Beholding the Beautiful State of Utah

Bridal Veil Falls

As a kid, my only reference to Utah was watching Donny and Marie Osmond on TV. Later, shows like Sister Wives (don’t judge) showcased the state’s stunning landscapes in the background of the Brown family drama. Still, visiting Utah had never crossed my mind—until our 25th wedding anniversary.

My husband and I wanted to experience something entirely different, which was no small feat given how much we’ve traveled. Then it struck me—Utah would be fresh, unique, and visually spectacular. I'm thrilled to say it exceeded our expectations. No matter where we drove, we were surrounded by breathtaking views.

Mountains were seemingly everywhere.

We explored three regions: Provo, Salt Lake City, and Ogden. If you enjoy shopping, art, and history, as I do, you’ll likely find all three destinations a delight.

Art and Shopping in Provo

Our first stop was The Shops at Riverwood, where we ate a delicious lunch at La Jolla Groves, then proceeded to explore shops like Jos. A Bank, Bath and Bodyworks and more. Being a bibliophile, Moon's Rare Books caught my eye and, of course I had to venture inside.

The Shops at Riverwoods

What I experienced was an amazing collection of books set amidst a lovely, pleasingly aesthetic backdrop. Reid Moon is the owner and collector of the artifacts at Moon's Rare Books, and it's said that he's a storyteller who enjoys the history behind the items that he's collected over the past three decades. All I know is that it was the coolest bookstore I've ever had the pleasure of visiting.

Moon's Rare Books is not only an interesting shop but also a beautiful one.

The Federalist on the New Constitution.

Brigham Young University Museum of Art

Our next stop was the Brigham Young University Museum of Art, a destination so impressive that you'll marvel at the fact that admission is free.

The BYU Museum of Art houses a diverse collection of more than 18,000 works, which include American, European and religious art, with a large portion reflecting the university's connection to The Church of Latter-Day Saints.

Titled, "When to Stop," by Brian Kershisnik, an angel cautions a writer to stop and be quiet.

 

The Museum also features contemporary art.

The piece above was done by Li Lhong in China in 1974 and is called McDonald (Flowers and Birds) and is said to represent historical and contemporary circuits of global trade and exchange.

Crucifixion: A Triptych

Bernard Sleigh's altarpiece depicted above is said to be a message of hope and was initially commissioned for a women's prison in London.

Visitors can expect to spend about an hour in the museum, which is open Monday through Saturday.

Salt Lake City

Our next excursion was the Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park, where we not only interacted with the birds, but enjoyed a captivating show, along with a group of children, who were entirely enraptured by it all (pardon the pun). The bird shows are programs designed to be educational by showcasing the fowls natural behaviors.

Kids squealed with delight as various birds flew over their heads.

This bird enjoyed pecking on my noggin.

The birds at the Tracy Aviary were once part of a personal collection of banker Russell Lord Tracy, who collected and displayed them in his home in Salt Lake City. As the collection became more popular, he decided to work with the city to dedicate a portion of Liberty Park to the collection. 

Over the years, the Tracy Aviary expanded from four acres to eight and is now home to about 400 different birds representing 135 species like vultures, macaws, hawks, owls and more. In 2016, the Aviary opened "Treasures of the Rainforest," which is home to dozens of birds and plant species from along the equator.

A highlight of the show are the Spoonbills and the owls.

Bird shows occur at 11 a.m. from Tuesday through Sunday and are free with the price of admission.

A guide addresses the audience (photo courtesy of Tracy Aviary).

Temple Square

Our next stop in Salt Lake City was Temple Square, a 35-acre area that serves as the Latter-Day Saints (LDS) headquarters. We were a bit disappointed at the condition of the iconic temple during our visit, the view of which was practically obliterated by scaffolding. I learned later that the renovation work won't be finished until 2026.

Renovations to the Temple will be finished in 2026.

The Temple may have been a disappointment, but there was plenty to do in Temple Square , like listening to a daily organ recital in the iconic Mormon Tabernacle, or shopping at the nearby City Creek Center, which features upscale stores like Louis Vuitton, and such other well-known brands as Nordstrom, GAP, Lush and Macy's.

