Shopping in Salt Lake City

Shopping opportunities here are plentiful, in fact, the very first department store in the US opened for business right here in 1868. Today Salt Lake City has literally hundreds of retail options from specialist antique, book and handicraft stores to shopping villages and factory outlet malls.

Key areas

Mormon Handicraft, West South Temple, sells beautiful quilts and other speciality items unique to the state. Bentley Square, Crossroads Plaza, also sells quilts, dolls, home decoration items, jewellery and other gifts by Utah artisans. Utah Woolen Mills Clothiers, 59 West South Temple, is the city’s oldest and finest independent clothing establishment, while Ken Sanders Rare Books and Sam Weler’s Zion Bookstore are arguably the leading purveyors of another Salt Lake favourite, antiquarian books.

Markets

The Downtown Farmers' Market (mornings, June-October), Historic Pioneer Park, 300 South 300 West, features fresh produce from over 70 Utah farmers.

Shopping centres

Opposite Temple Square is Crossroads Plaza, with an arcade, theatres and restaurants, as well as shops and department stores. In the adjacent block is the ZCMI Center, which stands for Zion Cooperative Mercantile Institution, originally founded by Brigham Young, making it possibly the country's oldest department store.

The Gateway, an open-air, upmarket shopping arcade, situated west of Temple Square, is Salt Lake City's smartest venue (and Utah's largest open air shopping district). One of the city's favourite shopping centres is Trolley Square, 600 South 700 East, a few blocks from Downtown. Fashion Place, 6191 South State Street, is Salt Lake City's more upmarket mall.

Opening hours

Most stores are open daily and general shopping hours are Monday to Saturday 0900-2100 and Sunday 1100-1700.

Tax information

Sales tax is 6.6%, which foreign visitors are able to reclaim upon departure. Global Refund (tel: 1 800 566 9828; www.globalrefund.com) provides further information. Additional taxes may be charged in individual counties.

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Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

The Anniversary Inn

Popular with couples looking for a romantic getaway, this is a themed room hotel designed to fulfil an array of fantasies. Options include sleeping in a sultan's palace, an Egyptian chamber, or hunkering down in a covered wagon. The inn was once the old Salt Lake jail and every suite is now luxuriously equipped with themed spa baths and down duvets - there may even be a room that’s themed to look like the old jail. A romantic continental breakfast delivered to your room is included.

The Grand America Hotel

Built in time for the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Grand America Hotel offers 775 rooms, including four presidential penthouse suites. All rooms have balconies and views of the city skyline or exotic fountain courtyard, internet and 24-hour room service. The plush hotel is filled with antiques, and there's a full service spa, indoor and outdoor pools, and elegant lobby lounge and bar. It’s also within walking distance to all downtown attractions.

Hotel Monaco

This expansive property offers some of the most stylish accommodation among the category of boutique hotels in Salt Lake City. Seductive guest rooms and suites set in a meticulously refurbished landmark 14-story building are filled with dazzling décor flourishes, featuring bold geometrics that appear to be an extraordinary cross between art deco and Native American tribal. The establishment has an upbeat feel and staff are attentive and will able to arrange most facets of your stay.

Marriott Salt Lake City Downtown

This is one of the biggest hotels in Salt Lake City, offering 510 well-equipped rooms and suites, arranged over 16 floors right in the centre of town, and just a few steps away from Temple Square and Symphony Hall. All the reassuring comforts expected of this global chain can be found here, including a decent on-site restaurant, swimming pool, fitness centre, and internet access.

La Quinta Inn Salt Lake City West

Located in the suburbs west of Temple Square with easy highway access and in convenient proximity to the airport, this cheap Salt Lake City hotel still has all the facilities and comforts required, including 59 guestrooms featuring phones, cable television and wireless internet access. Shared facilities include an indoor pool and fitness centre.

Old Town Guest House

In the heart of Park City, ski right out the front door to cross-country trails or the in-town ski lift. Within walking distance of the historic Main Street, this is cabin-cosy accommodation, providing cooked breakfast, and a hot tub to soothe muscles after a day hiking, biking, skiing or exploring. The perfect base for those visiting the mountains any time of year, this actually became the headquarters for the British ski team during the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympics.

Introducing Salt Lake City

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