118. #MomTok Approved Luxury Travel Spots in Salt Lake City, Utah

#MomTok, mountain air, and five-star food have made Salt Lake City a surprise luxury travel gem. In this episode, I’m sharing why this Utah destination has me hooked, and why it might be your next unforgettable trip. You’ll hear how #MomTok helped spark a cultural glow-up, where to find spa and dining spots that elevate your experience, and which hidden gems are totally worth the photo op.

Other Episodes Mentioned:
113. Escorted Touring is a Luxury Travel Experience

Connect with Michele on IG: @jetsettingwithmichele or on Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/MMTinsiders

Contact Michele to plan your next vacation: www.makinmemoriestravel.co/contact

This episode was produced by The Podcast Teacher: www.ThePodcastTeacher.com.

Transcript

Hello jet setters and welcome back to another episode of Jet Setting with me. I am excited today to take you along on my trip to Salt Lake City and we will discover why it has skyrocketed from just the snowy mountain town to the latest must visit hotspot. All thanks to the hashtag MomTokPhenomenon. I am obsessed with these women and don't ask me why. I've never seen an episode of the Kardashians and I've never watched a Real Housewives of Anywhere episode ever. But these ladies have got me hooked. I don't know, I'm sure a lot of it is produced, but a lot of it feels very real to Mormon culture and phenomenon and these ladies have got it going on. Plus they are all so gorgeous.

Anyway, if you haven't watched  MomTok, this is still to be a super fun episode because whether or not you are craving that fresh mountain air, which aside from  MomTok, is really why we're here. We're escaping the Texas heat. Or if you want vibrant city life that actually ends by 9 o' clock every night so you can still get your full eight hours of sleep, Salt Lake City is definitely calling your name. It's about to become your next unforgettable escape and it is even a great place for one of those last minute summer vacations that I mentioned last week on episode number 117. So by now I know you are asking me why Salt Lake City. Well, for one, if you are like me and you're checking off your states and your capital cities and capitales, the building, then this is a great place. It is a capital city and it does have a capitol building. And along with that it's got some great mountain views, it's got a lot of outdoor activities.

Park City, which is a very bougie resort city, only 20 minutes away. It's a very easy drive. It's all highway. And then there's also a lot of history. Here in Salt Lake, for example, you have Union Park Railroad, the Promontory Point and the Olympics. So this state was a major stop on the Old Spanish Trail and it later did become home to the Mormon pioneers which were led by Brigham Young in 1847 who became the state's first governor. He is the one who famously declared this is the place when he arrived in the Salt Lake Valley. And if you are so inclined, you can visit that.

The state played a fascinating role in transcontinental railroad history. And we actually stayed in a Marriott Autograph Collection hotel which used to Be the train station. And there you'll see a picture on my Instagram of the lobby. The tiles are all original, over a hundred years old. And the sign going into the hotel, you actually still see Grand Pacific Railroad. And then they have photos taken of what used to be the different places. So the lobby was the train center kind of lobby to buy your tickets and get on the trains. But the restaurant was storage.

And you can actually see some of the historic suites on the second floor. Now you can also go about 20 minutes away from Salt Lake, and you can actually see Promontory Summit, which is where the golden spike ceremony was held, marking the railroad's completion that connected the east and the West Coast. So if you're watching Gilded Age, you know what a big deal this is. Of course, there is the Temple Square and the church History Museum. So the Temple Square, you can see where the famous Tabernacle Choir is. You cannot go into the church itself. They call it a temple. Excuse me.

The temple is reserved only for members of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, AKA Mormons. But there is also a fascinating church history museum. It dives into the Mormon Pioneers journey. And then of course, I mentioned Olympic Park. So Utah Olympic park, the tourist place, is actually in Park City, which I mentioned is just about 25, 30 minutes. I may have said 20. But to get to Olympic Point, the Olympic epicenter of the 2002 Games is actually slightly before you enter Park City directly. So it's not a bad drive is what I'm trying to say.

And the park offers some really cool experiences. Even in the summer, you can go on a bobsled ride, you can zipline. There are tours of the Olympic Museum, which of course has interactive exhibits and memorabilia. And then every Friday in the summer, they do a half hour show. Friday and Saturday, I should say, visitors can witness skiers, professional skiers doing ski jumps into an Olympic pool. And they kind of ski down the slope. The training facilities for the skiers are still in use today. So it's kind of a fun little show.

It's an adrenaline rush. Now, in Salt Lake proper, there is the actual Olympic cauldron, which is still proudly displayed right in Salt Lake City Central, you can see it, it's right downtown. In fact, it's right walking distance behind the hotel that I mentioned, which used to be the lobby for the Grand Pacific Railroad. And then, of course, all throughout downtown Salt Lake City, you'll find plaques, public art that celebrate the athletes and the events of the 2002 Games. And of course, Salt Lake has been selected again. I think it's 2031, but they will be hosting another Winter Games in the not too distant future and they are gearing up for that. So you can definitely see all of that now. I was actually very surprised to learn when we went to the Capitol and did our tour of the Capitol about Utah and Salt Lake, especially's filmmaking history.

