Draper Area Draper, UT

The land on which Draper sits was occupied by Native American tribes until the mid-1800s, when European settlers began to arrive in the valley. In 1849, a pioneer named Ebeneezer Brown moved into Draper and eventually convinced other families to join him. The settlers used the open land for grazing and farming. As Salt Lake City grew into a large Mormon settlement, more families moved south to Draper and the surrounding communities.

Today, Draper's pioneer history comes to life at the Sorenson Home and the Draper Historical Society Museum. The city's burgeoning arts scene entertains residents, with the majority of the action focused on the Draper Historic Theatre, the Draper Amphitheater and the Odyssey Dance Theatre. Locals come out to participate in a range of city events each year, including the Arts and Crafts Festival, Draper Days and an extensive Earth Day celebration.

The restaurant scene in Draper gravitates toward casual, family-friendly eateries that serve inexpensive or mid-priced meals. Local establishments serve food from a variety of cuisines, with a heavy focus on Asian, Mexican, Italian and American. The blocks north of E 12300 S house most of the city's restaurants.

Locals can't get enough of the French pastries at Bake 360. Pretend you're dining in Paris with a coffee and a pain au chocolat, or sit down to a hearty meal of brioche French toast and a Brie sandwich. At Thai-Land Restaurant, the vegetarian panang curry and the pumpkin curry keep residents coming back for more. Don't be put off by the strip mall location, as the authentic Thai dishes and excellent lunch specials make up for the surroundings.

For a fun family dinner, watch the chef prepare pizza dough for the traditional brick oven at Oak Wood Fire Kitchen. Dig into a classic white pizza or opt for the gourmet duck pizza. You could also forgo pizza entirely in favor of the roasted chicken and double-cooked French fries. The restaurant's family-friendly atmosphere attracts parents with children, and the cozy ambiance makes an ideal setting for a late dinner date.

With its conservative culture, nightlife in Draper tends to be quiet and alcohol-free. Residents who want a wild night out usually head north to the bars and clubs in Sugarhouse or downtown Salt Lake City. If you'd prefer not to make the drive, join the locals at Donkey Tails Cantina. The bar hosts weekly karaoke nights and attracts an eclectic but friendly crowd. At Pins and Ales, sip a Pumpkin Pie cocktail or a bottle of beer while you work on your bowling game. For a more low-key evening, check out an Off the Wall Comedy Improv show, as the group usually performs at the Draper Historic Theatre. For live music, check out the lineup at Leatherheads Sports Bar & Grill, a casual restaurant with a large stage.

Given Draper's hilly and widespread layout, most residents use cars for day-to-day errands. The streets in town do not support walking, and the city has a walk score of just 18. While some streets have bike lanes, many locals opt to ride on the city's extensive trail system.

Bus lines 811, F514 and F546 run through the center of town, providing convenient connections to points north and south. The Blue Line TRAX light rail also stops in Draper, enabling residents to commute into Salt Lake City without a car. Taxis don't make regular rounds in Draper, so you'll need to call ahead to schedule a ride. Alternatively, use the Uber app to book and pay for a driver through its ride-share service.

Residents of Draper take advantage of plentiful free parking on the street and around local businesses. If you need to get into Salt Lake City or Provo, Interstate 15 lies just a short drive from any point in town.

Draper features more than 35 parks, each available for residents to use free of charge. Local parents frequent the playgrounds at Amber Crest Mini Park, Bellevue Neighborhood Park and Draper City Park. At Corner Canyon Park, you can hike up into the mountains and enjoy far-reaching views of the valley. Sports fans love Galena Hills Park, which features a baseball diamond, basketball courts, horse shoe pits, volleyball courts and an expansive grassy area. For an off-leash area, bring your dog to the Sandy Dog Park on 9980 S.

Fitness buffs in Draper make use of the city's extensive trail system, which covers more than 88 miles. Whether you want to go for a hike or a high-speed mountain bike ride, Draper has a trail to suit. Make a strenuous 2.5-mile loop on the Eagle Crest Trail, or opt for the gentler Ghost Falls Trail.

Many of Draper's parks host annual events for residents and visitors. At Draper City Park, local families flock to the annual Candy Cane Hunt, while the Draper Amphitheater park presents a regular series of concerts throughout the year.

Life in Draper's scenic hills doesn't come cheap, and the city's cost of living sits considerably higher than the Salt Lake City average. High housing prices account for the majority of the cost differential. The average rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment in Draper costs approximately $844.

Daily costs in Draper tend to be similar to those in the rest of the Salt Lake metro area. Beers in local bars and restaurants usually go for $5 or less, and a one-way bus or light rail ride into Salt Lake City costs $2.50. The neighborhood gas average hovers about 10 percent higher than the national average.

Draper residents enjoy a variety of shopping options, from local specialty stores to national chains, such as Kohl's and IKEA. Retail options generally fall into the mid-price range, but for high-end designer stores, head to City Creek in downtown Salt Lake City. Most of Draper's stores gather near Highway 89 and along E 12300 S.

If you're planning to take advantage of Utah's excellent road and trail biking opportunities, stop by Canyon Bikes, where the friendly and experienced staff can help you find the best bike for your budget. The shop also offers bike repairs and tune-ups. At Lotus, shoppers can browse through a dizzying selection of crystals, incense and a variety of Buddhist products. The owner brings in new stock on a regular basis, ensuring that there's always something new on the shelves.

Gardeners in Draper get their plants and landscaping supplies at Cactus & Tropicals on Draper Gate Drive. From indoor potted plants to flowering bushes, the store has the perfect option for anyone with a green thumb. Don't hesitate to ask the friendly staff members for advice.

A variety of grocery stores serve the Draper area. Local favorites include Smith's, Fresh Market and Albertson's. The Utah-owned Harmons attracts shoppers with its extensive cheese section, fresh salad bar and beautiful layout. The store prides itself on its friendly staff and customer-focused business model. At Whole Foods, customers love the wide range of organic products, gluten-free foods and prepared meals. For locally grown produce, check out the nearby South Jordan Towne Center Farmers Market, which features products grown and made by Utah vendors.