Salt Lake City
Salt Lake City's magic lies not in its skyline, but its backdrops. The Great Salt Lake and Wasatch Mountains are more than pretty pictures, however. Rich outdoors experiences await within minutes of downtown, from a quiet stroll up City Creek Canyon to a peaceful cruise on the Great Salt Lake. The weather usually cooperates with these pursuits—although the city's average 60 inches of snow may often dictate how you spend your winter days. Even on the hottest summer day, you can find a shady canyon with a stream passing through.
Salt Lake City is a gateway to the excellent ski resorts strung along the Wasatch Range. There are also a handful of top-shelf golf courses. In town you can readily bicycle or jog along the wide streets and through the many parks.