ATD in SLC. Let's Party.

Hey all my learning friends - an early welcome to the ATD conference in SLC this year. Please bring your own water :) (kidding but not really; make sure to hydrate).

Since I live here, I've had several people ask me about places to eat and things to do that are fairly close to the conference center. Sharing below if they're useful. Locals, feel free to comment with your favorites as well.

Some of my favorite food:

• SLC Eatery - within walking distance to the Salt Palace; eclectic but very good. Get a reservation.
• Toasters: Quick sandwich place on the south side of the convention center. Locally owned, really fast and really fresh.
• Caputos: Fantastic sandwiches and a really great deli. Check out their selection of chocolate and cheeses.
• Eva’s: On Mainstreet. Does great cocktails and really good tapas. See if you can get a table on the "patio" (gets loud inside).
• Garden Restaurant: If you want a dry dinner that's still sorta decent but has a really good view of Temple Square and downtown, this place is in the Joseph Smith Building. It’s currently the only way to get a look at Temple Square – as it’s being renovated…
• Ginger Street: Fantastic Asian-inspired tapas. Order everything.
• Oasis: A good choice for vegan or vegetarian eaters, but have really great options for everyone.
• Gourmandise: a great place for a late dessert – looooots and lots of options.
• Squatters or RedRock Brewery: local brews and decent upscale pub food.
• Takashi: supposed to be the best sushi in the west. A line starts forming at 5pm - they don't take reservations - so I haven't tried it but people who have visited from the coasts tell me it's fantastic even tho we're landlocked.
• Red Iguana: This is an institution. Place is a dive, but the Mexican food is delicious. It has a sister restaurant, Red Iguana 2, that is just as good but often without the wait.

A few things to do downtown (or close):

• Utah Capitol and City Creek (the actual creek and canyon) are within walking distance and fun. City Creek Canyon has a short, walkable loop that gives you a great view of both the canyon and the city. Beautiful at sunset. Trail starts just east of the Capitol.
• Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square: If you're here over Sunday, you really should see the Tabernacle Choir ?at Temple Square. Even if you're not religious, it's pretty impressive. they do concerts / radio recording every Sunday at 9am.
• City Creek Center is shopping district with impressive architecture. Right across the street from the Salt Palace.
• Ensign Peak: If you want a short hike, Ensign Peak gives you a kick-ass view of the entire valley for not much work (less than a mile to the top).
• Big or Little Cottonwood Canyons: If you have a car, you should drive Big or Little Cottonwood (assuming they’re not on fire). They're stunning. And at the top of Little you get the Albion Basin which has some great hikes.
• Park City: A great little town where the whole cinematic world descends each January. But in the winter, it’s a great walkable town about 20 minutes drive from downtown and has lots of really good food. If you’re going that far, you can also stop by the Utah Olympic Park and do crazy things like zip lining, ski jumps, etc. There are also some great shopping outlets if you’re into that sort of thing.
• Red Butte Garden up by the U is STUNNING. also a good jumping off place for hikes if that's your jam. (or mountain biking, but you'd have to rent one).

Happy to act as unofficial cruise director – feel free to post questions if you have them.