Salt Lake City Self-Guided Driving Tour: Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Gems
Places: 15 POIsDistance: 16.95 miDuration: 1h:56m
Tour #2600
About this English self-guided 1h:56m driving tour in Salt Lake City
Welcome to Salt Lake City, Utah, often called the Crossroads of the West. On this driving tour, we’ll explore the landmarks, history, and hidden stories that make this capital city so unique.
Salt Lake City was founded in 1847, when Mormon pioneers arrived after a long and difficult journey across the plains. Brigham Young looked out over this valley and declared, “This is the place.” From that moment, the city began to grow—from a desert outpost into a thriving center of faith, culture, and government.
Along the way today, you’ll see some of Salt Lake’s most iconic landmarks—like the soaring spires of the Cathedral of the Madeleine, the heart of Temple Square, the sandstone beauty of the City and County Building, and the grand Utah State Capitol. You’ll also pass through parks and neighborhoods that show how the city balances community life with its love of the outdoors.
But this tour isn’t just about what you’ll see—it’s also about the stories. You’ll hear about the pioneers who built the city, the railroads that connected it to the world, the geothermal water flowing beneath downtown, and even a few ghost stories from historic buildings. We’ll also touch on Salt Lake’s modern side—its music, art, and the surprising ways it continues to reinvent itself.
As you drive, just follow the directions and enjoy the ride. By the time we finish, you’ll have experienced Salt Lake City from many angles—its past, its present, and its place in the wide-open West.
Cathedral of the Madeleine – A Gothic Treasure in the Mountains
Welcome to Salt Lake City! We’re starting our tour with one of the city’s most breathtaking landmarks—the Cathedral of the Madeleine, right here on your right.
Completed in 1909, the cathedral was built in the Neo-Gothic style, with soaring spires, intricate stone carvings, and stained-glass windows that rival anything you’d see in Europe. Its sandstone exterior comes from local quarries, but its design feels like a piece of the Old World transplanted to the American West.
Step inside, and you’ll find a richly decorated interior filled with murals, gilded altars, and an ornate organ that fills the space with music during services and concerts. The cathedral is named for St. Mary Magdalene, making it unique—there are very few cathedrals in the world dedicated to her.
The Cathedral of the Madeleine is not just an architectural masterpiece—it’s also the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City, serving Utah’s Catholic community for more than a century. Each year it hosts the Madeleine Choir School, whose students are known worldwide for their angelic voices.
For visitors, the cathedral is a reminder that Salt Lake is more than just pioneer history and mountain scenery—it’s also a city of diverse faiths, cultures, and traditions.
As we roll forward from here, we’ll dive into the stories, landmarks, and hidden gems that make this city unlike any other.
Just ahead on your right are two of Salt Lake City’s most important landmarks—the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Temple Square.
The Joseph Smith Memorial Building, with its gleaming white façade and ornate detailing, was originally built in 1911 as the Hotel Utah. For decades it was the city’s most luxurious hotel, hosting presidents, celebrities, and dignitaries from around the world. In the 1990s it was transformed into a cultural and community center, renamed for Joseph Smith, the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Step inside today and you’d still find sweeping staircases, marble columns, and even a rooftop restaurant with some of the best views in the city.
Just beyond it lies Temple Square, a 35-acre complex that is the spiritual and cultural heart of Salt Lake City. At its center stands the six-spired Salt Lake Temple, a massive granite structure that took pioneers 40 years to build after arriving in 1847. While the temple itself isn’t open to the public, the beautifully landscaped grounds and visitor centers are. Also here is the Tabernacle, famous for its flawless acoustics and as the home of the world-renowned Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.
Together, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building and Temple Square showcase the vision and determination of the pioneers who settled this valley, and they remain symbols of faith, community, and tradition at the very heart of the city.
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1Cathedral of the Madeleine – A Gothic Treasure in the Mountains
Place 2Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Place 3Family History Library – Discovering Your Roots
Place 4Majestic Utah State Capitol
Place 5Pioneer Memorial Museum – Stories of the Settlers
Place 6The Gateway & Clark Planetarium – Science and City Life
Place 7Pioneer Park – From Encampment to Gathering Place
Place 8Salt Lake City & County Building and Washington Square Park – Gothic Grandeur in the City
Place 9Liberty Park – Salt Lake’s Playground
Place 10Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park
Place 11Sugar House Park – A Drive Around Salt Lake’s Green Jewel
Place 12Parleys Creek – Mountain Water Through the City
Place 13This Is The Place Heritage Park – Where the Journey Ended
Place 14Natural History Museum of Utah & Red Butte Garden
Place 15Farewell from Salt Lake City – Parking at the Museum
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How does the tour work?
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Whenever you approach a point of interest (POI) on the tour, our app will automatically play the relevant audio story at the right time and place.
If you start the tour before reaching the first POI, the app will navigate you to the starting point and then begin the tour.
How is this more convenient than a traditional tour?
UCPlaces offers an innovative and flexible way to explore exciting destinations on your terms.
Here are some key advantages over traditional tours:
No need to commit upfront or purchase in advance; buy a tour only when you're ready to go.
Walk at your own pace.
No waiting for groups; go on your schedule.
Take the tour in your preferred language.
Start, stop and continue the tour whenever you want.
Returning to the same destination? Take the tour again, and again, and again... And bring a friend!
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What's included?
A self-guided audio tour taken via the UCPlaces app [Android / iOS (iPhone) / Apple CarPlay].
Tour route map and in-app GPS navigation (via the UCPlaces app).
Audio stories for places visited during the tour.
Apple CarPlay connection (for iOS users); for a seamless driving tour experience.
What's NOT included?
Earphones (highly recommended).
Smartphone.
Any kind of transportation (including tickets and passes).