An organ recital is held daily at the Mormon Tabernacle.

Nordstrom is just one of the stores at the sprawling City Creek Center.

Another interesting Salt Lake City attraction is the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOC).

Open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., the UMOC hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions, featuring local and international artists working in a diverse range of media like painting, sculpture, photography, video and more. 

Below are a few pieces I thought were interesting, including this one by Dalila Sanabrias, who uses cardboard as a medium to reflect on her childhood and her family whose father was deported to Columbia when the child was 12 year's old.

Dalila Sanabrias, Repisasi 2024

Rene Magritte, L'aube a' L'antipode, etching

The etching above depicts a man with a shattered mind, exploding in multiple directions. The deeply traumatized person's memories lead to a kind of rupture of the self and a shattering of the brain. 

Portrait of My Anxiety

Portrait of My Anxiety, by Margaret Curtis, shows a knitter tied up in knots while the world burns outside. Curtis is an artist who hails from Bermuda and her work can be seen in galleries across the United States.

The State Capitol

Also located in Salt Lake City is the Utah State Capitol. Completed in 1916 in the Beaux-Arts style, the capitol overlooks downtown Salt Lake City.

Lions greet visitors at the entrance.

The impressive structure with its marble floors and ornate ceilings is home not only to the legislature, but also the Governor. The 10-acre site features monuments and sculptures that are situated on beautifully landscaped gardens and walking paths.

Brigham Young is just one of the many statues in the Salt Lake City Capitol.

Visitors take photos of the impressive dome.

Visitors can take advantage of free guided tours, which last between 45 minutes and one hour.

History and Art in Ogden

Ogden reminded me of an old-west town with its painted horses everywhere and its retro feel. A visit to Historic 25th Street will take visitors through the small town where they will be reminded of a simpler time.

My first stop was a chocolate shop that is beautiful in an old-world way. The owner was extremely welcoming and we had a nice chat before I moved on.

Lene' Marie Chocolates is a great place to satisfy a sweet tooth.

I recommend the salted caramels.

Plenty of old neon signs on Historic 25th Street.

Union Station is an old train station that now attracts visitors from all over the world. It contains the John M. Browning Firearms Museum and the Utah State Railroad Museum.

Guns displayed at the John M. Browning Firearms Museum

I particularly enjoyed the antique automobiles on display at the station.

Our last stop in Ogdon was the Eccles Art Center located in the historic home of David and Bertha Eccles in the historic Jefferson District. Its mission is to promote visual and performing arts. 

The beautiful Victorian mansion was an impressive place to stroll through and I even spotted a cute feline sunning himself near a curved radiator--a shape I've never seen before.

The Eccles Art Center is housed in a beautiful Victorian mansion.

A cat suns himself in this cool nook.

Those who visit the area are likely to see the Eccles family name more than once. The family members were influential business leaders in Ogden who were instrumental in the success and prosperity of the town.

David Eccles, in particular, was known as Utah's first multimillionaire who built an empire with the Ogden Lumber Company.

A painting of the outside of the Victorian.

The Great Salt Lake

On our final day, we returned to Salt Lake City to explore the Great Salt Lake, otherwise known as the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.

The lake is highly saline, with salinity levels ranging from 5% to 27%, much higher than typical seawater (which is around 3.5% salinity). This high salt content is a result of the lake having no outlet, meaning that water flows in but doesn't flow out. The evaporation process leaves behind minerals, creating the lake's saltiness.

Visitors enjoy various recreational activities at the lake, including boating, swimming, and birdwatching and the lake’s high salinity allows swimmers to float easily.

By this time, we felt like we had covered a lot of ground, but there really is quite a bit to do in the area, so I hope that this overview gives you somewhat of an idea of what's in store if you decide to visit the beautiful areas of Salt Lake City, Provo and Ogden.

The end of a great trip.

Revisiting the Roanoke Region

Last month I wrote about things to do in Roanoke, like visiting Black Dog Salvage and it's beautiful Bed and Breakfast, indulging in artisan spirits at Twin Creeks Distillery and enjoying the delicious food of The Vault at the Liberty Trust.