I mean, here I thought the only big thing was  MomTok. No. Now I mentioned in episode 113 when I talked about my guided tour of Globus Big 5 national and state parks about how Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid were from this area. So it only makes sense that the movie was filmed here too. But I never made that connection until two days ago when I saw the Capitol. So yes, you can see places where Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, AKA Robert Redford and Paul Newman. Well, I should say the other way because Paul Newman was butch, but you know what I mean. Thelma and Louise had many scenes filmed including near Moab, which isn't very far from here.

So you can get in a beautiful national park along with your movie making tour. And even the scenes along the open highways just to get from Salt Lake to Moab, you see these beautiful cinematic panoramas. Now of course we all know that we're all in this together. The song the Wildcats. I mean, I think Disney practically camped out here and bought a studio because not only were all three of the musicals filmed here, but also parts of Pirates of the World's End and several other Disney movies. There's a whole little display about Utah's movie making culture in the Capitol. But one of the surprises for me was Legally Blonde too had some scenes here. There's over a hundred, so I'm not going to tell you all of them.

But one of the things that is true and one of the reasons that Disney filmed all of the Wildcat. Can you tell, I can't think of the name of those movies. I can only hear the song Gotta get yout Head in the Game. And we're all in this together. And yet for the life of me, I cannot remember. High School Musical. There it is. The High School Musical trio.

We're all filmed here and we're all based in a Salt Lake City high school. That is a real high school in Salt Lake City. And there is a true dance culture here. If you ever watch Dancing with the Stars or back in the day when so youo Think youk Can Dance was on. A lot of the ballroom dancers come from this area. It's a part of the Mormon culture as well to take dance lessons and ballroom dancing. And so all started here. Even the famous H O u g h family.

I only know his first name anyway, so very cool things to do when you come to Salt Lake now. MomTok has taken Instagram and TikTok by storm, but apparently there's more than just the  MomTok that's featured on the Hulu series. Salt Lake is also very famous for being the beginning of where mom blogging started, and so there's lots of MomToks around here and they have some inspired experiences. First of all, yes, I did have to go get a swigstoda. You'll see the pictures on my Instagram that is actually Famous from the MomTok Secret Lives of Mormonwives MomTokseries on Hulu, the one that I said I'm obsessed with. And yes, my soda was very good. It was fun. But there's lots of favorite eateries and of course, if you're a foodie or even just in it for the Foodstagram, here are some recommendations.

This one's directly from MomTok. It is MomTokApproved, and that is even Stevens Sandwiches. It's an actual social impact sandwich shop and people love it not only for its delicious creations, but they have a giving back ethos so very MomTok approved for that giving back ethos. There is Avenues Proper, which is an upscale pub and grub with a creative twist. Their cocktails and their flatbreads really pop up on the screen and therefore there are lots of momtop snaps of the cozy yet trendy decor. It's a great spot if you want to mix casual bite and the classy setting. Now, not to mix too much pop culture into it, AKA you know that I'm being sarcastic there, but. But Chef Craig Draper, who is a Top Chef alum, he helms Current Fish and Oyster, which is an extremely elegant seafood spot.

It combines those Pacific Northwest flavors with those Utah local ingredients, which means a lot of sustainable seafood. It's really a great choice for a special dinner luxe foodie outing. It's got that beautiful presentation along with great food, and while not directly tied to Top Chef, it is a James Beard Award finalist. It's called Log Haven and I haven't been yet, but oh my gosh, is it on my list? It's a revered mountain fine dining spot. It's highlighted by food critics and you'll always see some food critics hiding there. It has also hosted guest chefs from Top Chef. It's got this beautiful fairytale setting. It's nestled in the mountains.

It was actually started 100 years ago by a Salt Lake steel baron and a metropolitan opera member, L.F. rains. He created this log hideaway as an anniversary gift for his wife. And now it hosts the exquisite cuisine, memorable moments, and yes, it is also an unforgettable wedding venue. Log Haven. So again, if you're watching Gilded Age, you've ever seen Top Chef or you're into  MomTok, that place hits all three of them. So an insider tip that I have for you is bring a stylish jacket if you're a man, or a wrap for outdoor shots ladies, a beautiful pashmina. Because these venues, all of them that I mentioned in, they have a natural mountain backdrop to all these restaurants.

So it definitely adds that beautiful Instagrammable twist to your foodie adventures. So don't forget that extra layer. Now, other things to do. In Salt Lake, they have some fun learning experiences. The Natural History Museum of Utah, there's a dinosaur park, and there is a great zoo here. They also have a lot of seasonal festivals and events. So you may know Salt Lake is just a ski town, but really they have a lot of festivals throughout the year. And actually visiting at shoulder season might just be the thing to do.

