Quite why the Mormons chose not to put their Temple on the gentle hill that stands above today's Temple Square is anyone's guess. As a result, when Utah was granted statehood in 1896, it was free to become the site of the imposing, domed Utah State Capitol (summer Mon-Sat 6am-8pm; rest of year Mon-Sat 6am-6pm; free). Along with the plaques and monuments you might expect, the corridors of power are packed full of earnest and rather diverting exhibits of great Utah moments.

Now called Capitol Hill , the neighborhood around the capitol holds some of Salt Lake City's grandest c.1900 homes, with dozens of ornate Victorian houses lining Main Street and Quince Street to the northwest; walking tour maps of the district are available from the Utah Heritage Foundation, 355 Quince St.

Capitol Hill

• Capitol Hill

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