Mysteriously, Utah usually isn't at the top of anybody's list of dream destinations. It may even be one of the most underrated places in the United States. There are plenty of reasons for this state to be considered special, so give this list a read before you make any major moving decisions.

The Landscape

For starters, the landscape and ecology of Utah is one of a kind. Certain areas even make you feel like you are on another planet. There are no less than 5 national parks to honor this beauty, and many more smaller parks. Not to mention the Great Salt Lake, which is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere and a remnant of a prehistoric pluvial lake. The area this lake used to cover turned into an expanse of hard, white salty crust called the Bonneville salt flats. There are a huge amount of jurassic-era fossils located in this state and lots of ancient rock art to look at. Utah is also host to something called the "Trembling Giant", which is the world's heaviest organism- a sprawling quaking aspen tree.

The Arts

When you're not looking at the breathtaking views, there are plenty of cultural utah events to keep you busy. You may have heard of the internationally famous Sundance Film Festival- one of the most influential film festivals in the world. Get up close and personal with the latest shorts and feature lengths before they come out, while also hearing from the cast and crew. In addition to film, the music scene in the capital Salt Lake City and the nearby Park City is huge, and supported by the arts council. There is a famous park downtown that has served as a venue for big names such as Sonic Youth and MGMT. There's also a lot of talent that has originated from Utah, like Imagine Dragons and The Used.

The Community

Utah is one of the most diverse and inclusive communities you could be a part of. One of the ways this is expressed is through the event of one of the world's biggest Holi festivals- the Indian festival of spring. Every year you can find people from every walk of life celebrating this colorful holiday together at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple in Utah County. There is also a huge LGBTQIA community in Salt Lake City, which has been voted the gayest city in past years, where some of the first anti-discrimination legislation in the US has been passed. The state is also committed to ending homelessness with compassion, by providing a home and a social worker to anyone who needs one, instead of jailing or criminalizing those without a place to stay. After hearing all this you may not be surprised that Utah is also one of the most civically engaged states in the country.

The Sports

The wild and open landscape of Utah lends itself to prime outdoor sporting opportunities. There's plenty of opportunities for hiking with the long list of parks available. You can find some of the best mountain biking in the world in this state, often with views of the national parks. It is also home to the only warm water scuba spot in the continental US. During the winter, you'll find that this region almost always has the perfect snow powder consistency for winter sports due to its location- the storms coming in from the Pacific lose just the right amount of moisture by the time they reach the ski slopes of Utah. If that doesn't motivate you, the only ski-in/ski-out distillery is in the Utah mountains. It is also the home of salt flat car racing, where land speed records are often broken.

There's something for everyone in Utah, and plenty you might not have known you would be looking for. It is a unique and welcoming place with an otherworldly atmosphere. Why not give it a try before everyone else finds out about it? Don't forget to bring your hiking boots.