Salt Lake City was founded on July 24th, 1847 by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who fled west to escape religious persecution.
They began construction on the temple in 1853. It was completed several decades later in 1893. Today, the exterior is almost exactly as it was in 1893. Though taller buildings have sprung up around it, it remains the most visited site in Salt Lake City.
There's a wide variety of activities for individuals and families to participate in while visiting Temple Square. The South Visitor Center features many exhibits, including a model of the temple as tours are not currently given inside the building itself. The center also offers an in-depth look at the temple's history and construction.
The North Visitors center is home to the square's famous Christus. The 11-foot statue was sculpted by the famous artist, Thovaldsen. The North visitor's center also features a 14-square-foot replica of first-century Jerusalem.
Legacy Theater, located in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, shows various films produced by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, exploring both the lives of its Pioneer members and modern day believers. Films run 10:00 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., tickets not required. Showings are free.
Temple Square is home to a number of delicious restaurants. We highly recommend The Roof, a gourmet buffet atop the Joseph Smith Memorial Building with the best views of downtown Salt Lake.
Across from The Roof is The Garden Restaurant, a high-rise bistro serving modestly-priced American cuisine. In the summer, it's an open-air restaurant with a retractable skylight.
The Nauvoo Cafe, open for breakfast and brunch, and the Lion House Pantry, serving homestyle cooking from the 19th century, are also recommended.
