From fireworks to parades to festivals, there's something for everyone to enjoy this Independence Day.
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What is the “Best?” It’s a subjective term after all. But we know it when we see it. Each year, we create an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink list to tickle your intellect, fill your belly, spark your imagination and inspire ideas for exploring the place where you live. We reflect on the talk of the town—newsmakers and civic upheavals—that inspired both cheers and jeers. We pile it all together into an always-incomplete list dubbed Best of the Beehive.
And of course, part of our annual “Best of the Beehive” is the tradition of hearing from you, the readers. From old favorites to new upstarts, from Logan to St. George to everywhere in between, our readers voted on who was their personal Best of the Beehive. Find the results below!
Best Brunch
#1 Flanker
#2 Mar Muntanya
Best Seafood
#1 Freshies
Best Sports Bar
#1 Flanker
Best Pasta
#1 Matteo
#2 Osteria Amore
Best Deli
#1 Feldman’s
#2 Caputo’s
Best Sushi
#1 Takashi
#2 Itto
#3 Aker
Best Mexican
#1 Red Iguana
Best Burger
#1 Seven Brothers
#2 Lucky 13
Best Chinese
#1 Empire Chinese
Best Tacos
#1 Roctaco
#2 Santos Tacos
Best Spa
#1 Kura Dor
Best Coffee
#1 Loki
Best Toffee
#1 Cache Toffee
#2 V Chocolates
Best Park
#1 Layton Park
Best Mediterranean
#1 Spitz
#2 Manoli’s
#3 Mazza
Best Non-Profit
#1 Equality Utah
Best Farm-to-Table
#1 Hell’s Backbone
#2 Table X
Best Steak House
#1 STK
#2 Ruth’s Chris
Best Distillery
#1 Sugar House Distillery
Best Brewery
#1 Squatter’s
#2 Red Rock
Best Cidery
#1 Thieves Guild
#2 Second Summit
Best Live Music Venue
#1 The Depot
Best Art Gallery
#1 Urban Arts Gallery
Best Museum
#1 Natural History Museum of Utah
#2 Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Best Date Night Venue
#1 Lake Effect
Best Place to Take the Kids
#1 The Gateway
Best Resort/Hotel
#1 Hilton
Best Patio
#1 Second Summit
Best Beer List
#1 Slackwater
#2 The Bayou
Best Fancy Dinner
#1 Urban Hill
Best Hole in the Wall Restaurants
#1 One More Noodle House
Best Apres SKi
#1 Hog Wallow Pub
Best Place to Thrift
#1 Pibs Exchange
#2 The Green Ant
Best Hotel/Resort
#1 Asher Adams
Best Bookstore
#1 King’s English
Best Boutique
#1 Atelier
Best Staycation
#1 Hyatt Regency Salt Lake
Best Salon
#1 Moore Hair Design
Best Cocktail Bar
#1 Water Witch
Best Food hall
#1 Hall Pass
Best New Business
#1 Thieves Guild Cidery
#2 Aker
Best First Date Venue
#1 Aker
Best Pizza
#1 Settebello
#2 The Pie
Best Vegan Menu
#1 Buds
Best Hike
#1 Timpanogos Cave
Best Wine Bar
#1 Bar a Vin
#2 Casot
Best Italian
#1 Matteo
Best Quintessentially Utah
#1 Lagoon
here’s more to love in the Beehive State!
Eat & Drink
Jocularity
Weird Utah
Shopping
2025 Wasatch Faults (and Faves)
Outdoors
Find all of this year’s Best of the Beehive coverage, and more “Bests” from past issues. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.
What is the “Best?” It’s a subjective term after all. But we know it when we see it. Each year, we create an everything-but-the-kitchen-sink list to tickle your intellect, fill your belly, spark your imagination and inspire ideas for exploring the place where you live. We reflect on the talk of the town—newsmakers and civic upheavals—that inspired both cheers and jeers. We pile it all together into an always-incomplete list dubbed Best of the Beehive. Here we present our top picks for making the most of Utah’s wild, wonderful outdoors.
