temple square tours

What to Expect When Visiting Temple Square

Welcome to Temple Square! Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah, and its surrounding campus serve as the worldwide headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Temple Square is a five-block complex that includes historic buildings, gardens, administrative and office buildings, museums, monuments, libraries, auditoriums, pavilions, and restaurants—all of which are anchored together in the downtown district by the historic Salt Lake Temple. Millions of visitors come to Temple Square every year, consistently ranking it as one of the top tourist destinations in the United States.

• Download map of locations on Temple Square.

Current Closures

One of the main attractions of Temple Square is the Salt Lake Temple. The temple is currently closed as it undergoes significant seismic improvements and other renovations.

The area surrounding the Salt Lake Temple is also undergoing substantial redevelopment. The construction and improvements involved in this project will take several years. The roof of the Conference Center as well as large windows that are part of the construction wall provide an unobstructed view of the progress and ongoing work on the temple.

While Temple Square is a site with historical and religious significance, there is no specific dress code for visiting the experiences on Temple Square. Many visitors choose to dress to show reverence for the sacredness of the area around the temple. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints welcomes all visitors, including families and children, and encourages them to dress comfortably for a public outing.

Free validated parking for visitors is available at the Conference Center. Hourly and day parking is also available at City Creek Center, at the public lot at North and West Temple, and at metered parking on surrounding city streets. See more parking options.

All experiences on Temple Square are free of charge. Some experiences require a free reservation, and some concerts require free tickets. A few select events on Temple Square require paid tickets. More information is available on each experience and event, activity, or exhibit. See all events, activities, and exhibits.

Temple Square offers both self-guided and guided tours. Visitors to Temple Square are greeted by female volunteer missionaries called “sisters.” These volunteers offer free tours and information assistance about Temple Square in more than 40 languages. Popular guided tours on Temple Square and the immediate area include the Salt Lake Temple grounds, the Conference Center and auditorium, the Salt Lake Tabernacle, and the Beehive House, historic home of Brigham Young. See all tours.

Restrooms are available throughout Temple Square: at the Conference Center and the west gate of Temple Square. Public drinking water fountains are also located throughout the grounds and public buildings.

Accessibility

Wheelchair access is provided to all the facilities on Temple Square except the Beehive House. Wheelchairs are available free of charge for visitors and can be checked out at the Conference Center.

Temple Square, its walking plazas, and its adjacent properties are operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and are designated for foot traffic and aided movement. Cycling, skateboarding, and scooters are not permitted. Smoking, the consumption of alcoholic beverages, or weapons of any kind are not permitted.

Additional Resources

Visit Temple Square

• Things To Do
• History & Heritage
• Mormon Heritage
• Temple Square

TEMPLE SQUARE

Top activities at temple square.

*Please note that due to ongoing renovation of the Salt Lake Temple through 2026, access to Temple Square may be limited. For more information about which attractions and buildings are open in Temple Square, see their hours of operation .  

Salt Lake Temple

The impressive Salt Lake Temple took 40 years to build, between 1853 and 1893, and is one of the oldest attractions in the area. The temple is sacred to members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and is not open for tours, you can stroll around the grounds and stop in the South Visitors’ Center to see a scale model of the temple and its interior.

Learn about available tours.

The tabernacle choir at temple square.

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir) is made up of 360 volunteers and has performed all over the world. The public is invited to the Choir's free weekly Music & the Spoken Word broadcast on Sundays in the Tabernacle at 9:30 a.m. (guests must be seated by 9:15 a.m.) and the choir's rehearsal every Thursday at 8 p.m. Many other performances by different artists happen in the Tabernacle, Assembly Hall and Conference Center at Temple Square, which are free and open to the public. (Read the story: The Geographical and Musical Heart of Salt Lake )

Learn about available tours .

Visitors' centers.

The two visitors' centers are open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Complimentary tours in nearly every language are offered. 

• The North Visitors' Center is home to the famous 11-foot Christ statue, paintings and stories from the scriptures and the first century Jerusalem model.
• The South Visitors' Center focuses on the constructions of the Salt Lake Temple and its importance for church members and their families.

