Fodor's Expert Review Temple Square

When Mormon pioneer and leader Brigham Young first entered the Salt Lake Valley, he chose this spot at the mouth of City Creek Canyon for the headquarters of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a role it maintains to this day. The buildings in Temple Square vary in age, from the Tabernacle constructed in the 1860s to the Conference Center constructed in 2000. The centerpiece of the square, the striking Salt Lake Temple isn't open to the general public but is a sacred pilgrimage destination for members of the faith. Built of blocks of granite hauled by oxen and train from Little Cottonwood Canyon, the Temple opened in 1893, 40 years to the day after the start of its construction.

Perhaps the most striking aspect of the Square is the attention to landscaping, which turns the heart of downtown Salt Lake City into a year-round oasis. The Church takes particular pride in its Christmas decorations, which make a nighttime downtown stroll, or horse-and-buggy ride, a must on December calendars. Some of the square's notable buildings include the Beehive House, Brigham Young's restored 1854 home; the Family History Library, which houses the world's largest collection of genealogical data, and where Mormons and non-Mormons alike can research their family histories; and the stately 1911 Joseph Smith Memorial Building. The Salt Lake Temple and parts of Temple Square are currently undergoing a four-year renovation and restoration, which is expected to be completed sometime in 2025.