Salt lake City
The North - Utah
Our visits: So far 5 visits in August 1994, June 1998, September 1999, October 2009 and May 2023
Utah State Capitol
Description: Designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting, the building was constructed between 1910 and 1916. In 1978, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004, the building was extensively restored and expanded. As with most capitols, there is a very nice landscaped garden and lots of statues and historic buildings around it.
For the GPS: 350 N State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103
Our rating: Whenever we are in the state capitals, we also try to visit the respective Capitol. We like the, mostly historic, buildings and have planned to have been to all 50 once. Unfortunately, we have not yet been able to visit this Capitol from the inside.
Downtown Salt Lake City
Description: Salt Lake City, the capital of Utah, was founded by Mormons in 1847. They had moved west to escape religious discrimination in the east. Today, Salt Lake City is still the center of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Fun Fact: In 2002, the city was the site of the Winter Olympics.
Our rating: We have been to Salt Lake City a few times. 2009 in November even for a few days. We perceive the city as relaxed and very quiet. If you compare it with other metropolises in the USA, it seems rather familiar and small to us. Which is definitely meant in a positive way. There are a few skyscrapers here too, but the really high skyscrapers are missing. We would stop in Salt Lake City again at any time.
Temple Square
Description: When the first Mormons founded the town here in 1847, their leader Brigham Young determined the place where the temple should be built. Several other buildings were subsequently built around the temple, and thus Temple Square came into being. The most famous building is probably the Tabernacle, home to the famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The building was built in 1867 with seating for 800 people. Another prominent building is Assembly Hall. It seats 2000 people. There are also two visitor centers on the grounds where visitors can get information. Temple Square is the most popular tourist attraction in Utah.
For the GPS: 50 N Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150
Our rating: We were very interested to have a look at this place. In the visitor center we were welcomed very friendly and we were immediately assigned a German guide, who answered all our questions. She showed us around the site and explained everything we needed to know. If you are interested in other religions, you will certainly learn a lot of interesting things about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
This is the Place Heritage Park
Description: The park is located where Brigham Young on July 24, 1847, first saw the place where the new home of the Mormons was to be built. Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints believe that Young had a vision in which he saw this place shortly after their expulsion from Nauvoo, Illinois. In 1947, on the 100th anniversary of the pioneers' arrival in the valley, the current - This Is The Place - monument was dedicated. In 1957, a group of private citizens purchased much of the land around it and donated it to the state of Utah to protect it from commercial development. In addition to the monument, there is also an interpretive museum and a visitor center in the park. When we visited at the end of May 2023, these were already closed so we were only able to see the monument.
For the GPS: 2601 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City
Our rating: Not a must-see but quite interesting if you are curious about the history of the settlement of the valley around Salt Lake City.
Bingham Canyon Mine
Description: The Bingham Canyon Mine, or Kennecott Copper Mine, is a huge copper mine southwest of Salt Lake City. The mine is the largest man-made mine and the deepest open pit mine in the world.
The mine can be visited, except in winter. As the number of visitors is limited, it is advisable to make a reservation in advance. Ticket . These are $6/person and include the bus ride to the two viewing platforms at the edge of the mine. Once at the top, you can stay as long as you like. There are a few exhibitions and two platforms from which you can take a look into the huge hole.
For the GPS: 12732 Bacchus Hwy, Herriman (parking lot and tour start)
Our rating: We liked the visit to the mine very much. The gigantic vehicles on the road were really impressive. The various exhibits also provided many interesting insights into the work in the mine. We can definitely recommend a visit here
Notice: In bad weather, especially during thunderstorms, it may not be possible to ride up to the edge of the mine. The rides are then suspended and only resumed when there is no longer any danger to visitors.