Joseph Smith Memorial Building

The Joseph Smith Memorial Building was formerly the Hotel Utah and its lobby has been elegantly restored with a stained glass ceiling and intricate moulding. While there, check out:

• The dining options : The Nauvoo Cafe, The Roof Restaurant, The Garden Restaurant and the Lion House Pantry.
• The FamilySearch Center, a public facility introducing visitors to genealogical research.
• The Legacy Theater with free movie showings.

Church History Museum

The Church History Museum features interactive exhibits, historic artifacts and a curated collection of global art. Additional highlights include:

• A full-size168-year-old historic log home
• A 240-degree theater experience
• A rotating fine art collection

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More Visitor Information

Temple square is also home to:.

• The  Family History Library  houses the largest collection of genealogical records in the world.
• The  Church History Library  features historic documents and exhibits.
• The  Church Office Building  allows you to go to the 26th floor for breathtaking views of the Salt Lake Valley.
• The  Relief Society Building  provides information for you to learn more about the women in the Church.
• The  Conference Center  has impressive architecture, artwork and a 21,000-seat auditorium.
• The  Beehive House  and the Lion House were the homes of early Church president Brigham Young and his large family. Today the Lion House is an event venue and a restaurant.
• The transformation of the  Temple Square with Christmas Lights  on the Friday following Thanksgiving, is an extraordinary event and signals the official start of the holiday season.

Many tours are offered daily, check out the  current options . 

*Please note: Due to the Temple's renovations, beginning January 1, 2020, the Conference Center will become the primary venue for the Temple Square guest experience. It will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. daily featuring unguided and guided tours in more than 40 languages, a statue of Jesus Christ, a cutaway model of the Salt Lake Temple, exhibitions of various temple artifacts and an orientation film about the history of the temple.

Good to Know

• Fee-based, metered two-hour parking is available throughout the city and there is paid, underground parking beneath the Joseph Smith Memorial Building ($10 with validation available from dining at Temple Square's four restaurants) or  City Creek Center Mall , which is free for the first two hours.
• Dogs are not allowed on Temple Square, even on a leash.
• Temple Square's renowned Christmas Lights display typically begins after Thanksgiving and runs through the New Year.

Well-prepared travel is responsible travel.

Do your part by planning ahead

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Events and activities to do when visiting Temple Square in Salt Lake City

The salt lake temple is closed for construction, but many places are open in the five city blocks around it, with events, activities and tours.

By Mary Richards

When people ask what they can see or do on Temple Square, Sister Joy Covington, a missionary in the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission, has a quick answer — it depends on how much time they have. 

She tells visitors to go first to the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle, Assembly Hall and Conference Center. If they have more time, the Family History Library (renamed FamilySearch Library), Church History Museum, Church History Library, Beehive House and Brigham Young Family Cemetery.

Missionaries lead tours at the top of the hour and on the half-hour at the Conference Center and at Temple Square. “It’s a great way to walk through and explain the history,” said Sister Covington.  

Jason Mitchell, the director of in-field operations for the Church’s Missionary Department, wants to make sure people know that during construction, Salt Lake City’s Temple Square is still open.

“Please come,” he said. “It’s an historic time to come and see the renovation and restoration of the Salt Lake Temple , and there’s so much to do.”

For those taking a self-guided tour or deciding how to spend their time, here are the activities, events and places open on Temple Square right now. See templesquare.org for the updated Salt Lake City Temple Square hours, parking information and other details.

The Conference Center

Besides hosting general conference sessions semiannually, the Conference Center is also the main visitors’ center for Temple Square, explained Mitchell. It is located on North Temple Street directly north of the Salt Lake Temple and includes exhibits and films to help guests learn more about Jesus Christ, the Church and the Salt Lake Temple. 

Guests can see a statue of Jesus Christ — which is a replica of the sculptor Bertel Thorvaldsen’s famous Christus statue — and spend time reflecting and feeling the peace of the Savior. Another spot for contemplation is the Gallery of Artwork of the Savior Jesus Christ , which includes multiple exhibits showcasing images of the Savior from the Bible and the Book of Mormon.