Best of the Beehive Outdoors (It’s What We Do)
Best place for ghost stories
(with a side of bats)
Lava Tubes in Snow Canyon,
St. George
Shimmy into the below-ground caves in Snow Canyon and you’ll not only escape the heat, you’ll be able to tell your friends tales of Bloody Mary, The Big Toe and The Hitchhiker in perfect darkness even in the middle of the afternoon. A bat may even flap around you just for good measure. Bring a headlamp to climb in and out. 1002 Snow Canyon Dr., Ivins stateparks.utah.gov
Best biggest mural in Utah
Astra Tower
In May 2025, the Astra Tower, a stylish new apartment development in SLC (aren’t they all so ‘stylish’?), unveiled what its developers are touting as the largest mural in Utah. The 14,000-sf, still-to-be-named original commission adorns the luxury apartment building’s west side. Salt Lake City-based muralists Joseph Toney (who is also a member of the Protect Our Winters Creative Alliance) and internationally acclaimed muralist and Salt Lake City native, Miles Toland collaborated on the massive project.
89 E. 200 South, SLC astraslc.com
Best mountain peak named Ben (but not named after a guy named Ben)
Ben Lomond
This towering, pyramid-shaped peak in North Ogden is the inspiration for Paramount Pictures’ logo (the founder grew up near Ogden and is said to have drawn it up on a napkin). But saying the mountain’s name correctly is a litmus test. If you call it “Mount Ben Lomond,” “Ben Lomond Mountain,” or “Ben Lomond Peak,” you’re clearly not an Ogdenite. Long ago, a Scottish-born settler named the peak after a mountain she left behind in the old country, and “ben” is a Scottish
prefix that means “mount.”
Best place to drink straight from a tree
Stump Spring, North Ogden, Utah
A 1930s burger joint thought it might be fun to drag a giant cottonwood stump to the front of its store. Using nearby well water, a craftsman was hired to fashion a drinking fountain running through it with a sign that read “Good water, isn’t it? Try our hamburgers.” The restaurant ultimately failed, but the life-giving stump remained and became a residential treasure. So when it began rotting away in the 1990s, Boy Scouts raised funds to recreate the stump and revive Stump Spring.
2641 N. 400 East, North Ogden
Best ski resort for non-skiers
Snowbird
With 2,500 acres of skiable terrain, deep powder and challenging slopes reign supreme at Snowbird Ski Resort. But the resort offers plenty of consolation prizes if you’re not into skiing. The Cliff Spa’s heated decks, rooftop pool and menu of majestic treatments welcome weary travellers of the ski and sans-ski variety. Plus, with the Aerial Tram to the Mountain Coaster and a bevy of hiking/biking trails all summer…who needs skis anyway? 9385 Snowbird Center Dr., Snowbird snowbird.com
Best place to roll in natural bling
Glitter Mountain
Ok, Ok, it’s just over the border from St. George, so it’s technically in Arizona—but Southern Utahns and spring breakers swarm this old gypsum-covered roadside attraction. Dotted with tiny crystals that create a glittering blanket across the ruddy reddish mounds, folks can snag some bling or simply take in the sparkle when the sun hits just right. Feller Stone of Veyo, Utah holds the mining claim and sells the selenite as “Utah Ice,” but we’re guessing they make the bulk of their profits from letting you and yours play at mining. So, by all means, snap those postable pics, bring some hammers and take home shiny momentos–but plan to pay a (small) fee for the privilege.
1 Glitter Mountain Road, Littlefield, Ariz. fellerstone.com/glitter-mountain
Best way to see a sandbagger win a race
Ogden Marathon
If you’ve ever run a race, you know that guy. Amidst a sea of techy-stretchy running gear, muscle tape and energy chews, here comes Mr “I-couldn’t-give-a-damn.” He’s wearing jean cutoffs, tube socks and the free T-shirt he scored from the credit union. But when that starting gun fires at the heart of the Wasatch, range, he shoots off like a pistol, and you think, “Pace yourself, new guy.” You inch along the South Fork of the Ogden River, no new guy. You circumnavigate Pineview Reservoir, still no sign of him. You stop for a few heaves yourself as you descend Ogden Canyon and enter Historic 25th Street. That’s when you see him casually strutting with his medal…and you realize: he’s not a newbie, he’s a sandbagger—and he’s just bagged first place.
