Taking a trip to Utah.

[RIJazzMan]

Ok... I'm sorry I started a whole thread for this, but I'm pretty new at this. I'm from RI (obviously) and my friends and I are planning a trip to Utah at the beginning of april. What are the best sites to see (one of my friends has already been and said the Bryce canyon is pretty sweet)? Cheapest deals on hotels? Best bars/restaurants? Also I'm not too informed on how the whole selling of tickets works since I'm not a Boston fan and never go to games. I want to see them play the Lakers on the 1st of april. How long will tickets last? Best site to buy tickets?

If anyone can give me any kind of information at all, I would truly appreciate it. I've been a Jazz fan for about fifteen years now and really look forward to seeing them playing at home. Thank you and go Jazz! : )

[BarneyGumble]

Hello, fellow East Coaster!

As I no longer live in Utah, I will tell you some of the best places to visit while you are there for a short time. Bryce Canyon is very strong. If you have the time and desire to drive there, go for it. I would recommend you go a little further also into the St. George area. If you like anything outdoors (hiking, camping, etc) you will love it there.

As for outdoors stuff, you dont even need to leave Salt Lake City area. Check out the Provo and Weber rivers for great fly fishing. You can also tube down those rivers, as well. Great camping in those areas, as well. There are lots of good restaurants and stuff in the immediate downtown area of Salt Lake. Stay away from State Street once you get too far away from the city though, nothing but low-brow restaurants and slums. Sugar House around 33rd and State Street starts to get really nice though. Good place to be.

You can always take in some MoTab at temple square if you are into that sort of thing, and if you are not...there is a strip club named Southern-Xposure not too far...

[HammerDunk]

That's some cold floating in early April, and the rivers are still pretty high and not likely fishable (unless you have experience fishing that kind of water, which most people don't), but there are plenty of good camping spots and some good hikes as well. There isn't a lot else to do outdoors that time of year, though there should still be some pretty good spring skiing available.

As for hotels, we used to get the downtown marriott for around 60 bucks a night on priceline.com by naming your own price, but I'm not sure if that deal still flies.

[DelaneyRudd]

Yeah, the hotel situation is to do the online thing. Try and stay downtown though. April is kinda a sketchy weather time. Our spring comes late and summer weather stays until about a week ago. If you are going south I say Canyon lands is best. It's a full trip in itself remember to go down south. Las Vegas is closer to most National Parks than Salt Lake is. There are plenty of good restaurants and bars. I suppose where depends on your taste and budget. The Beer Hive on Main street is probably a good recommend for an out of towner. It's nice, has a huge selection of local beers, is pricier than a dive but not too expensive.

[RIJazzMan]

Thank you guys so much, every little bit helps. As far as tickets, how long until they sell out for that lakers game (april 1st)?

Please keep it coming! Like I said every little bit helps!

[DelaneyRudd]

Buy them sooner than later. Good seats already are with brokers so you may need to get them off stub hub.

[gojazzmjsucks]

A fellow Rhode Islander we should have lunch.I thought i was the only one around!I went 4 years ago its a great trip.Only stayed a couple of night to go watch the Mavs vs Jazz.Be sure to go through the Gateway Mall. Awsome strip mall and you can hear games over the radio outside!I was down their to watch Florida vs Ohio St in a bowl game and could here it outside.

[MeestR]

it's quite a drive to get to the national parks in southern utah. some people wouldnt want to put those miles on their rental.

in salt lake, in march/april where the jazz are, spring is hit or miss. (spring and fall are my favorite parts of the year in utah, but i live here. for things to do, summer and winter are the times to visit) perhaps there are ski resorts still open april 1?

and salt lake is very underrated as far as big cities go. it does have the city life, like shops, malls, restaurants, etc. if you dont want to do a lot of traveling when you get here, you'll still be happy in salt lake.

[gojazzmjsucks]

I really just roamed around down town Salt Lake, my friend and i had no clue where we were going. I stayed at the Radisen which is just a block away from the Stadium. I tell people all the time there is nothing more beautiful then seeing the sun rise over the snow capped mountains and light up the city. I went in december.I want to go back to check out Provo and do some outdoot stuff myself.

