Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square & Salt Lake City Bus Tour
4.7 / 5 · 748 traveler reviews
TICKETS INCLUDED. Sunday's live Music and the Spoken Word broadcast is now ticketed, and demand far exceeds the Tabernacle's capacity; walk-ins are turned away. Book now to hold your seat. The Original. 45+ Years. The Gold Standard. Salt Lake City's signature experience: hear the Tabernacle Choir plus a 2.5-hour city tour. The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square: Hear 360 voices and the iconic 11,623-pipe organ fill the Tabernacle during Music and the Spoken Word, the world's longest-running broadcast, on air since 1929. President Reagan dubbed them America's Choir; they've sung at 6 presidential inaugurations. *Sunday is the live broadcast (tickets included). *Thursday is the open rehearsal (no tickets needed). The Complete City Tour: 2.5 hour sightseeing tour: Temple Square, the Utah State Capitol with mountain views, the South Temple mansions, the Cathedral of the Madeleine, and pioneer monuments. Air-conditioned premium tour bus, photo stops, minimal walking.
Your experience
Stop 1
Experience the world-famous Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square: *Sunday tour includes a ticketed live broadcast (Tickets included) *Thursday tour includes an open rehearsal Music and the Spoken Word—world's longest-running continuous broadcast since 1929. 360 voices performing inspiring music that has moved audiences for generations. Emmy and Grammy-winning choir, performed for six U.S. Presidents. VENUE: Historic Salt Lake Tabernacle—built in 1867 with acoustics so perfect you can hear a pin drop from 170 feet away, featuring the iconic 11,632-pipe organ.
Stop 2
Step inside one of America's most acoustically perfect buildings—the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Built in 1867 by Mormon pioneers, this architectural marvel features a massive self-supporting dome spanning 150 feet with zero interior pillars, creating unobstructed views and legendary acoustics where you can hear a pin drop from 170 feet away. Home to the world-famous 11,632-pipe Tabernacle Organ—one of the largest and most renowned organs in the world—this historic venue has hosted countless performances and remains the recording site for Music and the Spoken Word, broadcasting continuously since 1929. Your guide will share fascinating stories about the building's pioneer construction, the remarkable acoustic engineering that predated modern technology, and the cultural significance of this National Historic Landmark. You'll witness the stunning interior with its intricate woodwork, massive organ facade, and elegant galleries that have welcomed millions of visitors over 150+ years.
Stop 3
Admire the iconic Salt Lake Temple—the most photographed and recognizable symbol of Salt Lake City. This stunning granite masterpiece took 40 years to complete (1853-1893), with pioneer craftsmen quarrying and hand-cutting every stone from nearby mountains. While the Temple interior is reserved exclusively for Church members, your guide brings the exterior to life with fascinating stories about its construction, symbolic architecture, and cultural significance. Learn about the six soaring spires (the tallest reaching 210 feet), the intricate hand-carved details, the Angel Moroni statue crowning the central spire, and the symbolism woven throughout. Your guide shares captivating tales of pioneer dedication, the architectural features that make this building unique, and its role as the centerpiece of Temple Square. Enjoy photo opportunities from the beautifully landscaped grounds surrounding this National Historic Landmark that has defined Salt Lake City's skyline for over 130 years.
Stop 4
Experience the LDS Conference Center—the world's largest religious auditorium and a modern architectural masterpiece. Completed in 2000, this impressive structure seats 21,000 people and showcases some of the most advanced acoustics ever designed. Your guide highlights the building's remarkable features: the rooftop garden with waterfalls and native plantings, grand bronze entry doors, and (during summer Tabernacle Choir performances) the breathtaking 21,000-seat auditorium featuring the massive 7,667-pipe organ. Learn about the cutting-edge construction techniques, the perfect sound engineering that ensures every seat has pristine acoustics, and the building's role as a modern counterpart to the historic Tabernacle. During summer months, this venue hosts the world-famous Tabernacle Choir, blending pioneer musical traditions with state-of-the-art facilities in an unforgettable setting.
Stop 5
Explore Temple Square—the spiritual and historical heart of Salt Lake City spanning 10 beautifully landscaped acres in downtown. This iconic 35-acre complex is Utah's #1 tourist attraction, welcoming millions of visitors annually to its stunning architecture, manicured gardens, and rich pioneer heritage. Discover the magnificent grounds featuring the Salt Lake Temple with its six soaring granite spires, the historic Tabernacle with world-famous acoustics, seasonal flower displays, and statues honoring pioneer history. Your guide shares captivating stories about the square's significance, the 40-year Temple construction, and the pioneers who settled this valley. Admire the Assembly Hall's Gothic Revival architecture, the Seagull Monument commemorating Utah's miracle story, and the beautifully maintained gardens. This National Historic Landmark represents the architectural and cultural centerpiece of Mormon heritage and remains one of America's most visited religious sites.
Stop 6
Visit the magnificent Utah State Capitol—one of America's most beautiful state capitol buildings, perched majestically on Capitol Hill with commanding views of Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Mountains. Completed in 1916, this stunning Neoclassical masterpiece features a copper dome rising 285 feet and architecture rivaling the finest government buildings in the nation. Your guide shares fascinating stories about Utah's path to statehood, the building's restoration, and the symbolism throughout its design. Marvel at the grand rotunda with massive marble columns, intricate murals depicting Utah history, and the breathtaking chandelier weighing thousands of pounds. Step outside for panoramic photo opportunities showcasing the entire Salt Lake Valley framed by mountain peaks. This National Historic Landmark represents Utah's heritage and democratic ideals while offering some of the best views in the city—a must-see stop that combines history, architecture, and natural beauty.