(Annually in May), ogdenmarathon.com
Best place to indulge your Star Wars obsession
OutpostX
Tatooine meets Black Rock City at this off-the-grid sanctuary. Thirty minutes west of Cedar City, OutpostX is a 100-acre desert playa with private ‘caves’, a Star Wars-style Cantina, sand cruisers and spa areas. You can even rent a wardrobe and cosplay as one of OutpostX’s 20 fictional inhabitants—our favorite is “Sonic Grandma,” the oldest known person in the galaxy with skills as a disc jockey. outpost-x.com
Best spot to meet bird nerds. (You know you are.)
Eccles Wildlife Education Center at Farmington Bay
Over 12 million birds, representing over 330 species, are year-round or migratory inhabitants of Great Salt Lake-adjacent habitats. Whether you’re a bona fide birder or just bought your first set of binoculars, a visit to Farmington Bay’s Eccles Wildlife Education Center will undoubtedly put a dent in your life-list. The center also hosts free wildlife-viewing and photography events, along with monthly Birding with Buddies trail walks with Utah Division of Wildlife Resources’ biologists and bird-ID experts. wildlife.utah.gov
There’s more to love in the Beehive State!
Eat & Drink
Jocularity
Weird Utah
Shopping
2025 Wasatch Faults (and Faves)
Find all of this year’s Best of the Beehive coverage, and more “Bests” from past issues. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.
For the first time ever, the X Games made a stop in Salt Lake City, transforming the Utah State Fairpark into an energetic playground for extreme sports. This past weekend, the X Games celebrated their 30th anniversary by inviting more than 100 of the world’s top athletes to Utah to compete in skateboarding, BMX, and motocross. Having already established itself as a premier winter sports destination, Salt Lake City now makes a compelling case as a legitimate summer competition host.
Photo credit Hazel Oliver Creative
Games kicked off Friday afternoon, June 27th, and continued through Sunday evening. One of the weekend’s biggest draws was the Men’s Skateboard Vert event, where Tony Hawk made a surprise cameo, casually riding back and forth on the ramp before athletes competed. Just about everyone at the X Games showed up to watch; this was not one to miss. From janitorial staff to Deadmau5, everyone within the fairgrounds were gathered at the base of the 15 foot vertical ramp to cheer on the athletes. The breakout star of the event was 10-year-old Japanese skateboarder Ema Kawakami. Standing at just 4’8”, Ema competed with poise. Primarily known for his 900 spin, cheers were consistent throughout his entire run; trick after trick. Ema earned his first ever medal with a third place finish, giving everyone a glimpse into the sport’s exciting future.
Photo credit Hazel Oliver Creative
Other standout moments included the heated competitive Women’s Skateboarding event, where all eight medal contenders were under 21 years of age (another “bright future” category). Over in Men’s BMX Street, fans watched athletes perform delicate stunts. After competing all day, you could even find a few athletes riding home. While waiting at a red light a few blocks from the fairgrounds, I noticed fourth place finisher Courage Adams next to me on his bike, and we candidly chatted about his performance. In fact, many vigilant fans were able to connect with their favorite athletes throughout the day as they roamed the venue; casually attending other events to support their friends. They’re fans—just like us!
Photo credit Hazel Oliver Creative
All in all, the X Games proved to be a must-attend event. Whether you’re a lifelong fan of extreme sports or someone with no prior connection, this past weekend at the Utah State Fairpark offered something unforgettable. From witnessing the rise of the next generation in women’s skateboarding, personally connecting with athletes in the crowd, to seeing stunts you’ve only ever seen online; the X Games delivered lasting memories and (hopefully) might just be Salt Lake City’s newest summer tradition.
Photo credit Hazel Oliver Creative
Discover more outdoor inspiration, and find all our Adventure coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?
