I'm a New Yorker who went to Salt Lake City for the first time. These 9 things surprised me.

In January 2025, Business Insider's Joey Hadden embarked on their first trip to Salt Lake City and the surrounding towns of Park City and Draper. The journey began with a flight from New York City to Denver, followed by a 15-hour Amtrak train ride to Salt Lake City. The train ride was unlike any Hadden had experienced before, as it passed through Rocky Mountain National Park and revealed breathtaking views of red rocks and canyons as the train traveled from Colorado to Utah.

Upon arrival in Salt Lake City, Hadden was surprised by the limited number of five-star hotels in the area. However, the Grand America Hotel, the city's first five-star hotel, provided a luxurious stay for $340 per night. The hotel's executive suite, featuring a king-size bed, living room, and marble bathroom, was particularly impressive for the price.

Hadden then ventured to Draper, a nearby suburb known for its thriving tech hub. Despite expecting tech offices to be concentrated in Salt Lake City itself, Draper proved to be a bustling center for technological innovation. During his visit, Hadden toured offices belonging to companies like Bamboo HR and Pluralsight, discovering modern, sleek workspaces equipped with amenities like indoor golf simulators, pickleball courts, and rentable bikes for trail riding.

To Hadden's delight, Park City, a town renowned for its luxury housing, surprised him by featuring high-end homes in close proximity to downtown. Additionally, public amenities such as bathrooms and electric fire pits in courtyards added to the city's unique charm. The combination of Utah's stunning natural beauty, thriving tech scene, and unexpected urban conveniences made Hadden's trip to Salt Lake City a memorable one.