I not sure how teachers get paid out there but i have an interest in moving west after i finish at URI. I have a couple of friends who moved west and love it.

[HammerDunk]

What are you teaching?

Also, don't discount heading over to Park City. There is a ton to do there, and there may be some spring skiing depending on the year we have. There's good outlet shopping, good food, lots of outdoor stuff, lots to do.

[carrottop12]

There are a couple of hotels really close to the ESA. The Radisson downtown is literally right across the street, and the bar has 2 dollar beers on game night. You can probably find a deal online if you keep your eyes peeled. It's also 2 blocks from the big out door mall, a block and a half from temple square, and close to a bunch of good restaurants. It might be a little more pricey than some places though. There is a Howard Johnson really close too that would be a lot cheaper. Just keep your eyes out for places downtown, they are all pretty much going to be with in walking distance of the game.

[StocktonShorts]

If you have time (2-3 days) to hit Southern Utah I'd recommend going to Arches (Nat'l Park), Canyonlands (Nat'l Park) and Goblin Valley (State Park). You can at least see some of the sites in all three in a three-day swing and April is usually a really nice time to be in that part of the state.

If you have a little more time you could do the Zion/Bryce/Snow Canyon thing -- but honestly if that's where you're going to spend most of your time, you'd be better off flying into Las Vegas, doing that part of the trip, then driving to SLC for the Jazz game and flying home from there.

And I second the recommendation for the Beerhive. They also have food from the next-door Vienna Bistro, which is a big plus in my book.

[babyjax13]

There are tons of places that are just stunningly beautiful. My personal favorites are Canyonland's and Arches - do yourself a favor and hit Moab; it might be the most beautiful part of the country.

[gojazzmjsucks]

What are you teaching?

Also, don't discount heading over to Park City. There is a ton to do there, and there may be some spring skiing depending on the year we have. There's good outlet shopping, good food, lots of outdoor stuff, lots to do.

Im going to teach Elelmentary probably 4th or 5th grade i been doing alot of hours in inner city schools. How are the schools and teaching in Utah? I obviously want to be a season ticket holder and be closer to the Jazz but also fell in love with the mountains so close to the city over there. I didnt even get to see the top beauty of Utah. If i did i may not have come home. I

Ive heard Utah is the fastest growing state is that true?

[HammerDunk]

Our teachers aren't paid the best, but not quite the worst. It might be pretty hard to get a job right now teaching, I'm not sure.

I've heard Utah is the fastest growing state as well, not sure though. I wouldn't be surprised, things seem to get more crowded every year here. I kinda wish people quit coming here lol. Though, you're more than welcome.

[RIJazzMan]

Thanks again everyone.

Gojazz where in Rhode Island are you from?

[Nate505]

There are a couple of hotels really close to the ESA. The Radisson downtown is literally right across the street, and the bar has 2 dollar beers on game night. You can probably find a deal online if you keep your eyes peeled. It's also 2 blocks from the big out door mall, a block and a half from temple square, and close to a bunch of good restaurants. It might be a little more pricey than some places though. There is a Howard Johnson really close too that would be a lot cheaper. Just keep your eyes out for places downtown, they are all pretty much going to be with in walking distance of the game.

I've stayed at that HoJo a few times going out to see Jazz games. It's a decent little motel for the price, and especially the location (literally a block away). The Crown Burger across the street is decent too.

[gojazzmjsucks]

Thanks again everyone.

Gojazz where in Rhode Island are you from?

Im from Lincoln Rhode Island

[RIJazzMan]

Thanks again everyone.

Gojazz where in Rhode Island are you from?

Im from Lincoln Rhode Island

Wow. That's crazy. I actually work in Lincoln, at lincoln mall. I'm from Burrillville.

[gojazzmjsucks]

Well if you ever see a customized swingman #12 Jazz jersey that says Andrew on the back thats me. My title of the only Jazz fan on the east coast in gone.However i think there are alot of them in NY because when i went to the Garden a couple of years ago I sat with a whole row of them! Good to have a fellow Jazz man in town.