Salt Lake City Self-Guided Driving Tour: Iconic Landmarks & Hidden Gems
Places: 16 POIs
Distance: 15.31 mi
Duration: 1h:47m
GPS-guided narration through
Your Smartphone
Apple CarPlay
Android Auto
Tour #2600
About this English self-guided 1h:47m 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.
*Updated October 2026: We’ve improved the route to reflect changes in traffic patterns and incorporate valuable feedback from our users.
- 1For the best experience, begin at the tour's recommended starting point and follow the stops in order.
- 2Want to start somewhere else? Simply use Start At on the tour screen, before tapping Start Tour, to begin from any stop.
- 3Need to detour or skip a stop along the way? Tap Tour Assistant (
![UCPlaces AI Bot Icon]()
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
) to use Force Play, Skip, and Back, for full flexibility.
Route Preview
- Category
- Language
- Mode
- Region
- Country
- City
Places (POIs) visited during this tour
Place #1
![Map Pin]()
Recommended Starting Point
Distance: 0.00mi
53 S 600 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA
We are about to start
Welcome to Salt Lake City!
Turn left and our tour will start shortly
Turn left and our tour will start shortly
Place #2
![Map Pin]()
Distance: 0.37mi
400 E S Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
Cathedral of the Madeleine – A Gothic Treasure in the Mountains
Coming on your right is 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.
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.
Read More
Tour itinerary stops | Additional places you'll see on this self-guided tour
Place 1
We are about to start
Place 2
Cathedral of the Madeleine – A Gothic Treasure in the Mountains
Place 3
Joseph Smith Memorial Building
Place 4
Family History Library – Discovering Your Roots
Place 5
Majestic Utah State Capitol
Place 6
Pioneer Memorial Museum – Stories of the Settlers
Place 7
The Gateway & Clark Planetarium – Science and City Life
Place 8
Pioneer Park – From Encampment to Gathering Place
Place 9
Salt Lake City & County Building and Washington Square Park – Gothic Grandeur in the City
Place 10
Liberty Park – Salt Lake’s Playground
Place 11
Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park
Place 12
Sugar House Park – A Drive Around Salt Lake’s Green Jewel
Place 13
Parleys Creek – Mountain Water Through the City
Place 14
This Is The Place Heritage Park – Where the Journey Ended
Place 15
Natural History Museum of Utah & Red Butte Garden
Place 16
Farewell from Salt Lake City – Parking at the Museum
Click below for full access to this tour
Have any questions about this tour? Or a general travel / self-guided tours question? That's completely natural
+ How long does this tour take?
Most travelers complete this tour in approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, depending on pace, time spent at each stop, and optional detours. Having said that, please remember that self-guided tours are extremly flexible (you can start, pause, continue anytime) and everyone has their own pace.
+ What does this tour include?
This self-guided driving tour includes 16 stops, covering top attractions such as We are about to start, Cathedral of the Madeleine – A Gothic Treasure in the Mountains, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, Family History Library – Discovering Your Roots, Majestic Utah State Capitol.
+ Where does the tour start?
The tour starts at We are about to start (Address: 53 S 600 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84102, USA). You can begin the tour there or join from any stop along the route.
+ What type of tour is this?
This is a self-guided driving tour designed to be completed by car, covering scenic routes, city highlights and optional key stops.
+ Can I do this tour at my own pace?
Yes, this is a self-guided driving tour, so you can start anytime and explore at your own pace. You can pause, skip stops, or spend more time at places that interest you. You can even split it into multiple days. Explore however feels right for you. The only vaiables that might affect your pace are speed limits and traffic congestion.
+ Do I need a car for this tour?
Yes, this is a driving tour, designed to be completed by car, with stops spread across different locations connected by a driving route.
+ Do I need anything in order to take the tour?
There are two things that you need - 1. A mobile phone (with the UCPlaces app installed and active location services, and a cellular data plan with a decent signal for downloading the tour). 2. A car. Here are some recommendations for a great experience: 1. Make sure your phone is fully charged and bring a charging cable for your car. 2. Connect your phone to the car speaker system via bluetooth or use our CarPlay/Android Auto option for the best experience.
+ How will I navigate from point to point during the tour?
The tour uses GPS-based navigation through the UCPlaces app, with automatic audio playback and step-by-step directions between stops. This works great either directly from your phone, or while connected to your car's multimedia system and using our CarPlay or Android Auto options. Just follow the route and listen to the audio guide. Use the resume feature to continue from where you recently stopped (or closed the app). Easily skip or go back to stops.
+ Is this tour suitable for families or groups?
Yes, self-guided tours are ideal for families and small groups, allowing everyone to explore comfortably without being tied to a fixed schedule.
+ What makes a self-guided tour better than a guided tour?
Self-guided tours are more flexible, affordable, and personalized. You can avoid crowds, choose your pace, and focus on the stops that interest you most.
+ I installed the app and it's now asking for GPS and media access permissions, why?
The app is your tour-guide, it needs to know where you are located on the map to be able to trigger the points of interest. It also needs access to audio and media files to provide you with this experience.
+ What happens if there are unexpected roadblocks or navigation issues?
We have been working hard to deliver a great experience. Though you may run into unexpected obstacles (the world is constantly changing), our app has multiple features and mechanisms in place to help you overcome them, including: AI assistance, force play an audio if you can't reach the stop, skip or return to stops, automatic rerouting and more.
+ Can I take the tour in my language?
Though all of our tours are primarily in English, many tours are muyltilingual (including: Spanish, German, Portuguese, French, Japanese, Hebrew, French, Arabic and more...). The tour language options depend on the specific tour - You can easily check which languages are available in the tour screen!