Capitol Hill

Very close to The Avenues, but quite different in layout, the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Salt Lake is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, neighborhood in the city. Dressed with irregular streets, Capitol Hill is located on a super-steep hillside. Some say that at the top of the high-elevation hill, you can see the entire metro area, a spectacular sight to behold, for sure. This historic, yet Utah-hip area is home to a number of the city’s “movers and shakers” since it is so close to the seat of government. Indeed, one of the area’s primary landmarks is the impressive copper dome of the capitol building.

Homes in Capitol Hill include sprawling mansions, renovated bungalows, new and new-ish condos and townhomes, and comfy-cozy adobe and/or brick cottages. One of the most popular sections within Capitol Hill is the Marmalade (also known as Marmalade Hill) district, where you’ll find fruit-named streets plus abodes in a bit more modest price range than in other sections of Capitol Hill.

PS: Why is the Marmalade district monikered after a fruit spread, you might ask? Once upon a time, numerous fruit trees were planted by the area’s early settlers, who then used the juicy bounty to make — wait for it — marmalade and fruit jam. Fruit-bearing trees can still be found throughout this charmingly eclectic, bustling and thriving neighborhood.

ADJECTIVES

• Historic
• Eclectic
• Distinctive
• Bustling
• Utah-hip

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN CAPITOL HILL
Located close to The Avenues neighborhood, the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Salt Lake City is one of the oldest neighborhoods in the city. Capitol Hill is located on a super-steep hillside with top-of-the-hill views of the entire metro area. This historic area is home to the seat of Utah state government; indeed, one of the area’s primary landmarks is the impressive copper dome of the Capitol Building.

Here’s just a small sampling of what there is to do and see in the Capitol Hill area of Salt Lake City.

Parks, peaks, canyons and hiking gems
Memory Grove Park
Located in a small canyon just east of Capitol Hill, Memory Grove Park was dedicated in 1924 as a memorial to America’s fallen military men. Since that time, Memory Grove Park has added a number of monuments and memorials. This picturesque park is an ideal place for walking, biking, running and dog walking. It includes:

• 8.7 acres of beautifully landscaped areas
• Trails, picnic tables and a river

Ensign Peak (hike)
Easily accessible, this family-friendly hike offers an extraordinary high-elevation view of the entire Salt Lake metropolitan area.

• It takes about 25 minutes of walking to reach the top of the one-mile trail
• The trail is a bit steep, but has numerous resting places along the way
• The top of Ensign Peak has an 18-feet-tall historic stone marker
• Fun fact: The first ascent of Ensign Peak is said to have been made by Brigham Young in 1847

City Creek Canyon (hike)
Nearly 12 miles (out and back), City Creek Canyon is a wonderful place for picnicking as well as walking, running, hiking and cycling. The steadily inclining trail is accessible from several access points including Temple Square, Memory Grove Park and a number of other close-by spots near the state Capitol Building.

• Wildlife sightings are common, so keep an eye out
• Elevation gain: 777 feet
• On-leash dogs are allowed

Architectural treasures
Masonic Temple

• The Egyptian-faced building is the home to six Masonic Lodges as well as numerous other related groups

Cathedral of the Madeleine

• The Cathedral of the Madeleine is the mother church for Roman Catholics in Utah

19th Ward Chapel

• The 19th Ward Chapel is a magnificent Russian-influenced LDS chapel

19th Ward Relief Society Hall

• The 19th Ward Relief Society Hall is the last remaining separate LDS Relief Society hall; currently, the Hall is home to the Salt Lake Acting Company which is one of two professional theater companies in Utah

Museums and Memorials
Church History Museum

• Operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS), the Church History Museum features interactive exhibits as well as films, historical artifacts, demonstrations and activities for children

Pioneer Memorial Museum

• The Pioneer Memorial Museum offers displays and memorabilia from the time of early Mormon settlers in Utah

Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Veterans Memorial

• Located on the west lawn of the Capitol Building, the Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos Veterans Memorial honors soldiers from Utah who served in Vietnam
• The Memorial lists the names of 388 men and women who died or went missing in action

Historical education

• Temple Square and The Tabernacle

Theaters

• Eccles Theater (concerts and Broadway shows)
• The Capitol Theater (home of Ballet West)
• Abravanel Hall (home of the Utah Symphony)

Summertime events

• Farmers’ markets
• Yoga at the Capitol (once a week in the evenings)
• Yoga and Beer at The Gateway
• Gay Pride Festival

Tours and cherry blossoms
Take a self-guided tour of Utah’s Capitol Building

• The building’s architect envisioned and designed the Capitol grounds to be a public park with lots of shaded areas, ergo, picnics are allowed (dogs are welcome!) on the beautiful grounds surrounding the Capitol Building

Check out the springtime cherry blossoms

• Given by Japan as a friendship gift after World War II, the walkways around the Capitol are lined with more than 400 Yoshino Cherry trees that offer a spectacular visual scene during their blooming season (generally late March or early April)

Popular restaurants and eateries

• Bambara Salt Lake City
• Bruges Belgian Bistro
• Settebello Pizzeria Napoletana
• Valter’s Osteria
• The Roof Restaurant (located on the 10th floor of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building)
• The Lion House Pantry (Best-known for its homemade bakery items, The Lion House Pantry is a comfy cafeteria-style restaurant located in The Lion House which is the former family home of Brigham Young, first governor of Utah and second President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Constructed in 1856, the house had 26 bedrooms to accommodate Young’s large family.)