Stop 7
Admire the stunning City and County Building—Utah's most spectacular example of Romanesque Revival architecture. Completed in 1894, this magnificent sandstone structure features a soaring clock tower rising 256 feet, ornate turrets, arched windows, and intricate stone carvings. Your guide shares fascinating stories about the building's construction during a pivotal time in Salt Lake City's history, its role as the seat of city and county government for over 130 years, and the painstaking restoration that saved this architectural treasure. Learn why this became a symbol of civic pride and how it nearly faced demolition before being recognized as a masterpiece worth preserving. The beautifully landscaped grounds offer perfect photo opportunities of this National Historic Landmark. The building's elegant Victorian-era design creates a beautiful contrast to the modern city surrounding it.
Stop 8
Visit the Mormon Battalion Monument—a powerful tribute to one of the most remarkable military marches in American history. This monument honors the 500 Latter-day Saint volunteers who enlisted during the Mexican-American War and completed the longest infantry march in U.S. military history: 2,000 miles from Iowa to San Diego in 1846-1847. Your guide shares the incredible story of these pioneers who served their country while their families continued west to Utah. Learn about the hardships they endured crossing deserts and mountains, their discipline that earned military respect, and how their pay helped fund the pioneer settlement of Salt Lake Valley. The monument features striking bronze sculptures and plaques depicting the battalion's journey and sacrifice. This lesser-known chapter of Western expansion reveals the complex relationship between the early Latter-day Saints and the U.S. government, showing courage and patriotism during a difficult period in the community's history.
Stop 9
Marvel at the Cathedral of the Madeleine—Salt Lake City's stunning Gothic Revival masterpiece and the only Catholic cathedral in Utah. Completed in 1909, this architectural jewel features soaring spires, intricate stonework, and some of the most breathtaking stained glass windows in the American West. Your guide shares fascinating stories about the cathedral's construction in a predominantly Latter-day Saint city, the European craftsmen who created its beauty, and the symbolism throughout its design. Learn about the meticulous restoration in the 1990s that returned the interior to its original splendor. Admire the twin spires rising 220 feet, the ornate Spanish Gothic façade, and the beautifully detailed exterior that transports you to medieval Europe. Located in Salt Lake City's historic Avenues neighborhood surrounded by elegant Victorian mansions, this National Historic Landmark represents the city's diverse religious heritage.
Stop 10
See City Creek Center—downtown Salt Lake City's premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination spanning three city blocks. Opened in 2012, this stunning $1.5 billion development seamlessly blends upscale retail with beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces, creating an urban oasis in the heart of the city. Your guide shares fascinating stories about the center's innovative design featuring a retractable glass roof, the restored historic City Creek that flows through the property, and how this development transformed downtown Salt Lake City into a vibrant urban destination. Learn about the features and the vision behind creating a pedestrian-friendly shopping experience. Admire the modern architecture, lush gardens, fountains, and the natural creek that gives the center its name. With over 100 stores and restaurants, this impressive development represents Salt Lake City's evolution into a modern metropolitan hub while honoring the natural waterway that sustained pioneers.
Stop 11
Visit the exact location where Brigham Young declared "This is the right place" in 1847, ending the pioneers' grueling 1,300-mile journey from Illinois. This historic site marks where 148 pioneers first viewed the Salt Lake Valley after emerging from Emigration Canyon—a moment that defined the American West. Your guide shares the compelling story of their trek, the challenges they overcame, and why this valley became their destination. The impressive 60-foot monument commemorates this pivotal moment in Western expansion. Experience the same breathtaking panoramic views the pioneers witnessed: the entire Salt Lake Valley spread below, the Wasatch Mountains rising dramatically, and the Great Salt Lake visible in the distance. Stand where history was made and see the landscape that represented hope and new beginnings for thousands of settlers who would follow.
Stop 12
Experience a section of the Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail—the legendary 1,300-mile route that brought over 70,000 Latter-day Saint pioneers from Illinois to Utah between 1846-1869. This National Historic Trail marks one of the largest voluntary migrations in American history. Your guide reveals stories of incredible determination and sacrifice as families crossed plains, rivers, and mountains with handcarts and wagons, driven by faith and the search for religious freedom. Learn about the challenges they faced—brutal weather, limited supplies, and terrain that tested human endurance. See monuments and markers commemorating this epic journey that shaped the settlement of the American West. The trail tells a powerful story of resilience, community, and the pioneers whose courage built Salt Lake City from an empty valley into a thriving capital.
What’s included
- 2.5 hour fully-guided city tour with local expert
- Tickets to Hear Tabernacle Choir Live Sunday Broadcast (Thursday attends an open rehearsal)
Meeting and pickup
Tour bus parks curbside on the street in front of Radisson Downtown Hotel 10-15 minutes before tour to begin boarding. Wait outside main lobby doors at this time. PARKING available across the street (address of lot entrance: 40 John Stockton Drive). Arrive an additional 10 minutes early if parking
Before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- KIDS UNDER AGE 8? Tabernacle Choir concerts on Sunday will seat children under 8 in a separate location due to sensitive acoustics and sound recording equipment
- Folding wheelchairs and walkers may be accommodated but you must notify us by phone at least 24 hours before the tour
Cancellation policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Check the policy for your selected date and option before booking.
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