When asking yourself about something to do near me in Salt Lake City with a group of friends or family, consider
Gilgal Sculpture Garden
Why Gilgal Sculpture Garden is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
Gilgal Sculpture Garden offers a uniquely intimate setting to meet friends and explore an extraordinary blend of art, spirituality, and nature. Located quietly within a Salt Lake City neighborhood, this distinctive public park invites visitors to stroll amid twelve original sculptures and over seventy engraved stones featuring scriptures, poems, and philosophical texts. Conceived and handcrafted by Thomas Battersby Child Jr., a passionate masonry contractor and LDS bishop, the garden reflects a visionary art environment that resonates with deep symbolism, notably Mormon themes. The centerpiece is a striking sphinx sculpture featuring the face of Joseph Smith, the founder of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Its location, tucked behind houses and businesses, offers visitors a delightful sense of discovery and seclusion. Open year-round with no admission fee, the garden encourages leisurely visits enhanced by available walking tour brochures. Beyond its artistic appeal, Gilgal Sculpture Garden serves as a contemplative space that fosters connection and reflection among friends and visitors alike. This tranquil oasis enriches Salt Lake City's cultural landscape, inviting art enthusiasts, history buffs, and curious explorers to share meaningful and memorable experiences in an inspiring outdoor environment.
Here's what people think of Gilgal Sculpture Garden
As of recent, Gilgal Sculpture Garden holds a 4.3-star rating based on 1713 reviews.
Visitors consistently praise Gilgal Sculpture Garden for its uniqueness as an urban hidden gem that combines art, history, and spirituality in a serene atmosphere. Positive reviews highlight the garden's peacefulness, the intriguing and thought-provoking sculptures, and the rich symbolism embedded in every piece, particularly appreciating the sphinx with Joseph Smith's face. Many commend the craftsmanship and the vision of Thomas Battersby Child Jr., whose dedication is evident in the quality and detail of the artworks. Visitors also enjoy the accessibility of the garden, noting the helpfulness of the walking tour brochures and the no-cost admission, which makes it an inviting spot for casual visits or contemplative gatherings. On the other hand, some reviewers mention the garden's somewhat obscure location can make it challenging to find for first-time visitors, and a few note that the site, while charming, is relatively small and may require only a brief visit. Additionally, some express desire for more information or guided tours to deepen understanding of the symbolic meanings. Overall, the reception is highly favorable, with constructive feedback focusing on enhancing visitor orientation and educational engagement. The garden’s appeal remains strong as a distinctive, culturally rich destination that fosters appreciation for visionary art and spiritual exploration.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
K.B.
Cool place to visit it's in a quiet neighborhood. Hidden gem of salt lake city. Check out the Joseph Smith sphinx! Such unique art and beauty. Flowers of all kinds all around. Could spend hours reading stone carvings everywhere.
Justin Pratt
It’s a fun time to walk around and check out this gem. If you’re visiting Salt lake and looking for a low key, low pressure experience this is a good option for you. I’ve been a handful of times and there were always very few other or no other people at all. It takes about 10 minutes to walk around and view everything of you don’t read about all the sculptures. Highly recommended as a low key experience.
Lisa E. (Peachy in Georgia)
Five stars for sheer funkiness and unique local flavor. I discovered the Gilgal Sculpture Garden on the Atlas Obscura app– if you travel, make sure you always check Atlas Obscura for your destinations, and you will uncover some truly fascinating, often hidden, gems in the cities where you go! We were here at dusk on a Sunday. There were a few other people around. What a brilliant exploration of one man's intense love for Mormonism! Creative sculptures, lovely flowers, a giant birdhouse, VERY happy bees. Aren't beehives an LDS symbol? As you walk onto the property there are even trees with eyes. Are you a Severance fan? Some of it reminded me a lot of memorials to Kier in the show!! What an interesting place to explore. We were here about 45 minutes and this was plenty of time to see the features and check out the time line display of the gardens evolution at the back.
Gavin Lockard
A very unique garden. I've never seen suck strange but fascinating sculptures before. It's free so come walk around!!
