🎨 Museums & Art Galleries
Utah is one of the world’s richest regions for dinosaur discoveries, and the Wasatch Front offers direct access to that ancient story through incredible museums and fossil exhibits. But the cultural experience doesn’t stop with ancient life—Utah and Salt Lake Counties are also home to vibrant art galleries, creative studios, and local showcases where modern talent shines. Whether you’re exploring prehistoric giants, discovering local artists, or diving into hands-on science, this curated guide highlights the must-visit museums and galleries across the Wasatch Front.
Display from Museum of Ancient Life (Thanksgiving Point)
Dinosaur Discovery Choices
If you’ve ever wanted to walk where giants once roamed, the Wasatch Front is your perfect prehistoric playground. From towering T-Rex replicas to real fossil digs you can touch, Utah is packed with spots where ancient dino life still steals the show. Grab the kids, channel your inner explorer, and check out these top places to uncover the Jurassic magic hiding right in our own backyard.
Natural History Museum of Utah
The Natural History Museum of Utah is the state's official museum of natural history. Nestled in the foothills above Salt Lake City, the Museum's home — the Rio Tinto Center — is an architectural wonder that houses 163,000 square feet of breathtaking exhibitions exploring billions of years of natural history. (from the website)
Where: 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Call: (801) 581-6927
Days: Daily 10–5; Wed to 9
Tickets: Adults $22.95, Young Adult 13-24 $22.95, Child 3-12 $20.95, Child 2 and under Free
Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life
Travel back in time and explore what life was like over 65 million years ago in the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life! With 60 complete dinosaur skeletons, this museum has one of the world’s largest displays of mounted dinosaurs right here in Lehi, Utah! More than 50 hands-on exhibits, like the Erosion Table and the Quarry Dig, make it easy to interact with prehistory. You can even watch our paleontologists and volunteers unearth a 150-million-year-old Barosaurus. Whether you come by day or night, the Museum of Ancient (from the website)
Where: 2929 N Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, UT 84048
Call: (801) 768-2300
Days: Monday – Saturday 9 am – 8 pm
Tickets: Save a few $ by purchasing tickets online where price ranges from $17 to $24 per person depending on age. Under 2 free.
Eccles Dinosaur Park
Discover the wonders of prehistoric life at Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park, your destination for natural history enthusiasts. Immerse yourself in a world where dinosaurs roam, exploring life-sized exhibits, interactive displays, and fossil digs. The park is perfect for families with a 8.5-acre sculpture park to roam, including dinosaur digs, playgrounds, and more! The park offers a unique blend of education and entertainment, bringing ancient history to life. (from the website)
Where: 1544 Park Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401
Call: (801) 393-3466
Days: Tues – Sat 10 am – 5 pm (closed Sun, Mon)
Tickets: $12 / Under 2 free.
BYU Museum of Paleontology
Learn about Earth’s ancient life and environments featuring a large dinosaur collection and displays. The Museum of Paleontology is part of
Brigham Young University’s Department of Geological Sciences.
Where: 1683 North Canyon Road, Provo, UT 84602
Call: (801) 422-3680
Days: Open 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Monday through Friday
Tickets: FREE
🎨 Art Museums & Galleries
Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA) — Salt Lake City
Why visit: A leading Fine Art museum in all of Utah, featuring global art collections, rotating exhibitions, and historical works.
Website: umfa.utah.edu
Phone: 801-581-7332
Hours: Tue 10 am-5 pm; Wed 10 am-8 pm; Thu–Sun 10 am-5 pm; Closed Monday.
Admission: Adults $19.95; Seniors (65+) $16.95; Youth (6-18) $16.95; Ages 0-5 Free. Free on first Wednesday & third Saturday.
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA) — Salt Lake City
Why visit: Downtown gallery for modern, cutting-edge art and rotating exhibitions—great for contemporary art lovers.
Website: utahmoca.org
Phone: 801-328-4201
Hours: Tue–Thu 11 am-6 pm; Fri 11 am-9 pm; Sat 11 am-6 pm; Closed Sun & Mon.
Admission: Donation based with a suggested donation of $10.
Springville Museum of Art
(This Fox 13 news story ran in April of 2025)
Utah's oldest art museum — and one of its finest — the Springville Museum of Art has been fostering beauty and contemplation since 1937. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this stunning Spanish Colonial Revival building houses nearly 3,000 works across 29 galleries, including the most comprehensive collection of Utah fine art anywhere, a celebrated collection of 20th-century Russian-Soviet Socialist Realism, and American Realist works. Rotating exhibitions, a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden, and community events make this a destination worth the short drive south from Salt Lake. Best of all — admission is completely free.
Where: 126 E. 400 S., Springville, UT 84663
Call: (801) 489-2727
Hours: Tue–Sat 10am–5pm; Wed until 8pm; Mon evenings 6–8pm; Closed Sunday
Admission: FREE
BYU Museum of Art (MOA) — Provo
Why visit: One of the largest art museums in the region, featuring major touring exhibitions and beautifully curated galleries.
Website: BYU Museum of Art
Phone: 801-422-8287
Hours: Closed Sundays, 10:00 am to 6:00 except open till 9:00 pm on Mon, Th, Fri.
Admission: FREE
Gilgal Sculpture Garden — Salt Lake City
Why visit: A unique outdoor art environment featuring symbolic and whimsical stone sculptures—ideal “hidden gem” for locals & visitors.
Website: https://gilgalgarden.org/
Hours: April thru September 8 am to 8 pm, October thru March 9 am to 5 pm • Closed New Years Day; Thanksgiving; Christmas.