Other artwork galleries include the Leadership Portrait Gallery , with portraits of the Church’s current leadership, and the Book of Mormon Gallery , with Arnold Friberg’s paintings of the ancient prophets of the Americas. 

Guests can see many photos, artifacts and information about the temple’s original construction at the “ Temple Square Artifacts Exhibit ,” including:

• Tools that were used to build the temple.
• Door hardware and a key from the temple.
• An original altar from the temple.
• A cane used by Brigham Young to designate Temple Square as the center of the new community.
• A microphone used to record annual and semiannual general conferences as well as performances by The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
• Temple Square and early Salt Lake City video footage, which includes leaders of the Church and others in the 20th century.
• A cutaway scaled model allowing visitors to view the inside of the temple before its seismic renovation began in 2019.

From that display, visitors can go to the Conference Center Roof Gardens and Conference Center Observation Deck to see an elevated look at the north side of the temple and the current renovation work and construction of the new addition.

“One of the best views of what’s happening during the renovation is from the third-floor observation deck,” Mitchell said.

Films include the Conference Center Film , an 18-minute film in the main auditorium that shares the history of the Conference Center and how the building is used. It starts every hour on the hour, and the Salt Lake Temple Orientation Film , a 17-minute film in the Conference Center Little Theater, starting every 30 minutes. It provides information about the construction of the Salt Lake Temple and a welcome to Temple Square.

The Conference Center is open every day between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. However, it will be closed for tours from Wednesday, Sept. 28, through Monday, Oct. 3, because of the October 2022 general conference. Operating hours for this and other venues on Temple Square will be updated on  www.templesquare.org .

Salt Lake Tabernacle at Temple Square

The historic Salt Lake Tabernacle , built between 1863 and 1867, is home to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square and has the iconic 11,623-pipe organ as a backdrop. 

The world-famous Tabernacle Choir performs in the Conference Center over the summer but has now moved back to the Salt Lake Tabernacle for “ Music & the Spoken Word” performances each Sunday at 9:30 a.m.

On most Thursday nights, visitors are welcome to watch the choir rehearse in the Tabernacle at 7:30 p.m.

Each day at noon, 30-minute organ recitals are open to the public. The centurylong tradition includes recitals from Tabernacle and Temple Square organists and guest organists.

Visitors can walk in and look inside by themselves or visit with a tour run by the Temple Square missionaries.

The Salt Lake Tabernacle is open daily 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Due to construction on Temple Square, the Tabernacle and Assembly Hall can be accessed by the gates on West Temple. A current map is available here .

Visit the Assembly Hall at Temple Square

The Assembly Hall is a historic building finished in 1882 using stone from the same quarry as the Salt Lake Temple. It sits on the southwest corner of Temple Square and is used for lectures, concerts, Ensign College devotionals and as an overflow for general conference and for other meetings. 

The building has original stained-glass windows and a 3,489-pipe organ. Guests can walk in on a self-guided tour between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. every day or see it on a tour with the missionaries.

FamilySearch Library or Family History Library at Temple Square

The FamilySearch Library (renamed from the Family History Library in January 2023 ) is always a big draw for anyone visiting Temple Square and Salt Lake City — it’s the largest genealogical library in the world, with research specialists, volunteers and missionaries who can help patrons and guests in 14 different languages. 

Lynn Turner, the library’s executive director, said patrons and guests can get one-on-one help.

“Maybe you have questions or reached the end of a line for a family and need new ideas or extra help to try to discover them,” Turner said. “We have people that can sit down with you, work you through that and give you different ideas or perspectives on how to face different problems.”

Children, youth and adults will enjoy the Family Discovery Experience . The interactive exhibits use technology and mobile devices to discover more about one’s roots and ancestors.

Other floors in the library include thousands of books, films, archives, recording booths and countless other tools to do genealogical research.

“The biggest regret I hear from people who are coming from out of town is, ‘I should have come earlier,’” Turner said. “Those that came for 20 minutes wished they had planned two hours. Those that had two hours wish they had four.”

Sister Covington as well tells people to plan for spending time in the Family History Library.

