Utah has picked up several tourism-relevant developments, including its first MICHELIN Guide selections, a rare public opening of Salt Lake Temple, the final phase of a new international airport, and a new state history museum.
Utah restaurants recognised in inaugural MICHELIN Guide
The MICHELIN Guide has released its first American Southwest selections, covering Utah alongside Arizona, Nevada and New Mexico. South Salt Lake’s Monte, chef Martín Babio’s tasting-menu restaurant inside Beehive Distillery, received the only MICHELIN Star awarded in the four-state region outside Las Vegas. Bib Gourmand honours went to Feldman’s Deli and One More Noodle House, while Phở 777, Koyoté and Star of India in Salt Lake earned MICHELIN Recommended status, alongside Park City restaurants Handle, Matilda and The Nelson Cottage by High West.
Salt Lake Temple opens to public for first time since 1890s
Tickets are now available for a public open house at Salt Lake Temple, the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, running from 5 April to 1 October 2027 following a multi-year seismic renovation. The temple has not been open to the public since the 1890s and is expected to draw daily crowds exceeding 20,000 visitors before it is rededicated and sealed. Free walking tours of the temple and surrounding Temple Square buildings will run Monday to Saturday from 9am to 9pm, and Sunday from 12pm to 8pm, though all visitors require a ticket, available on a first-come, first-served basis.
New SLC Airport completes final phase, new museum opens
Utah’s New SLC Airport will open its fourth and final construction phase on 27 October 2026, adding four gates, six concessions and a new art installation by Gordon Huether. The airport has welcomed four new airlines since construction began in 2014, and has been recognised among the Best Airports in North America, Most Enjoyable Airport in North America, and Cleanest Airport in North America by the 2025 ASQ Customer Experience Awards.
The Museum of Utah has also opened at the State Capitol in Salt Lake City, free to the public, displaying more than 900 objects spanning the state’s history, including items from Back to the Future III, filmed partly in Utah, and the Duesenberg Special race car that set a land speed record on the Bonneville Salt Flats in 1940.
For agents building Utah and American Southwest itineraries, the combination of new dining recognition, a rare temple opening, expanded airport capacity and a new cultural attraction gives advisors several fresh reasons to position Salt Lake City and Park City for clients over the coming year.
