Attagirl! Women’s History & Highlights
Celebrating more than 100 years of women's suffrage.
In 2020, the United States celebrated the 100th anniversary of the 19th amendment, which forbade gender-based voting discrimination in the United States. In Utah, we also celebrated another important anniversary — 150 years since the first woman to vote in the country cast her ballot in Salt Lake City. This is perfect timing to consider how you might honor the past and current struggles and achievements of women, including Utah’s notable women’s history.
According to Better Days 2020, a Salt Lake City-based group working to popularize women’s history in the state, Salt Lake City has more standing suffrage sites than Seneca Falls, New York — home of the Women’s Rights National Historical Park.
This itinerary is perfect for a girls’ trip, a solo-adventure or a family vacation focused on educational experiences. It pairs history and time for reflection with active adventure, beautiful scenery and Instagrammable locations.
Salt Lake City: Home of the First Vote
8 Miles
Spend the day in Salt Lake City educating yourself on the history of women’s suffrage efforts in Utah and across the country. In Salt Lake City, a 23 year-old school teacher named Seraph Young cast the first vote by a woman under an equal suffrage law in the United States. In Salt Lake City, you can visit the building where this historic vote took place, and an abundance of additional historical sites, as well as exhibits, performances and community events, which have been planned to celebrate these important voting rights anniversaries. Enhance your journey with local women-owned businesses and restaurants. (Check out the Utah Women-Owned Business Directory for a listing of women-owned businesses.)
Overnight in Salt Lake City at a hotel or Airbnb.
Arches National Park: Steeped in Story
240 Miles
After your time in Salt Lake City, you’ll have gleaned some new insights and thoughts on the powerful women who came before you, and the difference-makers still at work today. Now it’s time to take to the outdoors where Utah’s wild lands will help you resolve or refocus what’s important to you. Setting out towards Moab, find a friend, an adventure guide or go it alone on hiking trails, rivers and scenic byways. (Read: "The Best Time to Visit Moab")
Overnight in Devils Garden Campground or in Moab at a hotel, Airbnb or glamping location.
Around Moab: Chasing Thelma and Louise
150 Miles
Explore the lesser-visited gems outside of the Moab-area national parks. This is a great day to book a guided excursion such as a mountain biking adventure or a river rafting trip on the Green River (Read: Bridesmaids Gone Boating). For views that rival the Grand Canyon and excellent mountain bike trails, stop at Dead Horse Point State Park. Also, make a point to experience Moab's Main Street, which features great local restaurants, artisan shops, bookstores and outfitters.
In the evening, get on the road to Capitol Reef National Park and overnight in Torrey or try glamping at Capitol Reef Resort.
Capitol Reef: Cider Cheers and Glamping
20 Miles
Capitol Reef National Park splashes color for a hundred miles from its northern to southern boundaries. Though Capitol Reef has some stunning backcountry, this quick trip stays closer to the main roads. Explore rock art petroglyphs in the midst of Capitol Reef's red rocks that tell the story of the early indigenous people, the Fremont culture. After a day exploring, return to town to try out one of the newest woman-owned businesses in Utah, Etta Place Hard Cider.
Overnight at hotel or Airbnb in Torrey or glamp at Capitol Reef Resort for a charming Instagram shot.
Heritage Highways 89: In the Path of Frontierswomen
215 Miles
After several days of outdoor exploration, this day invites you to connect with the historical and current inhabitants of a couple small Utah towns. Before leaving Capitol Reef National Park, venture in and experience the remnants of early pioneer homesteading in Fruita, and read up about the lives of Capitol Reef’s early female residents. Afterwards, take the scenic route back to Salt Lake City along Utah’s Heritage Highway 89. In Sanpete Valley you can stop in Ephraim to see the historic buildings Utah artists once fought to preserve (Read: Gleaning a Small Town’s Harvest) and eat lunch at a one-of-a-kind sister-owned eatery in Spring City, Das Cafe.
Overnight in Sanpete Valley (try The Osborne Inn in Spring City) or continue on to Salt Lake City.
