Downtown SLC is a shithole, but as I've told my kids, the worst part of Utah isn't anything compared to the worst parts of Vegas, LA, etc.

I used to like Vegas, but its just really...dirty now, they don't even bother to keep up the appearances really anymore.

If I was taking my kids, I would take them to SLC before Vegas assuming the shows are the same.

Down town salt lake is not my favorite place but in chicago i lived off MLK. SLC is stil nice comparatively. I hate vegas

I've attended concerts in both arenas. Hands down, MGM Garden is better. I saw Iron Maiden and AC/DC there in the last several years. It's right on the strip. There are people everywhere. I had next to zero concern about my safety, both in getting to the concert and getting out and back to my car.

The Viv Arena (which is a stupid name) is generally okay from a safety standpoint, but a few blocks to the west, it becomes very sketchy. Now that's sketchy by Utah standards. There's nowhere in the Salt Lake Valley that's anywhere close to a bad part of Chicago or St. Louis. People from those cities laugh at what we Utahns consider a bad neighborhood.

That said, the acoustics in the Viv suck. A lot. I've seen 12-15 concerts there over the years and it's rare that the sound is very good.

If you end up in SLC, feel free to give us a shout. I'm sure a few Utah ARF members would be glad to have a meetup.

This, for sure.