USA

Salt Lake City, Utah

Salt Lake City is an ideal place to spend a few days with the family and relax in a pleasant, small city atmosphere. Located amid the towering mountains of the Wasatch Front, Salt Lake City offers beautiful scenery and world-class sporting opportunities. Almost one million people call Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas home, a strong testament to the attractions of this special city. Millions more from around the world will gather here for the 2002 Winter Olympics.

Salt Lake City is probably best known as the world headquarters of the Mormon Church. A majority of the citizens of Utah are Mormons (Church of Latter-Day Saints), many of them descendents of original settlers of the Utah territory. The Church's prominence has led the people of Salt Lake City to erect several stunning monuments to their faith and the trials of the original settlers. The Mormon Temple was erected in 1893 after 40 years of hard work by expert craftsmen. Only confirmed Mormons are allowed to enter, but the public may tour Temple Square and enjoy its many monuments. The Mormon Tabernacle was designed with acoustics that enable a listener seated in the last row to hear a nail drop from the lectern at the front. It is here that the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs. Visitors interested in their families' roots may use the facilities of the Family History Library, the largest library of genealogical information in the world.

Outside the city, Utah's beautiful landscape and unique geological features amaze visitors. The Great Salt Lake is the second saltiest body of water in the world, and it has been mysteriously refilling itself in recent years, leading to an explosion of life in and around the lake. The Timpanogos Cave National Monument features several miles of exciting and interesting underground sights. The center of the caverns opens up to a vast array of dazzling white crystals.

Salt Lake City's greatest outdoor venue continues to be its mountains. The Wasatch Mountains offer some of the best skiing in the world and are one reason why Olympic officials chose Salt Lake City to host the winter Olympics in 2002. This prestigious event will add to Salt Lake City's sports roster and further enhance this western gem. For years, travelers tended to overlook this beautiful, relaxed, historic city, but not for long. The whole world is coming to Salt Lake City, and the city and its people are ready.

Temple Square
North Visitors' Center, 50 W. North Temple St.
801-240-2534
This 10-acre expanse is the center of sites related to the Mormon Church.. Two visitor centers house exhibits and art with religious themes.

Salt Lake Temple
The six-spired granite temple is open only to church members, but the public may enter the other buildings and monuments spread across the beautifully landscaped grounds.

Joseph Smith Memorial Building
801-240-1266
This Mormon community center is where visitors can learn how to conduct computerized genealogical research. Other attractions include a film on early Mormon history and the emigration of Mormons to the Salt Lake Valley in the mid-19th century.

Museum of Church History and Art
West Temple St.
801-240-3310
This museum displays Mormon artifacts, paintings, fabric art and sculptures.

Family History Library
West Temple St.
801-240-2331
This massive genealogical library provides free public access to the Mormons' huge collection of genealogical records, one of the largest in the world.

Beehive House
South Temple St.
801-240-2671
Built in 1854, this house was the home of Brigham Young while he served as territorial governor.

Hansen Planetarium
15 S. State St.
801-538-2098
The museum exhibits include a moon rock display among its many exhibits. A domed theater hosts laser shows set to music, as well as various live stage performances.

State Capitol
300 N. State St.
801-538-1563
Completed in 1915, the State Capitol is a lovely Renaissance-style building featuring depression-era murals in the rotunda, which depict events from Utah's past.

Pioneer Memorial Museum
300 N. Main St.
801-538-1050
This museum lies directly west of the state capitol grounds, and it holds thousands of artifacts including tools and carriages from the late 1800s and a doll and toy collection.

Marmalade District
West of the Capitol Building
This neighborhood contains many pioneer houses that are beautiful both inside and out. It's a wonderful place to go for information on pioneer life.

Utah Museum of Natural History
University of Utah, 200 S. 1340 East
801-581-4303
This large museum presents Native American artifacts, dinosaur skeletons and hands-on science adventures. This is a great place to take the kids.

Great Salt Lake
About 17 mi west of downtown Salt Lake City via I-80
Water flows into the lake, but there is no outlet other than evaporation. This causes the lake to be the second saltiest body of water on Earth, surpassed only by the Dead Sea. There are two beaches here, each with showers.

Wasatch Mountains
Rising to more than 11,000 ft, the mountains provide an impressive backdrop and recreational escape for city dwellers. Resorts here offer hiking, biking, arts festivals and concerts in summer, and skiing in winter.

Park City
29 mi. east of Salt Lake City via I-80
Utah's premier ski destination, Park City's three ski areas will host much of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. The historic Main Street has a museum, galleries, shops, and restaurants.

Hogle Zoo
2600 Sunnyside Ave.
801-582-1631
This wonderful zoo has more than 1,300 animals in exhibits spread out over a large, spacious area.

About Us | Site Map | Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Terms & Conditions
©2004 Strathlorn Travel Ltd