The architecture in downtown Salt Lake City surprised me in the best way. I had passed through a couple of times before – once while road tripping with my dog and once on my way to Park City for a girls trip – but I mostly treated downtown as a quick stopover. On a recent conference trip, I finally explored on foot and realized how much history and architecture I had overlooked on previous visits. There is much more to see than Temple Square including adaptive reuse hotels, historic buildings, public art, and civic spaces worth exploring. If you want to discover more of downtown at your own pace, steal my map and tips for a self-guided walking tour of Salt Lake City.
Want a Tour Guide? Book this tour
If you want to go on the same tour I went on, book this walking tour with Southwest Adventure Tours through Get Your Guide.
Steal My Map – Walking Tour of Salt Lake City
Save this map for your own self-guided walking tour of Salt Lake City – you can save the map directly to your google maps on your phone.
If you would rather go on a guided tour, I recommend booking this tour from Southwest Adventure Tours through Get Your Guide. It’s the same tour I went on. There are a few things on the map different from the tour, but the route is similar.
Where to Stay in Downtown Salt Lake City
There are plenty of large chain hotels in downtown Salt Lake City, but I have a few favorites if you want to stay somewhere architecturally interesting. Some of them are even included in the walking tour because they are worth a visit, even if you don’t stay as a guest.
Adaptive Reuse and Historic Hotels
Asher Adams – I love an adaptive reuse hotel, especially one inside of an old train station. Asher Adams opened in 2024 inside the historic Union Pacific Depot. Even if you don’t stay here, it is worth a visit to admire the lobby and get a drink at the Bar at Asher Adams. The bar is inside the old depot and maintains some of the original mosaic tile floors and soaring ceilings alongside modern interior design. Not to mention, the onsite restaurant Rouser is inside the former baggage handling area. If you are interested in adaptive reuse architecture, you have to visit this hotel.
Kimpton Monaco – Kimptons are always one of my favorite hotels to stay in, especially if traveling with a dog. I have actually stayed in this Salt Lake City location twice. Once with my dog as a puppy on a road trip, and recently for a conference.
One of the reasons I love Kimptons, and especially this one, is they are often adaptive reuse. This building was originally the Continental Bank Building built in 1924 and was converted into a hotel in 1999.
The location is convenient right in the center of downtown, which makes walking everywhere easy. They also have a lovely lobby, restaurant, and a vibey bar. Fun fact, the bar is in the location of the original bank vault, hence the name, The Vault.
The Peery Hotel – This hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places and was originally built as a hotel in 1910. It also has a convenient location downtown.
When a Pool Matters More than Architecture…
Salt Lake City can be hot, so I know sometimes a rooftop pool with a view can be worth it.
Grand America Hotel – Located in downtown and built for the 2002 Winter Olympics. If you want a fancy hotel with a pool, this is one of the nicest hotels to stay in downtown. It was built to mimic an opulent Parisian hotel. The locals love to talk about the Christmas decorations.
Le Meridien has a rooftop saline pool that is heated and open year-round. They are also dog-friendly.
Hyatt Regency is a modern hotel that opened in 2022 and is attached to the conference center. It is on the list because of the 6th floor restaurant and pool with mountain views.
Self-Guided Walking Tour of Salt lake City
Use the included map as your guide to walk between these sites. You can go in either direction, and start and end at the corner of West Temple and South Temple, at the edge of Temple Square.
Distance: 3 miles
Time: 1.5 – 2 hours at a leisurely pace
Make sure to check weather before your walk, wear comfortable shoes, and check current hours if you plan on going inside any of the businesses, hotels, restaurants, or Temple Square buildings along the route.
Abravanel Hall
This is Salt Lake City’s Symphony Hall, and also on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally built in 1979 designed by FFKR Architects, it is a brick and concrete building with some unique angles. The shape is specifically for acoustics of a concert hall and makes it interesting to walk around the exterior admiring the angles. Make sure to peek in the windows to see the 27-foot tall Chihuly glass sculpture that was gifted for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Walk west along South Temple until you reach the Devereaux Mansion.
