Museums & Art Galleries

Natural History Museum of Utah

The state's official natural history museum sits in the foothills above the University of Utah inside the Rio Tinto Center, with 163,000 square feet of exhibits spanning billions of years: dinosaurs, gems, Native voices and the Great Salt Lake. The view from the top-floor terrace alone is worth the trip.

This fallIndigenous Art Market & Festival (Oct 10–11) · Spooky Science Nights (Oct 7 & 14, 5–9 pm)

Where

301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Call

(801) 581-6927

Hours

Daily 10 am–5 pm; Wednesdays until 9 pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas (closes at 3 pm the day before each).

Tickets

Adult $24.95 · Senior 65+ $22.95 · Young Adult 13–24 $22.95 · Child 3–12 $20.95 · 2 & under Free · Members Free · U of U students, faculty & staff Free with ID

Discounts

Museums for All: up to 6 tickets at $2 each with an EBT or WIC card. Veterans + one guest free Veterans Day weekend.

Website

nhmu.utah.edu

Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life

With 60 complete dinosaur skeletons, this is one of the largest mounted-dinosaur displays in the world. More than 50 hands-on exhibits, including the Erosion Table and the Quarry Dig, let kids get their hands dirty, and you can watch paleontologists and volunteers working on a 150-million-year-old Barosaurus. New galleries: Need for Speed (Jurassic predators like Allosaurus) and Rise of the Giants (the long-necked sauropods).

Where

2929 N Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, UT 84048

Call

(801) 768-2300

Hours

Mon–Sat 9 am–8 pm. Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Tickets

Online / at the door: Adult $24 / $27 · Senior 65+ $21 / $24 · Youth 13–17 $19 / $22 · Child 3–12 $17 / $20 · 2 & under Free. Buy online to save $3.

Discounts

Every Kid Counts: with a SNAP or WIC EBT card and photo ID, children free and adults $9 (up to 6 people, in person only).

Website

thanksgivingpoint.org

George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park

An 8.5-acre outdoor park with life-size dinosaur sculptures along winding paths, plus an indoor museum, fossil digs and a playground. Great for younger kids who'd rather run than read placards.

This fallDinos in the Dark (Oct 15–17 & 22–24). Daytime hours shorten to 10–3 on those days.

Where

1544 Park Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401

Call

(801) 393-3466

Hours

Fall (through Oct 31): Tue–Sat 10 am–5 pm, Sun 12–5 pm, closed Mon. Halloween 10–4.Winter (Nov 1–Mar 14): Tue–Sat 10 am–4 pm, closed Sun & Mon.Closed Dec 20–Jan 4 for maintenance, plus Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Tickets

$12 ages 2+ · Under 2 Free

Website

dinosaurpark.org

BYU Museum of PaleontologyFREE

Part of BYU's Department of Geological Sciences, this museum holds one of the largest dinosaur collections in the region, and it's free.

Where

1683 N Canyon Road, Provo, UT 84602

Call

(801) 422-3680

Hours

Mon–Fri 9 am–5 pm

Admission

FREE (donations welcome). Free parking out front, shared with the football stadium.

Website

geology.byu.edu

Utah Museum of Fine Arts (UMFA)

One of the leading fine art museums in the state, with global collections and rotating exhibitions on the University of Utah campus.

On viewFor the Future: Collecting at the UMFA 2001–2026 (through Jan 3, 2027) · salt 18: Amor Muñoz (opens Oct 24) · Onishi Yasuaki's Stone on Boundary in the Great Hall

Where

Marcia and John Price Museum Building, 410 Campus Center Drive, Salt Lake City, UT 84112

Call

(801) 581-7332

Hours

Tue & Thu–Sun 10 am–5 pm; Wed 10 am–8 pm; closed Mon. Closed Nov 26–27 and Dec 25.

Admission

Adults $19.95 · Seniors 65+ $16.95 · Youth 6–18 $16.95 · Ages 0–5 Free

Free days

First Wednesday and third Saturday of every month. Also free for U of U students, faculty & staff, active military + family, and EBT/WIC cardholders.

Website

umfa.utah.edu

Utah Museum of Contemporary Art (UMOCA)

Downtown's home for modern, cutting-edge work, right next to Abravanel Hall. Easy to pair with a symphony night.

On viewTime, Truth, and Other Immeasurables (through June 5, 2027) · Sol LeWitt: Wall Drawing No. 309 (through Mar 20, 2027)

Where

20 S West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

Call

(801) 328-4201

Hours

Tue–Thu & Sat 11 am–6 pm; Fri 11 am–9 pm; closed Sun & Mon. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Day.

