Breakfast surrounded by witches at Gardner Village Last weekend, I had a unique breakfast experience at Gardner Village, which is a charming shopping destination located in West Jordan, Utah. What made this experience truly special was the fact that I was surrounded by witches while enjoying my meal. Gardner Village is known for its witch-themed decor and activities, especially during the Halloween season. As I entered the village, I was immediately greeted by whimsical witch displays and enchanting decorations. The whole place had a magical atmosphere, making me feel like I had stepped into a fairytale. I decided to have breakfast at the charming Naborhood Bakery & Cafe, one of the popular eateries in Gardner Village.
By way of the Trax Red Line, Gardner Village is located about 40 minutes away from the University of Utah with a stop directly across the street from the shopping center. Aside from Witchfest and year-round dining and shopping, Gardner Village offers several year-long activities including painting nights, escape rooms, a duck pond and an animal rescue petting zoo with sheep, ponies and alpacas. The village will also be decorated again this coming December for the holidays.
By way of the Trax Red Line, Gardner Village is located about 40 minutes away from the University of Utah with a stop directly across the street from the shopping center. Visitors of Gardner Village flock to Witchfest from all stages of life gaggles of teenagers, parents holding their children s hands and young couples out on dates.
I decided to have breakfast at the charming Naborhood Bakery & Cafe, one of the popular eateries in Gardner Village. As I walked in, I was greeted by friendly staff dressed as witches, adding a fun and spooky touch to the dining experience. The tables were adorned with witch-themed centerpieces, and even the menu had cleverly named food items with a witchy twist.
Gardner Village- West Jordan, UT
My favorite witch that manages to run herself into the flour mill every year. I hear she was texting while flying.
Gardner Village is an outdoor shopping center of 22 boutique-style shops surrounding the historic Gardner Mill in West Jordan, UT. From mid-September through October, the place is transformed into a Witchfest where dozens of life-size, green-faced witches are on display. The kids (for 12 and under) like to participate in a free witch scavenger hunt at Gardener Village near Halloween time to help us get in the spirit. You can print a scavenger hunt form on their website or pick up a printed copy at Naborhood Bakery when you arrive. The scavenger hunt took us about an hour to complete. You can take a completed form back to the Naborhood Bakery for a chocolate chip cookie for 50-cents. Afterwards there are great places to eat, shop and so many cute photo ops set up. We saw many dress their little ones in costume or halloween outfits to take advantage of the festive photo opportunities set up around the shopping center. There are also many other events during Witchfest you can check out on their website.
Here they are pumped and ready to get this witch hunt started! here they are with their first witch find. They took this hunt very seriously! I had to keep telling them it was just for fun and wasn’t a school assignment. Asians, I tell you. We loved that we could sit right next to this one and rest our heads on her large bosoms if needed 😉 Witch pulling a pet frog! Check! This one was suspended high up in the air and the kids felt bad for her. A witch stirring a brew for you! Found it!
Almost there! He’s so serious.
Almost done! He is so serious. Witchy Poo was his favorite last year and no surprise it is his favorite this year too. Bathroom humor is never going to end in this household. We found all 15 witches and got our cookies! The kids wanted to go back to this witch to eat their cookies. I liked her too!
Tips:
This place can get very busy on the weekends during this time of year so I would try to go during the week to beat the crowds.
Print off the witch scavenger form online to save time. Bring pencils or pens.
Dress up in costumes or Halloween outfits to take advantage of all the cute photo ops set up around the shopping center.
Wear comfortable walking shoes.
Other Helpful Information:
Location: 12 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City.
1100 West 7800 South
Phone: (801) 566-8903
Parking: free. There is another parking lot across the street if they are all full.
Hours: March-December 31, Monday – Saturday, 10 am – 8 pm
January 2 – February 28, Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 6 pm, Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 7 pm
****October 2015 hours, Monday – Thursday, 10 am – 8 pm and Friday – Saturday, 10 am – 9 pm.
**** Please check their website of special exceptions for Holidays.
****Closed on Sundays.
Admission: Free
As I sat down and looked around, I couldn't help but notice other guests enthusiastically embracing the witch theme. Some were wearing witch hats and capes, while others had painted their faces with wicked designs. It was a sight to behold and added to the overall festive ambiance of the place. The breakfast itself was delicious, with a wide variety of options to choose from. Whether it was the pumpkin-spiced pancakes, the bewitching bacon, or the wickedly good waffles, there was something for everyone's tastes. The service was excellent, and the staff continued to entertain and engage with guests, truly embracing the witch theme. After finishing my meal, I took some time to explore the rest of Gardner Village. I enjoyed browsing through the charming shops, many of which had their own witch-themed displays and merchandise. The village had a lively and celebratory atmosphere, making it a delightful place to visit and explore. Overall, my breakfast surrounded by witches at Gardner Village was a memorable experience. It brought together delicious food, festive decorations, and friendly staff to create a unique and enchanting dining experience. If you ever find yourself in Utah during the Halloween season, I highly recommend visiting Gardner Village for a truly bewitching breakfast..
Reviews for "A Bewitching Breakfast: Delights at Gardner Village"
1. John - 1 star - I was extremely disappointed with the "Breakfast surrounded by witches" event at Gardner Village. The experience was far from what I expected. The food was average and the service was slow. I felt like I was being rushed through the whole event, making it difficult to truly enjoy the breakfast. Additionally, the witches' performances were lackluster and unentertaining. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this event to anyone looking for a fun and enjoyable breakfast experience.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I had high hopes for the "Breakfast surrounded by witches" event, but unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. While the venue was nicely decorated, the food options were limited and not very appetizing. The witches' performances were also disappointing, lacking the energy and creativity that I was anticipating. The event felt disorganized and chaotic, with long lines and confusion about where to go. Overall, I wouldn't attend this event again or recommend it to others.
3. Mark - 2 stars - The "Breakfast surrounded by witches" event was a letdown for me. The food quality was mediocre at best, and the service left much to be desired. The witches' performances felt forced and scripted, lacking the spontaneity and charm that I was hoping for. The event also seemed overcrowded, making it difficult to fully enjoy the experience. Overall, I was disappointed with this event and wouldn't recommend it to others.