The Gateway | The USA: Landscapes and Urban Spaces

Because of its importance to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City is bound to have an appearance and character that mark it out as somewhat different from other US cities of comparable size (some of Salt Lake City’s distinctiveness is predicated on the widespread influence of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but it is also shaped by its situation beside a vast saline lake, the mountains that enclose it to the north and east, and its overwhelmingly white Anglo-Saxon population). Although Salt Lake City, in common with all contemporary US cities, spreads somewhat untidily for miles, especially to the north and south, it has a surprisingly small population of about 200,000. It is an urban destination well worth spending some time in because of its distinctive appearance and character; the dramatic scenery that encloses it; the unusually good visibility that prevails for most of the year; the ease with which it can be negotiated, partly because of an excellent light rail system that is the envy of many European cities; and the lack of danger no matter where you walk (there were only a few short streets in downtown where, for the briefest of moments, I felt that some caution might be required, but then in all likelihood only after dark).

I found Salt Lake City a very attractive destination from the visual point of view (it is also good for food and drink). Although this post contains a ridiculous number of photos, it was hard to limit the selection to the 20 or so that follow. Moreover, the photos concentrate on only a few parts of the city (other parts of the city reveal attractions just as good as the ones below).

The first group of photos examines South Salt Lake City, a predominantly secure (from the economic point of view) working class area that is probably the city’s most ethnically diverse. We stayed in an airbnb in the area and loved every minute, not least because of the time spent in a Mexican supermarket, a Mexican panaderia and a Bosnian-run cafe and restaurant.

South Salt Lake City, Utah

Motel sign, South Salt Lake City, Utah

Old Bridge Cafe, South Salt Lake City, Utah

Millcreek Station, South Salt Lake City, Utah

Mural near the ball park of the Salt Lake City Bees baseball team, Salt Lake City, Utah

The next two photos are on the way to and in Sugarhouse, an area popular with young people and families with disposable incomes. Leafy, prosperous and cared for in an enviable manner, Sugarhouse is a good destination for eating and drinking.

Beside the light rail line to Sugarhouse, Salt Lake City, Utah

Sugarhouse, Salt Lake City, Utah

The next group of photos examines aspects of downtown, but excludes shots about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (more about the Church later).