Travel Oracles 50 States: Utah

As part of my summer series - Travel Oracles 50 States - I am revisiting each os the fifty American states as an overview on travel culture and history. Today: Utah

Shop my travel essentials + etsy wild west home shop

Joined: Congress would refuse the Utah Territory's applications for statehood for four decades, until the church renounced polygamy in 1890. Then the objections were lifted, and Utah entered the Union on January 4, 1896.

Original Indigenous Peoples: Ute, Dine' (Navajo), Paiute, Goshute, and Shoshone

First Settlers: The settlement of Utah by Anglo-Saxons was commenced in July, 1847, when Brigham Young, president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, lead the Saints to settle what is now Salt Lake City, a group consisting of 143 men, 3 women and 2 children.

History moment: During the 19th century many Mormons settled in Utah, and today approximately 60 percent of the state’s residents are members of the church.

Known for: Mormons, Skiing, Sundance Film Festival, National Parks, Great Salt Lake, Strict alcohol laws

Places: Salt Lake City, Park City

Movie setting: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade , 127 Hours, Con Air

Musicians from: Imagine Dragons, Brandon Flowers (Killers), Brendon Boyd Urie (Panic! at the disco)

Surprising facts: Utah is the second-driest state in the United States after Nevada. On average, Utah has about 300 sunny days a year. Salt Lake City, UT, has more plastic surgeons per capita than any other city in the United States. Utah is the only state to have a cooking pot among its state symbols

From mountain-biking on slickrock to hiking past dinosaur fossils, Utah has thrilling adventures for everyone. The world-class ski resorts of the Wasatch Mountains are a haven for those seeking perfect powder, and national parks such as Arches and Zion offer colorful geology lessons with natural arches, hoodoos, and mesas in brilliant ocher and red. History lovers can ponder petroglyphs made by the earliest inhabitants or explore the Mormons' pioneer past in Salt Lake City. At the end of the day's activities, a hot tub and plush bed await. Let’s travel to Utah

My Experience: I have visited friends in SLC and it was the cleanist American city I have ever seen. The state has a lot of really wonderful nature too. Things to do in Utah

Salt Lake City: Nestled at the foot of the rugged Wasatch Mountains and extending to the south shore of the Great Salt Lake, Salt Lake City is a relatively small, navigable, and increasingly diverse and vibrant city at the heart of a metropolitan area with more than 1.25 million residents. Both downtown and many outlying neighborhoods have become hot beds of acclaimed dining, artisan brewing and coffee-roasting, and trendy retail. The surrounding Salt Lake Valley offers striking landscapes and accessible outdoor adventures. Canyon breezes turn hot summer afternoons into enjoyable evenings, and snowy winter days are moderated with temperatures warmer than those at most ski destinations, making Salt Lake City an ideal destination year-round.

Nature: Utah is home to 5 stunning National Parks - Arches, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon and Zion.

Ranking in US: Per the annual US News report, Utah is currently ranked #3 out of 50 in 2021 and #4 in 2019.