On Thursday, June 26, the Utah Headliners Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) celebrated the hard work of the state’s best journalists, photographers and editors from newspapers, television, radio and, yes, magazines. Salt Lake magazine’s team was honored to be among the award-winning media creators in the state of Utah.
The SPJ judges recognized Salt Lake magazine in 20 categories, including top nods for design and graphics, reporting and a second-place win in the Best Magazine Category. (We’ll get you next year, Deseret magazine.)
The SPJ, both locally and nationally, exists to highlight the important work journalists do to keep the public informed and shine a light on public issues and the team at Salt Lake magazine is honored to be in such good company. Fun fact: The national and local SPJ gave the Utah State Legislature its annual “Black Hole Award” for restrictions on media and public access to government documents.
1st Place
- Design and graphics: Best single-page design
- Salt Lake magazine: “Anarchy in The SLC! SLC Punk 25 Years Later”
- Chelsea Rushton, designer
1st Place
- Design and graphics: Feature page design
- Salt Lake magazine: “Off The Radar: How Utah Helped Win the Atomic Race”
- Editor, Jeremy Pugh, Designer, Kimmy Hammons
3rd Place
- Magazine category: Best cover design
- Salt Lake magazine – July 2025 Issue “75+ Reasons To Love Utah”
- Chelsea Rushton, designer
2nd Place
- Magazine category: Best magazine
- Salt Lake magazine
- Jeremy Pugh, editor, Christie Porter, managing editor, Chelsea Rushton, designer
1st Place
- Magazine category: Food and Drink
- “The 2024 Salt Lake Magazine Dining Awards: The Where to Eat Now Edition”
- Jeremy Pugh, writer/editor, Christie Porter, writer/editor, Chelsea Rushton, designer, Adam Finkle, photographer
2nd Place
- Magazine category: News story
- Salt Lake magazine: “Big Trouble in Little Cottonwood: The Gondola Debate”
- Tony Gill, writer, Jeremy Pugh, editor, Chelsea Rushton, designer, Adam Finkle, photographer
1st Place
- Magazine category: Solutions journalism
- Salt Lake magazine: “Let’s Wade In: Water Issues in Utah”
- Christie Porter, writer, Jeremy Pugh, editor, Chelsea Rushton, designer
Honorable Mention
- Salt Lake magazine: Writing and Reporting – Arts and entertainment
- “40 Years of Footloose: Cuttin’ Loose in Payson”
- Christie Porter, writer, Jeremy Pugh, editor, Janine Miller, designer
2nd Place
- Writing and Reporting
- Best reporter
- Christie Porter – Reporter/Editor
1st Place
- Writing and Reporting – Business/consumer writing
- Salt Lake magazine: Seventy-five Reasons to Love Utah
- Jeremy Pugh, writer/editor Christie Porter, writer/editor Chelsea Rushton, designer
1st Place
- Writing and Reporting – Climate and Environment
- Salt Lake magazine: “Let’s Wade In: Water Issues in Utah”
- Christie Porter, writer, Jeremy Pugh, editor, Kimmy Hammons, designer
2nd Place
- Writing and Reporting: General feature
- Salt Lake magazine: SLC Punk!
- Jeremy Pugh, writer, Chelsea Rushton, designer
1st Place
- Writing and Reporting – General news
- Salt Lake magazine: The Uncertain Future of Abravanel Hall
- Christie Porter, writer
1st Place
- Writing and Reporting – Government
- Salt Lake magazine: Farewell To The Last Old-School Republican: Mitt Romney
- Christie Porter
1st Place
- Writing and Reporting – Division B: Growth and development
- “Try to Escape ‘The Maze’ in Sugar House”
- Christie Porter, writer
2nd Place
- Writing and Reporting – Division B: Humor/lifestyle column
- Salt Lake magazine: Campers on Parade
- Jeremy Pugh, writer
2nd Place
- Writing and Reporting – Longform Storytelling
- Salt Lake magazine: “Dust to Dust: Remembering the Scofield Mining Disaster”
- Jason Mathew Smith, writer, Jeremy Pugh, editor, Ari Jiminez, designer
Honorable Mention
- Writing and Reporting – Review/criticism
- Salt Lake magazine: “Go Beyond Chicken Noodle Soup”
- Lydia Martinez
3rd Place
- Writing and Reporting – Series
- Salt Lake magazine: Utah Lore
- Jeremy Pugh
2nd Place
- Writing and Reporting – Sports Feature
- Salt Lake magazine: “Pickleball: What’s All The Racquet?”
