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Haven’t seen these two mountain/desert western cities compared recently. Some would say they’re on opposite ends of the spectrum. Overall which would you prefer in 2022?
Some criteria to consider
1. Downtown
2. Things to do
3. Walk ability
4. Architecture
5. Climate.
6. QOL
7. Suburbs
1. Downtown: Salt Lake City. I mean, the next one is going to Vegas, but as far as actual, functional downtown, SLC has much more of one than Vegas does, the way I'd define it. Yes, I do know Downtown Vegas is separate from the Strip, also.
2. Things to do: Las Vegas. I mean, not that Salt Lake City is lacking, but Vegas is a global capital for varied entertainment options in city.
3. Walkability: Salt Lake City feels more walkable overall.
4. Architecture: Salt Lake City, while not the most character filled place, is far more character filled in varied building stock than Las Vegas is, even if Las Vegas does have some interesting/bizarre faux architecture structures.
5. Climate: Salt Lake City. Not quite as consistently intensely hot.
6. QOL: Salt Lake City. Just seems like a more livable place with more overall economic options for it's populace that aren't service oriented.
7. Suburbs: I'd say both have some decent and pleasant suburban areas.
1. Downtown: Salt Lake City. I mean, the next one is going to Vegas, but as far as actual, functional downtown, SLC has much more of one than Vegas does, the way I'd define it. Yes, I do know Downtown Vegas is separate from the Strip, also.
2. Things to do: Las Vegas. I mean, not that Salt Lake City is lacking, but Vegas is a global capital for varied entertainment options in city.
3. Walkability: Salt Lake City feels more walkable overall.
4. Architecture: Salt Lake City, while not the most character filled place, is far more character filled in varied building stock than Las Vegas is, even if Las Vegas does have some interesting/bizarre faux architecture structures.
5. Climate: Salt Lake City. Not quite as consistently intensely hot.
6. QOL: Salt Lake City. Just seems like a more livable place with more overall economic options for it's populace that aren't service oriented.
7. Suburbs: I'd say both have some decent and pleasant suburban areas.
I always did like that historically for 4), Vegas did have a lot of neon signs. There still are a good bit in this city, including some historical ones that were placed on a north to south street slightly south of downtown Vegas, and also ones that work that were reinstalled at the Neon Museum of Las Vegas.
There still are a lot of them, even though sadly it seems slowly the city has fewer of them now than they used to. A few neon signs still are standing, but no longer turn on. Such as on Fremont Street east of downtown, like for example if you walk towards the Atomic Liquors bar and lounge.
I hadn't visited SLC, but it wouldn't surprise me if in some categories, that city did beat Las Vegas. It'll be interesting to see posts from those, who have actually visited both cities. I have done a limited bit of google street viewing of SLC, but not as much as I'd like to do down the road.
1. Downtown: Salt Lake City beats Las Vegas here pretty easily. Downtown Vegas leaves much to be desired, unfortunately.
2. Things to do: Vegas wins here, easily
3. Walk ability: Neither city is great here, but the Strip is decently walkable, but it's just so hot during the prime summer months, that it is miserable. Going with SLC barely here.
4. Architecture: Prefer the sleek looks in downtown SLC, as well as the beautiful mormon temples
5. Climate: Salt Lake City. Vegas summers are crazy long, super hot
6. QOL: I'd say Salt Lake City is better overall. Less hot, more temperate, and less tourist focused
7. Suburbs: Vegas probably has better overall
Salt Lake City is the better option of the two cities.
I always did like that historically for 4), Vegas did have a lot of neon signs. There still are a good bit in this city, including some historical ones that were placed on a north to south street slightly south of downtown Vegas, and also ones that work that were reinstalled at the Neon Museum of Las Vegas.
There still are a lot of them, even though sadly it seems slowly the city has fewer of them now than they used to. A few neon signs still are standing, but no longer turn on. Such as on Fremont Street east of downtown, like for example if you walk towards the Atomic Liquors bar and lounge.
I hadn't visited SLC, but it wouldn't surprise me if in some categories, that city did beat Las Vegas. It'll be interesting to see posts from those, who have actually visited both cities. I have done a limited bit of google street viewing of SLC, but not as much as I'd like to do down the road.
I do want to see Downtown Las Vegas better. I have to admit, that, and other historical aspects of the city (old school casinos, origins as a Mormon trading post by a springs/oasis, and historic Boulder City, for instance, are points of interest to be sure.
Architecturally, the hotel architecture on The Strip is impressive to say the least. In fact, the 12 largest hotels in the US by number of rooms are in Las Vegas, and they also have 12 of the 19 largest hotels in the WORLD by number of rooms, including #2 (Venetian) and #3 (MGM Grand) on that list.
