Salt Lake City

Cradled by snow-dusted mountains that creep up from unexpected parts of its quiet spheres, Salt Lake City weaves magic with whatever little it has. An out and out late bloomer that was once hot on the trails of America's first cities like New York and Boston, has now evolved into a booming, beautifully unique enclave of its own. The only city in the state equipped with an international airport, Salt Lake City's rather modest skyline is mostly dominated by Mormon-driven Latter Day Saints churches and related sites. Its cultural sphere includes a fervent potpourri of music and festivals that regale city crowds throughout the year, replete with a budding local music scene that spans several modern musical genres. The city is also the site of the Utah Pride Festival that supports LGBTQ rights, an annual event held in June. Those who fancy an escape from the city's bustle quietly slip away into soul-stirring beauty of the Wasatch Front, Utah's favorite outdoor sprawl that is decorated with diverse hiking and biking trails.