Activity Downtown Salt Lake City
The Gateway
An activity in Downtown Salt Lake City, free to visit and worth about 4 hours. Best time to go: 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Why go
Outdoor shopping district by the old Union Pacific depot, home of the free Last Hurrah and midnight fireworks in 2025.
It is one of 7 curated places we feature in Downtown Salt Lake City, alongside 2 places to eat, 2 sights and 1 place for a drink. 5 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Red Iguana and Red Iguana. Set aside about 4 hours here; it works best as the anchor of a day rather than a quick stop.
- Type
- Activity · Nightlife
- Neighborhood
- Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 4 hr
- Best time
- 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Downtown Salt Lake City. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Red Iguana
Family-run Mexican restaurant on North Temple since 1985, known for its long list of house moles.
Food · 0.5 mi straight-line - 2Red Iguana
Family-run Mexican restaurant on North Temple, known for its moles and a line out the door.
Food · Salt Lake City · 0.5 mi straight-line - 3Temple Square
Ten-acre square around the Salt Lake Temple, with trees wrapped in holiday lights through December.
Sight · 0.6 mi straight-line - 4Temple Square
The 10-acre Latter-day Saint headquarters, strung with lights and nativity scenes from late November through December.
Sight · Salt Lake City · 0.6 mi straight-line - 5Ballet West's Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre
Ballet West dances Willam Christensen's Nutcracker, descended from the first full-length American staging, in a 1913 theater.
Activity · Salt Lake City · 0.6 mi straight-line - 6Kimpton Hotel Monaco
Hotel in the 1924 Continental Bank Building on Main Street, a short TRAX ride from The Gateway.
Stay · 0.7 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
The Gateway is a stop on our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Downtown Salt Lake City
The Gateway is our only activity pick in Downtown Salt Lake City; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Downtown Salt Lake City guide.
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Utah State Capitol
1916 domed capitol on the hill above downtown, with a marble rotunda and a view south over the valley.
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Market Street Grill
Seafood and steak house open since 1980 in the old New York Hotel building on Market Street.
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Bar X
One of the city's oldest bars, open since 1933, with a long wooden bar and classic cocktails.
When to go: weather by month, based on Salt Lake City
Our climate figures for Downtown Salt Lake City come from nearby Salt Lake City. Average daily highs in Salt Lake City run from 37°F in January to 93°F in July; April is usually the wettest month. For The Gateway itself, we suggest: 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.
Modelled monthly averages for Salt Lake City from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Salt Lake City weather by month (covers Downtown Salt Lake City).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for The Gateway, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 40.76850, -111.90380
- Destination
- Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah
The Gateway: quick answers
How much time do you need at The Gateway?
Plan on about 4 hours at The Gateway. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit The Gateway?
Our pick: 8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Insider tip: Take TRAX and get off at Planetarium station to skip the parking lines.
Is The Gateway free?
Yes, we list The Gateway as free to visit. Check locally before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include The Gateway?
The Gateway appears on Salt Lake City New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add The Gateway to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Downtown Salt Lake City.
Plan Downtown Salt Lake City
- Downtown Salt Lake City travel guide 7 places
- Salt Lake City weather (covers Downtown Salt Lake City) weather by month
- Downtown Salt Lake City to Big Cottonwood Canyon 20 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Downtown Salt Lake City
- Bar X Drinks
- Market Street Grill Food
- Utah State Capitol Sight
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.