A Salt Lake City Guide for Book Lovers

Salt Lake City, Utah, is known for many things:

• It’s the capital and largest city in Utah.
• It’s home to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (a.k.a. the Mormons).
• It hosted the 2002 Winter Olympics.
• It boasts a rich history of mining, cowboys, and pioneers.

While many visitors flock to Utah for its stunning and unique outdoor landscapes (check out my Film Lover’s Guide to Utah for insight into how those landscapes shine on screen), Salt Lake City has plenty to offer indoors, especially for book lovers.

When I spent a week in Salt Lake City for the Women in Travel Summit in April 2024 with Wanderful, I made it my mission to seek out all the best spots for bibliophiles. From charming Salt Lake City bookstores to peaceful places to read and unique literary attractions, I found plenty to love in this vibrant city. Whether you’re an avid reader or just want to add a bookish twist to your Utah adventure, here’s my guide to Salt Lake City’s must-visit spots for book lovers.

Salt Lake City Public Library

Designed by Moshe Safdie, an Israeli-Canadian-American architect, the Salt Lake City Public Library’s main branch is a must-see sight. The five-story building has an impressive entryway–as you enter there are small shops and cafes, floors and floors of collections, and a massive skylight letting in bright light.

The library clearly offers a large collection of books and magazines, a children’s section, community services, and an impressive amount of books in foreign languages. My favorite features, though, are the fireplaces seen on every floor and the beautiful views available from the study/work areas. It’s a quiet and peaceful spot in Salt Lake City.

Salt Lake City Bookstores

I’m always on the look-out for independent bookstores–they are the best places to get book recommendations, attend bookish events, and find other local book lovers. Salt Lake City’s independent bookstores are great options.

The King’s English Bookshop

(1511 South 1500 East)

Opened in 1977, The King’s English Bookshop is a local favorite. Located Southeast of downtown, this Utah independent bookstore has several rooms sorted by genre including a large children’s section, fantasy, fiction, and mystery (I especially appreciate that the store helps you understand the differences between some of the mysteries–which ones have action, which ones are classic, which ones are set outdoors, etc.). Of course, I always look for a bookstore’s travel section and this one has one called “Faraway Places” filled with nonfiction, travel photography, guidebooks, and a special section on Western History. The shop often hosts events and has books signed by authors. (Also, the bookstore is across from a Caputo’s Market and Deli, a Salt Lake City institution, AND Casot, a Wine Bar and Work Space, so once you make your purchase, hop across the street for a snack and drink of choice and start reading your new book.)

Weller Book Works

(607 Trolley Square)

Although it’s gone through a few iterations since then, Weller Book Works is an independent bookstore in Utah that can trace its history back to 1929! Located in Trolley Square (a cute upscale enclosed shopping center in Salt Lake City), Weller Book Works offers a wide variety of books, including a very large selection of used books, a display of banned books (I’m always a fan of those), and some beautiful rare books. It’s a huge space and one could easily spend hours searching through the offerings. Or you could join them for one of their book-lover events like a morning breakfast club to discuss books over coffee or their Lit Knit crafting circle. (And, when you’ve made your purchase, walk through Trolley Square and up the stairs to the Desert Edge Brewery for some local beer and food with a view while you eat.)

Specialty Bookstores

If you’re passionate about a particular genre, discovering a specialty bookstore can feel like hitting the jackpot. These niche shops cater to readers who share your interests, speak your “language,” and offer tailored recommendations you’re sure to love. Lucky for book lovers, Salt Lake City is home to three incredible genre-specific bookstores!

The Legendarium

(349 E 900 S)

The Legendarium is a bookstore focused on science fiction, fantasy, and horror with its own role-playing game cafe that offers things like game nights and D&D-themed birthday parties. The cafe also has themed drinks (one of my favorite things) like Priory of the Orange Mocha or Gondor Fog. (Unfortunately, the bookstore was closed on the day I tried to visit and I admit this isn’t my genre, so I don’t have any pictures of the inside, but it has great reviews!)

Under the Umbrella

(511 W 200 S, Suite 120)

You might be surprised by this one (I was!), but one of the independent bookstores in Utah specifically caters to the queer community. Under the Umbrella welcomes and celebrates queer writers and stories and gives queer readers and allies a safe space. The books are from all genres and for all ages, but all have either queer content or are written by authors who identify as queer. The store also offers items like candles, bookmarks, stickers, and bags that are all made by small queer-owned businesses or queer artists, a cafe with coffee and bakery items, and several events including book clubs, discussions, and speed dating.