I do agree that it's a shame that a lot of those neon lights in Vegas aren't on as much. There is a neon museum. If we are specifically talking history, though I think the category was architecture, Vegas area might win, esp. since we are talking industrial and environmental history (Colorado River and water usage, at which Vegas is actually shockingly efficient): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U1TkIdDbRA
Plus Area 51, Missile Testing Sites, Mob History, and the Hoover Dam and Ivanpah Solar Facility.
Here are some of my favorite buildings from SLC personally speaking. I was there for 2 days last summer and also Park City for a day. My last visit to Las Vegas was January 2010.
New:
1. Salt Lake City Public Library (done by Moshie Safdie, Habitat 67, Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore lore)
2. City Creek Center Mall (don't know of too many malls out there that have a retractable roof-it also embeds fairly well into the existing urban street grid.)
3. LDS Conference Center There are pictures within this page, but honestly, the specifications are more impressive to read about since not being there, pictures don't do the mind blowing 21,000 seat auditorium there justice.
Old: Well, I decided to upload those, so you'll see them above. I still haven't quite figured out how to put full pictures of my own in my description area without having them be gone in 30 days or not show up altogether. I'm particularly fond of my action shot of Union Station, though you'll also see some old and new action in the photo with a bit of the library exterior in the foreground, and the stately City and County Building in the background. I'd say, esp considering SLC is not in the midwest or northeast, it punches quite a bit above its weight for civic architecture and architecture in general. I didn't have any good photos of the actual temple because of heavy construction on it, though.
I do want to see Downtown Las Vegas better. I have to admit, that, and other historical aspects of the city (old school casinos, origins as a Mormon trading post by a springs/oasis, and historic Boulder City, for instance, are points of interest to be sure.
Architecturally, the hotel architecture on The Strip is impressive to say the least. In fact, the 12 largest hotels in the US by number of rooms are in Las Vegas, and they also have 12 of the 19 largest hotels in the WORLD by number of rooms, including #2 (Venetian) and #3 (MGM Grand) on that list.
I do agree that it's a shame that a lot of those neon lights in Vegas aren't on as much. There is a neon museum. If we are specifically talking history, though I think the category was architecture, Vegas area might win, esp. since we are talking industrial and environmental history (Colorado River and water usage, at which Vegas is actually shockingly efficient): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4U1TkIdDbRA
Plus Area 51, Missile Testing Sites, Mob History, and the Hoover Dam and Ivanpah Solar Facility.
Here are some of my favorite buildings from SLC personally speaking. I was there for 2 days last summer and also Park City for a day. My last visit to Las Vegas was January 2010.
New:
1. Salt Lake City Public Library (done by Moshie Safdie, Habitat 67, Changi Airport and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore lore)
2. City Creek Center Mall (don't know of too many malls out there that have a retractable roof-it also embeds fairly well into the existing urban street grid.)
3. LDS Conference Center There are pictures within this page, but honestly, the specifications are more impressive to read about since not being there, pictures don't do the mind blowing 21,000 seat auditorium there justice.
Old: Well, I decided to upload those, so you'll see them above. I still haven't quite figured out how to put full pictures of my own in my description area without having them be gone in 30 days or not show up altogether. I'm particularly fond of my action shot of Union Station, though you'll also see some old and new action in the photo with a bit of the library exterior in the foreground, and the stately City and County Building in the background. I'd say, esp considering SLC is not in the midwest or northeast, it punches quite a bit above its weight for civic architecture and architecture in general. I didn't have any good photos of the actual temple because of heavy construction on it, though.
Yeah for all the flack Vegas gets about running out of water. They actually are really good at managing it.
1. Downtown: Salt Lake City. I mean, the next one is going to Vegas, but as far as actual, functional downtown, SLC has much more of one than Vegas does, the way I'd define it. Yes, I do know Downtown Vegas is separate from the Strip, also.
2. Things to do: Las Vegas. I mean, not that Salt Lake City is lacking, but Vegas is a global capital for varied entertainment options in city.
3. Walkability: Salt Lake City feels more walkable overall.
4. Architecture: Salt Lake City, while not the most character filled place, is far more character filled in varied building stock than Las Vegas is, even if Las Vegas does have some interesting/bizarre faux architecture structures.
5. Climate: Salt Lake City. Not quite as consistently intensely hot.
6. QOL: Salt Lake City. Just seems like a more livable place with more overall economic options for it's populace that aren't service oriented.
7. Suburbs: I'd say both have some decent and pleasant suburban areas.
Agree, although COL has changed recently for both cities so not that sure anymore.
Up until this summer I would've given Salt Lake City the nod, but it's no longer a bargain, the Great Salt Lake drying up poses a potential ecological disaster, and they've had nearly a month of 100° plus days. Neither would be in my top 50.
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