Teresa Shewell
Amazing little backyard walk through with religious, historical and artistic features.
How to reach Gilgal Sculpture Garden
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Why Gilgal Sculpture Garden may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at Gilgal Sculpture Garden with your friends?
If you're looking to gather with friends or family in a place that's unlike any conventional meetup spot, Gilgal Sculpture Garden offers a truly unique environment that fuels conversation, curiosity, and shared experiences. Nestled quietly in Salt Lake City, this garden is a hidden gem celebrated for its artistic originality and spiritual symbolism. It provides a refreshing break from typical social venues like cafes or malls, inviting you into an immersive world of visionary art crafted without formal training but with deep personal meaning. The garden features 12 original stone sculptures created by Thomas Child, a mason and LDS bishop, who spent nearly 20 years blending artistry with religious and literary themes. Here, your group can explore engaging sculptures such as a sphinx with the face of Joseph Smith, inspiring reflection and discussion about symbolism and local history. This makes Gilgal both a contemplative retreat and a dynamic space to learn and connect through art and nature. Additionally, the garden’s quiet, open-air setting encourages peaceful strolls and relaxed conversations, perfect for those seeking a meaningful yet informal gathering place. Its local historical background and preservation efforts add layers of community pride that can deepen your group's experience when visiting together.
What makes Gilgal Sculpture Garden perfect for group meetups?
Gilgal Sculpture Garden is designed to be a welcoming, all-season public park that can accommodate groups comfortably. Its open layout offers plenty of space for friends and family to spread out, explore the various sculptures at their own pace, and regroup without feeling crowded. The garden’s pathways wind through thoughtfully arranged pieces that prompt exploration and discovery, making it ideal for walk-and-talk style meetups where conversation flows naturally amid interesting visual stimuli. The site also appeals to diverse interests — from art lovers and history buffs to those intrigued by religious symbolism and literary engravings. Because the sculptures are embedded with engraved scriptures, poems, and texts, groups can engage in deeper dialogues or casual interpretations, turning a simple meetup into an enriching learning outing. Moreover, the garden’s quiet residential neighborhood location makes parking and access relatively convenient while still offering a sense of refuge from city bustle. Groups can also picnic nearby or simply enjoy the natural surroundings after touring the art. The presence of Friends of Gilgal Garden, a dedicated nonprofit working to maintain and restore the space, ensures that the garden remains clean, safe, and accessible for groups throughout the year.
What activities can you enjoy at Gilgal Sculpture Garden?
Visiting Gilgal Sculpture Garden with friends revolves around discovery and shared admiration of its visionary art and serene environment. Primarily, exploring the garden on foot is the main activity, as the 12 sculptures and over 70 engraved stones are spread throughout the grounds, inviting wandering and contemplation. You can treat the visit like a scavenger hunt, challenging your group to spot different symbols or read passages aloud, which adds an interactive layer to the experience. Photography is another popular activity since the garden’s unusual and whimsical sculptures provide striking backdrops for creative photos or group selfies, preserving your memory of the meetup. Given the garden’s spiritual and literary engravings, groups might enjoy reading and discussing selected scriptures or poems carved into stones, making the gathering both fun and intellectually stimulating. For more structured groups, such as book clubs or spiritual circles, Gilgal’s contemplative atmosphere offers an inspiring environment for meetings and discussions. Lastly, the garden’s natural beauty — its trees, manicured grounds, and peaceful ambiance — encourages relaxation, quiet reflection, or simply soaking up Utah’s afternoon sunshine alongside friends.
How does Gilgal Sculpture Garden connect with community and culture?
The garden is not just an artistic space but a cultural landmark reflecting Salt Lake City’s heritage and communal values. Originally developed by Thomas Child starting in 1945, the garden’s art represents a personal exploration of LDS theology, local history, and poetry, creating a tangible link between art and Utah’s predominant cultural narratives. Over the years, Gilgal faced the risk of commercial development but was saved by grassroots activism and community fundraising, exemplifying strong local commitment to preserving cultural uniqueness. This rich history of community involvement can enhance your group meetup by connecting visitors to a collective story of preservation, creativity, and shared values. Furthermore, the garden’s designation as Utah’s first site in the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Distinctive Destinations program marks it as a place of national cultural importance, instilling a sense of pride and significance for visitors. Such a backdrop invites groups to reflect not only on artistic themes but on the power of community collaboration in protecting meaningful places. Hosting your meetup here thus becomes an opportunity to engage with history and culture in a setting that honors individual vision and collective effort.
