Salt Lake City looks organized from the air, but the ball sees it differently. This full round of 18 holes plays out on the actual city streets, using the real map as a guide. The holes are built directly from local attractions, like the Delta Center, turning the city into a course. Skip knows every sidewalk and shortcut in town. It is a 6.1 mi walk from start to finish.
Located in the heart of Salt Lake City, the Delta Center is an indoor venue that opened in 1991. It is the home of the Utah Jazz of the NBA and the Utah Mammoth of the NHL. Depending on the event, the seating capacity varies: it holds 18,186 for basketball and up to 16,020 for indoor football and ice hockey. If you are visiting for a concert, the capacity reaches 20,000. For those looking for a more exclusive experience, the arena features 56 luxury suites and 668 club seats. I've seen plenty of crowds gather here on game nights.
Located in downtown Salt Lake City, the FamilySearch Library is a genealogical research facility. You can access the library free of charge. It was formerly known as the Family History Library and is operated by FamilySearch, which is the genealogical arm of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I've seen plenty of folks wandering in here looking for their roots. It is a great spot to spend an afternoon if you have a curiosity about where you came from.
The Lion House is a large residence located in Salt Lake City, Utah. Built in 1856, this house was constructed for Brigham Young. He was the second president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It is a great spot to stop and look at the architecture while you are in the neighborhood. I usually see a few of my pigeon friends hanging around the eaves here, watching the crowds pass by on the street below.
You might expect another corporate venue, but this is actually the premier meeting hall for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Conference Center is an architectural structure designed by ZGF Architects LLP. It was completed in 2000 and features a staggering 21,000 seats to accommodate its attendees. While you are exploring the area, you can also find the Salt Lake Tabernacle, which was built in 1868. I find the scale of the seating here truly impressive.
Salvaged elements from the Salt Lake 18th Ward meetinghouse, which was constructed in the early 1880s, make up the build of the White Community Memorial Chapel. Located on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City, this non-denominational meetinghouse was built from 1979 to 1980. The reconstruction was largely funded by the Mahonri Kenneth White and Ada Marie Sparks White Foundation. Following its completion, the meetinghouse was donated to the State of Utah. The State of Utah now administers the meetinghouse as part of the Utah State Capitol complex.
This isn't your typical neighborhood spot to borrow a novel. The Church History Library is a research center and archives building located in downtown Salt Lake City, Utah. It is owned by the Church and houses materials chronicling the history of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Since it opened in 2009, it has provided a dedicated space for those looking to study these specific records. I've noticed the building has a very formal presence on the street, which fits the nature of the archives kept inside.
The Utah and the Civil War Monument is a war memorial. It is installed outside the Utah State Capitol, where it remains a focal point for those visiting the government grounds. The monument is located in Salt Lake City, which is the largest city in the U.S. state of Utah. Visitors to the capitol area can find this installation positioned to be seen by those walking the perimeter of the building, marking a specific point of remembrance within the city's layout.
You will likely notice the Neoclassical architecture style first as you approach the Utah State Capitol Building. Designed by architect Richard K.A. Kletting, this structure is the main building of the Utah State Capitol Complex. The complex is located on Capitol Hill, overlooking downtown Salt Lake City. Since its inception in 1912, it has functioned as the house of government for the state. It is also a National Register of Historic Places listed place. I find the view from the hill to be one of the best spots to get your bearings in the city.
The city created City Creek Park to provide additional urban green space in the downtown area of Salt Lake City. Built in 1995, this public park offers a natural break from the surrounding streets and concrete. If you have time to wander further through the city, you can also visit its companion, the Brigham Young Historic Park. I always find it is a great spot to stretch your legs and clear your head between stops. It is one of those places where you can actually hear the wind in the leaves while you are right in the middle of the city.
Look at the architecture of the Governor's Mansion before you take in the whole property. This historic house is the official residence of the governor of Utah and family. Located at 603 East South Temple Street in Salt Lake City, the site is a single-family detached home. It is also a National Register of Historic Places listed place. It is a lovely spot to admire from the sidewalk, and I have seen a few crumbs dropped near the gates that would make any bird envious. It is one of the more distinguished addresses you will encounter on this course.
You can find the Cathedral Church of Saint Mark on 100 South in downtown Salt Lake City. This Anglican cathedral is a National Register of Historic Places listed place designed by architect Richard Upjohn. The structure is built in the Gothic Revival style and was constructed between 1870 and 1903. Its inception was in 1871, and it serves as the cathedral church of the Episcopal Diocese of Utah. The site provides a distinct architectural presence within the city center for all who visit the area.
The George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater opened in 2016 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Since then, this theatre building has become a hub for various entertainment events, including concerts and touring Broadway shows. You can find two distinct spaces here for different types of performances. The Delta Performance Hall provides a large venue seating 2,468 people, while a smaller black box theater accommodates between 150 and 250 people. I've noticed it's a great spot for people-watching when a big show is about to start.
This is not a public museum, but the Salt Lake Temple, a temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Located on Temple Square, the building was designed by architect Truman O. Angell in the Gothic Revival style. Its construction took 40 years. It is the fourth temple built since the Mormon exodus from Nauvoo, Illinois to Utah in the 1840s. The temple closed in 2019 for remodeling, and the church will hold public open house tours of the renovated building in 2027.
Located in the heart of the city, the Capitol Theatre is a theatre building and movie theater. G. Albert Lansburgh was the architect of the structure, which was designed in the Italian Renaissance Revival and Beaux Arts architectural styles. Since its inception in 1913, it has remained a prominent fixture of the local scene and is now a National Register of Historic Places listed place. I always think the facade looks a bit like a fancy cake, which makes it a very pleasant spot to spend an afternoon. It is a great example of the city's early twentieth-century ambition.
The Japanese Church of Christ is a church building located at 268 W. 100 South in Salt Lake City. This site is a historic church that has been recognized for its significance through its listing as a National Register of Historic Places listed place. Located in Salt Lake City, the building stands as a physical record of the city's history. Those visiting the area can find this listed place at its specific address, where it remains an important example of a historic church building within the urban landscape of Utah.
The Rio Grande Depot is a former train station located on the western edge of Downtown Salt Lake City. This railway station was designed by architect Henry Schlacks and reflects the Renaissance Revival architecture style. Its inception was in 1910, and it is now a National Register of Historic Places listed place. You can pick out the specific stylistic details of the facade as you pass by. I've found the eaves make for a decent spot to keep an eye on the street traffic below.
You will find the Clark Planetarium in downtown Salt Lake City, situated within The Gateway at the intersection of 400 West and 100 South. It is a science museum that also functions as a planetarium and a movie theater. I've noticed that the open layout of the surrounding district makes it a breeze to find. Whether you are interested in the cosmos or just looking for a cinematic experience, it is a central spot for learning and entertainment in the heart of the city.
Holy Trinity Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Salt Lake City. Construction on the building started in 1923, and it was built in 1923. The cathedral is designed in the Byzantine Revival architecture style, which you can see in the building's form. Because of its historical importance, the church was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. It is a National Register of Historic Places listed place that remains an active part of the local community. Let me show you the details of the facade as you approach the hole.