Utah Capital Building The seat of Utah's government is open to public for tours and exploration. You can visit the Senate, the House Chamber, and the Supreme Court Chamber. The building has cherry blossom tress all around it , so during spring it is a treat for the eyes - that is how our guide explained, but for me, the building on top of a little hill, emerging from the snow looked magical and fairy tale'ish. Being the Capital Building, it has plenty of parking. Vip's and dignitaries have specially reserved areas. Admission is free. This turned out to be especially important with building quite a distance from the city , and being winter, restaurants etc are mostly closed, and the temperatures outside freezing - it was perfect to just stay as long as it was open, enjoying the warm temperatures , admiring the huge buildings, the painted ceilings, innumerable art pieces around, the number of floors, AND a cafeteria! It became a full day picnic .... lol. Mon- Thursday- opens as early as 7 am and closes at 8 pm. The grey building and its sober interiors, with dash of golden , sometimes due to the sculptures and sometimes due to electric lights, makes it interesting for many pictures. Oh! and the stone lions outside are majestic ! The Grand Rotunda dome, the murals and the Gold Room are some of the highlights. Definitely worth a visit. read more

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Went on the most gorgeous sunset walk here the other evening. It was my first time exploring the grounds, and there are some beautiful viewpoints to take in the valley from all directions. Although it can get busy here, I found parking easily and it was very accessible! read more

Utah State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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If you are looking for something to do when visiting SLC or just interested in how the government system works, then checking out Utah state Capitol may be for you! On Monday through Friday they offer guided tours on the hour. Tours last appointment 45 minutes. If not interested in a guided tour, you can mill around the Capitol on your own. And if you are just lucky the Capitol may be active if the representatives or senators are in session. If in session, you can watch from the gallery. Worth a visit to just see the Capitol architecture and paintings inside. read more

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The building and grounds are beautiful, with impressive architecture and manicured lawns that make for great photo opportunities. Unfortunately, pets aren't allowed to walk around on the grounds, so we simply passed by, snapped a few pictures, and moved on. It's still worth a brief visit for the views and photos, but not an ideal stop if you're traveling with a dog. read more

Utah State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

This is the first place my hubby took me when I visited Utah . He actually thought you can't go inside but you know me ! I gotta find out & surprise it was packed with people ! What a beautiful building, I so wanted to come back here another day when it's quiet. There are so many ideas for a photoshoot was going around inside my head ! There were actually people doing actual shoots inside . I was enjoying that , in my head I was like instructing them lol..! There were some nice couples I ended up taking pictures . They were nice enough & asked me if we want some pictures! It was so kind of them ! They doing some constructions inside but it still was packed . If you are visiting Utah, you can't miss this place . And the view from outside is beautiful! read more

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The Utah State Capitol is one of the main destination I wanted to see while visiting in SLC. We decided to arrive early to avoid the large crowd or tourist. The architect here was truly amazing especiallly the marble staircases on both sides. The rooms in the Supreme Court and House of Representatives was available to take a peek, but not allowed to go inside. There was a mini theatre where you can watch and learn the American history. You can tell this builiding held numerous wedding pictures and receptions. Also I noticed some people were having a picnic on the lawn which is great for taking brteaks. So sometimes it's a hit or miss when you visit. We were lucky enough there was no special event going on. Street parking is free and also there was a private lot parking is available next to the council hall building. No entrance fee required. read more

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The Utah State Capitol ended up being another stop on my unofficial tour of state capitol buildings this year, which is apparently a hobby I did not know I had. The building itself is beautiful and grand, with classic architecture that definitely makes an impression when you first walk up. Inside, it's nice but not quite as jaw dropping as some of the other state capitols I've seen recently. There are a handful of interesting exhibits to wander through, along with a portrait gallery that answers the very specific question of what the governor in 1975 looked like. It's worth a visit if you're nearby, especially if you enjoy history with a side of quiet exploration. read more

