Sandy Utah (often called Sandy City) is a suburban city located only thirteen miles south of the state's capital of Salt Lake City in the heart of the Wasatch Mountains. Sandy City was named by Brigham Young in 1873 because of its "thirsty" soil. Farmers tried their luck on the thirsty soil, but when silver was discovered in the surrounding hills, the settlement boomed. Eventually, the silver lodes failed as they did throughout most of the West, but the farming had paid off, and the town transitioned into an agricultural center.

If you've come for great skiing, Sandy Utah provides easy access to some of the best ski areas in the United States, including Alta and Snowbird as well as several others—all of which are within 45 miles. These areas are found to the west of the city within Wasatch State Park and farther west to Park City. The road to Snowbird and Alta runs from the center of Sandy and through Little Cottonwood Canyon. Snowbird is only seventeen miles from the center of the city. If the Sandy Utah hotels aren't for you, you might consider on of several resort accommodations at Snowbird. This area is not just for winter skiing. There is excellent rock climbing and hiking here, as well as fishing and camping.

Points of Interest in Sandy Utah include the Salt Lake County Fairgrounds, where the County Fair is held over a week in mid-August. There are a number of golf courses, and a Salt Lake City day trip offering even more options is a simple and convenient excursion from here. Right in the city is lovely Dimple Dell Nature Park, with 644 acres of hiking, horseback riding, and cycling trails.

Utah Map

Some of the pioneers who settled here survived the Black Hawk War that lasted from 1865 to 1872, one of the longest and bloodiest in western history. One of these survivors was William D. Kuhre who was an early mayor of Sandy. One of the Sandy Utah hotels is a beautiful Victorian mansion that was Kuhre's home. This is the 1887 Hansen House located at 8586 South Center Street (150 East). It has been meticulously restored and features uniquely elegant rooms and suites, and a delicious gourmet breakfast is included.

Most of the Sandy Utah hotels actually in the city are located along Interstate 15 that runs north and south just to the east of the city center and along Highway 215 that runs east and west a bit to the north between Sandy Utah and Salt Lake City. There are a number to choose from, and they make excellent places to stay that are a bit more economical than the hotels in Salt Lake City. Many of these hotels are excellent and reliable franchise names in a variety of budgets and standards. Many of these are clustered around the South Towne Center and Marketplace, major shopping center with more than 150 stores and a number of dining options.