On a recent trip to Salt Lake City, I found myself with a rare kind of margin — no packed schedule, no meetings, no big agenda. Just a free afternoon, a camera in hand, and some time to wander. Salt Lake is one of those places that’s been a part of my story since I was young — not in a vacation-postcard kind of way, but more in a ‘I had a lot of surgeries here’ kind of way. So coming back as an adult, with a little free time and some space to explore, I set about doing a photo tour like I have done before.
Cathedral of the Madeleine
The first place I visited was the Cathedral of the Madeleine. I’d seen photos of it before, but walking in myself, it exceeded every expectation. From the outside, it has this classic European feel — gothic towers, stone walls, arched windows. It’s tucked into downtown, but it stands out immediately.
Inside? Breathtaking. Deep blues, gold accents, richly detailed murals across the ceiling, and stained glass that shifts with the light pouring in. It’s not just a church — it’s a work of art that makes you slow down whether you plan to or not.
I lit a candle there — it’s not something I’ve done since last year’s trip to New York where I did it in Alexander Hamilton’s church. I lit one for my family and for a few friends who are walking through heavy seasons(and some we didn’t know were about to). I’m not a Catholic, so who knows if it even takes! I didn’t think it would happen this way at the time, but it was truly a time to be thankful.
The Utah State Capitol
After the cathedral, I made my way uphill toward the Utah State Capitol. It’s only about a 10-minute walk, but you gain some elevation, and the views start opening up the closer you get. The city fades behind you a bit, and the Capitol slowly comes into full view, sitting confidently on the hill.
The Capitol is huge but not overpowering. There’s something balanced about it — symmetrical, classic, and framed by the Wasatch Mountains in the distance. It was a bright, clear day, and the white dome almost glowed in the sun. I took my time walking around the front steps, catching different angles of the building against the deep blue sky. From a photography standpoint, it’s a dream — tons of natural light, clean lines, and dramatic backgrounds.
Inside the Capitol
I stepped inside the building, not totally sure what to expect, and immediately looked up. The rotunda is incredible — a painted mural circling the inside of the dome, with a massive chandelier hanging in the center. Everything is marble and echoes just a little when you walk. It’s quiet, even though it’s open to the public. There’s something about the way it’s built that creates stillness.
The interior shots practically took themselves. Curved staircases, long hallways, rich light filtering through high windows. There’s a sense of history in every detail, but it doesn’t feel frozen — it feels like it’s still doing its job.
The Great Salt Lake
From the Capitol, I hopped in the car and took a drive out to the Great Salt Lake. The contrast between downtown and the lake is dramatic. In under 30 minutes, you go from city blocks and classical buildings to this wide, open, almost otherworldly stretch of stillness.
The Great Salt Lake is exactly what the name promises — big, quiet, and somehow both beautiful and a little eerie. There’s not a lot of activity. No waves. Just shallow water stretching out toward the horizon, reflecting the sky like a mirror.
I walked a little, took some shots, then stood still for a while. The breeze off the water, the silence, the space — it was the kind of moment you can’t plan, but you notice when you’re in it. Also, there are a shocking amount of gnats there.
Ensign Peak at Sunset
I wrapped the day going back to Salt Lake City, with a short hike up to Ensign Peak — and I’m glad I saved it for last.
The trailhead is just minutes from the Capitol, and the hike itself is short and steep — less than a mile, but enough to get your heart pumping. As I climbed, the sun was starting to dip, casting long shadows and warming up the light. The city stretched out behind me, getting softer and quieter with every step.
At the top, the view opens up completely. You can see all of Salt Lake City below — the downtown grid, the Capitol dome, the neighborhoods, and the lake in the distance. To the east, the mountains rise up, and to the west, the sky starts turning orange and gold.
I stayed up there until the last bit of sunlight dropped behind the horizon. Snapped a few photos, sure, but also just stood there — feeling like the day had landed exactly where it was supposed to.
I think what I learned is that I don’t have to do too much to have a great day, this was just a simple plan and then an audible at the end of the day and it turned out so great! I am so thankful I got this time in this wonderful city and I’m so glad these came out! Oh yeah, I finished the day with an Arctic Circle burger and it was delicious too.