Utah State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

We weaved our way up & inside the state capitol. Inside chairs were set up & many were watching the Soapbox Derby on a television. Unfortunately, we're here on a day when the soapbox derby is are happening outside and protests are scheduled to occur this afternoon. All of the offices are locked up, and there was a strong police presence read more

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Utah State Capitol is one of the best state capitols I have been to. It is beautiful, massive, well organized, and free. The entrance is located at the east side not in the front. Guided tours are offered. There's a part that tells about the history of Utah and the capitol with well preserved memorabilia. They are well maintained and labeled, making it easy to understand and very visitor-friendly. It's a museum in itself. A theater shows a video about the State Capitol and its history. One of the dioramas show different movies shot in Utah including the state capitol. The staircases are grand, leading to the second floor which houses different branches of the government. When I visited, a video shoot was taking place at the second floor. Near the front of the State Capitol is a gift/souvenir shop. The state capitol is also close to Memory Grove Park. Parking is free and ample such that it should not be an issue. Highly recommended. read more

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First time in Utah -- and in SLC! We stayed a couple of days downtown and decided to take the walk up the hill. And wow... it's a very BIG hill -- great exercise. The building and surrounding grounds are very impressive. We have an excellent Capitol in Madison, Wisconsin, and I'd say this one is every bit as good as ours. We toured most of the building, checking out the rotunda, assembly rooms, and supreme court chambers. It's a beautiful space, which was actually being set up for a wedding reception later that evening. We also saw several wedding couples having their photos taken -- a little inconvenient at times, since we had to be careful not to photobomb them! It's definitely a must-see if you're in SLC. read more

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Most state capitols are gorgeous and Utah's Capitol is no exception. There is free parking across the street from the front entrance. And, of course, it is free to enter. You paid for the building, after all. You can get a guided tour during the week or you can do a self-guided toward anytime, including on Saturdays and Sundays. Normally, I like guided tours but our only opportunity to visit was on the weekend. The self-guided tour is on the Capitol website. There is beautiful marble, statues, and artwork to view. It is really beautiful. I would give yourself at least an hour or maybe a little more to appreciate it all. Well worth visiting. read more

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Very cool free spot to checkout. They allow you to walk inside which is cool to checkout the history of it. Parking - Had no issues on Saturday. Plenty of street parking on the sides nearby. read more

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I have to agree with other reivewers that this is one of the most best State Capitol builldings I've visited. It's built up on a hill so it has outstanding views and it truly stands out due to the long staircases and walkways leading up to it. The grounds are beautiful. We visited on a Sunday so it wasn't crowded at all and there were many people taking photos both inside and outside. We also were able to use the clean restrooms but I couldn't resist having to take a picture of the sign on the wall behind the toilet. It cracked me up. What is going on in this building? Why are people squatting on the toilets and how was that so much of a problem that it warranted special stickers having to be made and placed in each stall. Someone message me and explain this please. read more

Didn't realize that the capital building was accessible to the public for self and guided tours, and that it's a museum. It's also FREE!!!! There is a lot of history regarding the original design makings, architecture and its earthquake retrofit and different supplies used to create the building. There is detailed background on how the state got the beehive symbol, and the history of the flag, etc. The original dome light is also on display. There's a whole level dedicated to the many movies & some tv shows that were filmed in Utah. I didn't have time to review each & every thing since I wasn't expecting to come across this but I'd love to go back and read more about Utah's history time permitting. I mean we were there at least an hour maybe slightly more and there was just so much to see! On a good day the views from the capital are ahmaazing! I truly feel the capital looks best at dusk/evening when it's all lit up and the lights come on around the city. read more

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The capitol isn't somewhere my family and I frequent often,. When we do it's pretty much only because we are heading to the nearby memory grove. That said, it's still a cool building and fun to do a little walk around with the family. However, you'd be hard pressed to find a day where there aren't some type of protesters, which certainly lowers the "family friendliness" and relaxing afternoon vibe. read more

