Salt Lake City: Trolley Tour with Live Show & Theatrical Guides

Summary

Salt Lake’s history, laughter & legends from a rolling stage

You’ll ride a vintage trolley through Salt Lake City with three theatrical guides who turn history into stories you can feel. Expect laughter, classic snacks (yes, real Cracker Jacks), and close-up views of landmarks like Temple Square and the Utah State Capitol — all while feeling like part of a traveling show.

What’s the experience like?

You don’t really expect to laugh so much on a Salt Lake City trolley tour, but the minute our conductor rang that old brass bell and the motorman winked at us, I knew this was going to be different. The seats creaked under us as we rolled past Temple Square — the spires catching late sun — and one of the guides launched into a story about granite blocks hauled by oxen. I could smell Cracker Jacks (they handed them out, along with those glass-bottle sodas) and heard someone behind me try not to snort-laugh at a joke about Brigham Young’s beard. No one seemed shy about joining in.

Our guide, Liz, had this way of pausing before every big reveal — like in the Utah State Capitol rotunda where she pointed up at marble columns and then whispered something about secret meetings that made us all lean in. Outside, wind whipped around the dome and I tried to imagine what it felt like here in 1916. There was a moment when we stopped by the Cathedral of the Madeleine and even the motorman got quiet — sunlight through stained glass making everyone’s faces look softer. Someone asked if you could still hear the choir sing in the Tabernacle; Liz just grinned and said, “Only if you’re lucky.”

We zigzagged past places I’d never have noticed alone — like Council Hall (which looks weirdly out of place, kind of regal but also like it wants to be somewhere else) and the Beehive House with its carved bees everywhere. The guides kept tossing out little details: why there are gargoyles on City & County Building or how trout ended up in City Creek Center’s stream. At some point I lost track of what was scripted and what was just them riffing off each other. It felt more like hanging out with local theater friends than being “on tour.”

I left thinking less about facts and more about how much personality is packed into Salt Lake City — not just buildings but people too. Maybe it was the sugar rush from that soda or maybe just how those stories stuck around after we stepped off the trolley. Either way, I still think about that view from Capitol Hill, mountains sharp against the sky, and everyone grinning at nothing in particular.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Salt Lake City historical trolley tour

• Visit Utah State Capitol
• Explore Cathedral of the Madeleine
• View Mormon Battalion Monument
• See Temple Square from trolley
• Admire Salt Lake Temple silhouette
• Marvel at Salt Lake Tabernacle
• Observe LDS Conference Center
• Admire City & County Building
• Visit Beehive House exterior
• Glide past City Creek Center
• View Salt Lake City Public Library
• See Utah Governor’s Mansion
• View Council Hall exterior
• See Delta Center outside
• Admire Joseph Smith Memorial Building
• Glide past The Gateway plaza
• View Family History Library exterior
• Look up at Church Office Building
• Admire Washington Square
• Glance at Eagle Gate
• See Brigham Young Monument and Meridian Marker
• View Masonic Temple exterior
• Visit Deuel Pioneer Log Home

Top questions

How long is the Salt Lake City trolley tour?

The tour covers key city landmarks in one continuous ride; specific duration isn’t listed but includes stops for stories and photos.

Are snacks included on the Salt Lake City trolley tour?

Yes, old-fashioned bottled sodas and Cracker Jacks are handed out during your ride.

Does this trolley tour include live entertainment?

Yes, three professional theatrical guides perform stories and songs throughout the sightseeing show.

Which landmarks do you see on this Salt Lake City trolley tour?

You’ll see Temple Square, Utah State Capitol, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Beehive House, Tabernacle, Joseph Smith Memorial Building, among others.

Is pickup included for this Salt Lake City sightseeing show?

No hotel pickup; public transportation options are nearby for easy access to departure point.

Is this trolley tour suitable for kids or families?

Yes, it’s designed for all ages; infants must sit on an adult’s lap as no car seats or strollers are allowed onboard.

Can you go inside attractions during this Salt Lake City tour?

You’ll step inside some sites like Utah State Capitol; others are viewed from outside as part of the rolling show.

Are there restroom breaks during the trolley tour?

This isn’t specified; best to use facilities before boarding as it’s a continuous route.

What’s included

Your day includes a musical sightseeing show aboard a classic trolley with three lively theatrical entertainers acting as your guides. Alongside their storytelling (and plenty of laughs), you’ll get old-fashioned bottled sodas and Cracker Jacks snacks as you roll past or stop at historic sites such as Temple Square, Utah State Capitol, Cathedral of the Madeleine, Tabernacle, Beehive House and more before returning downtown at journey’s end.