The LDS has made it possible for travelers with a layover in Salt Lake City to visit their Temple complex downtown: they offer a complimentary hourly shuttle service from the airport direct to Temple Square (and back!).
In the months of July and August, temple shuttles travel half-hourly from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. with returns from 10:30 a.m. until 8:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; in the shoulder season, the same hours are traveled hourly. November through March and Sundays year-round, the shuttle runs a limited 9 a.m.-2 p.m. schedule, with returns from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. There is no service on holidays, and travelers are permitted only hand luggage on the shuttle. The visit requires at least a two-hour layover.
The Temple is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily. It’s also possible to visit the Tabernacle, home of the world famous Tabernacle Choir, or, if the timing is right, to hear a choir concert — Thursday nights from 8-9:30 p.m. or Sundays from 9-11 a.m. Admission to all is free. Find out more information for your specific date by calling their visitors’ center directly: 1-800-537-9703.
Thanks to Travel Tips from a Frequent Traveler for the tip and the map image!
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Thanks for publicizing this!
I’d love to do this side-trip, in fact it was the reason I’d chosen to route some recent travel through Salt Lake City recently. Unfortunately I arrived in SLC just late for the bus
Maybe next time.
I think it’s funny that the LDS church has to resort to such tricks to fulfill their “investigator” quotas. LOL.
Just so you know, you won’t be able to enter the temple proper (that’s only for the LDS church members), you will only see the grounds and the visitors center. You will also be encouraged to fill out a card (under whatever pretext) and leave either an address or a phone number, or both. That info will be later entered into a database where it will become a “lead” for the LDS missionaries in your area. They will call you or drop by – in case you have any questions about your visit to the Temple Square.
All in all, it’s a very neat sales technique to generate prospective converts in a friendly, cultural and non-threatening way.
(I’m a Mormon myself, so I know how this system works – been there, done that.)
If you are not comfortable leaving your information while on the tour of temple square, you do not have to. There is no pressure to leave your phone number with anyone. It is a nice place to see. I would recommend it.