- Heather Hayes, writer, Jeremy Pugh, editor, Chelsea Rushton, designer
Read more stories like this and all of our Community coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.
As someone in her late 20s with sensitive, combination, but mostly dry, skin who experiences breakouts and wants products that are considered clean. (Sounds impossible, right?) After much trial and tribulation, I can attest to these products. Bare in mind, however, I’m no dermatologist or master esthetician, so please always ask your doctor for advice before trying new products, or if you have questions about your products or skin.
The Outset
- Gentle Micellar Antioxidant Cleanser: The Outset was created by Scarlett Johansson and Kate Foster who also claim sensitive skin and created this company’s insight. The skincare essentials are powered by botanical hydration, gentle enough and effective for sensitive skin.
- Restorative Niacinamide Night Cream: I love a good night cream, this one is formulated with bakuchiol, an alternative to retinol that reduces fine lines and wrinkles.
KORA Organics
- Turmeric Glow Foaming Cleanser: This entire line is honestly a dream. The cleanser is brightening, it easily washes off my tinted sunscreen, it clears my skin, the formulated peppermint gives a lovely cooling sensation, plus it smells amazing. You’ll feel like you’ve just left the spa.
- Turmeric brightening Pore Scrub + Exfoliating Mask: This mask is my go-to whenever my skin needs some extra boost and brightening. When it dries it looks like you have little gold flakes sitting on your skin, making the experience feel a bit bougier.
Summer Fridays
- Light Aura Vitamin C + Peptide Eye Cream:A little goes a long way with this eye cream, I use it day and night for a little extra brightening.
- Jet Leg Mask + Moisturizer: My skin tends to be very dry, so to have a thick lotion that I don’t have to cake on and waste product is a plus. This moisturizer is super hydrating, I like to put it on before bed and my skin feels like butter by the morning.
- Lip Butter Balms: Speaking of butter, their Lip Butter Balms are super dreamy, silky and keep my lips hydrated.
Milk Makeup
- Hydro Grip Hydrating Makeup Primer with Hyaluronic Acid + Niacinamide: This has been my go-to primer for a while now. It’s in the name- the hyaluronic acid hydrates. It feels lightweight, it does not make me break out like others do, and really smooths my skin and locks in my makeup for the day.
- Bionic Liquid Blush with Hyaluronic Acid: Another product from Milk that I love and have continued to use for some time. Most blushes irritate my skin and cause breakouts, but this one hasn’t done that for me. You can use a little for a subtle blush look, or add a little extra for some extra rosy cheeks. (I love the dusty rose color.)
Find more of our lifestyle coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe to Salt Lake magazine to receive six beautiful print issues a year!
The Fourth of July is still a couple of weeks away, but on June 19, Utahns are celebrating our country’s second independence day.
In 2022, Juneteenth became a state holiday in Utah after Gov. Spencer Cox signed a law sponsored by Rep. Sandra Hollins, the first Black woman to serve in the Utah Legislature. Juneteenth has been celebrated by many Black Americans for decades, but the holiday gained broader recognition in 2020, after the police killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and others ignited widespread protests and increased attention toward racial injustice.
Juneteenth celebrates emancipation from slavery. Though the Emancipation Proclamation was signed in 1863, it could not be enforced in the Confederate-controlled states. When the Civil War ended in 1865, Texas, the farthest west state in the Confederacy, was the last state to officially end slavery—on June 19, 1865, Union general Gordon Granger told enslaved people in Galveston, Texas that the Civil War was over and that they were free. Since the end of the Civil War, the anniversary has been a local celebration of the end of slavery. Over time, Juneteenth expanded across the country, becoming a larger celebration of Black history and culture in the U.S.
