Visiting Salt Lake City by Paul Moore, a "local person" So you've decided to come to the Family History Library in Salt Lake City to do research. Welcome! There is already quite a bit of information about the library and its services; this article will talk about some of the other "touristy" things in the immediate vicinity of the library. PLANNING YOUR TRIP Start your trip planning by contacting the Salt Lake City Visitor's Bureau, where you can get information about accommodations, transportation, etc. Salt Lake City Visitor's Bureau 180 South West Temple Salt Lake City UT 84101-1497 801-521-2868 Most of the major hotels in the downtown area are part of a chain, others have their own toll-free telephone number for making reservations. This gives you the opportunity to "shop around" for the best rates. Note: there are three times a year that it is advisable not to plan a trip: the first week of April and October are Church General Conference, and downtown is packed with members attending it. Also, the weekends around July 24 are extremely busy, this being the celebration of statehood. Large numbers of people come to Salt Lake City every summer; you may need to make your hotel reservations several weeks in advance. Or, you may want to plan your trip for sometime between November-April, when tourism is usually at its lowest. Don't let the stories you may have heard about winters in the area deter you; the city is very good about keeping roads open and services available. A NOTE ABOUT ADDRESSES Many people express confusion about Salt Lake City addresses. They may not understand an address like 821 East 400 South, 2151 South State St., or 180 South West Temple. Salt Lake City is laid out in a grid pattern, and all addresses emanate from the Temple, which is "address zero." Main Street (which runs North-South) divides the East-West portion of an address, while South Temple Street (which runs East-West) divides the North-South portion. Addresses are setup with a number, direction, and street. To find a location, start with the second half of the address. For example, if you are trying to find 821 East 400 South, you would initially note the 400 South, which tells you it is the street four blocks south of South Temple Street, running parallel with South Temple Street. Then you look at the first part of the address, 821 East. That tells you that the address is between eight and nine blocks East of Main Street. So to get to your address, you would first go to the street called 400 South, then proceed to the block between 800 East and 900 East. What about an address like 180 South West Temple? Again, the second half of the address, West Temple, is the street, and the first half of the address, 180 South, says that it is between 100 South and 200 South (those being the streets counting off of South Temple Street). Of course, there are exceptions, and Salt Lake City has named streets, too. But this should give a basic idea of the addressing scheme and how to use it. EVERYBODY NEEDS A BREAK (Subtitled: Mom, can we go to the mall?) Downtown Salt Lake City is a vibrant, exciting place, daytime and nighttime, four seasons a year. Using Temple Square as a "base," directly south is Crossroads Mall, southeast is ZCMI (Zion's Cooperative Mercantile Institu- tions) Mall, southwest is the Salt Palace (Convention Center), Abravenel Hall (Symphony), and the Delta Center (home of the Utah Jazz basketball team). Across the street to the west is the Family History Library and Church Museum, and the Church Office Complex (and grounds, which are beautiful) are across the street to the east. The State Capitol is just a few blocks to the north. Crossroads mall is a multi-level, lots-of-shops mall, complete with a McDonalds for the kids and J.B.'s Restaurant for those sit-down meals. Be advised, though, that anyone wearing clothing that could be construed as possibly being gang-related will be asked to adjust or remove said article of clothing, or leave the mall. This is done in an effort to ensure the safety of all mall patrons. ZCMI mall, across the street, has the same dress code. Information about the Salt Palace, Abravenel Hall, and the Delta Center can be obtained from the Visitor's Center, mentioned above. The Salt Palace is being renovated, and is not expected to be completely open again until 1995. Take time to stroll through the grounds and gardens of the Church Office Complex. Be sure and take your camera, for in the middle is a spot, complete with pedestal, for taking pictures using the Temple as a backdrop. The State Capitol is just a few blocks north of Temple Square, but it is a very steep, uphill walk. However, it is part of the bus service's "free fare zone," so you can ride the bus up there and see the building, the grounds, and some of the museums around it. Catch the Capitol #23 bus on Main Street, across the street from Temple Square, which runs about every 20 minutes Monday through Friday. For more information, call BUS-INFO (287-4636). Just across the street from the Northeast corner of Temple Square is a wonderful shop called Mormon Handicrafts. It has high-quality items made by members of the Mormon Relief Society, items that though a bit expensive, will endure for many years to come. A refreshing break from the usual "tourist trap" type of stores. Temple Square itself has much to offer. Take the 45-minute tour of the square; check in the South Visitor's Center for details. Around noon each day an organ recital is given in the Tabernacle, free to the public. You can also watch the world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearse for their Sunday program, Music and the Spoken Word. You might even decide you want to attend an actual broadcasting of that program. Check with the Visitor Centers for details. Temple Square also hosts its own Concert Series, usually held in the Assembly Hall (another historic building on the Square). Free concerts are given several nights a week, starting at 7:30pm and lasting about an hour. All persons aged 8 and older are welcome to attend. A schedule can be obtained from the Visitor Centers, and the Information Booth at the West Entrance to the Square (the entrance across the street from the FHL). PARKING ...is a perennial problem in downtown Salt Lake City. You are considered very fortunate if you can find a space on the street, but beware! Most meters are two hour meters, and that literally means parking in that spot for only two hours. The rule is that you must move your vehicle after two hours, though some parking officers do not enforce that rule. There is a parking lot for persons using the FHL, in the next block north of the library. Be advised, though, that you must redeem your ticket for a token at the Library Front Counter, otherwise it is a $5 fee. There is also a parking on North Temple Street, directly across from Temple Square, which charges $3-5 for all day (or evening). Crossroads Mall has a parking garage (entrance on South Temple), which charges by the length of time used. WHAT IF... Should you have automobile problems and require repairs, there is a Firestone garage on the corner of 300 South and 200 East. The Visitor's Bureau should be able to help you find other mechanics and auto dealerships. There are two major hospitals serving the downtown area: Holy Cross Hospital 1050 East South Temple 350-4111 (main telephone number) 350-4631 (emergency room number) LDS Hospital 8th Avenue and C Street 321-1100 (main telephone number) 321-1180 (emergency room number) I have had friends tell me that the LDS Hospital emergency room is good; I can attest from personal experience that the Holy Cross Hospital emergency room is indeed very good.