after a four-hour flight with a stop, understand that: (1) accessibility, (2) affordability, and (3) adaptability are essential, as well.
As a Delta airline hub, SLC provides daily nonstop service to most major domestic cities and several international ones, making getting here fast and easy. Once here, there are endless entertainments to keep EVERYONE HAPPY OFF THE SLOPES. Moreover, as I discovered on another recent beach trip, something is amazing about a place with so many good restaurants, not just the same five that everyone is trying to book!
Salt Lake is a major metropolitan city — and just an hour from 10 of Utah’s ski resorts — with major urban amenities…that are more affordable than what you probably pay at home. Why? Because 1 million people who are not connected to the ski industry live, work, and play here as well. Translation: They don’t pay “tourist rates” for average services, and neither should you. From shopping to eating to getting a great massage (the first thing my kids book), there are so many excellent and affordable options.
But what if you just want a quick list of ideas for what to do with the kid or granny (or even you) who isn’t interested in skiing or snow, or just needs a warm respite? As one who lives, works and plays here, I’ll share mine with you!
I Hate the Cold
Utah Jazz Basketball, Utah Mammoth Hockey, University of Utah Athletics (basketball, gymnastics team with the highest U.S. collegiate attendance), Utah Olympic Oval indoor speed skating (or try your hand at curling here or on the rooftop of Mar Muntanya downtown). If you can grab your mittens and cocoa, watch Olympic hopefuls at Utah Olympic Park (bobsled, luge, skeleton; visitors can even ride a bobsled!)
I Hate When Mom is Cooler Than I Am
Woodward Park City (from skating, scooting, bouncing and flipping), Shredder Ski and Snowboard School (indoor skiing and snowboarding for kiddos), Indoor rock climbing, Indoor swimming or indoor ice skating (ok, admittedly chilly) at SLC Sports Complex, Rounds Putting Lounge and Bowling (both with arcades, of which I’m shocking good at) in Millcreek, Social Axe Throwing (I’m also shocking good at this), Go-carting, Rage Rooms, and even indoor surfing or indoor skydiving in nearby Ogden (which makes me wonder about Ogden).
I Hate Happy People
Second Summit Hard Cider Co. is a hub for great cider, pickleball, speed puzzling, bingo, bunco, trivia and whatever else they come up with. (Note: Must be 21+)
Art Blows
Glass blowing at Red Flower Studios, B Golden Jewelry School (there’s a great jewelry class down at Sundance Mountain Resort, too), Workshop SLC (multidisciplinary art studio classes), Art Haus, Art Cafe, Salt Lake Pottery Studio,
I Hate Museums
Natural History Museum (with an incredible dinosaur collection), Red Butte Gardens (indoor and outdoor exhibits, Utah Museum of Fine Arts, Dreamscapes (immersive art experience), Map to Salt Lake City street art, Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum (appreciated even more in a land-locked city), Clark Planetarium (then enjoy Utah’s Dark Skies), or even Land Cruiser Heritage Museum or the Hill Aerospace Museum in Ogden (for the car or plane fanatics) or the ever-expanding collection of attractions, from butterflies to flowers to more dinosaurs at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
I Hate Shopping
Salt Lake is a city of neighborhoods, each with its own vibe and variety of shops. You can wander for hours in the boutiques and specialty stores dotting Sugarhouse, 9th and 9th and the nearby Maven District.
I Hate Lazing Around
Day passes for day spas, including Woodhouse Spa in Holladay, Kura Door, or The Grand Spa downtown, are ubiquitous in this restorative culture (How do you think we do all of this crazy stuff?). Now, specialty saunas and bath houses have entered the scene (I didn’t say ‘cold plunge’ but it’s pretty awesome even if you hate the cold) all over Salt Lake City, including Glow, Perspire, Plunj. Cedar and Fire will even bring its mobile sauna to you (serves most locations in Salt Lake, Park City and surrounding areas)!
As the self-proclaimed Minister of Fun, I hate sad friends, family members and travelers, but living, working and playing in Salt Lake City provides me an endless list of responses (that you should absolutely bookmark) the next time one of them b…bemoans the cold.
