The entrance to ‘shoot the tube.’ Shoot the tube is located off Wasatch Blvd. near Suicide Rock, and there’s a short hike required to reach the water passage. Photos by Megan Poling
1. Shoot the Tube
Shoot the tube is an abandoned pipeline with a water spring running through it where many locals go for a makeshift water slide. The pipeline is manually plugged with street signs and debris where water then dams up and is released, launching people down the passage and through the ‘tube.’ Shoot the tube is located off Wasatch Blvd. near Suicide Rock, and there’s a short hike required to reach the water passage.
“It’s really cool because it’s a great college experience to have with your friends,” said Emily Bergland, junior psychology major. “There’s graffiti on the walls, a cool water hole at the bottom of the tube and it’s quick.”
Bergland said she would shoot the tube again but recommends bringing a flotation device to slide down on.
2. Twilight Concert Series
The Twilight Concert Series are weekly musical events that support and promote new artists from all musical backgrounds. Concerts are every Thursday night over the course of two months in the summer. The concerts are an artistic and social experience that contribute to the vitality of Pioneer Park and Salt Lake City. Tickets are $5 prepaid and $10 at the door.
“The Twilight Concert was the first really fun thing I did after moving to Salt Lake,” said Stephanie Gardiner, a junior chemistry major. “I had to take public transportation to get there, and it was just a great bonding experience with all my friends from my freshman dorm floor.”
3. Donut Falls
Donut Falls is a 3.7-mile hike that features a waterfall through a giant, donut-shaped hole in the mountainside. The hike is located 9 miles up Big Cottonwood Canyon and is great for all ages and abilities. Donut Falls is a great activity for the summer, fall and spring months.
“My new favorite hike is Donut Falls,” said Katie Allen, junior accounting major. “It’s short, pretty and so close. I haven’t been on a ton of hikes around Salt Lake, but I would definitely recommend this one because it’s beautiful and everyone can hike it.”
4. Penny Ann’s Cafe
Penny Ann’s Cafe was the winner of the Best of State Premiere Recognition and Awards Program’s Best of State Breakfast. It is best known for its “heavenly hot cakes.” With three locations in the greater Salt Lake area, Penny Ann’s Cafe is always a delicious choice.
“I’ve tried a lot of local breakfast spots, but Penny Ann’s is my favorite,” said Deric Deede, a marketing major at the University of Utah. “The first time I tried the pancakes, I ordered extra to go because I liked them so much.”
5. Red Butte Gardens
Red Butte Gardens is a botanical garden and outdoor amphitheatre located in the foothills of the Wasatch Mountains directly behind the University of Utah. Run by the university, the venue is open year round to the public and is most popular for its outdoor summer concert series.
“My favorite thing to do in the summer is listen to music at the Red Butte Gardens,” said Grace Hoffmann, junior chemistry major at the University of Utah. “The concerts are affordable and there’s always a really great lineup every year.”
Hoffmann said she likes to pack a picnic for the concerts.
“My friends and I always make it to at least a few concerts every summer because the vibe is great and it’s fun to get outside while listening to music at the same time,” Hoffmann said.
6. Gobblers Knob
Gobblers Knob is a 7.6-mile hike with heavily trafficked trails and beautiful views. This trail is the highest point on the ridge, dividing Big Cottonwood Canyon and Mill Creek Canyon.
“Gobblers Knob is the first thing I remembered about Salt Lake,” said Carly Colvin, sophomore chemistry major. “There is some great wildlife to see, but it was hard and I don’t recommend it to people who don’t like hiking.”
7. Spiral Jetty
The Spiral Jetty is an art structure on the northeastern shore of the Great Salt Lake built from mud, salt crystals and rocks. The artist, Robert Smithson, sculpted the piece in the early 70s, and it remains one of Utah’s great wonders.
“It’s so unnatural and cool,” said Amara Spere, junior elementary education major. “It’s worth the drive, and if you’re living in Utah you have to see it at least once.”
8. The Pie Pizzeria-Underground
The Pie is an underground pizzeria located off 1300 E. near the University of Utah with takeout and delivery options. Open late into the night, The Pie is famous for its homemade pizza, is vegan and gluten-free friendly and has won the Tribune Choice Awards for people’s choice of best pizza countless times.
“The Pie is a long-standing university tradition, and it’s fun to be a part of something bigger like that,” said Josh Schmidt, a senior biology major. “You have to go to The Pie late at night and write your name on the wall.”
The entrance to The Pie-Underground, where many customers often stop to take photos and sign the wall. The Pie is famous for its homemade pizza, is vegan and gluten-free friendly and has won the Tribune Choice Awards for people’s choice of best pizza countless times.
9. Sundance Film Festival
Sundance is an annual American film festival located in Park City. It is the largest independent film festival in the United States, bringing in nearly 50,000 attendees each year. Sundance is open to the public but movie tickets sell out fast. There are many activities to enjoy at the Sundance Film Festival in addition to seeing a movie.
“It’s so fun to walk the streets with a bunch of friends and listen to live music while drinking hot chocolate,” said Shelly Browne, junior public health major. “Park City is so neat and it’s such a beautiful time of year.”
10. Bruges Waffles and Frites
Bruges Waffles and Frites is an authentic Belgian restaurant located in the center of Sugar House. It’s popular for its unique flavors, funky environment and affordable menu.
“Bruges was the best part about visiting Salt Lake for the first time,” said Emily Payne, a University of Utah student. “The waffle sandwhich was amazing, and I would definitely order it the next time I go.”