The Utah State Capitol is a public building and also a museum. Most people wander the main floor but I recommend checking out the 3rd and 4th floor as they have some rotating exhibits there. In 2024, the entire 4th floor exhibit was dedicated to Utah film and television and it was interesting to learn of movies I've seen that had scenes shot in Utah. The Capitol is completely free to visit. If you are a teacher planning a field trip, I highly recommend that your district state rep or senator give a tour to your class, we got to go into the rooms for each branch of govt. read more

Utah State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Had some time to spare in Salt Lake City so decided to check out the state capitol building. Sitting majestically on the top of a hill, it's a free destination to visit. Surrounded by lush greenery and winding sidewalks. Be sure to check the signs as one side of the capitol is for entry and the other is for exit (won't open from outside). Explored on my own; didn't opt for a guided tour or anything. There are four levels to explore and a plethora of information and history to absorb. From the history to geographical changes to important figures to modern film and more. The architecture is stunning. Huge slabs of marble. Natural light flows in from the ceiling making for a beautifully lit interior with multiple nice photo ops. The dome atrium is especially impressive with an overarching shape that opens into a huge space. Once again, great for pics. Spent about an hour-ish but you could easily stay longer if you read about everything. Nice peaceful activity while exploring the city. read more

Amazing!! This is by far the best State Capitol Building Tour that I've ever been to. First of all - the building is absolutely stunning. The building is pristinely clean both inside and out, with very clean bathrooms. If you are coming M-F, there are free tours at the top of every hour, between 10am-3pm. See my picture for the hour and QE code for more info! We arrived on a Saturday and weee able to do a really nice self-guided tour, aided by the brochure that we received upon entering. We spent several hours here! From admiring the beautiful architecture and the marble columns, looking down from the Rotunda, to seeing the Room of the House of Representatives, etc... What we enjoyed most is on the top floor, there are many displays and timelines detailing of how the Utah State became one of the movie favorites filming spot! Very enjoyable tour and is a must visit spot when you're visiting SLC! read more

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If you like learning history, definitely recommend the Utah State Capitol tour. It's free and I learned a lot (like how the California seagull is Utah's state bird). Our tour guide was engaging and took us to a lot of cool parts, including the basement that had these earthquake stabilizers read more

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we signed up the free guided tour, it's fun to walk around and learn about the history of Utah and the capitol building. There is a lot of history about the pioneer - Brigham Young. This is an amazing building with lot of marble - all over the wall and floor. we learnt about the Utah Flag - The Beehive Flag is the official flag of Utah. beehive, symbolizing prosperity, unity, and Utah's motto 'Industry'. 1896, the year Utah attained statehood and became the 45th star on the American flag. read more

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Pretty awe-inspiring. The State Capitol is a fun place to walk around on your own, or you can do a guided tour. It was interesting to see the history of Utah and how the state government was formed, etc. You should check it out. read more

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I went to visit families and mind you, I didn't realize Salt Lake City was Utah's capital My cousin took me to see the Capitol building. There was construction outside for an expansion so we were limited to what we can see. The guards were nice. Told us to catch the elevator to the fourth and make our way back down. There were plenty of historical facts about Utah on every floor including sculptures and statues. One reminded me of Danny Trejo haha. I should've taken photos. I would recommend a tour because the building is beautiful. read more

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Such a beautiful place to visit. The scenery is so lush and beautiful and surrounded by plenty of walking paths. The interior has so much history, I especially enjoyed viewing the history displays and room. The atrium was breathtaking! I believe they were setting up for a wedding the when I went. It was gorgeous. Always worth a visit if you are in SLC. read more

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Only walked around for the views so my review does not include the interior. The vantage point from the top steps of the capitol is exceptional and I highly recommend a visit for the views. The grounds could have more color, but other than that were very well maintained. read more

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We only had a short time in Salt Lake City and opted to stay downtown. We headed toward Temple Square and saw the Capital standing proud over the city with a short walk up a steep hill so we headed toward it. We were hoping to see the city from the high hill and found there were too many trees and a morning fog that didn't allow for the greatest views of the city but the mountains to the east and west were stunning. It's well worth the walk to the capital steps, even if you don't go in. read more