Admission

Pay what you can: $10 suggested donation

Website

utahmoca.org

Springville Museum of ArtFREE

Utah's oldest art museum, and one of its finest, has been fostering beauty and contemplation since 1937. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the 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 Soviet Socialist Realism, and American Realist works. A sculpture garden and community events make it worth the short drive south.

Coming up40th Annual Spiritual & Religious Art of Utah: Oct 16, 2026–Jan 13, 2027 (opening reception Oct 16, 7–9 pm)

Where

126 E 400 S, Springville, UT 84663

Call

(801) 489-2727

Hours

Tue–Sat 10 am–5 pm; Wed until 8 pm; Mon evenings 6–8 pm; closed Sundays and holidays

Admission

FREE

Website

smofa.org

BYU Museum of Art (MOA)FREE

One of the most-visited art museums in the region, with major touring exhibitions, beautifully curated galleries and free general admission.

On viewHomeward to the Prairie I Come, Gordon Parks photographs (through Nov 21) · Gilded Paradise: Recasting Ghiberti's Baptistery Doors (through Oct 24)

Where

North Campus Drive, BYU campus, Provo, UT 84602. Free parking off North Campus Drive; south entrance closed for construction.

Call

(801) 422-8287

Hours

Mon, Thu & Fri 10 am–9 pm; Tue, Wed & Sat 10 am–6 pm; closed Sundays. Holiday hours Dec 15–Jan 7: Mon–Sat 10–6. Closed Nov 27, Dec 24–25 and Dec 31–Jan 1.

Admission

FREE (some special exhibitions may charge)

Website

moa.byu.edu

Gilgal Sculpture GardenFREE

A hidden gem tucked mid-block in a residential neighborhood: symbolic, whimsical and sometimes strange stone sculptures, including a Sphinx with Joseph Smith's face. A quick, memorable stop.

Where

749 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102

Hours

Daily. April–September 8 am–8 pm; October–March 9 am–5 pm.

Admission

FREE. Walking-tour brochures available at the garden.

Website

gilgalgarden.org

Museum of UtahNEW 2026

Utah's first state history museum opened June 27, 2026, inside the new North Capitol Building on Capitol Hill. Operated by the Utah Historical Society, it tells Utah's story from prehistoric times to the present across four permanent galleries (Inspiring Utah, Building Utah, Becoming Utah and Connecting Utah) plus a rotating gallery. Don't miss the Mormon Meteor III, the land-speed racer driven by Salt Lake City mayor Ab Jenkins. The building rides on 89 seismic base isolators to protect the collection in an earthquake.

Now showingThe Past is Personal (through spring 2027)

Where

North Capitol Building, 450 N State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114

Call

(801) 538-3101

Hours

Mon 11 am–8 pm; Tue–Thu 9 am–8 pm; Fri–Sun 9 am–6 pm

Admission

FREE, no reservations needed

Parking

Free throughout the Capitol Complex, including underground parking northeast of the building

Website

history.utah.gov/museum

Utah State CapitolFREE

Right next door to the Museum of Utah, the Capitol itself is a museum-quality building: murals, marble and a soaring dome. Free guided tours run on the hour on weekdays.

Where

350 N State Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84114

Call

(801) 538-1800

Hours

Building open Mon–Thu 7 am–8 pm; Fri–Sun & holidays 7 am–6 pm. Guided tours hourly 10 am–3 pm, Mon–Fri, by reservation. No guided tours Nov 25–27 or Dec 7, 2026–Jan 1, 2027.

Admission

FREE

Website

utahstatecapitol.utah.gov

Pioneer Memorial Museum (Daughters of Utah Pioneers)FREE

A museum packed with pioneer-era artifacts (clothing, furniture, dolls, tools, carriages and more) just across from the Capitol. Note: no photography allowed.

Where

300 N Main Street, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

Hours

Mon–Fri 9 am–4:30 pm

Admission

FREE

Website

isdup.org

Church History MuseumFREE

On Temple Square, with art, artifacts and interactive exhibits on the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Heads upClosed for construction through Oct 11, 2026. The children's area reopens Nov 24.

Where

45 N West Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150

Call

(801) 240-3310

Hours

Mon 10 am–6 pm; Tue–Thu 10 am–8 pm; Fri–Sat 10 am–6 pm; closed Sun

Admission

FREE

Website

churchofjesuschrist.org

Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk ArtsFREE

Inside a 150-year-old adobe hall-and-parlor home in the middle of Liberty Park, this small state museum showcases work by Utah's American Indian, rural, occupational and ethnic communities: a snapshot of the state's living traditions.

