Temple Square Construction Due to ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple through 2026, access to Temple Square may be limited. Learn more

A Walking Tour of Temple Square

Written By Brooke Hannel

An aerial view of religious buildings with spires illuminated at night.

Temple Square | Scott Jarvie

Temple Square is among the top attractions for visitors to Utah. It is the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormons). Encompassing a 35-acre property in the heart of Salt Lake City, the square surrounds the impressive Salt Lake Temple. From 19th-century architecture to beautifully cultivated gardens, Temple Square provides a sacred place of worship for Latter-day Saints while also being a popular visitor destination. Though some attractions are closed for renovations that will be completed in 2026, this guide will help you navigate your next visit –– whether you want to learn more about Utah’s history or are just seeking a scenic walk.

Conference Center

Begin your visit at the Conference Center, the main arrival point for visitors and the venue for the semiannual General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This building attracts tourists worldwide and is a major highlight, especially for those attending General Conference or Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra performances. While you’re there, enjoy a free tour of the building which includes a statue of Jesus Christ and various art pieces. Plus, head over to the observation deck on the third floor to catch a unique view of the Salt Lake Temple.

Grounds and Gardens

Want a breath of fresh air? The gardens at Temple Square will deliver just that. Home to up to 250 flower beds, 165,000 bedding plants and over 750 varieties of plants from more than 100 countries around the globe, the gardens are a visual treat. Take your own self-guided tour around the gardens to view the beautiful flowers, reflecting pool, the Temple and statues visualizing Jesus Christ’s life and history of the Church. You’ll be sure to fill your camera roll with just a short stroll.

FamilySearch Library

It might surprise visitors to learn that Temple Square is home to one of the largest genealogy libraries in the world — and it’s free of charge and open to the public. FamilySearch Library’s public collection includes over 1.3 million rolls of microfilmed genealogical records and 340,000 books, serials and more. Plus, the library houses the names of more than 8 billion deceased people from more than 100 countries. Even if you’re not looking into your own family history, the library offers services to digitize family treasures, recording booths to preserve memories, genealogy classes, indexing workshops and a space to entertain kids.

Church History Museum

Visitors to the Church History Museum can explore a rich collection of art and historical artifacts, tracing the Latter-day Saint faith and experience from the early 19th century to the present. Featuring both permanent and temporary exhibits, there’s always something new to discover. The best part? Admission is free, so you can take it all in at your own leisure. Plus, the museum offers hands-on educational experiences for children of all ages to enjoy.

Church History Library

The Church History Library mainly serves as a preservation site and research center for historical journals, manuscripts, photographs, audio and video recordings and more. Admission is free, and access to the library’s reading room and materials are available by appointment. The library provides the public with access to an assortment of collections for individual and academic research, and you can also view digitized items online. If you’re not in the mood for personal research, the library also hosts an ongoing exhibit called Foundations of Faith, showcasing priceless records from the Church’s history.

Salt Lake Tabernacle

Feeling musical? Head over to the Salt Lake Tabernacle, home to the renowned Tabernacle Choir. The Tabernacle was completed in 1867 and was designed for large gatherings and events. It also is home to an 11,623-pipe organ. Organ recitals are held daily at noon, so make sure you catch a performance on your next visit. (Read: Temple Square: The Geographical and Musical Heart of Salt Lake)

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Originally built in 1911 as the world-class Hotel Utah, this building was later reopened in 1993 as an office and meeting space, providing room for event hosting and dining options, and is now the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Currently, it features statues and art of Church founder Joseph Smith. The building is currently undergoing renovations and not open to the public, but visitors can still appreciate the early 20th century architecture from the outside.

Relief Society Building

Built in 1956, the Relief Society Building is the headquarters for the three organizations of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: The Primary (for children), the Young Women and the Relief Society (for adult women), each directed by women leaders. The building's design was partly based on the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C. — plus, the exterior features wheat stalks as a symbol of preparedness and plenty. It’s currently closed to in-person visitors, but make sure to admire the exterior.

Brigham Young Historic Park

This open-lawn park and historical landmark is located directly east of Temple Square. It represents a portion of land once owned by the family of Brigham Young, the second president of the Church and the first governor of the Utah Territory. You can take a stroll through the park to view statues that memorialize key Latter-day Saints from the 1840s. Plus, the park leads to a popular walking route up through historic homes and to Memory Grove Park, near the Utah State Capitol. Wear your walking shoes for this one.

The Lion House

The Lion House was the family home of Brigham Young. This three-story building was constructed in 1856 and features a statue of a large stone lion at the entrance. The home had 26 bedrooms, accommodating 55 wives and 56 children. The Young Women organization was created in this home, and it also functioned as a classroom for the nearby LDS University during the early 20th century before being turned into an event venue in the 1960s. It is currently closed for renovations, but make sure to snap a picture of the stone lion before you head off.

The Beehive House

The Beehive House is a three-story historical home that housed three presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Brigham Young and Lorenzo Snow. It was built to accommodate Brigham Young’s plural marriages and many children. After the passing of Joseph F. Smith, the house was operated by the Young Women organization and became a boarding home for women living in Salt Lake City for work or education until 1950. It was then restored and opened to the public as a historic museum in 1961, though it is currently closed for renovation.

Deuel Cabin

Deuel Cabin is the oldest building on the greater Temple Square campus. It was a log home built by settlers in 1847 and is one of just two surviving homes built by Latter-day Saint pioneers. If you’re feeling nostalgic for a simpler time, you may want to admire the log work of Deuel Cabin. Typically you can go inside for a closer look –– however, it is currently closed for renovations.

Brigham Young Family Cemetery

If you’re looking to honor Brigham Young or the pioneers who lost their lives on the long trek from Nauvoo, Illinois, to Salt Lake City, head over to the Brigham Young Family Cemetery. The burial sites of Brigham Young, his wives and his children can be found here. Plus, the park features a statue that honors the 6,000 Latter-day Saint pioneers who passed while crossing the Western Plains of the United States to reach Utah.

Pavilions

Though still being built, these two ground-level pavilions will be where the South Visitors Center previously stood on Temple Square. These pavilions will offer direct and unobstructed views of the Salt Lake Temple, connected by a large, underground hall with new exhibits and experiences. Hopefully, construction will be fully built by your next visit.

Whether you’re wanting a beautiful view or to learn more about Salt Lake City’s Latter-day Saints history, Temple Square is the place to be. Make sure to stop by when you’re out and about in Salt Lake City, and come back when the temple will reopen for tours during a public open house from April to October 2027.

About the Author – Brooke Hannel

Brooke Hannel graduated from Utah Valley University in 2021 with a degree in journalism. Since then, she has worked as a freelance writer. Brooke is a Utah local whose work has been published in Teen Vogue, Refinery29 and SLUG Magazine. When she is not writing, you can find her reading outside or playing with her dog.

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