They have a Living Traditions festival in May, which is a cultural event. It's a hotspot. It's where they kind of celebrate the diversity of the state, really, with music, dance and food. Then in July, they have the days of 47 parade and rodeo. And actually, you may have seen this in  MomTok. They do talk about it, about the Old west celebration. It's got parades, rodeos, events. There's a lot of family entertainment.

And it is definitely a slice of Americana. And you will see lots of hashtag MomTok photos, TikToks and whatnot from there. Then in the spring and the fall, again, missing out on that winter ski season, they have the Salt Lake City Food and Drink Festival. In October, they've got Zoo Boo at that zoo that I mentioned earlier. And then in December, they do have Winterfest. It does kick off the holiday season. So there you've got the ice skating, the lights, the festive performances, which in our downtown Salt Lake City. And of course, 30 minutes away, you've got the ski bougie community of Park City.

So just a really, truly magical winter time as well. Now you know me, and I won't let this podcast end without a few luxury touches. So there is the best spa in Salt Lake is the Grand Spa at the Grand America Hotel. The Grand America Hotel is this Perfectly manicured hotel. I actually got to go to a reception there. It's truly beautiful. It's a great wedding venue and it looks right over into Temple Square, the street, but also where the beautiful temple spires and the Mormon Tabernacle Choir building are all part of Temple Square. So it definitely has the best spa.

It includes full menu of massages. Their signature treatment is the mineral Salt scrub, which is a local Salt Lake scrub. But then they also offer some great classes like yoga and Pilates and water baths, sound baths so you can relax. And another insider tip, that spa pairs beautifully with an afternoon tea at the hotel lobby or a nightcap. The lobby is an elegant lobby and you can have a full Lux day. Now some other luxury experiences. You can do a helicopter tour over the beautiful Wasatch Mountains, which is we're in the Salt Lake City's in the middle of the Wasatch Mountains. Just about a 40 minute drive away is Utah's wine country.

So you can do some vineyard tours and some wine tastings. So I definitely recommend that when I plan your trip that we combine the dual personalities, that we combine some of that outdoor hiking and walking and trails and some sophisticated urban pampering. Now some insider travel tips that I have for you. So the best time to visit Salt Lake but dodge the crowds and still see some exclusive, exquisite views is to visit in late April to early June or September to early November. Shoulder seasons, you know that's a favorite of mine. So the weather's really mild. Even now we're in July and the weather is so much nicer than it is back home in Texas. I'm actually wearing a sweatshirt at night.

I can wear a jacket. It's really refreshing. So those shoulder seasons, the weather's gonna be mild. It's perfect for mountain hikes, city strolls, and it doesn't have the heavy crowds of winter ski season. However, if you do want a snow experience, fresh powder, quieter slopes, I recommend late January to early February after the holiday madness. Now of course I mentioned layer, but that's for any time of year here, even if you're not going for those Instagramable shots. Layer, layer, layer, layer. Mountain weather means chilly mornings, hot afternoons and then cool evenings.

So light base layers, cozy sweaters, versatile jacket. Make sure that you're packing your sturdy shoes for trails, stylish sneakers or loafers for downtown exploration. Believe it or not, downtown does get a little fancier. So their chic dining and nightlife here, it does definitely call for at least one quite quote extra AF outfit for your evenings. And don't forget, even in the winter you need sunscreen, sunglasses and you're at altitude. So definitely bring a reusable water bottle to stay hydrated. I've woken up every morning with a slight headache from the altitude and I have been drinking water more than I do at home for sure. My final bonus tip for you is to head to Red Butte Gardens, quieter trails and go during golden hour.

Most visitors are going to go to the Botanical gardens, which is what Red Butte is, and they're going to do the hiking trails just beyond those formal gardens that offer those beautiful breathtaking views of the city. But they're going to do it during the day and high tourist time. If you go at golden hour, right before the sun sets, you're going to see the beautiful city and the whole valley in that soft glowing sunset light. I mean, you can imagine it. I know you can just close your eyes and you can feel that mountain air with the sun going down. So you will have the place almost to yourself if you do that. And you can bring a cute little cozy blanket, grab a cup of coffee or hot chocolate and enjoy just a beautiful peaceful moment with those panoramic mountain views. It is one of those escapes that when you mix nature and you've calmed your insides and you've got that insta perfect scenery, it is the kind of memory that makes you sigh and dream and think.

This is why I travel for these type of experiences. So to sum up everything vibrant, MomTok hotspots, Top Chef worthy dining experiences, history from the Gilded Age, legendary movie sets like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. I mean Salt Lake City is really a fun city. It's got everything. The history, the culture, the modern flair. And so if you are ready to take that last minute vacation and Salt Lake City is, I've convinced you that that should be where you go for a Labor Day weekend or a last minute gasp of summer. Hit me up. All of my contact information is of course listed in the show notes.

And next week, because summer vacation planning will be almost over, it will be time to start thinking about those Halloween getaways, including Halloween horror nights. Mickey's not so scary Halloween party. Did I say that? I left out And Mickey's not so scary. Yeah, no, that was right. And fun. Other places that we might want to venture on our Halloween bucket list. Until then, happy travels.