Things to see in Salt Lake City
Attractions
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
Proving that it’s not all mountains and Mormons, Salt Lake City has gained a reputation in recent years as a flourishing artistic centre. The Utah Museum Of Fine Arts, housed in a specially designed building on the University of Utah campus, hosts a wealth of world-class exhibitions alongside a permanent collection of over 17,000 objects from across the globe. Displays include Greek and Egyptian antiquities, works from the Italian Renaissance, lithography and photography from 20th century America and primitive art objects from Asia and South America. As well as over 20 separate galleries, the museum houses a café, bookshop, education centre and a fine sculpture garden.
Address: 410 Campus Center Drive, Marcia and John Price Museum Building, University of Utah,Telephone: (801) 581 7332.
Opening times:
Tues-Fri 1000-1700, Wed 1000-2000, Sat-Sun 1100-1700.
Website: http://www.umfa.utah.eduAdmission Fees:
Yes.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Mormon Temple
Towering above Temple Square, the Mormon Temple is one of the most striking sights of Salt Lake City. The tallest of its six spires reaches 64m (210ft) and is topped by a statue of the Angel Moroni leafed in gold. Construction began in 1853, and the temple took 40 years to complete. The enormous blocks of granite used in its construction were hauled here by oxen from a local quarry in Big Cottonwood Canyon. The foundation walls are 4.8m (16ft) thick and 4.8m (16ft) deep. The temple’s interior is closed to the public and is only accessible to practising Mormons during religious ceremonies.
Address: , Temple Square, Salt Lake City,Telephone: 1 801 240 2534.
Opening times: Website:
Admission Fees:
No (Mormons only).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Mormon Tabernacle
Salt Lake City's most famous building is one of the most fascinating structures in the United States. Construction began on the oval tabernacle, designed by Brigham Young himself, in 1863 and the crowning glory is the massive domed roof rising 20m (65ft) high and self-supporting, so there are no pillars to block the congregation's views. It still ranks among the largest timber-roof frames in the world. Equally impressive is the tabernacle's simple, unadorned interior and its superb acoustics. The building is home to the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir and a stunning 11,000-pipe organ, both of which can be heard during regular free recitals. The choir sings here every Sunday and holds a practice each Thursday evening that’s open to the public at no charge.
Address: , Temple Square, Salt Lake City,Telephone: 1 801 240 2534.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-2100.
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Temple Square
Surrounded by high white walls, the 14 hectare (35 acres) site where the Mormon settlers established their first Utah community is the heart and soul of Salt Lake City. It contains the Tabernacle and Temple, the Assembly Hall, where there are free weekend concerts, and two visitor centres, both of which contain displays and presentations on the Mormon faith. The square contains several memorials and statues, such as the Handcart Monument and the Seagull Monument. Mormon guides offer visitors free 45-minute tours of the sites, starting every few minutes at the flagpole.
Address: , Temple Square, Salt Lake City, ,Telephone: 1 800 537 9703.
Opening times:
Daily 0900-2100.
Website: http://www.visittemplesquare.comAdmission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Clark Planetarium
The Clark Planetarium is one of the most impressive digital dome planetariums in the USA, and shows include cutting edge 3D content on a variety of topics centred around astronomy and space exploration. As well as the 16.8m (55ft) dome of the planetarium, the facility also includes Utah’s only 3D IMAX theatre, screening regular features on science and nature.
Address: , 110 South 400 West (Gateway Mall), Salt Lake City,Telephone: (801) 456 7827/STAR.
Opening times:
Mon-Thurs 1100-2100, Fri-Sat 1100–midnight, Sun 1100-2000.
Website: http://www.clarkplanetarium.orgAdmission Fees:
No (except for films and shows).
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Utah State Capitol
Another of Salt Lake’s finest landmarks, the State Capitol building, built in 1915 is one of the finest examples of the Renaissance Revival style in the country. Perched high on a hill overlooking the city, its stately walls of Utah granite are framed with Corinthian columns and topped by a gleaming copper dome. The interior rotunda is lined with Georgian marble and paintings illustrating Utah history. A two-year renovation project, including adding earthquake-proof foundations, has recently been completed and free guided tours are available hourly between Mon-Fri 0900-1600.
