Visitors’ Center officially opens as renovations continue at Temple Square

The new, one-of-a-kind Temple Square Visitors’ Center in Salt Lake City has officially opened its doors to the public, offering visitors an unparalleled experience at the flagship destination of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

“All are invited to come and see the exhibits, statues and experiences featured in the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center,” the Church of Jesus Christ announced Monday in a press release.

The opening of the immersive Temple Square Visitors’ Center “marks a significant step in the reopening of Temple Square” and the historic Salt Lake Temple, which will be open for public tours next year from April 5 through Oct. 1, 2027.

Here’s what to know in planning your visit to the new visitors’ center, plus an update on the latest renovation progress on the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square.

How to plan your visit to the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center

The new Temple Square Visitors’ Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. with no reservations or tickets required.

The only experience requiring a reservation is the new “Inside a Temple” tour located on the center’s lower level, per the church’s press release. This tour provides guests a 30-minute guided experience offering insight into the purpose and symbolism of Latter-day Saint temples.

Details on how to get tickets for this new tour are available here. Beginning June 1, additional tickets for the tour will be released in batches every other Monday.

“All other experiences in the visitors’ center are self-guided,” the church’s release states.

These offerings include new art-glass windows depicting scenes of Christ’s life; the iconic Christus statue, which now stands in front of huge windows with the Salt Lake Temple in the background; and a new cutaway scale model of the Salt Lake Temple.

Outside the visitors’ center stand two transcendent statues of Jesus Christ — titled “Jesus Christ Carrying the Cross” and “Jesus Christ in Gethsemane” — in a newly designed garden and plaza.

Guest experiences at the new Temple Square Visitors’ Center are currently available in English, French, Mandarin, Portuguese and Spanish. They will soon also be available in American Sign Language.

“The facility was designed with accessibility and comfort in mind,” the church’s release states. Strollers are welcome at the center and casual dress is appropriate.

Comfortable shoes are also recommended, particularly for the “Inside a Temple” tour, per the church’s release. Drinking fountains and restrooms are located on the lower level.

A new Temple Square app on Apple and Android is also available to help visitors plan their visit and navigate the new space, according to the church’s release.

Learn more about the new visitors’ center here and see additional information on how to get tickets for the new “Inside a Temple” tour here.

The latest progress on the Salt Lake Temple and Temple Square renovations

Inside the historic Salt Lake Temple, chandeliers are being installed in the celestial room and work is progressing on sealing rooms in the sealing wing addition, according to the church’s release.

Work is also progressing on the temple’s staircase railings and the structure’s intricate finishings.

Outside, the Salt Lake Temple’s new copper roof has been fully installed, “marking a major exterior achievement,” according to the church’s release.

“In about a year, the copper will darken to a brownish color, before gradually developing a natural green patina.”

Crews are also installing stone pavement around the temple, defining walkways and “gathering areas to support increased visitor flow.”

Work on the decorative fencing around the site and on the parquet wood flooring in the temple entrance buildings is also underway.

“All are welcome to visit Temple Square as construction continues and additional areas reopen ahead of the Salt Lake Temple Celebration in 2027,” the church’s release states.

See a summary of what else is and isn’t currently open at Salt Lake City’s Temple Square here.