Sight Downtown Salt Lake City
Temple Square
A sight in Downtown Salt Lake City, free to visit and worth about an hour. Best time to go: Evening Dec 30.
Why go
Ten-acre square around the Salt Lake Temple, with trees wrapped in holiday lights through December.
It is one of 7 curated places we feature in Downtown Salt Lake City, alongside 2 places to eat, 1 activity and 1 place for a drink. 6 more of our picks sit within about half a mile in a straight line, so it pairs easily with Temple Square and Ballet West's Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre.
- Type
- Sight
- Neighborhood
- Downtown
- Price
- Free
- Time needed
- 1 hr
- Best time
- Evening Dec 30
Nearby
Our closest curated picks, including 3 beyond Downtown Salt Lake City. Distances are straight-line, not walking or driving.
- 1Temple Square
The 10-acre Latter-day Saint headquarters, strung with lights and nativity scenes from late November through December.
Sight · Salt Lake City · 0.0 mi straight-line - 2Ballet West's Nutcracker at the Capitol Theatre
Ballet West dances Willam Christensen's Nutcracker, descended from the first full-length American staging, in a 1913 theater.
Activity · Salt Lake City · 0.4 mi straight-line - 3Kimpton Hotel Monaco
Hotel in the 1924 Continental Bank Building on Main Street, a short TRAX ride from The Gateway.
Stay · 0.4 mi straight-line - 4Gallivan Center Ice Rink
Outdoor rink in the downtown Gallivan Center plaza, open through the winter with skate rental.
Activity · Salt Lake City · 0.5 mi straight-line - 5Bar X
One of the city's oldest bars, open since 1933, with a long wooden bar and classic cocktails.
Drinks · 0.5 mi straight-line - 6Utah State Capitol
1916 domed capitol on the hill above downtown, with a marble rotunda and a view south over the valley.
Sight · 0.5 mi straight-line
On these curated routes
Temple Square is a stop on our Salt Lake City New Year's Eve route. Open it to see the full day-by-day plan.
More to do in Downtown Salt Lake City
Temple Square is our only sight pick in Downtown Salt Lake City; here is what else we recommend there. See the full Downtown Salt Lake City guide.
-
The Gateway
Outdoor shopping district by the old Union Pacific depot, home of the free Last Hurrah and midnight fireworks in 2025.
-
Red Iguana
Family-run Mexican restaurant on North Temple since 1985, known for its long list of house moles.
-
Market Street Grill
Seafood and steak house open since 1980 in the old New York Hotel building on Market Street.
When to go: weather by month, based on Salt Lake City
Our climate figures for Downtown Salt Lake City come from nearby Salt Lake City. Average daily highs in Salt Lake City run from 37°F in January to 93°F in July; April is usually the wettest month. For Temple Square itself, we suggest: Evening Dec 30.
Modelled monthly averages for Salt Lake City from NASA POWER, not a forecast. Salt Lake City weather by month (covers Downtown Salt Lake City).
Getting there
Map links open a live search for Temple Square, so hours and directions come straight from the map app.
- Coordinates
- 40.77056, -111.89250
- Destination
- Downtown Salt Lake City, Utah
- Website
- templesquare.org
Temple Square: quick answers
How much time do you need at Temple Square?
Plan on about an hour at Temple Square. That is our curated estimate for a typical visit; groups that linger will want more.
When is the best time to visit Temple Square?
Our pick: Evening Dec 30. Insider tip: Go after dark on Dec 30 and walk the plaza around the reflecting pool.
Is Temple Square free?
Yes, we list Temple Square as free to visit. Check the official website before you go, since special exhibits, parking or tours can carry a fee.
Which TripsCircle routes include Temple Square?
Temple Square appears on Salt Lake City New Year's Eve, a curated route you can open on TripsCircle and plan with your group.
Add Temple Square to your crew's plan
Save it to a shared TripsCircle itinerary, settle the timing with a quick poll, and split the costs with everyone going to Downtown Salt Lake City.
Plan Downtown Salt Lake City
- Downtown Salt Lake City travel guide 7 places
- Salt Lake City weather (covers Downtown Salt Lake City) weather by month
- Downtown Salt Lake City to Big Cottonwood Canyon 20 mi straight-line
Lists & regions
Also in Downtown Salt Lake City
- Market Street Grill Food
- The Gateway Activity
Curated recommendation, not live listing data. Confirm hours, prices, bookings and access before you go.