Utah State Capitol Tours

The neoclassical Utah State Capitol Building opened in 1916 and is home to the offices and chambers of the state Legislature, governor, and other government officials. The building is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and features artwork, historical items, and monuments both inside and around the grounds.

 

As one of Salt Lake City’s most prominent landmarks, the Capitol Building is included on most city sightseeing tours. Free tours of the Capitol are led by volunteer docents on weekdays and depart from just inside the east entrance, or you may explore on your own. Highlights include rotating exhibits about Utah’s history and heritage in the fourth floor gallery, and the architecture and frescoes of the Rotunda.

 

 

The Capitol building is situated at the northern end of State Street, Salt Lake City’s main thoroughfare. It can be reached via public transportation on bus No. 500. Public parking lots are located on the east side of the Senate Building; street parking is also available but visitors should pay attention to street signs for any limits.

 

The Capitol Building is open every day, including weekends and holidays. Weddings often take place on the weekends. Other types of events also take place throughout the building and grounds; if you’re lucky, you might catch a choral performance in the Rotunda.

 

If you’re at the Capitol Building, you’re within walking distance of Temple Square, just 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) away in the direction of downtown. Owned by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the plaza is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of the city’s top visitor attractions, where you can walk around the landscaped grounds and visit temples, monuments, and other sites that are important to the Mormon church.