The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
plus Salt Lake City Tour
The definitive Sunday morning itinerary. We recommend this specific package by City Sights—Salt Lake’s longest-running tour company (45+ years)—for handling all the logistics of the broadcast and sightseeing in one seamless trip.
Public parking available across the street.
Why We Recommend This Tour
For visitors seeking the quintessential Salt Lake City experience, combining the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square with a comprehensive city tour is widely recognized by travel experts as the most efficient way to see the city.
Salt Lake City is a sprawling metropolis with landmarks tucked into the foothills and spread across the valley floor. Navigating downtown parking restrictions at Temple Square on a Sunday morning and then attempting to self-drive to distant landmarks like the Capitol or the University is stressful.
We recommend this specific tour operated by City Sights because it handles all the logistics. Unlike generic national aggregators, their guides are local experts who provide deep historical context on the pioneer founding, the 2002 Olympics, and the modern culture of Utah.
The Choir & Temple Square Experience
Your morning begins with easy access to one of the world's most famous musical institutions.
Music & The Spoken Word
Guests are escorted into the venue for the live broadcast. You will experience the world-renowned acoustics that have made Salt Lake City famous. The 30-minute broadcast features inspirational choral music, the 11,623-pipe organ, and a brief spoken message of hope.
- 360 Voices: Experience the power of the full choir in person.
- The Organ: Hear one of the largest and most complex musical instruments in existence.
- Live Production: Watch the fascinating mechanics of a live global TV and radio broadcast.
Temple Square Architecture
Following the performance, your guide provides deep context on Temple Square, the 10-acre spiritual heart of the city. You will learn about the construction of the granite Salt Lake Temple (taking 40 years to build) and the unique domed Tabernacle.
- The Tabernacle: An architectural marvel built by pioneers without steel, famous for its "pin-drop" acoustics.
- Assembly Hall: A stunning Gothic-style building constructed from discarded temple granite.
- Seagull Monument: Learn the "Miracle of the Gulls" story that saved the early settlers from famine.
Seasonal Venue Guide
Summer (Memorial Day - Labor Day): The Choir moves to the massive 21,000-seat Conference Center across the street. This modern venue features a 7,708-pipe organ and incredible tiered seating.
Fall, Winter, Spring: The Choir performs in the historic Tabernacle, offering a more intimate, warm acoustic experience.
The Guided City Loop
After the choir, board the climate-controlled coach for a fully narrated journey through Utah's history, geography, and culture.
Capitol Hill & The Pioneer Footsteps
Utah State Capitol
Perched high on Capitol Hill, this Renaissance Revival marvel offers one of the most spectacular panoramic views of the entire Salt Lake Valley and the Wasatch Mountains. Visitors often compare its grandeur to the U.S. Capitol in DC.
This is the Place Heritage Park
The historic spot where Brigham Young first viewed the valley in 1847 and declared, "This is the right place." The monument honors the pioneers, explorers, and indigenous people of the region.
Pony Express Monument
Located near the mouth of Emigration Canyon, this statue commemorates the brave riders of the Pony Express who connected the frontier to the rest of the nation in 1860-1861.
Fort Douglas
Established in 1862 during the Civil War to protect the overland mail route. You will see the historic officers' row and learn how the military presence shaped the non-Mormon history of the city.
Downtown Architecture & Gilded Age
Cathedral of the Madeleine
A stunning Roman Catholic cathedral featuring a Romanesque exterior and a breathtaking Gothic interior with vibrant frescoes and stained glass. It stands as a symbol of religious diversity in Utah.
Salt Lake City and County Building
A masterpiece of Richardsonian Romanesque architecture (similar to the Salt Lake Temple in grandeur). Famous for its clock tower and intricate stone carvings of Utah history.
The Governor's Mansion (Kearns Mansion)
Built by silver mining king Thomas Kearns, this French chateau-style estate showcases the incredible wealth generated by Utah's mining boom in the early 1900s.
Devereux Mansion
Salt Lake City's first mansion, an impeccably restored example of Gilded Age elegance that once hosted presidents and dignitaries.
Modern Culture & Olympic Legacy
Rice-Eccles Stadium (2002 Olympics)
Driving through the University of Utah campus, you will see the site of the Opening and Closing Ceremonies of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games and the iconic Olympic Cauldron park.
Salt Lake Public Library
An architectural marvel of modern glass and sweeping lines designed by Moshe Safdie. Its "urban room" and rooftop garden contrast beautifully with the city's historic structures.
City Creek Center & ZCMI
A world-class shopping destination featuring a fully retractable glass roof and a creek running through it. It incorporates the historic facade of ZCMI, America's first department store.
Trolley Square
Historic trolley car barns from the early 1900s transformed into a charming marketplace, preserving the industrial history of the city with its unique water tower.
Don't Miss the Complete Picture of Salt Lake
Trying to drive to all these locations yourself would take all day. We cover them efficiently in just a few hours, with expert narration.