“It’s nice to tell people FamilySearch is free; people are really excited about that,” she said, adding that she’s had some people come find her on Temple Square after their visits to the Family History Library and tell her, “It really is free.”

Currently, the Family History Library is open on Mondays 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday: 9 a.m.–8 p.m., Friday and Saturday: 9 a.m.–6 p.m., but hours may change on conference weekend, so guests are encouraged to check familysearch.org/en/library/visit  for hours.

Church History Museum

Located next to the Family History Library, the Church History Museum is also free and offers interactive and engaging experiences for visitors of all ages to discover the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the legacies of its members around the world. 

The recent work of 148 Latter-day Saint artists from around the world in the 12th International Art Competition is on display with the theme, “ All Are Alike Unto God .”

“Temples Dot the Earth” is an exhibit designed for children ages 1-11. The hands-on experience allows children to learn about temples, inside and out. The “ Mormon Trails” exhibit shows the trails and stories of the pioneers who traveled to the Salt Lake Valley between 1846 and 1890. 

Visitors can also view a six-minute film in the First Vision Theater that draws on all accounts of the First Vision.

The Church History Museum is open Monday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Tuesday–Thursday 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sunday.

Church History Library

The Church History Library , on the northeast corner of North Temple and Main streets, is the Church’s primary archive — designed to collect and preserve materials about the Church, its history and its members.

The library is free and open to the public. The large reference room has open stacks, computers for patron use, and a reference desk. Materials from the library’s collection are accessible in the library’s reading room on an appointment basis.

The library has several free exhibits, including “ Foundations of Faith ,” which showcases some of the earliest records from the Church, including journals, pamphlets, manuscripts, letters, hymnals and more.

An exhibit dedicated to “ Joseph F. Smith’s Vision of the Redemption of the Dead” includes items related to President Smith, his family and the vision of the redemption of the dead. 

They include:

• Joseph Fielding Smith’s journal, where he mentioned recording the vision.
• Joseph Fielding Smith’s copy of the scriptures.
• A special insert printed in 1976 so Church members could add the vision to their personal copies of the Pearl of Great Price.

The Church History Library is open Monday through Friday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturdays 10 a.m.-3 p.m. and closed Sundays.

Other things to see 

The Beehive House is on the corner of State and South Temple streets. The three-story home was the official residence of three Presidents of the Church — Brigham Young, Lorenzo Snow and Joseph F. Smith — and has been restored to its 19th century appearance. The Beehive House is open Mondays through Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and closed Sundays.

Next door is the Lion House , the family home of Brigham Young, but it is closed at this time to the public. 

The Brigham Young Family Cemetery , 140 E. 1st Ave., is open daily to the public. Directly east of Temple Square across State Street is Brigham Young Historic Park .

The grounds surrounding the Salt Lake Temple include the Joseph Smith Memorial Building , Church Office Building and Relief Society Building . Depending on construction work, visitors may also be able to see the Base and Meridian , which is a small statuette on the southeast corner of Temple Square. This spot is the point from which all city streets were named and numbered in Salt Lake City. 

In between the Family History Library and Church History Museum on the west side of Temple Square is Deuel Cabin , an original pioneer-era home built in 1847. The inside is temporarily closed.

Visitors can also look through windows in the wall surrounding the temple site and watch the work being done on the expansive renovation project.

Mitchell said he hopes that as guests come to Temple Square they will experience peace, reverence and excitement as they witness the renovation and restoration of the Salt Lake Temple .

“We hope they will feel God’s love for them and be assured that His plan of salvation is for each of us,” he said. “And the Savior is at the center of it. It’s truly a sacred space, and we invite all to come and to see it and experience it for themselves.” 

Sister Covington knows people cannot easily see every building or exhibit in one trip, so she makes sure to tell them to come back. She hopes they will be able to get an idea of the history and significance of Temple Square — especially the purpose and majesty of the Salt Lake Temple.

And she is looking forward to when the temple is finished and the world is welcome inside to see the renovation.

“We invite everyone to come back for the temple open house,” she said.

This article was updated June 28, 2023, to include the name change to the FamilySearch Library at Salt Lake City’s Temple Square.