Sandy

Sandy is the fourth largest city in Utah, with a population of approximately 90,000. It is a bedroom community of Salt Lake City. It lies in the south-central portion of Salt Lake Valley, a large valley located between the Oquirrh Mountains to the west and the Wasatch Mountains to the east, where the Great Basin and Rocky Mountain regions meet. The city is largely residential, but commercial areas lie in the west part of the city and along major roads through the city, including South Town Mall and the Jordan Commons shopping center. The eastern residential regions lie along the western slopes (benches) of the Wasatch Range, and the residences become more affluent as you climb the bench. Sandy lies along the Wasatch Range, the region of nearly continuous urbanization from Brigham City south to Payson, including the cities of Ogden, Salt Lake City, and Provo.
Sandy, in particular, is friendly toward visitors. Some refer to the city as "The Ultimate Base Camp." No where else, worldwide, is there the same proximity to as wide a variety of mountain and outdoor recreation, and metropolitan conveniences.

Car

Sandy, as well as all of Salt Lake Valley, lies on what is known as a grid system. See Salt Lake City for helpful information on the grid system used in Utah. The easiest way to get to Sandy from the international airport is to take I-80 East until it merges with I-15 south west of Downtown Salt Lake City, and keep going south until you reach Sandy. Sandy can be accessed from the 9000 South (Exit #298) and 10600 South (Exit #297) exits. From Downtown Salt Lake City, you can also take State Street, 700 East, or 1300 East straight south.

Rail

TRAX is a light rail line administered by the Utah Transit Authority (UTA) located in the Salt Lake Valley. The southern terminus is located in Sandy, which you can board at 10000 South near Jordan High School. It runs north through downtown. Fares and schedules available at: Ride UTA. The stop at Sandy is just in the middle of a car park and bus interchange, with no pedestrian signs pointing anywhere, and all the other passengers seeming to be going to their cars or to buses. It is possible to walk to the Civic Center, and to the shopping areas, if you know where you are going.

Bus

UTA also operates an extensive bus system which covers the entire Wasatch Range. Sandy has easy and extensive access to many of these bus lines, many of which also stop at the TRAX stations.

• Balloon FestivalIf you happen to be in Sandy during the summer (August), you should check out the city's annual Balloon Festival. The sky literally fills with hot air balloons.

• Movies in the ParkAlso during the Summer, various parks throughout the city host "Movies in the Park." The city places big screens and projects movies for people to come and see.

• Jordan Commons

  address: State Street
  A great place to go. Plenty of restaurants, a movie theater, an arcade, and office buildings.

Entertainment

• Rio Tinto Stadium

  address: State Street
  Home of two top-level soccer teams—Real Salt Lake in Major League Soccer, and Utah Royals FC, a team owned by Real in the National Women's Soccer League. The stadium recently hosted Paul McCartney and KISS and has a date with Neil Diamond on July 28th. The stadium also hosts a number of other events, including, most recently, the USA Rugby Championships.

• Sandy Amphitheater

  address: 1245 East 9400 South
  The concert experience at the Amphitheater is truly unique and one you will not find anywhere else in the area. The view is breathtaking as the sun sets in the west and the moon rises over the Wasatch Mountains to the east. Enclosed by an abundance of natural plant life and accented with water features, the amphitheater beautifully blends in with its surroundings. The Sandy Amphitheater holds a capacity of 2,750: 966 theater seats up close to the stage, while the lawn seats about 1,800 with both designated lawn chair and blanket areas. Either way, patrons will enjoy an intimate concert experience with plenty of room to stretch out and enjoy an evening of music under the stars. Past acts the amphitheater include: Glen Campbell, Easton Corbin, Olivia Newton-John,and others.

• Seven Peaks Fun Center Sandy

  - located in Sandy

Educational

• Sandy City Museum

  address: 8744 S. 150 E
  The museum is located at the original Sandy train station in a historic ZCMI building with two levels of displays, a gift shop and an outdoors exhibit. Hours are Tues. Thurs. and Sat. 12:00 to 5:00 and by appointment.

