Is Utah the weirdest state in the US, and why would we ask such a weird question? 

We asked because Utah Stories noticed a peculiar trend among some of the young newcomers we know who struggled to adjust, form friendships, or find a sense of belonging in Utah. In an effort to help and maybe add some humor to the situation, we turned to Instagram with a question that was as earnest as it was cheeky: “Help! I am new to Utah, where do I go to meet non-weird people?”

The post ignited a storm of comments that painted a vivid picture of Utah’s social landscape. The responses ranged from helpful to hilarious, with some diving into philosophical musings on the very nature of “weirdness.” It quickly became clear that Utah is a place with a personality all its own — quirky, vibrant, and unapologetically unique.

Finding Your People in Utah

Several commenters jumped in with actionable suggestions for meeting new people. The local music scene emerged as a recurring theme, though opinions on it varied widely. One commenter excitedly declared, “OUR LOCAL MUSIC SCENE!!!!” while another retorted, “Only broke jam bands and dubstep, it’s ass wym.”

For those who appreciate good drinks and conversation, bars and breweries were popular recommendations:

• The Green Room Bar: “If you appreciate listening to vinyl in hi-fi while consuming fine adult beverages.”
• Mountain West Cider: Accompanied by a cowboy emoji, this spot seems to have a loyal following.
• Bewilder Brewing: Recommended with the caveat, “No weirdos there.”

I might add that some great places to meet less conforming interesting people might be places like All About Coins and Ken Sanders Rare Books. 

If you want to make the stretch into the realm of truly free-spirited nerds, The Nerd Store and Oasis Games offer a place for the D&D or Pokemon kind of nerdy fun.

Neighborhoods and districts also received shoutouts. The 9th and 9th district was praised for its charm, while The Avenues and Sugar House were noted for their vibrant subcultures. Some suggested embracing the outdoors through hiking or joining photography walks organized by groups like @slc_photocommunity.

Leaning Into the Weird

While the question sought out “non-weird” people, many commenters pushed back with a playful challenge: why not embrace the weird instead? One user put it bluntly: “Maybe that’s your problem. I find it’s best to lean into meeting the weirdos. The ‘normal’ Utahn is not my vibe.” Another added, “Our weirdest people are our best people!”

The line of reasoning leads to a philosophical discussion: who is it better to be, a weirdo or a non-weirdo in Utah? If by weirdo, one means a non-conformist, misfit somewhat outcast individual, it seems that the majority of our Instagram followers believe that weird is best. But for those who might still think of the dominant religion in Utah as somewhat of a cult, making the mainstream the weird ones and the non-conformists the normal, then perhaps it’s better to be normal.

This sentiment resonated across the thread, with others chiming in: “We’re all weird here. Embrace it,” and “To survive here, find your own weird.”

The Humor That Stole the Show

Among the thoughtful suggestions were plenty of laugh-out-loud moments:

• “Lowe’s on 1300 South” — oddly specific and entirely unexpected.
• “Just hop on I-15 and punch in ‘Boise, ID’ on your GPS and keep driving until you get there.”
• “Define ‘weird’” 
• “Stay far away from Daybreak.”
• “Take a left at Albuquerque.”

One commenter offered a tongue-in-cheek survival strategy: “The best way is to just say ‘Hi’ and ask where they’re from. If they say Utah, just tell them it was nice to meet them and move on. When someone answers with any other location, more often than not, they are worth trying to make friends with.”

The Takeaway

In the end, our Instagram experiment revealed that Utah’s social scene is as diverse as its landscapes. It’s a place where “normal” might just be a matter of perspective, and the key to thriving here is finding your tribe — whether that means bonding over hikes, music, or shared quirks.

So, to anyone new to Utah who’s feeling out of place: don’t be afraid to dive into the eclectic mix. As one wise commenter said, “We only have weird in this state. Do you want fun weird or uptight weird?”

Feature Image generated by AI.