On viewOnce Upon a Tree, wood and paper works from the state collection (through Jan 9, 2027)

Where

Center of Liberty Park, Salt Lake City (park entrance at 600 E 1100 S)

Call

(801) 245-7285 (during open hours)

Hours

Thu–Sat 10 am–4 pm. Closed Nov 26–27 and Dec 24–Jan 1.

Admission

FREE

Website

artsandmuseums.utah.gov

This Is The Place Heritage Park

A living-history village with pioneer homes, shops, a train and costumed interpreters. A great family outing rooted in Utah heritage.

Coming upLittle Haunts (Oct 9–10, 16–17, 23–24, 30–31) · Christkindlmarkt (Dec 2–5) · Candlelight Christmas (December evenings; see website for dates)

Where

2601 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Call

(801) 582-1847

Hours

Heritage Village: Mon–Sat 10 am–5 pm, closed SunPioneer Center: Mon–Sat 9 am–5:30 pm, Sun 9 am–5 pmGift Shop: 9 am–5:30 pm (Sun until 5)Monument & grounds: dawn to dusk

Admission

Park entry is free. Daily Experience Pass $25 (ages 2+; includes village, train, demonstrations and parking). Fall Fun Pass $15. Train only $5.

Website

thisistheplace.org

Clark Planetarium

More than 10,000 square feet of free, hands-on exhibits plus the Hansen full-dome theatre and a Northrop Grumman IMAX® theatre. For a lot of kids, it's their first trip to space.

Now playingEncounters in the Milky Way (narrated by Pedro Pascal) · Running Wild: Return to the River (IMAX) · laser shows

Where

110 S 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (at The Gateway)

Call

(385) 468-7827

Hours

Sun–Thu 9:30 am–8 pm; Fri–Sat 9:30 am–11 pm. Sensory-friendly Saturdays 9:30–11:30 am.

Admission

Exhibits FREE. Dome and IMAX shows about $10 for adults (13+), less for children. See show prices

Website

saltlakecounty.gov/clark-planetarium

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

An interactive, play-first museum built around creativity and learning. Best for toddlers through tweens.

Where

444 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (at The Gateway)

Call

(801) 456-5437

Hours

10 am–6 pm; closed Tuesdays. Free sensory-friendly hours Mon 3–6 pm and Sun 10 am–noon (registration required).

Tickets

Weekday / weekend: Children 1–17 $13.50 / $14.50 · Adults 18–64 $16.50 / $18 · Seniors 65+ $13.50 / $14.50

Discounts

With SNAP/EBT/WIC: $2 per child, $10 per adult

Parking

First hour free, then $2/hour

Website

discoverygateway.org

Monte L. Bean Life Science MuseumFREE

Wildlife, ecosystems and preserved specimens from around the world, plus the new Evolutionary Tree of Life exhibit.

Where

645 E 1430 N, Provo, UT 84602

Call

(801) 422-5050

Hours

Mon–Fri 10 am–9 pm; Sat 10 am–5 pm; closed Sun

Admission

FREE. Pick up a free parking permit at the welcome desk (bring your plate number).

Website

lsm.byu.edu

Museum of Illusions

More than 50 interactive exhibits (optical illusions, holograms and gravity-defying rooms) that mess with how your brain reads the world. Camera-ready and great for families, date nights and friend groups; plan on 45–90 minutes.

Where

110 S Rio Grande St, Suite 1102, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 (at The Gateway, across from Discovery Gateway)

Hours

Sun–Thu 10 am–9 pm; Fri–Sat 10 am–10 pm

Tickets

See website for current prices and family packages. Ages 4 & under free; teachers free with school ID.

Parking

Gateway garage: first hour free, free all day Sunday

Website

moisaltlakecity.com

Hill Aerospace MuseumFREE

More than 70 aircraft across three indoor galleries and an outdoor air park, plus rockets, missiles and aerospace artifacts. Try the A-10 VR flight experience ($15).

Heads upClosed Oct 6–7, 2026 for aircraft restoration.

Where

7961 Cottonwood Street, Building 1955, Hill AFB, UT 84056

Call

(801) 825-5817

Hours

Tue–Sat 9 am–4 pm

Admission

FREE (donations welcome)

Website

aerospaceutah.org