Explore the Iconic Landmarks of Salt Lake City

Salt Lake Temple

The Salt Lake Temple serves as the heart of Salt Lake City, with city addresses based on their distance from Temple Square. This landmark was constructed over 40 years, from 1853 to 1893, covering 253,000 square feet, making it the largest temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The temple walls, ranging from five to nine feet in thickness, consist of quartz monzonite similar to granite, sourced from Little Cottonwood Canyon, located 20 miles southeast of Salt Lake City. Interestingly, the quartz was initially transported by oxen before transitioning to rail transport.

During the Utah War, the temple’s foundation was hidden, causing it to be misidentified as a plowed field. Temple Square garners about five million visitors annually, rendering it the most visited site in Utah and the 16th most visited in the United States.

Salt Lake Tabernacle

Adjacent to the temple is the Salt Lake Tabernacle, which inspires the renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The Tabernacle features a distinctive turtle-back roof supported by innovative lattice timber trusses created by bridge engineer Henry Grow.

Though constructed in a different era, its design appears contemporarily functional. Inaugurated in 1867, the Tabernacle was completely finished by 1875. Regularly, free public events at the Tabernacle encompass daily tours, choir rehearsals, and “Music and the Spoken Word” broadcasts. During the summer months, choral gatherings migrate to the Conference Center for daily organ recitals.

Salt Lake Assembly Hall

On the southwest corner of Temple Square stands the Salt Lake Assembly Hall, designed in a Gothic style, featuring stunning stained-glass windows. Built by the Latter-Day Saints from 1877 to 1882, this exquisite structure utilized leftover materials from the temple’s construction.

With a seating capacity of approximately 1,400, the Assembly Hall also contains a 3,489-pipe organ. There are numerous free music events hosted at the Assembly Hall annually, while during the festive Christmas season, visitors can enjoy one of Salt Lake City’s most enchanting light displays.

Latter-Day Saints Conference Center

The Latter-Day Saints Conference Center, completed in 2000, is situated directly north of Temple Square. This impressive venue encompasses a 21,000-seat auditorium and a remarkable 7,667-pipe organ, featuring no visible support beams.

Moreover, it has a 900-seat proscenium-style theater and provides 1,300 parking spaces split across four levels beneath the building. One of its most notable features is its four-acre roof garden, which includes alpine meadows, trees, fountains, and a waterfall.

Twice a year, the Conference Center hosts the Latter-Day Saint General Conference, while musical and artistic performances are held at its theater throughout the year. Visitors can enjoy free guided tours daily, including roof gardens.

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building, previously known as the Hotel Utah, was completed in 1911. Once known as the most luxurious hotel in Utah, it closed in 1987 and reopened in 1993 as a meeting venue and visitor center.

This building serves as a popular site for weddings and social gatherings, featuring public amenities such as the Legacy Theater, FamilySearch center, and three dining establishments: Nauvoo Cafe, The Roof, and The Garden.

Utah State Capitol

Constructed between 1912 and 1916, the Utah State Capitol is built using granite sourced from the nearby Little Cottonwood Canyon. Its stunning dome is adorned with copper from Utah, complemented by 52 Corinthian-style columns.

The capitol grounds are beautifully landscaped, featuring expansive lawns, trees, gardens, and statues. Surrounding historic buildings include the Salt Lake City Council Hall, the White Memorial Chapel, and the Pioneer Memorial Building.

Cathedral of the Madeleine

The Cathedral of the Madeleine in Salt Lake City was constructed between 1900 and 1909 and underwent renovations culminating in its rededication in 1993. Beyond standard Roman Catholic services, the cathedral also hosts choirs, organ recitals, and various cultural events, including a very popular Christmas midnight mass.

Kearns Mansion

Once among the most desirable neighborhoods in the city, South Temple is lined with elegant mansions, including the Kearns Mansion located at 603 E. South Temple. Originally built in 1902 for mining magnate Thomas Kearns, this mansion currently serves as the official residence of Utah’s Governor. Visitors can enjoy tours of the mansion during June, July, August, and December, facilitated by the Utah Heritage Foundation.

Salt Lake City and County Building

Over the years, the ten-acre area now known as Washington Square has held various names, including Emigration Square and Eighth Ward Square, finally being designated Washington Square in 1865. It is now home to the historic Salt Lake City and County Building.

The architectural style of the City & County Building, recognized as Richardson Romanesque, is characterized by its sturdy stone structure, deep window recesses, spacious door openings, and multiple bands of windows.

Renowned architect Henry Hobson Richardson, who designed the Salt Lake City and County Building, is celebrated as one of the greatest architects of his era. This building is a pivotal representation of the Richardson Romanesque style in Utah and is included in the National Register of Historic Places.

The Utah Heritage Foundation offers complimentary tours of this magnificent City and County Building from June through August.

Salt Lake City’s Main Library

Salt Lake City’s Main Library, designed by the internationally recognized architect Moshe Safdie, exemplifies the philosophy that a library transcends mere books and computers; it should inspire and reflect the city’s dreams and aspirations.

Opened in February 2003, this impressive structure spans 240,000 square feet, doubling the capacity of its predecessor, now designated as the Leonardo Science and Technology Museum.

The building features art displays, an auditorium, interactive children’s play areas, and retail shops located on the ground level. Library Square seamlessly connects the library with the Salt Lake City and County Building and The Leonardo, featuring beautiful fountains, gardens, and sculptures.

Natural History Museum of Utah

The Natural History Museum of Utah is located in the striking Rio Tinto Center, nestled on terraces that follow the contours of the Wasatch foothills, east of the University of Utah. It shares proximity with the Bonneville Shoreline Trail, a well-known destination for hiking and mountain biking.

This architecturally impressive structure is adorned with 42,000 square feet of standing seam copper sourced from the Kennecott Utah Copper’s Bingham Canyon Mine. The copper has been installed in horizontal bands of varied heights to depict the rock layers commonly seen throughout Utah.