Temple Square is the most visited spot in Utah and the center, quite literally, of Salt Lake City: every address in the city is measured outward from the corner of the Temple block. Pioneer leaders chose the site within days of arriving in 1847, and the Salt Lake Temple, which took 40 years to build, is its centerpiece, a granite building with six spires and a gilded statue of the angel Moroni on its tallest. The temple is open only to members of the church, but the grounds around it are open to everyone, and they are one of the most beautiful and best-kept urban spaces in the country. What you can do here is considerable. Stroll the gardens, which are planted in tulips in spring, roses and annuals in summer and chrysanthemums in fall; see the domed Tabernacle with its extraordinary acoustics; visit the Assembly Hall, a Gothic Revival building from the 1880s that hosts free concerts; walk through the visitors' centers, which have exhibits on the history and beliefs of the church; and linger by the reflecting pools and fountains that make the square pleasant even on a hot afternoon. There is no admission charge, and the missionaries who staff the buildings are courteous and glad to talk, but there is no pressure to do so.
The Tabernacle is the building most visitors remember. Completed in 1867, its elliptical roof spans 150 feet without interior supports, held up by lattice arches made of timber and fastened with wooden pegs and rawhide, and its acoustics are so refined that the sound of a pin dropped at the front can be heard at the back. Free organ recitals are given on a regular schedule, and the Tabernacle Choir, which takes its name from the building, has its home here. The great organ has more than 11,000 pipes and is a draw in itself.
Seasonal rhythms shape the visit. Spring brings the tulip displays, which are among the best in the West, and the general conference weekends in April and October bring enormous crowds to the neighborhood. Summer evenings are warm and long and the grounds are a pleasant place to cool off. In winter, the square becomes one of the most beautiful places in the country as hundreds of thousands of lights are strung through the trees from late November, usually lasting into early January, and the surrounding blocks fill with evening strollers.
The Salt Lake Temple has seen extended renovation work, so parts of the block can have construction fencing or altered views; check what applies before you plan photographs.
Practical sense
Dress respectfully, as you would for a place of worship; shorts and tank tops are not forbidden but many visitors choose longer layers. Guided tours of the grounds are free and offered in many languages. The square connects to City Creek Center, a downtown shopping and dining district with a retractable roof and a creek running through it, as well as to the Church History Museum and the Family History Library, both free and well worth a visit for anyone interested in genealogy or Utah's past.
Pair the square with a bus or trolley tour that includes the choir, then stay for dinner downtown, when the lights on the spires are at their best.
What to expect
The experience
A free, self-guided walk through the landscaped 10-acre block, with the Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, visitors' centers and gardens open to all.
Best time
Spring tulips, long summer evenings, and the winter lights from late November; mornings are quietest.
How long
One to two hours, longer with a guided tour or an organ recital.
Tips
Dress respectfully, check for construction fencing, and visit at dusk in the holiday season.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Every first-time visitor; it costs nothing and anchors your sense of the city.
- Families
- Open spaces and fountains suit kids; the organ recital keeps older children engaged.
- Couples
- A quiet garden stroll at sunset, especially under the winter lights.
- Pair with
- The Tabernacle Choir tour, City Creek Center and the Utah State Capitol.
- Time needed
- An hour or two.
Good questions
Is Temple Square free?+
Yes. There is no admission charge for the grounds, the Tabernacle, the Assembly Hall or the visitors' centers.
Can non-members go inside the temple?+
No. The Salt Lake Temple is open only to members of the church, but everything else on the square is open to all.
When are the Christmas lights on?+
Typically from late November through early January, with the best displays after dark.
Is there a dress code?+
No formal code for visitors, but modest, comfortable clothing is appreciated at a place of worship.
Is there a tour?+
Yes, free guided tours of the grounds are offered regularly by volunteers, in many languages.