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On our way to visit the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art, I noticed that the Capitol Theater’s Marquee was lit up, and well, last time we were by I mentioned I hoped to see that again, so, today is the day! It is only about a block and a half away so, I figured it was worth the quick walk to go see it!
Quick Details:
Length: We did about 3 blocks, or 6/10ths of a mile out and back. But can also just drive up and see.
Trail Type: Get out and see.
Difficulty: With some wandering its paved and easy DR2. Can be a DR1: Get out and see.
Elevation Gain: NA
Restroom: Not unless you have a ticket.
Dogs? Dogs are allowed on city sidewalks.
Other Info: It's free to see the outside, but shows cost money.
To Get Here:
Take i15 to 600 South heading east. Turn left on West Temple. Go about 4 blocks and find parking.
50 W 200 S.
The Adventure:
Visit Salt Lake next door to the south of UMOCA. I have no idea what it’s fate may be with Ryan Smiths redevelopment plan.
The Walker Center Tower forecasting clear skies.
The Salt Palace.
Again.
You Are Here street art. Again, I wonder what will become of it.
The Salt Palace again, from the other side of West Temple.
111 Main on the left. Currently our 5th Tallest building in Downtown Salt Lake City. The Astra Tower at middle right (currently the tallest building in SLC). And the US Bank tower on the right (#28).
Rocky Mountain Plaza.
“Jessie Eccles Quinney Ballet Center Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre Rocky Mountain Power Bioswale.
What is a Bioswale?
A bioswale aides in the removal of pollutants created from storm water runoff. Each time it rains, excess rainwater runs across different surfaces as it flows toward the storm drain. While traveling across surfaces such as parking lots, rooftops, and landscaped areas the storm water picks up different pollutants, such as oils, fertilizers and other chemicals. Most likely, the pollutants get deposited in our natural bodies of water including streams, rivers, lakes and bays. Bioswales are installed to capture and treat storm water to remove any pollutants and also increase groundwater recharge by holding water and allowing percolation to pass through the soil.
How Does a Bioswale Work?
Bioswales are made up of plant material, mulch and engineered soils to remove pollutants. As the storm water flows through the bioswale, wood mulch traps heavy metal pollutants, oil and grease. The rainwater infiltrates through a special soil mix of a sandy soil layer that removes other pollutants such as nitrogen and phosphorous. Plant root absorption also helps in capturing ad storing pollutants that can be carried in the storm water flow.
What are the Benefits of a Bioswale?
- Treat water quality using soil, vegetation and microbes
- Reduce total volume of storm water runoff
- Increase infiltration of groundwater recharge
- Can be aesthetically pleasing in the landscape, provide animal habitat and improve biodiversity”
Neat. Very similar to the 900 South Constructed Wetlands but I guess not exactly the same.
The bioswale again.
The Capitol Theatre marquee all lit up! I loves it.
Closer.
Inside.
Again. We might have hit it during intermission.
I saw Phantom of the Opera here many, many years ago, before the Eccles Theater opened and pretty much all of the Broadway plays moved over there. But one of these days I would like to see a show here again. Now they do mostly Ballet and Opera.
The marquee again.
From the front. Neat!
We decided to cross the road to get a better view of the building.
It is quite a beautiful building!
The marquee again.
The Walker Center Tower. Sorry, I really just love the LED (previously NEON) weather tower! The Astra Tower behind it which is showing red, I suppose that means bad air quality. Oh, no red is alarming, purple is bad. Source: This KSL Article (outside link).
Again.
Well, about here we started to feel the need for some supper. We just passed a couple options, but were still being a little wishy washy about what we wanted…
The Theatre again.
Fun statues.
The Hyatt Regency.
The US Bank tower, Walker Center Tower, and Astra Tower.
The Hyatt again.
Eventually we decided we would just do Blue Iguana again. It’s right here, we don’t have to fight downtown parking again, and they are really good anyway.
Inside the Capitol Theatre again. Intermission must be over. I should have gone around to the front again, but oh well.
The little alley leading next to it that leads to Blue Iguana.
Basement entrance.
Landis had his standard enchiladas, I had a a combination plate. Both were great! Last time I had the vegetarian plate and I really enjoyed that as well. I am not vegetarian, but you know, sometimes I just feel like a good veggie dish.
Unfortunately, deciding to have dinner here let us out right when an event at Abravanel Hall (and possibly a few other things) let out. So, we got stuck in a bit of traffic. Oi.
The Salt Palace and the You Are Here art piece (PSP).
Well I'll be (PSP) There is a little bodega in Salt Lake! I think this is somewhat new... isn't this where the naughty video store used to be?...
Okay, playing on Google maps, it is new. It was a fast break from last year back to 2019.
And a Phillips 66 from 2018 back to 2007, as far back as the map goes. I don't remember the last time I saw the video store.. so I might be misremembering.
Well, with a little sleuthing around the internet I found Bob's Magazine and Video. I remember the awning! I confirmed it moved to 1207 State Street (but did not confirm this was the original spot, but I am pretty sure it was. Also, they are now permanently closed. It is now a pizza joint. I never did get a chance to visit either location haha. Also, it was not strictly adult, but they did have a back room.
I checked with a couple friends and they all remember it being on State Street so... I must just be remembering it wrong. If you happen to remember what used to be here please let me know. It is the corner of 400 South and 300 West.
Anyway, random rabbit hole aside...
That was a fun little add on adventure! I do love randomly exploring around downtown. And I loved seeing The Capitol Theatre all lit up like that. It is a very pretty building.
