cannot {freaking} wait

I am leaving for Utah on Friday the 5th and staying through the afternoon of the 10th.  I am thrilled.  Thrilled.  I've never been even near to Utah, and cannot wait for my visit.  Obviously I'm going to General Conference, Saturday and Sunday afternoon sessions.  My dear friend Lindsay is taking me to BYU for a few days, too. 

Now, I need your advice.  What do I do/eat at/shop at while in Utah?  What are my must sees?

Furthermore, what should I expect Utah/LDS readers?  You know what they say, "when in Rome..." Fill me in!

Comments

[shan]

well, you can pretty much read my UT trip post to see what we thought was essential.

in SLC . . . .
-temple square, obviously
-go see the Joseph Smith movie
-if you have a chance it's fun to eat at The Garden or The Roof restaurants at the top of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. They both have a great view of temple square.

in Provo . . .
-Brick Oven Pizza - it's practically on BYU campus, and I love their pasta bar.
-Hogi Yogi is also a very "Utah/BYU" place to go - great frozen yogurt
-You could hike the Y - depending on how ambitious you are. It's one of those rights of passage for every BYU student.
-Go shopping at Pebbles in my Pocket (actually it's in Orem - right next to the University Mall). It's a very cute place.

as far as what to expect . . .
-the drivers there are horrible! I-15 scares me to death, so beware.
-just about everything is closed on Sunday
-be prepared for a lot of blonde people.
-an overabundance of jewelers in the Provo area.

I'm so glad you get to take a trip to UT!! I'm sure your friend Lindsay will take good care of you and make sure you experience Utah culture to it's fullest. I think it's great that you'll be at the Y for a few days. It's such a cool place -- there is just such a great feeling there everywhere you go. I'll be very interested to hear your observations and opinions.

If I think of anything else, I'll let you know.

[Brecken]

I just moved to NYC from Provo, and there are a few things I miss... strange I know.

In Provo:

If you like Thai food (some people don't) you need to go to the Thai Ruby ($$) in Provo its on 820 North 744 East. My favorites are the chicken satay, the eggrolls, Tom Ka Gai (a WONDERFUL sweet and spicy chicken soup)

I loved Zupa's ($ soup salad sandwiches), and Kneaders ($ bakery, salads, sandwiches), and Goodwood ($$$ WONDERFUL BBQ).

BYU Museum of Art (free), I'm not sure what show they have up now, but if you like museums it is a nice-quiet-not-too-big place. (They have a cute cafe open on weekdays.)

There are some GREAT quilt shops, if you are into that.

In Salt Lake
You need an Iceberg shake ($ they have icebergs everywhere but its not as fun if its not the original) The walk up is on 3900th S and 900th E. If for some reason it is cold the day you can go, skip it the icecream and onion rings are the only things worth trying.

Great quilt shops here too.

I second the Temple Square and Joseph Smith movie (although it may be hard to get into on account of conference weekend, I think you can call ahead to reserve ticket)

I would suggest Cafe Rio over Hogi Yogi, you can find cafe rio in provo and salt lake.

Salt Lake is a clean city, and conference is wonderful, but don't expect "zion." You come from Minnesota Nice, and its not like that in Utah. I would suggest ignoring the protesters at temple square, don't egg them on, or take anything. GET IN YOUR SEAT EARLY! You will loose your seat if you are not there a half hour early, and that means in your seat, not in line. Avoid bring anything you will need to check (anything bigger than a small purse.)

Have fun!

[Mandy]

Thanksgiving Point has beautiful gardens and such.

I am not sure if the Memories Outlet is there. Everything in the store is 25% off I think. It was right outside the city. And right near it was heartland paper company. Two stores in one trip.

We like to eat at the Mandarin. It is a Chinese Restaraunt owned by a Greek man! All white meat for chicken. Very yummy.

Timpanogas cave is a fun little trip.

Park city is very nice too.

[teresa]

Everyone covered most everything...I do agree the Joseph Smith Flim is a must.
I enjoy Thanksgiving Point {I go for the gardens}
I'm sure you will be in good hands with your friend. Can't wait to hear how things go.
Oh one more thing... the Sister Missionaries at Temple Square are priceless. Share your testimony with one of them. and have fun.

[Ferrill]

I second Brecken's suggestion to eat at Cafe Rio (either the salad or the burrito enchilada style with barbacoa pork). Yum! You've been given a lot of great ideas already. Hmmmm...let's see. If you like rice pudding, you need to make a visit to Pudding on the Rice too - sixteen or so different flavored puddings each day! If you get a chance, go up one of the canyons and enjoy the beautiful mountains! For beautiful fall color, go for a drive on the Alpine Loop or the Nebo Loop. There are a lot of really great scrapbooking stores around, my favorites being Pebbles in My Pocket in Orem and Croppin' Paradise in Springville. Gardner's Village is a fun girls'-day-out kind of place. Come talk to my young women...just kidding! Tour the Humanitarian Center. Eat french fries with fry sauce! Whatever you do, be sure to have fun!

[Lisa Brown]

It is hard to add anything to what has already been said. In Salt Lake, make sure to make a stop at the big church distribution center. It is so great to be able to get stuff in person - I never appreciated this until I moved far away from any type of church bookstore/distribution center. I also love going to the church history museum (across the street from the temple), it is free and very cool.

Oh, and our two favorite places to eat in SLC are the restaurant at Little America, or the Lion House. (Both have amazing rolls) And it is always fun to stop at Trolley Square Mall.

In Provo, you will have to wander around BYU campus, which I am sure you already were planning to do with your friend. If you are there for lunch, eat at either the Museum Cafe, the little Italian place at the Cougar Eat, or walk down the hill to Brick Oven :). (I used to live in the white house right by Brick oven, and I miss it!)

And definitely take a drive into Provo Canyon, maybe up to Sundance. It is so beautiful this time of year. I miss those mountains.

Oh, and enjoy conference. I still remember the time when i got to go, and it is indiscribable to be there with the prophets and apostles. Wow, is about all I can say. Oh, and be sure to bring a little notebook to jot down any thoughts that strike you while you are there :).

PS. Just be yourself and have fun.

[Jessie Evans]

What a fun trip you are going to have!! I second the Thai Ruby suggestion. It's mine and my husbands absolute favorite. He loves SF7 with pork and my vote is C6 with tofu. Make sure you try their mango rice desert, it's to die for. Breakfast at Magleby's Fresh in Provo is a must-hit. Try their unlimited french toast with their signature syrup.

Mo's Neighborhood Bar and Grill at 358 S. West Temple is amazing. Their food is awesome and if you go on Thursday you'll be entertained by the one and only Terrance Hanson and his indescribable guitar, an experience you don't want to miss.

Oh, and while you're here, make sure you pick up the best publication in Utah, Utah Valley Magazine. They can be found in most grocery stores in Utah County as well as Barnes and Nobel and Borders in Orem. (Shameless plug, I know, but I couldn't help it!)