Utah State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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Beautiful. Worth noting: the Capitol grounds are impressive and it's nice to see how many people make use taking picnics or visiting on the lawn. read more

Tourists being tourists -- we stopped off for a little look around and to learn about Utah. Enjoyed the displays and interior. Kids were on a field trip at the time too. Worth a visit if you've got time. read more

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An immense complex filled with visual historical history of how Utah became a state and the important benchmarks it achieved along the way. School kids had a field trip the day we visited. Open to the public there is much to see. read more

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Great building to visit! Government and politics aside, it's worth a visit if you've never been. The entrance is on the east side (to the right if you approach the building from the main steps). That's the bottom floor, so you'll need to go up one floor to reach the main beautiful floor. On higher floors you'll find info and exhibits on the architecture, history, and trivia of this building and all of Utah. I learned so much about so many city and state historical events that I felt like I was in a museum. Street parking is free for two hours. read more

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Absolutely amazing and one of the best composed State Capitol buildings that I've ever been to! The Utah State Capitol is not only stunning, but it offers a wealth of information about the establishment of Utah. Free to enter, free parking, and free to tour at your own will! Like whaaat?! When I opened the door to the Capitol building, I could not believe my eyes. Stunningly friggin' GORGEOUS architecture!!! From the lovely rotunda and dome shaped ceiling to the Corinthian style exterior; the entire structure of the Capitol is undeniably beautiful. There are 4 floors including a basement (the basement is not accessible to the public). Each floor features amazing artwork, statues, and art pieces. There's a small museum like section of the Capitol that includes mini replicas of movie sites where popular movies were filmed throughout the state. You can even view the original letters of the Utah Constitution. On the second and third floors, you can take a peek into the many different rooms that are located within the Capitol like the meeting rooms of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The outside grounds feature several statues, huge lawn spaces, a water fountain, and beautiful walking paths. One of the most interesting things that I learned from visiting the State Capitol was that Brigham Young's polygamy was what delayed Utah from officially becoming a state. My mans was a playa!!! BAHAHA! But honestly, this was such a fun experience. Loved learning about Utah's history and roaming the gorgeous grounds of the Capitol. I'd put this in the top 5 must do's during a first visit to Utah. read more

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I love to see the capitols and have been quite a few thru out states. Utah Capitol caught my attention on the security entrance. There is no check points like other states and no police cars around when we were there. The building is impressive as other Capitol. Strongly recommended to see and learn about the history. It's free so why not lol. We were there on Monday and there wasn't any crowd so it's a plus. read more

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DO NOT HAVE YOUR WEDDING HERE. this venue was extremely deceptive about what space was rented. They failed to mention that the entire area is basically public. There were multiple crowds of people surrounding the space that was rented that we're having their own weddings, engagements, yelling, shouting, walking through our area, having multiple quinceañeras, and other large groups Tourist. They have you pay for security, however the security does nothing to help mitigate the people surrounding you that are being extremely loud, rude, and even cheering and clapping during their engagement-while you are trying to do your own wedding vows. People set up cameras and we're videoing our private party which Security did nothing about (hello, fish bowl). They fail to mention any of this was public until final walk-through. At which point it was too late to get any money back or reserve any other space. There's no restrooms to change or get ready in. The bathrooms that were available were disgusting and had old underwear and bra straps left on the floor with trash all over the floor as well. Even though the have you pay extra for cleaning/maintenance during your event. Overall, it was extremely disheartening that What could have been such a beautiful moment and venue was ruined by the capitals failure to event plan and be completely transparent. The capital was contacted (specially Lana Parker) and is taking no accountability or responsibility and instead of trying to gaslight and deny what happened. Claiming that on their no sound video footage doesn't show the extremely loud engagement that happened directly behind us and the wedding through the entirety. Our photographer and videographer could not even get pictures due to other people being in the way, or having their own wedding ceremony or quinceanera... which is another thousands of dollars wasted on a once in a lifetime moment. Overall, if you want to get married at the capital just go because it's public and don't pay any sort of venue fee. You might be ruining somebody else's day, but clearly the capital doesn't care. read more

