Salt Lake: Best of the Best

When it comes to rankings and ratings, Salt Lake tops the list in a number of categories, from quality of life to accessibility, business growth to outdoor recreation...and more. Below is a list of some of Salt Lake's strengths according to the experts -- those who've actually visited for business or pleasure. Click the highlighted news outlets for the complete article.

SLC Int'l ranks as one of world's Top 100 airports (May 2013, Salt Lake Tribune)

Utah ranks #1 Best State for Business by Forbes (Dec 2012, Forbes Magazine)

Utah ranks #1 "Most Liveable Future State" (Aug. 31, 2012, MSN Money) 

SLC ranked #1 as "Best U.S. Hiking City" in America (May 23, 2012, National Geographic)

SLC ranked #4 in the nation for "Best Tech Jobs" (May 18, 2012, Forbes)

SLC ranked #3 "Best Cities for Jobs" (May 1, 2012, Forbes)

Utah ranks 5th "Happiest State" in the U.S. (Feb. 28, 2011, Huffington Post)

SLC named #2 in "Best U.S. Cities for Affordable Getaways" (Feb. 2012, Travel + Leisure)

SLC offers "Best City Sunrise" (Feb. 2012, AARP The Magazine)

SLC's Grand America Hotel rated #2 in 'Top 25 Luxury Hotels in the U.S.' (Jan. 2012, TripAdvisor)

SLC ranked #1 on "The Gayest Cities in America" (Jan. 2012, Advocate.com)

Alta/Snowbird #2 Top Ski Resort in the U.S. (Dec. 13, Forbes)

SLC #1 American Bargain for Skiing (Dec. 13, 2011, TripAdvisor)

Utah once again named #1 as "The Best State for Business" (Nov. 29, 2011, Forbes.com)

SLC rated #8 "Best Cities to Live Without A Car" (Nov. 7, 2011, 24/7 Wall St./msn.com)

SLC ranks #3 for "Same-Sex Couples Among Mid-Sized Cities" (Sept. 6, 2011, Salt Lake Tribune)

SLC ranks #25 in "America's Best Cities for Foodies" (Sept. 2011, Travel + Leisure)

Utah ranks #1 for highest volunteer rate in the 2011 Volunteering in America report (August 2011, Corporation for National and Community Service)

Utah ranks #1 in the state rankings for "Best Business Climate" (August 2011, Business Facilities)

SLC ranks #4 on "America's Best Cities for Young Professionals" (July 2011, Forbes)

SLC is one of the world's "15 best new cities for business" (July 2011, CNN/Fortune Magazine)

SLC is a "Top 25 Arts Destinations" (July 14, Deseret News, AmericanStyle magazine)

SLC "One of America's Top Vacation Spots" (June 15, 2011 - Travel + Leisure, via Deseret News)

SLC is 7th "Most Well-Read City in America" (May 26, 2011 - Amazon.com)

SLC is #3 in the nation for Public Transit (May 2011 - TIME Magazine)

SLC is #2 in "America's Best Burger Cities" (May 12, 2011 - Travel + Leisure)

SLC is #10 in the list of "Most Socially Networked Cities in America" (March 2011 - Men's Health)

SLC is #2 Best City for Public Transportation (February 2011 - U.S. News & World Report)

Utah is 1 of only 2 states to earn an "A" for energy policies and practices (December 17, 2010 - Deseret News)

SLC: #1 Winter/Christmas, Cleanliness and Safety (December 2010 - Travel + Leisure)

SLC: #2 Affordable Getaway and Affordable Hotels (December 2010 - Travel + Leisure)

SLC Int'l Airport third best in U.S. (Nov. 29, 2010 - Zagat.com)

Utah the No. 1 state in the country for business and growth (Oct. 14, 2010 - Forbes, ksl.com)

SLC is least stressful metro area in which to live (Sept. 9, 2010 - Marketplace & PublicRadio.org)

SLC's Salt Palace Convention Center: home to nation's largest rooftop solar installation. (Sept. 2, 2010 - ksl.com)

SLC: One of 10 most affordable mountain towns for retirement (July 2, 2010 - U.S. News & World Report)

SLC: One of 10 best cities for the next decade (June 2, 2010 - Kiplinger's Personal Finance)

Utah is "happiest state" in the Union (Nov. 10, 2009 - MSNBC)

SLC Int'l Airport has fewest delays (Oct. 18, 2009 - ABC News)

Salt Lake's Alta and Snowbird have the ‘Best Snow' (Sept. 16, 2009 - Skiing Magazine)

SLC Int'l Airport tops in on-time flights (Aug. 13, 2009 - Deseret News)

Utah tops list of America's best states in which to live (March 11, 2009 - Forbes.com)

 SLC In't Airport on top (Feb. 19, 2009 - Deseret News)

SLC is "Fittest City in the Nation" (Jan. 16, 2009 - Men's Fitness)

SLC is #1 "Best City for Women" (Jan. 16, 2009 - Women's Health)

SLC is #3 "Best City for Men" (Jan. 16, 2009 - Men's Health)