During my time there, I stayed at the comfortable and beautiful Hotel Roanoke which dates back to 1882 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Hotel Roanoke was built in 1882 and grew from 34 rooms to 384.

Now it's time to revisit the area once again--this time we'll take a look at Center in the Square, which is home to multiple attractions. We'll also take a side trip to Olde Towne Social House in Rocky Mount, Virginia, a venue that has its own unique story to tell.

Center in the Square

Center in the Square, located in Roanoke at One Market Square Southeast, is a vibrant destination for visitors of all ages. Home to a variety of attractions, Center in the Square is an ideal spot for out-of-town guests to explore, especially on rainy days when outdoor plans are disrupted.

The origins of Center in the Square trace back to a community-driven effort to revitalize a neglected area and create a hub for education and tourism. With this vision, a former feed-and-seed warehouse, originally built in 1914, was transformed into an educational and cultural landmark.

Since its opening in 1983, the attraction has had its fair share of challenge, including funding shortfalls and infrastructure issues. However, each setback was met with community support and determination, resulting in the thriving attraction that it is today.

One of the first things visitors will encounter are six aquariums located on the first floor teeming with marine life like coral, clownfish, pufferfish and jellyfish.

Located on the second floor is the Roanoke Pinball Museum, a nostalgic attraction that delights both young and old. The games are fully operational and span nearly a century of production from the 1930s, until the modern day.

Some of the pinball machines date back to the 1930s.

Also on the second floor is the Kids Square Children's Museum, another interactive attraction where families can gather to learn through a S.T.E.A.M. enriched educational environment. Visitors can engage in hands-on exhibits and activities that promote learning in science, technology, engineering, art, and mathematics. I particularly enjoyed learning about the breakdown of the nutritional content in fast-food meals that is sure to stimulate conversation about healthy eating among grownups and children.

Kids can see the nutritional breakdown of their favorite fast-food meals.

Another fun attraction on the second floor is a parakeet garden where kids and adults can interact with a total of 250 parakeets, a unique activity that few people ever experience. Visitors can feed the parakeets and take Instagram-worthy pictures with them. 

Bird lovers will be in their element in the Parakeet Garden.

Parakeets seem to love interacting with people as much as the people enjoy the interaction.

Also located at Center in the Square is the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture where visitors can explore the rich history and cultural contributions of African-Americans through engaging  exhibits and historical displays about people like Frederick Douglass, known as a writer, orator, abolitionist and social reformer. Visitors will also learn about Henrietta Lacks, whose HeLa cells were taken without her consent. In 1951, she was hospitalized with cervical cancer and doctors at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore took samples of her tumor cells for research, which led to significant scientific advances.

Visitors can learn about Frederick Douglass at the Harrison Museum of African-American Culture.

Henrietta Lacks was known for her HeLa cells which helped advance medicine.

These activities and so much more are all under one roof at Center in the Square in Roanoke. To learn more about the attraction and additional activities available, visit the website at centerinthesquare.org.

The Olde Town Social House

The Old Towne Social House is a comfortable venue for enjoying libations.

After spending a day at Center in the Square, folks may wish to venture into Rocky Mount to enjoy a glass of wine, beer, cider, or a cocktail at the Olde Town Social House. 

Be sure to check out the basement located down a flight of stairs at the back of the venue where a small museum offers a glimpse into the building's history. Here guests can learn about a crime that took place during a bye gone era.

The building, which was once a garage and home to the Turner Motor Company, was the site of a crime that happened in the summer of 1930 when two employees left a pair of Model T Fords running while they stepped away. These cars, which were secretly loaded with moonshine, caught fire due to a leaking fuel pump. The fire was so intense that it burned through the garage floor, causing the vehicles to fall upside down into the basement.

A crime that has been frozen in time.

These overturned Model T cars remained hidden for 85 years, encased in the basement's reconstructed flooring and walls. They were rediscovered during renovations under the ownership of Amy Pendleton. Today, the Olde Towne Social House displays the two cars as part of its commitment to preserving local history.

That's about it for my Roanoke coverage, but there is so much more to do in an area that is not only  rich in history, but culture as well.

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