• The Living Planet Aquarium

  phone: +1 801 355-3474
  address: 725 E 10600 S
  The Living Planet Aquarium highlights animal habitats in Utah waters, Earth's oceans and South American species. learn about our interdependence with the fragile ecosystems of our planet through entertaining, interactive educational exhibits and programs.

Ski

It is said that Utah is home to the greatest snow on Earth, and Sandy is only a short drive to some of Utah's best Ski resorts.

• Snowbird

  phone: +1 801-933-2222
  address: Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort Highway 210, Little Cottonwood Canyon, Snowbird, UT 84092
  Snowbird and Alta were named the No.1 Ski Resort in North America by Outside Magazine in 2008. Snowbird offers 882 lodging rooms between four lodging properties. There are also a variety of restaurants and dining options, a relaxing spa, and a helpful staff. Snowbird is also available for Summer, Spring, or Fall activities, such as hiking or the famous Alpine Slide.

• Alta

  phone: +1 801-359-1078
  address: Alta Ski Area, PO Box 8007, Alta, UT 84092, U.S.A.
  Snowbird and Alta were named the No.1 Ski Resort in North America by Outside Magazine in 2008.

• South Town MallA moderate sized mall, with standard offering of shops, and a kids carousel It is pleasant enough, but has no significant features to distinguish it from any other shopping mall. To walk from the Sandy TRAX station, walk out of the station, and to the Sandy Civic Center down Sego Lily Drive. Walk the full length of the grass mall in front of the Town Hall to the shopping mall.

Asian

• Royal IndiaOne of the best Indian Food experiences in town!

• Simply ThaiGreat Thai food.

Casual Dining

• SconecutterOpen 24 hours.

Grills/Steakhouses

• Crown BurgerAcross the street from Jordan High School.

Italian/Pizza

• ToscanoGood, fresh pizza.

Southwest/Mexican

• Cafe RioGreat fast Mexican.

• Los CucosThis is the only one outside of Texas. Great Tex-Mex!

• TacoTimeIt really is.

Fine Dining

• La Caille

  address: 9565 S. Wasatch Blvd
  La Caille is the most exquisite, ultra-luxurious restaurant in the state of Utah. The restaurant is located on 22 acres in the mouth of Little Cottonwood Canyon. Expect to pay $50-100. per plate. Also known for banquets and events such as weddings and receptions.

• Tiburon Fine DiningDelicious fine dining. On the pricy side.

Fry Sauce

• Fry sauce is a Utah specialty. What is it? Fry sauce is a mixture of ketchup and mayonnaise eaten on French fries. Fry sauce was created many years ago by the local fast food restaurant Arctic Circle and has since spread to the rest of Utah, as well as eastern Idaho. Almost any local (and many chain) restaurants will serve this tasty pink concoction. For more on Arctic Circle locations see: Arctic Circle Restaurants. Known elsewhere as "Russian Dressing". Ask for Fry Sauce at any Fast Food place in Sandy, and they will know what you are talking about.

• The 1887 Hansen House Bed and Breakfast

  phone: +1 801-562-2198
  address: 8586 South Center Street Sandy, Utah 84070
  Enjoy the elegance of yesteryear with the conveniences of today at The 1887 Hansen House. This Victorian mansion, listed on the National Historic Register, is surrounded by rock gardens, fountains, and 100-year-old trees.

• Castle Creek Inn

  phone: +1 801 567-9437
  address: 7391 Creek Rd
  A castle-themed B&B with 10 individually decorated rooms, each with whirlpool tub, fireplace, and WiFi.

• Courtyard Salt Lake City Sandy

  phone: +1 801 571-3600
  address: 10701 S Holiday Park Dr

• Residence Inn Salt Lake City Sandy

  phone: +1 801 561-5005
  address: 270 West 10000 South

• Hyatt House Salt Lake City/Sandy

  phone: +1 801-304-5700
  address: 9685 S Monroe St, Sandy, UT 84070

• Hampton Inn Salt Lake City/Sandy

  phone: +1 801-571-0800
  address: 10690 Holiday Park Dr, Sandy, UT 84070

• Best Western Cotton Tree Inn

  phone: +1 801 523-8484
  address: 10695 Auto Mall Dr

• Country Inn and Suites

  phone: +1 801-553-1151
  address: 10499 S Jordan Gateway, South Jordan, UT 84095