Salt Lake City Vacation Guide
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Salt Lake City Vacation Guide
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Visit Salt Lake City Hotels, Skiing, Golf, Maps, Weather, Travel Planning Information & MoreAll Salt Lake Hotels - Guaranteed Savings!
Temple SquareOf course, Salt Lake City is also home to the Mormon Church, or the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Founded in 1847 by Mormons fleeing persecution back East, the city features broad avenues and spacious blocks, based on an easily navigable grid system. The focal point of the city is Temple Square, featuring the architecturally magnificent Mormon Temple (pictured above and open only to Mormons) and the famed Tabernacle, where visitors are welcome to attend Thursday evening rehearsals of the renowned Tabernacle Choir. Guides and visitor centers in the square provide plenty of information to curious tourists. Other Mormon attractions include the newly developed Brigham Young Historic Park downtown; Beehive House, the 1854 home of the founder of the LDS; the Family History Library, the world’s largest repository of genealogical records; and the Deuel Log Home, built in 1847. This structure, located across from Temple Square, is an example of early pioneer homes. Most attractions, including many others not mentioned here, are free and open to the public. Secular Points of InterestPerched at the foot of the Wasatch Range, the city is
adjacent to the Great Salt Lake, which is the remnant of a once-immense
inland sea. In the late 19th century the lake featured numerous resorts
and attractions along its shores, but a mysterious decline in water volume
left many establishments high and dry. Most fell into disrepair. Just as
mysteriously, the lake began rising again in the 1980s, to the extent that
nearby I-80 had to be raised to avoid flooding. For those interested in
visiting the lake, Great Salt Lake State Park, located 16 miles west of
town on I-80, is open from 8 a.m. to sunset daily. There are few
attractions, but waterfowl and wildlife have begun to return to the lake
that is the second saltiest body of water in the world. Summer visitors will also find much to do in and around the city, from visiting a working dude ranch to attending free tours of the extensive gardens surrounding Church Office Building Plaza. There’s a free 15-minute Pioneer Trolley ride, which provides an open-air overview of things to do and see in town. Visitors may also attend free recitals on the famous 11,623-pipe Tabernacle organ, daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The Temple Square Concert Series, held Tuesday and Friday evenings in June, July and August in Brigham Young Historic Park, is billed as free family entertainment.
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NOTICE! |
Nestled
at the foot of impressive Wasatch Range, Salt Lake is best known as a
gateway to Utah's famous ski resorts. With the "Greatest Snow
on Earth" so close at hand, Salt Lake was selected to host the 2002
Winter Olympic Games. Hosting the Olympics only added to the city's
reputation as an economic hot spot -- a high tech reputation established
around the communication, transportation, and computer services
industries. The Wasatch Range boasts some of the deepest, driest snow in
the world, and no less than seven major ski resorts are located within an
hour’s drive of downtown. It’s no wonder Salt Lake City has long
been a favorite winter playground. But there’s more to Salt Lake City
than winter sports.
