When it comes to rankings and ratings, Salt Lake tops the list in a number of categories, from the 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. 

Utah #1 State for Business in 2016 (July 2016, MSN Money)

Utah ranks #1 for Best State Economy in 2016 (June 2016, WalletHub

SLC #1 'Best City to Start a Career' (May 2016, WalletHub

SLC 8th Fittest City in America (May 2016, Huffington Post

Salt Lake ranks #1 for life expectancy (April 2016, Livability.com

SLC Int'l ranks #2 in traveler satisfaction (April 2016, Salt Lake Tribune

SLC Most Pampered in the U.S. (March 2016, Smart Meetings

SLC Top 100 Best Places to Live (October 2015, Livability.com)

SLC #2 Best City for Creatives (July 2015, Huffington Post

SLC a Top 10 City for Active Families (May 2015, Outside Magazine

SLC #2 Friendliest City (April 2015, Thrillist

SLC #5 Best Downtown in U.S. (March 2015, Livability.com

SLC Best City to Live/Work Remotely for Outdoor Enthusiasts (April 2015, HighspeedInternet.com)

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

SLC ranks #6 "Gayest Cities in America" (January 2013, Advocate)

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 Int'l 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)