Free sightseeing spots and history lessons are some of my favorite things to look for when visiting a new city, and the Utah State Capitol provided exactly that. The capitol is just north of the main downtown Salt Lake City area and there is free public parking around the outside for you to use to explore the area. There are four floors that have a variety of topics and information. There is information about the history and geographical changes of Utah that was previously named Deseret and encompassed parts of surrounding states. There is also information about important figures of Utah's history that shaped it into what it is today. The décor is beautiful as well with the marble all over and the portraits on the dome at the very top of the building. Inside there are also house of representatives and senate chambers and overall this is just a nice place to walk around, look at some nice-looking things, and learn something. What's cool is that when I was here there were tons of people taking pictures on the main floor, whether they were just dressing up or taking wedding pictures. I can't blame them though; it's a beautiful building! read more

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Visited the Utah State Capitol in Salt Lake City. Great place with an awesome view of the city--if you can dodge the construction cones! It's like they're renovating the entire state. The scaffolding really brings out the historical charm. If you love a good game of 'find the entrance,' this is the place for you. Five stars for the views, but be ready to navigate a maze of hard hats and jackhammers! read more

Utah State Capitol - Capital state building - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

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Sitting atop a hill overlooking the beautiful Salt Lake valley is the Utah State Capitol building. It's majestic-rich in history, architecture and magnificence. So it's no wonder that so many tourists, school groups and high school formal dance groups flock to the building each year. You can take tours of the building (during non-COVID times), which I highly recommend. Of course, you can just walk around on your own, but the tour will give you more information and history-so why not do it? And, it's free! If you find yourself here during COVID, you can walk the grounds outside, but inside is closed to the public. Online tours are available through their website. read more

Utah State Capitol - Landmarks & Historical Buildings Near Me - Salt Lake City, Utah

Please note getting in & out of the main Bldg is not accessible friendly, though the grounds are vast & lovely w/sculptures- just be aware of some gravel paths outside... & inside the signage to ramps is lacking. That said- I've visited the capital Bldg multi times now... & found something interesting each time. Salt lake is blessed to have such a lovely capital. read more

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Grade A beautiful building on the hill. It's supposed to be a replica of the one in DC. Although I've never been, I think it nails it perfectly. It's a quiet peaceful place to take some pictures and to get a nice view of the mountains. You can go inside but we didn't because we were in a hurry. The walk down state street is spectacular! Check out my pics! read more

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If I ever have to move from California, Utah is the state I want to move to because they are so relaxed here. In California you have to make a reservation to go into the state capitol and you have to get a photography permit to take pictures inside of it. In Utah, you simply greet a security guard and walk in. Inside the capital the architecture is breathtaking. From the hand painted murals, dome covered with Utah copper, sculptures, two marble grand staircases on opposite sides dividing the Supreme Court and the House of Representatives. You can actually look inside. We came on a weekday, and we had the capitol building all to ourselves for a few minutes. This is a great place to learn about American history and be blown away by the architecture. It is also free to enter. read more

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My 26th State Capitol as I work my way through all fifty states. Salt Lake City is a massive structure. Simply huge. A terrific display of the power of the State of Utah. Today, the Capitol was open for wandering around the inside and seeing the displays. Portraits of previous governors. History of the state. From the front steps, a great opportunity for a view of the entire Salt Lake City Valley. Beautiful! read more

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This is a top notch State Capitol, with beautiful grounds and great history. I love that Utah was the first state to pass women's suffrage! Woohoo, you go badass Mormon ladies fighting for us There were about 5-6 men dressed in old colonial uniforms and that was really cool, although I imagine they must have been roasting on July 5 as it was hot afffffff. They were SOOOO nice though, and snapped a picture with me while giving us a bunch of recommendations for our next stops at the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone. We didn't go inside, but I'd love to go in and take a tour sometime! read more