Originally posted on Fodor's Travel.

10 Most Beautiful Libraries in the United States

There's nothing better than curling up with a good book in a beautiful space.

Visiting a public library means spending time in a free, welcoming community space designed for sharing wisdom and connecting with others. In addition to offering education and tranquility, these exceptionally unique U.S. libraries don’t just boast brains—they have beauty and brawn, too. You might find yourself on a visit to wander the halls and soak in the glory of these buildings’ architecture and design in addition to gaining some solid knowledge. Here are some of the most stunning libraries in America.

PHOTO: Kyle Klein Photography

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Salt Lake City Public Library

WHERE: Salt Lake City, Utah

The Salt Lake City Public Library is an architectural gem of a building that is stunning enough on its own, but on its perch set with a backdrop of the majestic Wasatch Mountains and the downtown Salt Lake skyline in the background, it takes “scenic” to a whole new level. Inside, book lovers will admire the view, too—a collection of over 500,000 books and materials to browse. Don’t miss the six-story walkable wall that leads to a rooftop terrace featuring amphitheater-like bench seating with artificial turf, shade structures, native landscaping, a colony of honeybees, a hand-painted mural honoring the hive, and regularly scheduled community activities such as Yoga on the Roof. This library also serves as a hub for local cultural events, including the Utah Arts Festival, Living Traditions Festival, and musical performances, among other fun activities.

Visit Salt Lake (VSL) is the private, nonprofit Destination Sales & Experience Organization (DSXO) dedicated to recruiting, retaining, and activating conventions, meetings, sporting events and leisure travel that fuels the region’s visitor economy. In partnership with Salt Lake County, hoteliers, members and public-sector stakeholders, VSL helps generate $6.15 billion in annual visitor spending, $575 million in direct tax revenue and $1,700 in household tax savings while supporting more than 56,000 jobs. By championing Salt Lake's authentic urban-meets-mountain identity, VSL creates transformative experiences that benefit the community and visitors alike. For more information, visit www.VisitSaltLake.com.