Lovebound Library

(145 E 900 S)

The newest independent bookstore to Salt Lake City’s reading scene is Lovebound Library in the Maven District (a block of almost all women-owned small businesses I highly recommend), a bookstore focused on romance! The store has a wide variety of sub-genres like Contemporary, Young Adult, Fantasy, and LGBTQIA+, some cozy chairs to sit and dig into a good book, lots of natural light, and, of course, some fun bookish goodies like stickers, bookmarks, and tote bags that are hard to resist. (And, once you’ve made your selection, head over to The Juice Shop for a very tasty healthy drink while you read or Passion Flour, the 100% vegan French patisserie and cafe.)

Places to Read

Of course, if you’re a reader visiting Salt Lake City, you might be looking for somewhere special to take a break and read your book. In addition to the coffee shops and breweries mentioned above, here are a few suggestions for some fun places to read in Salt Lake City.

Mountain West Cider

(425 N 400 W)

In case you’re not a beer fan, Mountain West Cider might be a good option to sit and have a drink while reading a book in Salt Lake City. Made from all local ingredients with a changing seasonal menu, Mountain West Cider offers a great garden area with ample seating and tasty drinks in a quiet neighborhood. There are some great flavors to try, but I think the classic “Gold” was my favorite.

Prohibition

(151 E 6100 S)

If you’re staying downtown, this will be a bit of a trip to get to, but it will be well worth it. A speakeasy hidden behind an antique shop–this bar/restaurant serves amazing food and drinks and I had no problem sitting in the comfy seats and enjoying my food while reading my book. Of course, my favorites were the drinks with the literature themes…I mean, an F. Scotch Fitzgerald? The Gatsby? And, you MUST order a Bourbon and the Beast–not only is it a tasty drink, but it’s a whole experience. 😉 (You’ll have to look at the video on my Instagram to see what I mean.)

Hiking Trails

Of course, Utah has some amazing hiking trails. Although it will take a little bit of driving (but not too much!), Salt Lake City has some of those good ones. Grab an audiobook and head out to one of the trails–as always, bring water, be aware of your surroundings, and respect nature.

Meggie is a travel enthusiast who lives in Utah and knows a lot about National Parks and hiking–she recommends these three in the the Salt Lake City area:

• Ensign Peak – This hike is short but packs a punch. You will hike upwards about half a mile for incredible views of the Salt Lake Valley. The trailhead starts in a quiet neighborhood behind the state capitol building, and while it is short, prepare for a bit of a climb.
• The Living Room – Longer and steeper, the Living Room is a popular trail that starts near Red Butte Gardens in the foothills of eastern Salt Lake City. The trail is a 2.7-mile round trip, and you are rewarded for your effort with not only great views but a unique way to enjoy them. Individuals have moved large rock slabs to form chairs and loungers for you to rest on as you take in the scenery. Not as comfy as at home, but fun none the less.
• City Creek Trail + Memory Grove – A lovely park and trail system near downtown Salt Lake. The City Creek Canyon Trail extends quite far, but you can enjoy it for a few miles and simply turn around. A great place to escape within the middle of the city! Just be warned – many other like to use this trail to escape as well.

Meggie also has great recommendations on 13 Free Things to Do in Salt Lake City with Kids.

State Capitol

(350 State S)

I was lucky enough to visit during Spring/cherry blossom season, so the State Capitol was a stunning place to bring a blanket, a picnic, and sit outside with a book underneath the bright blue skies and read a book.

Bonus Things to Do for Readers in Salt Lake City

Book Mural

(250 S Main St)

Lucky for us book lovers, Salt Lake City has something even more unique for readers: a Book Mural! Salt Lake City actually has several murals all over, but there’s a special one for us bibliophiles. Rumor is that the mural was commissioned by Zion’s Bookstore (which is now Weller Book Works mentioned above) and painted by Paul Heath, a local artist. The mural includes classics like Gone with the Wind and The Scarlet Letter and newer classics like Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. (For us travel fans, it does have Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.) I will note that when I visited in April 2024, there were two portajohns planted right in the middle of the mural… 🙁 Hopefully someone has figured out a better place for those.

Downtown Discovery Pass

Okay, this isn’t specifically for readers, but it’s just such a good deal for curious people and families visiting Salt Lake City, I feel I need to include it. There are ten different Salt Lake City attractions on this pass (like the Children’s Museum of Utah, an IMAX or Dome Theatre Screening at the Clark Planetarium, or the amazing Natural History Museum of Utah) and this pass includes admission to three of those ten at a discounted price.

Salt Lake Ghosts and Hauntings Tour

This tour also isn’t specifically for book lovers, but chances are if you’re a bibliophile, you like a good story, and a ghost story is definitely a good story. On this one hour walking tour of downtown Salt Lake City, you’ll learn some history AND hear some fun ghost stories.

Whatever brings you to Salt Lake City, Utah, if you’re a book lover, you’ll find something to enjoy!