Neighborhoods · The Avenues, Salt Lake City

The Avenues, Salt Lake City.

SLC's historic hillside neighborhood — Victorian architecture, canyon trail access, panoramic valley views, and a quiet residential character just minutes from Downtown.

What to see & do in The Avenues

6 picks
M

Memory Grove Park

★ 4.7Park

A serene canyon park at the base of the Avenues, dedicated as a war memorial. Trails lead up City Creek Canyon, one of the few urban canyons closed to vehicles year-round.

Urban canyon escape
C

City Creek Canyon Trail

★ 4.8Hiking

A paved trail running up City Creek Canyon, closed to motor vehicles year-round (bikes alternate days). One of the best easy hikes accessible directly from the city.

Best city hike access
T

The Avenues Proper

★ 4.5Restaurant

A beloved neighborhood restaurant known for approachable American comfort food, craft cocktails, and a welcoming patio. A true neighborhood institution.

Neighborhood institution
E

Ensign Peak

★ 4.6Hiking

A short but steep hike just north of the Avenues offering panoramic views of the entire Salt Lake Valley, the Great Salt Lake, and the Wasatch Range. One of SLC's best viewpoints.

Best valley panorama
R

Rose Establishment

★ 4.6Coffee

A minimal, design-forward coffee shop in the lower Avenues that serves exceptional espresso and coffee in a serene setting. One of the city's finest specialty coffee spots.

Exceptional specialty coffee
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Utah State Capitol

★ 4.5Landmark

Perched at the northern edge of the Avenues, the beautifully restored Capitol building offers free tours and commanding views of the valley from its surrounding grounds.

Architectural landmark with views

SLC's most historic neighborhood

The Avenues is where Salt Lake City's history is most visible in its built environment. Walking the alphabetically named streets — A Street, B Street, C Street — you'll pass Victorian homes, Craftsman bungalows, and early 20th century apartments that date to the city's first great growth period.

The neighborhood climbs steeply from Capitol Hill into the Wasatch foothills, which creates spectacular views but also demands some effort. Higher Avenues residents often joke that visiting friends requires a certain level of fitness. The reward is quiet streets, mature trees, and a genuine neighborhood feel.

The 9th and 9th commercial district at the neighborhood's southern edge is one of SLC's most charming — a small cluster of independent restaurants and cafes that serve as a neighborhood anchor. Pago, one of SLC's finest restaurants, is here.

Frequently asked questions

The Avenues is a historic residential neighborhood immediately northeast of Downtown SLC. It's characterized by Victorian and Craftsman homes built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, tree-lined streets, and a steep hillside topography that provides stunning views of the Salt Lake Valley. Streets are laid out alphabetically (A Street, B Street, etc.) going east from State Street.
The Avenues has limited hotel options (it's primarily residential) but is well-represented on Airbnb and VRBO with historic homes and apartments. Its location — walkable to Downtown, adjacent to City Creek Canyon trails — makes it an excellent base for visitors who prefer a quieter, residential feel.
The Avenues has exceptional outdoor access. City Creek Canyon (car-free year-round) starts at Memory Grove Park, just at the neighborhood's edge. Ensign Peak provides a short, steep hike with panoramic views. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail is accessible from multiple points along the foothills.
The lower Avenues begin just a few blocks from Capitol Hill and Temple Square — it's a 10-15 minute walk from many Downtown hotels to the edge of the neighborhood. The further up the hill you go, the steeper and quieter it gets.
The Avenues has a handful of beloved neighborhood spots but isn't a major dining destination on its own. The Avenues Proper, Rose Establishment, and a few other local favorites serve the neighborhood well. For a wider range of options, Downtown and 9th & 9th are close by.
9th and 9th (900 South and 900 East) is a small commercial intersection at the southern edge of the Avenues area, known for its collection of local restaurants, coffee shops, and boutiques. It's one of SLC's most charming dining districts — walkable, independent, and decidedly neighborhood-oriented.
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