Mormon pioneers established the city of Salt Lake City on July 24, 1847, with the founding of the Mormon Temple. Those who identify as Mormons belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Brigham Young's pioneers were the first non-Indians to settle in the Salt Lake Valley permanently. The original company included 148 members: 143 males, three women, and two children. Mormons arrived at the valley looking for a place to practice their religion without fear of persecution from angry mobs. When he first saw the valley, Brigham Young declared, "This is the proper site." In 1848, the valley saw an increase in migration. However, a late frost, drought, and a cricket plague threatened to damage the harvest. Seagull flocks destroyed the crickets, preserving enough of the crop to enable the immigrants to survive the winter of 1848-49. In recognition, the seagull was later named the state bird of Utah. The newcomers introduced their culture, languages, and skills to the valley during the next decade, transforming Salt Lake City into a cosmopolitan metropolis.

In Salt Lake City, there are several fun things to do that extend beyond the city's ties to Mormon culture's quirks and the state's recently overhauled liquor restrictions. The following are some of the city's most popular activities and destinations.

Olympic Park in Utah
The Utah Olympic Park, designed for the 2002 Winter Olympic Games, is open year-round and presents summer and winter activities ranging from bobsledding, ski jumping, and ziplining. You may even try your hand at aerial ski instruction in the splash pool if you dare!

Garden of the Red Butte
Red Butte Garden is the biggest botanical garden in the Intermountain West, covering over 21 acres and featuring five kilometers of constructed parks and walking and hiking trails. The community-supported facility is well-known for its extensive plant collections, display gardens, educational programs, and special events. The Garden provides multiple academic programs, such as horticultural workshops, bird viewing, summer camps, art exhibits, and summer outdoor concerts.

Redwood Drive-in Movie Theater
Drive-in movie theaters were famous in the 1950s but have steadily declined in popularity in the Netflix era. Fortunately, West Valley City's Redwood Drive-In Theatre has presented dual features since 1948 and retains a sizable fan base. At only $10 per person, you may see two films for the cost of one at a typical movie theater. Arrive early to secure the most extraordinary parking space and popcorn. Nothing beats viewing a movie under the stars on a nice summer night.

Library of Family History
The family history library is a research center (which is open to the public for free) that has the world's largest on-site repository of genealogical records. This library has been around since 1894 and is operated by FamilySearch, a division of the LDS (Mormon) Church.

Tours by bicycle
Pedal your way about town while learning about the history of Salt Lake City with the assistance of an expert local guide who will explain everything along the way. Six distinct loop trips, ranging in difficulty from mild to medium, are available for $44 to $109 per person and run between one and three and a half hours. Not to be missed is the newly launched Salt Lake Bike & Brew Tour, which includes beer sampling and scenery (available as an electric bicycle tour for those who prefer not to pedal).