Salt Lake City may be the capital of Utah, but locals value the area for its beautiful valley and distinctively rich history. Once inhabited by the Shoshone, Ute, and Paiute Indians, Salt Lake City was eventually settled by a unique group of Mormon pioneers, led by their prophet Brigham Young, who had fled persecution in search of religious freedom. Years later, the city has become the headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and home to the Salt Lake Temple, which is constructed on Temple Square and iconically the center of the city. Historic sites are within walking distance, where residents can easily visit the Tabernacle, home of the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and the Family History Library, which is the world’s largest genealogical library and free to the public. The distinct architectural styles of the Salt Lake City main library, the Utah State Capitol Building, and the Roman Cathedral of the Madeleine boast gorgeous views, marble floors, and unique design that make any native proud. The city abounds with family-friendly venues like This Is The Place Heritage Park, which recreates the typical 19th century pioneer experience, Hogle Zoo, and Liberty Park with over 100 acres of wild birds, aviaries, and an enchanting island lake. The diverse community hosts cultural events, musical concerts, the Days of ’47 Parade, and the Utah Pride Festival celebrating the gay community. The Greek Festival is a must-see weekend event filled with cultural music, Cathedral tours, community dance, and delicious cuisine. Patrons of all walks of life will find their niche with events like the Utah Arts Festival and Sundance Film Festival where celebrities, movie buffs, musicians, and artists congregate by the thousands. Clark Planetarium, the Discovery Gateway, and Lagoon Amusment Park are only a few of the welcoming parks for fun that will keep the whole family entertained for any weekend out. In recent years, the city hosted the international Salt Lake City Marathon, Real Madrid for cyclists, and the 2002 Winter Olympics. The Olympic flame burns at Rice-Eccles Stadium at the University of Utah, the center of college life in the city. Salt Lake City maintains the Olympic Cauldron Park and Olympic Legacy Plaza where visitors are enthralled by the dancing fountain set to music. The city celebrates its Olympic history with the Utah Olympic Park with access to Olympic ski jumps, bobsleigh, luge, and skeleton runs. Looking to relax and get out of the house? World-class ski and summer resorts like Part City Mountain Resort, Deer Valley, and Snowbird are in your backyard, serving relaxation any time of the year. Major shopping centers like Trolley Sqaure and the Gateway District offer a variety of restaurants and boutiques situated quaintly on cobblestone streets in atmosphere friendly to walkers and drivers both. Salt Lake City with a wealth of culture and history is enough to make any resident proud of their community.