Salt Lake City: The Scenic Route to the Unexpected

Amtrak’s California Zephyr route travels cross-country from Chicago, IL to San Francisco, CA, offering spectacular views of the country.

Take advantage the floor-to-ceiling windows in the observation car, also known as the “sightseer lounge” to take in the incredible scenery. Venture through Nebraska’s sea of golden rolling plains, Colorado’s stunning Rockies and Nevada’s imposing desert beauty.

Centrally located along the route, Salt Lake City, Utah, offers a wide spectrum of natural and cultural interests. Wondering what to do when you get there? The obvious answers include hiking, skiing and kayaking at one of the area’s famous parks or resorts, but SLC also offers a diverse array of cultural opportunities.

Influenced by the Sundance Festival, SLC’s film scene thrives all year round. The Utah Film Center presents documentary, independent and dramatic cinema with an emphasis on promoting community involvement and discussion. Its celebrated “Damn These Heels” festival every July brings a local and international audience to celebrate feature-length films from around the world that explore LGBT issues, ideas and art.

The Salt Lake City area also boasts a burgeoning menu of restaurant and bar options, including the unique Brewvies Cinema Pub that combines the city’s affinity for good food and good film. Art enthusiast? Wander through the galleries at the groundbreaking Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, take a peek at the fourth floor gallery of the City Library or get lost in the quirky Gilgal Sculpture Garden. Music lovers delight in shows in intimate venues, such as Kilby Court or the epic outdoor amphitheater of the Tuacahn Center for the Arts.

Ready for a Utah adventure? Learn more about the California Zephyr’s daily departures here.