Betty Sawyer, the Director of the African-American community group Project Success Coalition, led Utah’s first Juneteenth celebration 32 years ago. Sawyer and the Ogden-based Project Success Coalition still organize the Utah Juneteenth Festival, which this year includes a flag raising at the Salt Lake County Government Center, a three-day festival in Ogden and other community events throughout the month. Here are Juneteenth celebrations presented by the Project Success Coalition and other ways to honor Juneteenth this weekend and month in Utah:
WHAT: 2025 Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration
WHERE: The Gateway
WHEN: June 19, 12–10 p.m.
WHAT: Salt Lake Juneteenth After Party
WHERE: The Gateway
WHEN: June 19, 10 p.m.-1 a.m.
WHAT: West Valley City Juneteenth Celebration: Fighting for Freedom
WHERE: Utah Cultural Celebration Center | 1355 W 3100 S, West Valley City
WHEN: June 19, 6-8 p.m.
WHAT: USU Juneteenth Community BBQ
WHERE: Bridger Park, 1181 N. 400 West, Logan
WHEN: June 19, 5-8:30 p.m.
WHAT: Drue x Local Disorder Presents: Juneteenth
WHERE: Metro Music Hall
WHEN: June 19 at 7p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth Party at the SunTrapp
WHERE: The Sun Trapp, SLC
WHEN: June 19, shows at 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth at Policy Kings
WHERE: Policy Kings Brewery
WHEN: June 19, 9-12 a.m.
WHAT: Shop and Support Black-Owned Artists and Musicians at the 2025 Utah Arts Festival
WHERE: Library Square, Downtown SLC
WHEN: June 19-22
WHAT: And Still We Rise: Juneteenth Panel Discussion
WHERE: J. Willard Marriot Library, University of Utah
WHEN: June 20, 12-1:30 p.m.
WHAT: Real Salt Lake Juneteenth Celebration
WHERE: Rio Tinto Stadium, Sandy
WHEN: June 21, 7:30 p.m.
WHAT: High Wasted–Juneteenth Edition!
WHERE: Blue Gene’s
WHEN: June 21 at 16 p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth 5K Freedom Run/Walk
WHERE: Mountain View Park, 1201 Mountain View Boulevard Woods Cross
WHEN: June 21, 9 a.m.
WHAT: Violet Hour SLC: Freedom Day Roll Bounce
WHERE: Millcreek Commons
WHEN: June 26, 4-11:30 p.m.
WHAT: Juneteenth Healing & Reconciliation Vigil
WHERE: International Peace Gardens at Jordan Park
WHEN: June 28, 4-6 p.m.
You can find a complete list of black-owned businesses on the Utah Black Chamber of Commerce website, here. Happy Freedom Day!
Read more stories like this and all of our Community coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe and get six issues of Salt Lake magazine, your curated guide to the best of life in Utah.
Let’s face it, planning for Father’s Day can be hard, and you may feel stuck doing the same thing year after year, but there’s no need to fear! Utah has plenty of dining specials and unique activities to help you celebrate your old man. Your guide to a refreshing Father’s Day Weekend is here!
Father’s Day Brunch and Dinner in Utah
Wasatch Front
Bambara
Toast to dad in style at Bambara’s Father’s Day Bourbon Brunch. The culinary team has partnered with High West to create a selection of bourbon-infused specials like bourbon pancakes—pair them three 1 oz pours of High West elixir for just $15! Served June 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., make your reservations here.
Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club
Treat your dad to a barbecue brunch at Flanker Kitchen where mimosas and Bloody Marys are $5. While you’re there, book a virtual golf suite for you and your old man, or test your bond with a karaoke session. Reservations can be made here. Menu availalbe June 15, 2025.