Admission: FREE
Location:749 East 500 South in Salt Lake City
🏺 Cultural, Folk & Historic Museums
Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts — Salt Lake City
Why visit: Dedicated to Utah’s folk arts traditions—a very local cultural institution. features objects made by Utah artists from the state’s American Indian, rural, occupational and ethnic communities. The Museum offers a snapshot of Utah’s heritage and contemporary culture. The Chase Home, built more than 150 years ago in a traditional hall-and-parlor style from adobe bricks, is a fine example of 19th century folk art.
Website: Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts
Phone: 801-245-7285
Hours: Thursdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: FREE
Location: located in the middle of Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Museum of Utah ⭐ Opening Summer 2026
Utah's first state history museum is set to open its doors on June 27, 2026, inside the stunning new North Capitol Building on Capitol Hill in Salt Lake City. Operated by the Utah Historical Society, the Museum of Utah celebrates the state's unique history, culture, and art through world-class exhibits, programming, and community spaces. Featuring 17,000 square feet of exhibition space, four permanent galleries — Inspiring Utah, Building Utah, Becoming Utah, and Connecting Utah — bring Utah's story to life from prehistoric times through the present. The $320 million North Capitol Building also features 89 seismic base isolators to protect the collection during earthquakes, and a state-of-the-art artifact storage facility for tens of thousands of historical items previously held in the Rio Grande Depot basement. Highlights include the iconic Mormon Meteor III land speed racer driven by Salt Lake City mayor AB Jenkins. A true landmark opening — plan your visit this summer.
Where: North Capitol Building, Utah State Capitol Complex, Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Opening: Grand Opening Celebration — June 27, 2026
Admission: FREE
Web: Museum of Utah
This Is The Place Heritage Park — Salt Lake City
Why visit: Living-history village with pioneer homes, shops, interactive exhibits—great family outing rooted in Utah heritage.
Website: https://www.thisistheplace.org/
Phone: 801-582-1847
Hours: The Heritage Village 10am-5pm (Monday-Saturday) Closed Sunday • The Pioneer Center: Free 10am-5:20 pm (7 Days a Week) • The Gift Shop: Free 9am-5:30pm (7 Days a Week)
Admission: Adults $22.95, Seniors $19.95, Children $16.95, 2 and under free. Annual pass avialable from $115 to $190 details here…
Location: 2601 East Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum — Provo
Why visit: Wildlife, ecosystems, preserved specimens—an educational and interactive life science museum.
Website: https://lsm.byu.edu/
Phone: 801-422-5050
Hours: M-F 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, Sat 10:00 am to 5:00 pm, Closed Sundays
Admission: FREE
Location: 645 E 1430 N, Provo, Utah 84602
🔬 Science, Space & Interactive Museums
Clark Planetarium — Salt Lake City
Why visit: The Planetarium features over 10,000 square feet of free, hands-on exhibit space, as well as the breathtaking Hansen full-dome and Northrop Grumman IMAX® theatres. Clark Planetarium boasts one of the best science gift shops in Utah. For many visitors, Clark Planetarium is their first trip to space, and we know it won't be their last. (from the website)
Website: Clark Planetarium
Phone: 385-468-7827
Hours: Open 7 days a week,
Admission: Admission to the exhibit space is free. Shows in the Hansen Dome Theatre & Northrop Grumman IMAX® Theatre play throughout the day, and will cost around $10. See prices here…
Location: 110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City, Utah 84101
Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum — Salt Lake City
Why visit: Interactive, playful museum focused on creativity & learning—especially good for families.
Website: discoverygateway.org
Phone: 801-456-5437
Hours: Open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm six days a week. Closed Tuesdays.
Admission: Adult $14.50, Seniors $12.50, Children $12.50, under 1 year Free.
Location: 444 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Museum of Illusions — Salt Lake City
Why visit: Over 50 interactive exhibits where optical illusions, holograms, and gravity-defying rooms challenge how your brain interprets reality. A camera-ready experience perfect for families, date nights, and friend groups — plan on 1 to 1.5 hours. Located at The Gateway in downtown SLC.
Website: moisaltlakecity.com
Phone: N/A - visit their website
Hours: Mon–Thu 10am–9pm; Fri–Sat 10am–10pm; Sun 10am–9pm
Admission: $35 per person. Discounts available — check website for current offers.
Location: 110 S Rio Grande St, Suite 1102, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (at The Gateway, across from Discovery Gateway Children's Museum)
✈️ Specialty Museums
Hill Aerospace Museum — Roy (Davis County)
(This abc 4 NEWS story is from Spring of 2025)
Why visit: More than 70 aircraft on display, plus rockets and aerospace artifacts—it’s expansive and impressive.
Website: aerospaceutah.org
Phone: (801) 825-5817
Hours: Tue thru Sat. 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Admission: Free (donations accepted).
Location: 7961 Cottonwood Street, Building 1955, Hill Air Force Base, UT 84056
Whether you’re exploring towering dinosaur skeletons, strolling through contemporary art halls, or discovering Utah’s rich cultural heritage, the museums and galleries of Utah and Salt Lake Counties offer something memorable for every interest. From immersive family experiences to quiet contemplative visits, this guide helps you navigate the best of our region’s creative, scientific, and historical spaces. Pack your curiosity, plan your visit, and enjoy the journey through art, history, science, and discovery along the Wasatch Front.
To submit a museum or gallery to be included here, fill out the submission form at this link.