Utah State Capitol

Our visit to the Utah State Capitol was fantastic! We started at the visitor center, which provided great insight into the state's history and the Capitol's architecture. The Capitol building itself is stunning, with a beautiful rotunda and impressive views of Salt Lake City and the surrounding mountains. It's a popular spot for wedding photos, and it's easy to see why. We highly recommend visiting, but be prepared for a short climb up a hill. The views from the top are breathtaking, and there's plenty of free parking available

Beautiful capital building - perfect for viewing over the SLC downtown and also to take pictures inside. There are murals painted on the ceilings, some on walls, and two grand staircases in the center. The first floor had an exhibit hall which shared the story of how the capital building was constructed and founded along with other smaller historical buildings in the area. We also noticed that they are constructing another panel for education downstairs. At the time we visited, the entrance was blocked off due to construction so we couldn't get a good look at the exterior but definitely will be coming back for future photos!

What an incredible day I had exploring the heart of Salt Lake City! The Capitol building was absolutely stunning—its grand architecture is a sight to behold. But the real highlight? An unforgettable conversation with two local officers who shared a treasure trove of fascinating stories and history about Salt Lake City and Utah. They brought the past to life with such passion and detail, I felt like I was walking through time. Between the breathtaking views, the friendly people, and the deep dive into the region’s rich heritage, this spot easily ranks as one of the must-visit gems of Salt Lake City!

I had a nice time at the Utah State Capitol. It was pretty inside and easy to get into. But please be aware that the capital and visitor gift shop is on a large hill so I DO NOT recommend walking up it! Rent a lime or spin scooter or calling a taxi.

Beautiful building inside and out! You can spend about an hour or more, it's a very big building with lots to see. We parked across the street in front of the gift shop. It was a very hot day, I recommend taking water because it was a bit of a walk to get inside the building and lots of walking inside also.

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.

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!

The Utah State Capitol is absolutely worth a visit—both during the day and at sunset. In the morning, you can go inside during working hours to admire the stunning architecture and learn about the state’s history. But my favorite time to be there is in the evening. The view of the city from the grounds is breathtaking, especially during sunset—it’s calm, beautiful, and incredibly peaceful. You can easily spend hours here just soaking in the atmosphere. The surrounding neighborhood is also beautiful, with charming homes and impressive architecture that make the walk to the Capitol even more enjoyable. Whether you’re interested in history, photography, or simply want a quiet place to reflect, this spot delivers. A must-see when in SLC!

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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!

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.

The architecture and painting were awesome and the tour guide was very nice. Would highly recommend to anyone who likes history.

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.

What's a beautiful city Salt Lake City is it's my favorite winter getaway. Such a clean secure great American city to visit.

Definitely a place to stop, and learn about the rich history of this beautiful state. It has 4 floors but the second floor definitely is my favorite one. If you are wanting to do a day trip and learn about the history, I would highly recommend this spot! It is so nice and definitely worth the stop.

Call me bias... but I'm a sucker for this beautiful monument. The inside of this building is beautiful and there is so many opportunities for pictures. Plenty of professional photos are taken here. It is a desired spot. Around the location it is just beautiful. Our state Capitol is in a hill so it looks like a dream night. *heart eyes*

This was actually such an amazing view, I came here with someone, he took me to see the Capital, and it was such a beautiful experience. We was able to walk around, but (FYI they don't do tours anymore because of COVID 19) but you can walk around yourself and stay 6ft away from others. I met a few cool police offices and security guards. Met some older folks and they told me about there Wars experience, it was such a good time. And my guy friend he packed a lunch and we ate on the grass. It was very nice. Someone told us that you can't walk around inside but they let us and a few others go inside, so I think it's a limit on who can go in during the day. But we was in there for a little and then came outside to eat. Really was an amazing day and made my week better. Can't wait to experience this place once COVID-19 is over. By the way the grass was still beautiful even in winter.

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!

Absolutely beautiful- many pieces of art such as paintings and sculptures are placed inside. There are numerous artifacts with descriptive plaques showing why they have been placed in the capitol. Overall, the marble architecture inside of the building was absolutely stunning- a must see if you visit Salt Lake City.

Beautiful building for some pictures. Came on a clear sunny day. The building closes at 7pm, be sure to make it before than if you wanna check out the inside.

A beautiful building that was so worth visiting. Both the exterior and the interior of the building are grand and elegant. The surrounding view is amazing, with beautiful skies, mountains, and downtown in sight. These make this spot also a great place for photos.

It was interesting to read the history about the house of the government, I've learn some cool things. Utah state capitol was a definite beauty of a landmark to visit.

U.S. National Register of Historic Places The main floor has four statues. The rotunda occupies the center of the building, under the dome. The mural includes seagulls (state bird) flying amongst clouds. Also within the dome is a cyclorama, with eight scenes from Utah's history. The atria to the sides of the rotunda contain large skylights. Columns support two levels of balconies. At the end of each atrium is a marble staircase, and a mural. The arched mural on the west end is above the entrance to the House Chamber and the mural at the east end is above the entrance to the Supreme Court. The Capitol also features various beehive (state symbol) decorations. There isn't much to do in SLC, so the Capitol is worth a visit.

Very lovely place to visit and just walk around. We were able to walk around and see the different governors that have been here in the past years. Wish we had more time to spend here, til next time Utah.

So sad that COVID prohibited getting inside, but still a beautiful building to walk around - and the views from the rotunda are great as well. Most of the surrounding memorials were cordoned off (I'm assuming because of prior protests), but again, still nice from a ways back. Cross the street and take the City Creek Canyon trail for a lovely walk they nature in middle of town. Very peaceful outing.