Take in the mountain views at Sundance’s Foundry Grill this Father’s Day. With items like herb-roasted prime rib, cedar-planked salmon, buttermilk waffles and a full-service omelet bar, this Dad’s day brunch is sure to please everyone in the family. Continue the fun with onsite activities like hiking, chair lift rides and zip lining. Brunch served June 15, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Urban Hill
The James Beard-awarded restaurant is bringing back its Father’s Day brunch buffet this year, with mouth-watering items like smoked salmon benedict, breakfast enchiladas, dill pickle potato salad, mini quiche and much, much more! Reservations recommended, make yours here! Served Sunday, June 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. $79 for adults, children 12 to 5 dine for $35.
A rooftop barbecue with dad—what more could you ask for? Van Ryder’s Father’s Day celebration includes BBQ lunch specials, western wear giveaways, a Traeger grill raffle and more. Sunday, June 15 from 11 am to 5 p.m.
Wasatch Back
Goldener Hirsch
Sip and celebrate dad with a whiskey experience at Goldener Hirsch Inn. In partnership with Bulleit Distillery, guests will learn about the distiller’s history while enjoying a guided tasting and a house-made charcuterie selection. Must be 21+ to book. Available Sunday June 15 at 4 p.m Find more information, here.
Treat Dad to dinner on Father’s Day with a $60 summer meal special featuring New York steak, sesame-crusted ahi tuna, creamed spinach, skin-mashed potatoes and more. Available all Father’s Day weekend through summer.
The Lodge at Blue Sky
Blue Sky is hosting an entire weekend of culinary experiences, outdoor adventures and family fun. Build your ideal weekend itinerary with activities like expert-led bird watching, an open-fire dining experience, a whiskey wellness spa day and family ranching at Gracie’s Farm. See the entire schedule, here. June 13–15, 2025.
Learn a new skill with your old man at Montage’s exclusive Father’s Day beverage class. The two-hour course will include an assortment of bites to pair with libations; finish it off with a unique whiskey massage at Spa Montage.
Park City favorite Tupelo is honoring dads with an evening of unlimited smoked Niman Ranch prime rib, garlic mashed potatoes and heirloom carrots for just $75 on June 15, 2025.
Looking for something different? Try one of these Father’s Day activities in Utah!
- Big Cottonwood Brew Fest—Throw back a few cold ones with your old man surrounded by the picturesque views at Solitude. Now two days, the free event also features live music and tasty food pairings. June 14–15, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Blues and Brews at Snowbasin—Relax on the lawn and soak up the good vibes at Snowbasin’s Blues and Brews event. The first Sunday in the running series, June 15 lineup includes Earl Nelson + The Company and Pressin’ Strings. June 15, 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
- Hogle Zoo—Fathers and father figures can enjoy free admission on June 14 and 15 for a day of fun at Hogle Zoo! Make sure to check out the zoo’s brand new exhibit, Wild Utah, and admire animal-themed chalk art during the Chalk the Zoo event!
- Strawberry Days—This year’s Strawberry Days festival runs from the 14th all the way through the 22nd of June. Visit with your father figure for car shows, carnivals, rodeos, concerts and more.
- TopGolf—Golfing is a Father’s Day favorite that offers a casual family friendly experience. TopGolf has offered Father’s Day promotions in the past, check their site for the most recent updates.
- Axe-Throwing—For the unconventional dad, spice up the day with a Rage Room or Axe throwing! Prices vary by location.
- Climbing—If your dad is the adventurous type, like mine, have fun bonding over indoor climbing lessons! Prices vary.
Karmen Berentsen sees people. And she’s on a mission to make sure that women see themselves, too. Her strategy? Fashion.
“It all began with my mom. She definitely modeled for me the power of fashion and that pride in getting dressed every single morning and saying, ‘What do I want to project to the world?’” Berentsen says. “I saw that model from her—and then I used it in building my first company.”
Fashion, Berentsen says, gave her the confidence to walk into executive offices of Fortune 50 companies at the age of 28 to pitch on her consulting boutique that many said wouldn’t go anywhere. They were wrong. In less than 10 years, Berentsen had become a 30-something multimillionaire selling her company and entering early retirement. Only, fashion was calling, and her entrepreneurial spirit wasn’t ready to rest. So she launched A Line Boutique.
