Things to do / Travel Guide
Taste bread baked by costumed actors portraying Mormon pioneers, look a 6,000-pound eagle in the eye, and learn about the northern Utah landmark event that irrevocably altered the course of U.S. history.
Historical Attractions in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is one of a small list of tourist destinations that are closely connected to the birth of a religion. While Jerusalem, Israel probably comes in first place in this category, Salt Lake probably wins the title in the United States. The early Mormon pioneers have left their legacy in several informative and enjoyable historic attractions, including:
- The lovingly-restored Old Deseret Village at This is the Place Heritage Park is staffed by artisans in period dress, plying the trades of the 19-century pioneers.
- The Wheeler Historic Farm, where you can sample the farming life of 100 years ago.
- The Beehive House, home of Brigham Young for a feel of the life of a large and wealthy pioneer family from the mid-1800's.
- The Lion House is another mansion owned by Brigham Young on the property of the Beehive House.
- The Family History Library, for YOUR history, or more precisely, that of your ancestors. This is the largest repository of genealogical documents in the world.
Historic Temple Square, Salt Lake City
Even if you know little about Mormonism, a stop at Historic Temple Square should rate high on your to-do list while in Salt Lake City. Wait at the foot of the flagpole in the square and take one of the free tours offered by the Latter-Day Saint missionaries in nearly 30 different languages that leave every 30 minutes. You will learn about the regal red sandstone six-spired Salt Lake Temple (only baptized Mormons may enter) and the sparkling silver-domed Salt Lake Tabernacle containing the 11,600-pipe, 32-foot tall organ, which provides accompaniment for the world-class Mormon Tabernacle Choir. Miracle of the Gulls Monument, also in Historic Temple Square, honors the time a late-1840s harvest was nearly devastated by drought and crickets. In the nick of time saving-grace seagulls swooped onto the scene, gulped down the crickets, and the early pioneers salvaged their crops. Lording over the city, the giant Brigham Young Monument at the intersection of Main Street and South Temple Street is a sight to behold; a bronze Brigham Young (flanked by a fur trapper, a Native American, and a pioneer family) celebrates the success of his settlement of Salt Lake City.
Golden Spike National Historic Site, Promontory
Driving a spike into the heart of the American Frontier, on May 10th, 1869 the United States changed forever. East Coast met West Coast on that fateful day, when more than 1,770 miles of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroad tracks were finally linked. This was an historical moment that eventually facilitated the true nationalization of U.S. industry, politics, and culture. Track the history of the first, transcontinental railroad at Golden Spike National Historic Site in Promontory west of Brigham City. Take the Big Fill Loop 1.5-mile walk to see the ravine that was filled in before the tracks were laid or drive the 16-mile Promontory Auto Tour for an introduction to the methods used for the railroad's construction. You can pick up a tour brochure with helpful explanations and background at the site's visitor's center. At the historic site you can take part in the lively reenactment of the driving of the spike every May.
Historic Attractions near Ogden, Utah
Fort Buenaventura, was built for travelers, so stop by. In the mid-1800's the fort provided supplies and rest for pioneers and others heading out into the wilds of what is now Utah.
Historical Sites in Salt Lake City, Park City, Northern Utah
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