Great architecture, state capitol of Utah. It was supposed to be raining all day yesterday but shortly after I landed at SLC, rain stopped and the sun came out. I heard about the view from the capitol building, so I decided to walk up the hill to see. It was Sunday, no guided tours but building is open to public for self-guided tour. Hardly anyone inside, I took time to admire the details of architecture. View from the steps on the south side was stunning. Beautiful mountains and view of the downtown. I stood there for a while to admire their beautiful mountains. They may be one of the most beautiful State capitol buildings in the US.

This Capitol is one of the most beautiful government buildings in the world. It stands as a beacon of hope and justice on a hill that overlooks downtown Salt Lake City. There is a lot of history regarding this building. The blossoms in the spring are a favorite of many individuals.

The building is absolutely beautiful! The area was clean and we were able to complete the self guided tour with no issues. Parking was plentiful and easy to access. Great views of the area from this location!

If you're anywhere in Salt Lake City, you'll probably see the Utah State Capitol building. It sits at the top of State Street, just south of the mountains at a high point in the valley just south of Ensign Peak. For about two weeks in early April (starting April 8th for 2018) the circular gravel train breaks out in beautiful cherry blossoms - hundred of them. It's a beautiful site to see. If you're a runner, this loop is about 1.2km around with some significant elevation at the end. If you're in town during spring, it's a must see. If you're a visitor not going inside, there's a bunch of parking along the east side and the north side of the building. The east side is usually busier, since you can park there and easily walk down to Memory Grove Park or bike/jog along Bonneville Blvd through he Canyon.

Took a stroll from our Airbnb near Temple Square about 300 feet in elevation up to the capital building. We were disappointed that there was no one at the desk when we arrived. So no one to answer any questions about the building. However we toured the building with the aid of a brochure that was at the desk. The building is full of Georgia marble that is just gorgeous. The paintings in the rotunda are depictions of life in early Utah pioneer days . It is one of the largest capital buildings I have ever toured. The fact that it sits up from the city is another feature that makes it impressive. The grounds and statues around the building are also impressive. Not sure about parking since we walked.

Simply fascinating. You think the outside of this building is amazing, wait until you walk through the doors. From the floor to ceiling this building it breathtakingly beautiful. The steps out front seem daunting, but it is worth the climb. You have to take a look for yourself. A must see while it SLC.

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!

Beautiful spot to take pictures. We caught up on some history at the right side where there's a male figure standing about how the Mormons helped the country with volunteers in the war. Worth checking out.

beautiful building! So glad I got to see this place with an official tour guide compared to the last time I was here when I just had to explore it myself. The marble is beautiful, the paintings are beautiful, it's so bright and airy even though it is a very solid building. Great views from the hill, just overall immaculate and one of my favorite state capitols. The tour guide was great! I really appreciate it how she talked about not only history of Utah from the Anglo American perspective but also from the Native American perspective. She used language such as colonization that really put things into perspective from multiple different angles. Very appreciated!

Huge building! Lots of artifacts and displays. The architecture is amazing!! I would highly recommend checking this place out.

This is one of the top things to see when in Salt Lake City. Great architecture, both inside and out. Lots of marble on the inside, beautiful murals. My only complaint is that it can get busy (tourists, wedding photo shoots, school classes, etc). But it's free and the view is incredible. If you're visiting SLC, this has to be one of your primary stops.

While visiting Salt Lake City 2 weeks ago, my husband and I made sure to make a visit to the capital. We came on a Monday (December 21) and parked across the street at the visitor center (http://www.yelp.com/biz/tourism-information-visitor-center-salt-lake-city), then made the trek up all the steps to enter through the main doors of the capitol. Anyways, sadly we found out that from December 14 through January 3, all museum volunteers were given a break and so unfortunately we did not have a tour guide/ docent available to give us a tour during our visit (but the volunteers will be available starting tomorrow, January 4 if you come for a visit). On the day we came, we were fortunately to walk in on a special holiday concert put on by some children and teens (not exactly sure what school or organization they were from). It was nice to see this huge decorated Christmas tree and listen to beautifully mastered holiday music while walking around this beautiful capital. The structure and architecture is quite beautiful. The high ceilings and layout is quite a sight to see. While we walked around all the floors (don't forget to visit the basement, there is a small area with some history about the stage flag and the state symbol, the beehive and just some general information about Utah), we were able to see the house and senate chamber rooms. There are also some statues to view, but wished there were signs and more information to read about them. Overall, worth a visit to soak up some American history. But would have been better to have a docent give us a tour (maybe the next time we come to Utah).

We flew into Salt Lake City to go visit the National Parks in Utah but we typically stop and see the Capitol building if within striking distance. So here we are. When we went there was ample parking. The building itself is pretty spectacular. Clean grounds and the building shined. Good quick visit.

One of the more scenic and memorable state capitol building areas that I've visited, and I've seen more than half of them in the United States. The capitol is like most in its deep-rooted history during western expansion, as well as its grand architecture both inside and out. First off, the views from the building are phenomenal. On a clear day, you can see all of Salt Lake City, and possibly as far out to Orem (definitely Murray). It seems that this building is a popular wedding destination for receptions, as well as grand photo shoots. In fact, on the day that I arrived, there was a wedding party that had the entire building shut down (probably a member of the Huntsman family). Nonetheless, the outdoor courtyard area is humble & quaint, yet an area that you can ponder your thoughts in. There are several statues within the courtyard that are a reflection of Utah's past and present development. The outdoor area on the front portico is phenomenal, with several lion statues as well as other landmarks. My favorite lion was named Fortitude. Unfortunately, none of these lions would ever form Voltron. Lol. You can see the state capitol building easily from South State Street, as well as other areas within Salt Lake City. Certainly worth the stop while in town.