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City Walk

9th & 9th, Liberty Park and Gilgal on Foot

A flexible Salt Lake City loop connecting an independent business district, the city’s oldest park and one singular sculpture garden.

3–4 hours with a meal and browsingSalt Lake City, Utah
A Salt Lake City street lined with buildings, traffic lights and the Wasatch Mountains beyond
Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah · Photo by Alex Moliski · Pexels License

At a glance

The route

Starting point
9th & 9th business district (900 East and 900 South)
Ending point
Return to 9th & 9th after Gilgal Sculpture Garden
Distance
About 3.5 miles, depending on the Liberty Park loop
Driving or walking time
75–90 minutes of walking
Recommended total time
3–4 hours with a meal and browsing
Best season or time
Late morning through early evening; spring and fall are especially comfortable
Difficulty / effort
Easy urban walk on sidewalks and park paths
Overall vibe
Local storefronts, mature trees, public art and room to change your mind

Three primary stops

Give the day three anchors.

  1. 9th & 9th

    Begin around 900 East and 900 South. Browse first, then choose one place to eat rather than trying to turn every storefront into a checkpoint.

  2. Liberty Park

    Walk west to Salt Lake City’s oldest and second-largest park. The city lists park hours as 5 a.m.–11 p.m.; the Rotary Playground remains under construction into summer 2026.

  3. Gilgal Sculpture Garden

    Continue north to the small public garden at 749 East 500 South, home to twelve original sculptures and more than seventy engraved stones.

Before you go

Practical considerations

  • Street parking varies by block. Read posted signs and avoid treating residential driveways or private lots as neighborhood parking.
  • Use marked crossings on 700 East, 900 East and 900 South; these are active city streets, not a pedestrian promenade.
  • Salt Lake City sponsors bus routes 1, 2, 9 and 21 as part of its Frequent Service Network; confirm the current UTA trip plan before leaving.
  • Business hours change often, so choose a meal stop on the day rather than building the route around an unverified opening time.

Optional detour

Add the Out of the Blue whale sculpture at the 1100 East roundabout, then decide whether the extra blocks improve the walk or merely make it longer.

Worth knowing

This route works because it is adjustable. One good shop, a park bench and a long lunch can be the entire afternoon; Gilgal is there when the day wants one more chapter.

Sources and verification

Check again before leaving.

Travel details change. This guide was last checked on . Open the official sources below for same-day conditions, fees and access.