The nation's first State Arts Council was organized in Utah in 1899. Once established, theaters were built as quickly as churches. Today, Salt Lake is home to the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and boasts its own symphony, ballet, theater, opera, and modern dance companies. Salt Lake has hundreds of restaurants and brewpubs as well as dance clubs and private bars. Several downtown parks and plazas house free concerts and community festivals in summer months and ice-skating rinks during the winter.
Salt Lake is also home to professional baseball , hockey , and indoor-soccer teams.
Free concerts of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and beautifully landscaped grounds make this 10-acre block an impressive site. Other city-based attractions include the largest genealogical library in the world, Hansen Planetarium, restored pioneer homes, Hogle Zoo, galleries, and the Utah State Capitol building. Salt Lake is also a western oasis for shoppers who crave selection, quality and unusual shopping experiences. Two major indoor shopping malls sit in the heart of the city. For visitors who want something special, Salt Lake offers Trolley Square, a block of enclosed trolley barns dating back to the 19th century filled with exclusive boutiques.