Devereaux Mansion
Originally built in 1857 and now on the National Register of Historic Places, the Devereaux Mansion is Utah’s first mansion. It has an interesting history over the years including falling into disrepair, and stories of it being haunted. The exterior is also featured in the movie, Dumb and Dumber.
Union Pacific Depot
One of my favorite stops in this walking tour, is the historic Union Pacific Train Depot. Originally built as a train depot in 1908, it was repurposed as the Asher Adams Hotel in 2024 (more on staying here above). It’s mandatory to at least peek at the bar inside the old train station.
Cut through the Asher Adams hotel lobby to get to the Olympic Fountain Plaza at the Gateway Shopping Center. Walk south along North Rio Grande Street. The pedestrian walkway is nicer than the busy street. Make your way to Caputo’s Market on 300 South Street.
Caputo’s Deli & Market
Caputo’s Deli & Market opened in 1997 and features artisan cheeses, chocolate, and groceries. It is worth a stop for a snack or more. Caputo’s is known for helping revitalize the warehouse district adjacent to Pioneer Park.
Continue east along 300 South. You will pass Squatters Pub & Brewery, known for their bison burgers. You will also see some public art on the medians along the street.
Turn north on Main Street
Karrick Building
Make sure to stop and admire the exterior of the Karrick Building. This 3-story Victorian brick and stone building was built in 1887 and was designed by Richard K.A. Kletting, the same architect that designed the Utah State Capitol. It is also on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has a colorful history, including the upper floors being used as a gambling hall and apartments used by prostitutes.
Continue north on Main Street and enter the back entrance to the Kimpton Monaco.
Kimpton Monaco
The Kimpton Monaco is an example of an adaptive reuse hotel inside an old bank building. As you walk down the hallway towards the main lobby you will pass The Vault bar, built inside the bank’s original vault. Check out the hotels section above for more on this hotel.
Exit from the main lobby and look across the street.
Capitol Theatre
Capitol Theatre was built in 1913 and features Italian Renaissance Revival and Beaux-Arts styles. Make sure to admire the exterior façade before heading back to Main Street.
Head north on Main Street.
The Old Clock and Eagle Emporium Building
The historic clock outside of the Eagle Emporium Building was originally erected on Main Street in 1873. The Eagle Emporium Building was originally constructed in 1864 and was Utah’s first commercial bank institution.
Head north to the intersection of Main and Temple.
Joseph Smith Memorial Building
The Joseph Smith Memorial Building was originally built as a grand hotel, the Hotel Utah, in 1911. You can go inside the lobby to admire the marble columns and glass ceiling art. The hotel closed in 1987 and reopened as a memorial building in 1993.
Continue into Temple Square.
Salt Lake Temple in Temple Square
Unless you are Mormon, you will have to admire the temple from outside. Luckily, you can wander the gardens surrounding the temple in Temple Square. There is also a visitors center that opened in May 2026 that is free to visit and features an impressive model showing a section cut through the temple.
The Temple was originally opened in 1893 and is currently undergoing a massive seismic retrofit that is anticipated to be completed at the end of 2026.
Within Temple Square, you will also find the Salt Lake City Tabernacle.
Salt Lake City Tabernacle
You can go inside the Salt Lake City Tabernacle, which is a historic domed auditorium in Temple Square. The building is known for its natural acoustics, innovative construction of the roof structure at the time, and a massive organ that was originally built in 1867 that you can admire. The Tabernacle is designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Enjoy Your Walking Tour of Salt Lake City!
I hope you enjoyed your self-guided walking tour in Salt Lake City. I find a walking tour as a great way to get to know a new city and discover places that I normally wouldn’t walk in on my own. My personal favorite on this Salt Lake City walking tour is the bar at Asher Adams. If you have any favorites, or if there is anything you think I missed, let me know in the comments.
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