In 2027, families from across the country will travel to Salt Lake City for a moment many have waited a lifetime to see. From April 5 through October 1, the Salt Lake Temple will open to the public for the first time since 1893. For grandparents, parents, and children traveling together, a little planning goes a long way. This guide covers the essentials, from tickets and train rides to snack breaks and swim time.

A Moment Worth the Trip

Built by pioneers over four decades, the Salt Lake Temple has been a place of worship for members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for more than 130 years. Following an extensive renovation and seismic upgrade, the temple will welcome guests of all faiths and all ages for six months before it is rededicated. After that, it returns to its sacred purpose as a house of worship. That is why so many families are treating this visit as a once-in-a-generation event.

Tickets for the Whole Family

The open house tour is free, and a timed reservation is strongly recommended. Tickets are available through TempleSquare.org and the Temple Square app. Each person may reserve up to six tickets, which covers many families. Larger groups, including family reunions and ward or stake groups, can submit a group reservation request.

Interest has been enormous, with more than one million spaces claimed in the first day alone. Families who miss their first-choice date still have options, because tickets are released in phases and returned reservations become available again. Walk-up spots will be limited. Tours run from 8:40 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays.

The Easiest Way to Temple Square

Little America sits at 500 South Main Street, just 0.9 miles from Temple Square. Courthouse TRAX Station is half a block from the hotel, and getting to the temple from there could not be simpler. Blue Line and Green Line trains heading north reach Temple Square Station in just three stops. Families should skip the Red Line, which turns east before it reaches Temple Square.

Best of all, the whole trip falls inside downtown's Free Fare Zone, so no ticket of any kind is needed to get to Temple Square or back to the hotel. Families can simply hop on and hop off without buying fares, hunting for parking, or asking little legs to walk the full distance twice. TRAX trains and stations are accessible, which is a welcome detail for families with strollers or grandparents who use mobility aids.

That convenience will matter during the celebration. Temple Square has advised that downtown parking will be unavailable and that West Temple and North Temple streets will be closed to traffic. Families who drive to Salt Lake City can park at Little America and leave the car there for the entire stay.

Flying In

Salt Lake City International Airport is about seven miles from the hotel, typically a 10 to 15-minute drive by taxi, Uber, or Lyft. The TRAX Green Line also runs from the airport to Courthouse Station, half a block from the front door. The airport sits outside the Free Fare Zone, so this ride requires a fare. Tickets are available at a kiosk at the station.

Tour Day With Kids and Grandparents

Each tour starts at the Conference Center, across the street from Temple Square, with a short video. It continues as a walking tour of about an hour, with audio narration throughout. Children of all ages are welcome. Parents know their own children best, so it helps to plan the tour time around naps, meals, and the hours when little ones are at their happiest.

Strollers are allowed, though strollers brought indoors must measure no more than 31 inches wide and 52 inches long. A limited number of wheelchairs are available free of charge on a first-come, first-served basis. Accommodations are also offered for guests with mobility, vision, hearing, and language needs. There is no dress code, so comfortable clothing and good walking shoes are the way to go. Families should also allow extra time for lines, security, and plenty of photos on the grounds.

After the tour, hands-on family activities, live music, and exhibits fill Temple Square, and most require no reservation. The gardens make a peaceful spot for a snack break, and water stations will be set up throughout the square.

Salt Lake City Travel Tips

The weather during the celebration shifts with the seasons. April brings cool mornings and the occasional spring shower, and July and August afternoons often reach the 90s. September tends to be warm, sunny, and comfortable. The city sits at about 4,200 feet, and the air is dry, so water bottles, sunscreen, and hats belong in every day bag. Families visiting on a Sunday should note that tours begin at noon.

Family Favorites Beyond Temple Square

Salt Lake City is full of places where children can play, learn, and explore. This is the Place: Heritage Park brings pioneer history to life with a recreated village, making it a meaningful companion to the temple visit. Utah’s Hogle Zoo, Tracy Aviary at Liberty Park, and the Natural History Museum of Utah are longtime local favorites. Clark Planetarium and Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum offer a fun way to spend an afternoon indoors. For families researching their ancestry, the FamilySearch Library and the Church History Museum sit just west of Temple Square.

Home Base at Little America

At the end of a big day, Little America offers room to breathe. Guest rooms range from about 400 to 1,200 square feet, so families have space to spread out. The year-round indoor and outdoor pool is the perfect reward for tired young travelers. About 10 acres of gardens, fountains, and trees make for a relaxing evening stroll. The Coffee Shop has served its famous turkey dinner and made-from-scratch dinner rolls to generations of Salt Lake City families. Across the street, guests also enjoy access to The Grand Spa at our sister property, The Grand America.

Little America has welcomed families to downtown Salt Lake City since 1952. For a visit this special, there is no better place to call home.