West Valley City Travel Guide — Best Time, Things to Do & Where to Stay

Why West Valley City

West Valley City is a major inner suburb situated in the northwest portion of Utah's Salt Lake Valley, within Salt Lake County. Positioned directly south of Salt Lake City, it is bounded by the Jordan River to the east and overlooked by the Oquirrh Mountains to the west. Bordered also by South Salt Lake, Magna, Taylorsville, and Kearns Township, it stands as the second-most populous municipality in the state, spanning an area of roughly 35.5 square miles.

Indigenous Ute and Shoshoni bands were the region's earliest known residents. Euro-American settlers associated with the Latter-day Saints arrived in the valley in 1847, establishing agricultural settlements west of the Jordan River. Welsh pioneers established Granger in 1849, developing farming supported by irrigation, while Hunter was settled in 1876 with a focus on fruit orchards. Rapid growth in the 1970s led to the formal merger and incorporation of Granger, Hunter, Chesterfield, and Redwood into West Valley City in 1980. The city later gained international prominence as an official hosting venue for men's and women's ice hockey during the 2002 Olympic Winter Games.

Each area of West Valley City offers distinct architectural character and commercial hubs. The eastern neighborhoods of Chesterfield, Redwood, and East Granger feature 1960s and 1970s brick ranch homes, alongside the Westshire neighborhood, famous for its Mid-Century Modern residences designed by architect Ron Molen. The central sector contains business parks like Lakepark alongside Highbury, a walkable planned development built around a prominent pond and casual eateries. Modern suburban developments dominate the western neighborhoods of West Hunter, Woodhaven, and Oquirrh.

Visitors can access numerous recreational, entertainment, and cultural destinations across the city. Prominent venues include the Maverik Center, home to the Salt Lake City Stars, and the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre, also known as the USANA Amphitheatre. Cultural and leisure sites include the Utah Cultural Celebration Center, West Valley Performing Arts Center, Valley Fair Mall, The Drive-in, Rocky Mountain Raceways, and both the Stonebridge and Ridge golf courses. The downtown core surrounds Fairbourne Station, a gathering plaza featuring civic headquarters, hotels, and entertainment.

Travelers can reach and navigate West Valley City via major regional roadways, including Interstate 215, State Route 201, Bangerter Highway, and the Mountain View Corridor. Public transportation is managed by the Utah Transit Authority, with the West Valley Central intermodal hub linking passengers to the TRAX Green Line light rail, the 3500 South MAX, and the Midvalley Express bus rapid transit lines.