A Line was born from Berentsen’s own disdain for shopping. She loves clothing, yes, but she doesn’t like shopping for herself. She wanted to bring the curated, pampered experience she discovered at European designer boutiques to her community in Colorado, where the first A Line opened.
Twelve years and six locations in three states later, Berentsen has grown A Line into a movement—a pathway to empowerment and connection for women through shopping, client adventures, and a podcast.
“It turned out that I wasn’t the only woman who didn’t like to shop,” she says.
Berentsen relocated to Salt Lake City in 2023, opening A Line Boutique at its Foothill location in the summer of 2024. The boutique offers mid to high-range clothing designs, accessories, and jewelry for women.
It also features a team of expert stylists ready to serve each customer a drink and a dressing room lined with items curated just for them. It’s an experience that can transform even the most apprehensive of shoppers as long as they are willing to try on the clothes and begin the journey to unleash their inner confidence.
“I love pausing and taking a moment to see the person and what they need. I have to keep helping women feel seen,” Berentsen says. “At A Line, you get to be taken care of.”
When You Go:
A Line Boutique
1328 S. Foothill Dr., SLC. aline-online.com; Instagram: @alineboutique
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Want a garden that looks good and does good? When you plant, think of the bees.
What if our landscapes could be both eye-catching and support a biodiversity of local pollinators such as bees, butterflies, beetles and more? We don’t often think about pollinators as we plant, but they should be a consideration, especially the diverse species of native bees that are found only in the West. Intermountain West urbanization has diminished resources such as pollen and nectar, as well as habitat, which the bees rely on, but we can help! Here’s a few tips on planting your own pollinator garden in Utah:
‘BEE’ SUNNY.
Plants that produce blooms often need to be placed in a sunny location. Full sun equates to 6-8 hours of sunlight throughout the day. Part-sun and shade plants are available, but the resources available for pollinators are often diminished.
‘BEE’ ACCESSIBLE.
Choose plants that are easy for pollinators to access. Flat, daisy-like blooms support bees, butterflies, flies and beetles. Blooms that are tubular in shape, such as honeysuckle, support pollinators with long mouthparts like hummingbirds and moths. Avoid difficult-to-access plants with multiple layers of petals.
‘BEE’ LOCAL.
Incorporate native plants into the landscape when available. Native plants, such as Penstemon and Gaillardia, often support native pollinators best. See our plant list for more ideas.
‘BEE’ INVITING.
A shallow dish filled with river rocks and topped off with water will attract thirsty pollinators. Provide nesting sites such as areas of bare ground without mulch and open cavities like those of a bee hotel. Waiting to cut back perennials in the spring instead of fall can provide needed overwintering habitat.
‘BEE’ ABUNDANT.
Incorporate plants that bloom spring, summer and fall to provide resources year-round. Avoid planting a single plant, instead plant in groups of three to five to provide ample resources.
Garden Checklist
USU Extension Associate Professor, Horticulture
Get your garden season-ready with these tips from the landscape and horticulture specialists at USU Extension. In May…
- Plant warm-season vegetables and annual flowers after last frost.
- Plant tomatoes deep enough that they are able to form more roots along the stem.
- Thin overcrowded seedlings using scissors.
- Plant summer-blooming bulbs (e.g.: gladiola, begonia, dahlia, canna).
- Divide warm-season ornamental grasses when new growth begins to emerge.
- Allow the foliage of spring blooming bulbs to die down before removing the leaves.
- Control broadleaf weeds in the lawn when temps are between 60-80 F.
See how it’s done
Located in the USU Botanical Center in Kaysville, the Pollinator Garden was installed in 2021 by USU Master Gardener volunteers to showcase a variety of flowers that provide nectar, habitat and other resources to pollinators throughout the seasons. Unique planter boxes and art focus on bees and other pollinators. See more here.
Find more of our lifestyle coverage. And while you’re here, subscribe to Salt Lake magazine to receive six beautiful print issues a year!
