10 Landmarks in Salt Lake City, Utah, You Have to See

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Salt Lake City sits at the bottom of a valley surrounded by the Wasatch Mountains and is a unique destination to visit. If you're planning a trip to the Crossroads of the West, there are several landmarks in Salt Lake City, Utah, you shouldn't miss seeing.

From the fascinating Natural History Museum of Utah to the stunning St. Mark's Cathedral and the beautiful Antelope Island, there's a landmark to appeal to all visitors. To discover 10 can't-miss sites in SLC, keep reading!

Heading to Salt Lake City and planning last-minute?

Before traveling to Salt Lake City, book your entrance tickets and tours ahead of time. See the short list of top suggestions below.

☂️ Top tours and experiences in Salt Lake City

• Great Salt Lake Wildlife & Sunset Experience (rated highly)
• Private Half-Day Tour to Bonneville Salt Flats (rated highly)
• Four-Day Small Group Tour - Yellowstone & Tetons Camping From Salt Lake City (rated highly)
• Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour (very popular)
• Salt Lake Ghosts & Hauntings Tour by US Ghost Adventures

10 Salt Lake City, Utah, Landmarks

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Natural History Museum of Utah

If discovering how Utah got its remarkable landscape interests you, this top attraction is a must-visit. The Natural History Museum of Utah features exhibits on paleontological discoveries and displays a plethora of mined gems and minerals.

You can also marvel at a range of preserved artifacts and read narratives from Utah's former and current indigenous peoples. A visit to this landmark would not be complete without enjoying the breathtaking views from the museum's observation deck.

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St Mark's Cathedral

While the city is known for its large Mormon population, you can find some other religious buildings in Salt Lake City, like St Mark's Cathedral. This beautiful Presbyterian church welcomes all faiths and is a must-visit for those who appreciate religious architecture.

Richard Upjohn designed the church in a Gothic Revival style, and it has been a place of worship since 1871. The church was rebuilt in 1935 after a fire; however, the current design mirrors the original style almost identically.

This landmark is definitely one of the must-see historical sites in Salt Lake City, Utah, and was notably added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

Temple Square

A well-known fact about Utah is that the state is home to a large Mormon population, with many arriving during a mass migration in 1847. Today, Salt Lake City is a headquarters for the religion, with the most important Mormon buildings in the city found in Temple Square.

Temple Square is located within the South Temple historic district and is one of the most visited areas in downtown Salt Lake City. During your visit to the area, you'll be amazed by the square's centerpiece, the Salt Lake Utah Temple. Other landmarks here include the Salt Lake Tabernacle, Assembly Hall, and a visitor center.

☂️ Visit Temple Square with an experience

• Salt Lake City Guided Bus Tour (a hit among most)

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Salt Lake Tabernacle

The Salt Lake Tabernacle is one of many buildings in the city owned by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This vast religious building in Temple Square is one of the few Mormon buildings open to those outside the faith, so visiting can't be missed.

The Tabernacle is notably home to the renowned Tabernacle Choir (formerly called the Mormon Tabernacle Choir), whose performances are accompanied by the awe-inspiring 11,623-pipe organ, one of the largest in the world.

☂️ Explore the Salt Lake City Tabernacle on a tour

• Tabernacle Choir Performance Salt Lake City Bus Tour

Red Butte Garden

The University of Utah is home to Red Butte Garden, a state arboretum that is one of the largest botanical gardens in the Intermountain West. The landmark is split into themed sections, including a herb garden, a rose garden, and a children's garden.

If you're planning a visit, the best time to go is in the spring, when the over 500,000 blooming bulbs will be a feast for your eyes. You can also attend events here, including art exhibitions and bird-watching walks. There's even an outdoor concert series during the summer.

This is the Place Heritage Park

In 1847, an altitude-sickness-suffering pioneer named Brigham Young looked over the dizzyingly high Salt Lake Valley and declared, "This is the right place. Drive on." This event is how This is the Place Heritage Park was born.

Today, the landmark isn't just a place of historical significance but is also home to many family-friendly attractions. Things to do include hiking or horseback riding, learning about the area's history at the Pioneer Center, and riding a historic replica train.

Utah State Capitol

One of the most important monuments in Salt Lake City is the Utah State Capitol. It has served as the meeting place for Utah's lawmakers and senators for over a century, having opened in 1916.

When at the Utah State Capitol, you can take advantage of the guided tours, which are offered Monday through Friday. Whether you're interested in political history or just enjoy visiting renowned landmarks, a visit to the State Capitol has to be on your SLC to-do list.

Big Cottonwood Canyon

Located about 30 minutes outside of central Salt Lake City, Big Cottonwood Canyon is a can't-miss natural landmark for those that love the outdoors. Visitors can hike trails that offer breathtaking views and take you through forests and past beautiful lakes.

There are many roads around the canyon as well if you want to go for a scenic drive. The area is also home to two full-service ski resorts, Solitude and Brighton, which are open all year.

Antelope Island State Park

If you're an outdoorsy person planning a holiday in Salt Lake City, Antelope Island State Park is one of the famous Utah landmarks you'll want to check out. The park is a 1-hour drive north-west from Salt Lake City.

Accessed by a 7.2-mile causeway, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake won't disappoint! Activities to enjoy include horse riding, mountain biking, and hiking on over 25 miles of trails, with a trail for all activity levels.

In addition, you'll see an array of wildlife spread over the 28,000-acre island, from bison and bighorn sheep to various bird species. You could also take a guided tour of the on-site Fielding Garr Historic Ranch House, located on the southeastern portion of Antelope Island.

Wheeler Historic Farm

Spanning 75 acres, the Wheeler Historic Farm is a working farm and revenue-generating museum that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976. It's one of the few remaining late 19th-century farmsteads in the area and dates to 1898.

Families especially love this attraction, which features open spaces with picnic facilities and a well-equipped playground. Adults and children alike can also enjoy wagon rides pulled by cows. Before you leave, don't forget to do some shopping at the Rosebud Country Store!

In Summary

This list of Salt Lake City points of interest is just the tip of the iceberg! While there are many landmarks and attractions to see in Utah's state capital, the 10 mentioned here can't be missed.

Whether your interest lies in exploring historical sites, visiting natural landmarks, or discovering top family-friendly attractions, there is something for everyone in The Crossroads of the West.

This article was edited by Alli Sewell.

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