Address: northern end of State Street, Capitol Hill, Salt Lake City,Telephone: (801) 538 1800.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0800-2000, Sat-Sun 0800-1800.
Website: http://www.utahstatecapitol.utah.gov/Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Marmalade Hill Historic District
A triangle of historic homes, built by settlers in the late 19th century, this picturesque district lies west of the State Capitol. The district and many of its streets are named for the fruit-bearing trees planted by the early settlers here. The area is distinguished by its steep narrow and angular streets lined with charming early period properties in an eclectic variety of styles.No specific houses are open to the public but the area makes for a pleasant and evocative stroll.
Address: 500 North Street (north), Bounded by 300 North Street (south), Center Street (west) and Quince Street (east),Telephone: (801) 533 0858.
Opening times: Website: http://www.utah.com/culture/marmalade_district.htm
Admission Fees: Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
'This is The Place' Heritage Park
This park commemorates the place where the first Mormon pioneers ended their 2,080km (1,300-mile) trek across America. It is named after This Is the Place Monument, erected in 1947 to commemorate the centennial of Brigham Young's decision to settle there. The park contains Heritage Village, a recreation of a pioneer village from the mid 19th century, with reconstructed general store, bank and other buildings and actors in period costume demonstrating ways of life from the pioneer era. Brigham Young's original farmhouse, renovated with period furnishings, is also situated here.
Address: , 2601 East Sunnyside Avenue at 800 South, Salt Lake City,Telephone: (801) 582 1847.
Opening times: Website: http://www.thisistheplace.org
Admission Fees:
No (charge for the Heritage Village)
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Family History Library
If you’re curious about the chance of some settler roots in your own family then pay a visit to this fascinating and unique library, owned by the Mormon Church, and containing the largest collection of genealogical information in the world. Archived here are several million rolls of microfilmed records holding over 3 billion names from all around the world, and hundreds of thousands of historical documents. Most records date from the mid-16th century to 1930. Free classes are offered on genealogical research, and volunteers at the library help researchers decipher documents collected from all over the world. Access to all genealogical documents is offered free, and visitors are instructed on how to research their own family tree.
Address: , 35 North West Temple, Salt Lake City,Telephone: (801) 240 2584 or 1 800 346 6044.
Opening times: Website: http://www.familysearch.org
Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: YesUNESCO: No
Beehive House
The first Mormons called their land ‘Deseret', which means ‘honeybee'. It’s a symbol of industriousness that survives here to this day - the beehive is still Utah's state emblem. Meanwhile, the Beehive House was built in 1854 as the home of LDS leader and territorial governor, Brigham Young. This simple, white house, with its smart green shutters and long verandas, was then the finest in the city. Meticulously restored with period furnishings, artefacts and antiques, it houses a small museum concerning Young's life. The ornate reception room is the highlight of the free guided tours that run every 10 minutes. As Young had over 50 wives and many children, the Lion House next door was built in 1855 to provide additional space for his growing family.
Address: , 67 East South Temple, Salt Lake City,Telephone: (801) 240 2671.
Opening times:
Daily 0930-2030.
Website:Admission Fees:
No.
Disabled Access: NoUNESCO: No
Tourist Offices
Salt Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau
Address: , 90 South West Temple, Salt Lake City,Telephone: (801) 534 4900.
Opening times:
Mon-Fri 0900-1800, Sat and Sun 0900-1700.
Website: http://www.visitsaltlake.comOther visitor information centres are located at the Salt Lake City airport (open daily 0900-2100) and Council Hall, 300 North State Street (open Mon-Fri 0800-1700, Sat-Sun 1000-1700).
Tourist passes
The Connect Pass provides free entry to 12 attractions and is valid for one, two, three five or seven days. The Ski Salt Lake Super Pass, sold through hotels, provides two to six days of skiing to any of Salt Lake's four closest resorts (Alta, Brighton, Snowbird and Solitude) including roundtrip transport from Salt Lake City. The Silver Pass gives skiers four-to-seven-day passes to ski The Canyons, Park City and Deer Valley resorts. QuickSTART offers a free lift ticket with presentation of a same-day airline boarding pass on any of the above three Park City ski resorts.
