Olympic Snowflake Fountain at The Gateway, Salt Lake City
by Noelle on 09/09/08 at 5:40 pm
I know, I know, summer is just about over, but we couldn’t resist one last visit to Olympic Legacy Plaza at The Gateway in Salt Lake City for a final splash in the “dancing waters” of the Olympic Snowflake Fountain. Also known simply as the Gateway Fountain to locals, it’s become something of a free, mini water park, and on most summer days you’ll find kids of all ages running through the fountains while adults lounge with frozen lemonades from a nearby vendor.
The fountain was created for the 2002 Winter Olympics, so you’ll notice the Olympic snowflake pattern on the plaza floor. Overlooked by a stories-high clock tower, the fountains are controlled in a series of patterns and, every 30 to 60 minutes, choreographed to shoot about twenty feet in the air to inspirational music such as America the Beautiful. The presentation happens throughout the year, so even if it’s too cold to go in the fountains it’s an entertaining, enjoyable and reflective moment.
If you can bring dad along to keep an eye on the kids, you can browse a number of upscale shops (I always find a reason to slip away!) in this open-air shopping mall. The Gateway is home to some of my favorite stores, a huge Barnes and Noble, and there are tons of fantastic restaurants, too. I recommend an afternoon at The Gateway just about any time of year.
Notes:
–Be sure to bring towels and a change of clothes. We always bring a bathing suit and a swim diaper for our preschooler, just in case. The fountain is chlorinated and voluntarily tested for bacteria.
–Keep a close eye on little ones. The plaza floor can get slippery when wet, and it can get very crowded.