Book Direct with City SightsFor a full detailed itinerary breakdown, visit the official tour page.
Traveler's Guide: Who is this tour best for?
First-Time Visitors
This is the definitive "orientation" tour. It covers the north bench, downtown, and university districts in a single morning, giving you the lay of the land for the rest of your trip.
Seniors & Mobility
With door-to-door service from the Radisson and a comfortable climate-controlled coach, this is the most accessible way to see the sights without the extensive walking or hill-climbing required by DIY touring.
Solo Travelers
A safe, social, and structured way to experience the Sunday broadcast. You'll be with a group for the performance and the tour, making it ideal for those traveling alone who want a shared experience.
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
Everything you need to know about "America's Choir," their history, the venues, and their global impact.
A Legacy of Song Since 1847
The history of The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is as old as the settlement of the Salt Lake Valley itself. On August 22, 1847, just 29 days after the first pioneer company entered the valley, a small choir was formed to sing for a church conference. From these humble beginnings in a bowery shelter, the Choir has grown into a 360-voice cultural phenomenon.
The Name Change: A New Era
For over a century, the world knew them as the "Mormon Tabernacle Choir." In October 2018, following a directive from Church President Russell M. Nelson to use the full name of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the organization officially changed its name to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. This change aligns the Choir more closely with its sponsoring organization while honoring its historic home venue.
Two Historic Venues
The Salt Lake Tabernacle
The principal home of the Choir since 1867
An engineering marvel of the 19th century, the Tabernacle was built bridge-style without interior pillars to ensure every seat had a view. The Tabernacle has been the principal home of the Choir since 1867. Today, performances alternate seasonally between the Tabernacle and the Conference Center to accommodate visitor volumes.
The Conference Center
The Summer & Christmas Home
Completed in 2000, this massive auditorium seats 21,000 people—large enough to hold a Boeing 747. It was built to accommodate the growing crowds that flock to see the Choir, especially during the summer tourist season and the annual Christmas concerts.
Behind the Music: Membership & Auditions
Joining the Choir is a rigorous process. Members are volunteers who dedicate significant time to their art.
- Eligibility: Membership is open to active members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints aged 25-55.
- Proximity: Applicants must live within 100 miles of Temple Square to attend frequent rehearsals.
- The Process: Candidates endure a rigorous multi-phase audition including a submitted recording, musical aptitude testing, and a live audition.
- Commitment: Members must attend at least 80% of rehearsals and performances, often practicing multiple times a week.
The Musical Family
The Choir organization includes several affiliated ensembles:
Orchestra at Temple Square
110 volunteer musicians who perform with the Choir and independently.
Bells at Temple Square
A handbell choir that enhances performances and holds its own concerts.
Chorale at Temple Square
The training ensemble for new and veteran Choir members.
Current Leadership
- President Michael O. Leavitt
- Music Director Mack Wilberg
- Associate Director Ryan Murphy
- Bells Conductor Geoff Anderson
"America's Choir" & Global Recognition
President Ronald Reagan dubbed them "America's Choir" in 1981, a nickname that has stuck for decades. Their resume of honors is unmatched by any other volunteer musical organization:
Grammy Award
1959 for "Battle Hymn of the Republic"
Emmy Awards
Multiple awards for broadcasting excellence
National Medal of Arts
Awarded by President George W. Bush in 2003
Did you know? The Choir has performed at the inaugurations of seven U.S. Presidents: Lyndon B. Johnson (1965), Richard M. Nixon (1969), Ronald Reagan (1981), George H. W. Bush (1989), George W. Bush (2001), and Donald Trump (2017). They also served as cultural ambassadors for the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Essential Know-Before-You-Go
Is there a dress code?
For the Tabernacle Choir broadcast, "Sunday Best" is not required. While you will see many locals dressed up, tourists are welcome in casual dress that is comfortable for the weather. Summers can be hot; dress accordingly.
Is food included?
There is no meal stop on this tour. The Sunday tour ends at noon, which is perfect for grabbing lunch downtown afterwards. If taking the Thursday evening tour, please plan to dine early or have a late dinner after 8:30 PM.
Are children allowed?
Important Policy: Children under age 8 are not allowed in the main auditorium for the live broadcast due to sensitive acoustics. They may watch from a separate soundproof room (affectionately known as the "Cry Room") with a guardian to ensure a quiet environment for the recording. This policy applies only to the broadcast venue; children of all ages are welcome on the bus tour portion.
Can I take photos?
Pictures are encouraged before and after the broadcast! However, no photography or recording is permitted during the actual performance. On the bus tour, you are welcome to take photos and videos throughout.
Experience Salt Lake City's Best Sunday
Join the thousands of visitors who have made this their #1 memory of Utah. Seats for the Sunday broadcast fill up fast—reserve yours today.
Check Official Availability