What should you know before planning your visit to Gilgal Sculpture Garden?
Planning a meetup at Gilgal Sculpture Garden is easy due to its nature as a public park with no entry fees and year-round accessibility. However, it is good to note that the garden is not a commercial venue with formal event facilities, so activities like large parties, loud music, or extensive catering may not be appropriate or permitted. The garden’s pathways are designed for foot traffic, so comfortable walking shoes are recommended, especially if you plan to explore the sculptures and read the engraved texts extensively. While the garden’s location in a quiet neighborhood offers a peaceful experience, parking can be limited at peak times, so carpooling or arriving early may make the visit more comfortable for groups. There are no official picnic tables or restrooms on site, so bringing minimal supplies like water and snacks might be necessary if your group plans a longer visit. Additionally, respecting the garden’s status as a preserved historic environment by following posted guidelines ensures it remains a welcoming space for all visitors. Checking the Friends of Gilgal Garden website or local Salt Lake City park updates can provide the latest information on garden conditions or special events that might coincide with your visit.
How does visiting Gilgal Sculpture Garden enhance social connections?
Gathering at Gilgal Sculpture Garden goes beyond just physically meeting; it cultivates shared memories rooted in a unique and inspiring context. Engaging with the garden’s artistic symbols and literary inscriptions presents natural conversation starters that encourage reflection, storytelling, and even lighthearted debates, helping friends and families connect on intellectual and emotional levels. The garden’s tranquil environment fosters mindfulness and presence, allowing group members to appreciate each other’s company away from daily distractions such as phones or typical social settings. This can deepen relationships by inviting more meaningful interactions grounded in wonder and curiosity. Additionally, the garden’s preservation story offers an example of community spirit and dedication, which can inspire groups to think about their own values and collaborative efforts. Such experiences build a sense of belonging not only to the group but to a larger community invested in creativity and conservation. Overall, meeting at Gilgal fosters both personal bonds and a collective appreciation for art, history, and nature.
Why is Gilgal Sculpture Garden a top-rated meetup location with a 4.3-star rating?
The garden's 4.3 rating, based on over 1,700 reviews, reflects its popular appeal and strong visitor satisfaction. Many visitors praise the garden for being a hidden oasis that offers an unexpected artistic and spiritual experience in the middle of an urban environment. Its accessibility as a free public park with unique sculptures draws a steady stream of curious tourists and locals alike, enhancing its reputation as a cultural treasure. Reviewers often highlight how the garden’s unusual and sometimes whimsical sculptures set it apart from other parks, providing a memorable destination for groups looking to combine socializing with art. Additionally, ongoing preservation efforts and community involvement assure visitors of a well-maintained and meaningful site. Some lower ratings mention limited amenities or accessibility issues, but overall, the unique character and calm atmosphere consistently make Gilgal Sculpture Garden a favored spot to host meaningful and enjoyable meetups.
What future can groups expect when visiting Gilgal Sculpture Garden?
Thanks to dedicated preservation groups like Friends of Gilgal Garden and municipal support, the garden’s future is secure as a protected public park. Ongoing restoration projects will continue to improve sculpture conditions and garden upkeep, enhancing the visitor experience over time. Efforts to secure conservation easements ensure the garden remains untouched by commercial development, preserving its original vision and community value. For groups, this means Gilgal will remain a reliable, inspiring place to gather, learn, and relax for years to come. Additionally, as awareness grows through programs like the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Distinctive Destinations, the garden may see expanded educational and cultural initiatives that deepen engagement opportunities for visitors. Whether your group returns regularly or discovers Gilgal for the first time, it promises a lasting setting for connection, creativity, and cultural enrichment.