Salt Lake City Public Library

Downtown

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210 East 400 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84111
801-524-8200

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Salt Lake City Public Library Description

Though a library may not be a typical stop on a family vacation, this one is not to be missed. With boutiques selling everything from cool comic books and butterfly bracelets to fine artwork outside, and with glass cube elevators inside, Salt Lake City's main library is a cross between a modern art gallery and a European boutique shopping center. The children's room is a wonder: life-sized stuffed animals; computers at kid eye level; a Crystal Cave (a la "Superman"); more than 100,000 CDs, movies, and books (plus rentable headsets and players); and a cozy reading alcove.

Kid Tips

Toddlers & Pre-K: Prepare to spend some quality time in Grandma's Attic, an under-the-eaves reading room filled with throw pillows and stuffed animals (and a rocking chair and rocking horse).

School-Age Kids: The Crystal Cave's white, maze-like room with bright skylights will be awe-inspiring even if they've never seen "Superman."

Pre-Teens & Teens: "I really dug the library. Boy, that was nice," said one surprised teen. The comic book shop, elevators, and rooftop garden will intrigue even the least bookish.

Planning Notes

Allow time to explore. With so many cool things about this library, kids will want to linger.
Go on Monday night. Story time designed for children ages 2 to 8 commences at 7.
Go outside and up. The patio area has a cave with pictographs and a waterfall kids can touch; the rooftop garden is an elevator ride and a fun hunt away (let the kids lead).
Take the TRAX. The Library stop is just across the street.
Or come with quarters. Two-hour coin operated meters line the nearby streets.

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