8 Best Museums In Utah

Home to remarkable landscapes, five national parks, bustling cities, and classic Western hospitality, there’s a lot to love about Utah. This one-of-a-kind state is rich in history and heritage, so it’s no wonder that it’s packed with fascinating museums that both entertain and educate. Wander through an ancient desert settlement, go stargazing, spend the day on a pioneer homestead, or take flight with aircraft through the ages. Check out these incredible museums to see a side of Utah most tourists miss.

Natural History Museum of Utah, Salt Lake City

There are many great museums in Utah’s capital, Salt Lake City, but with almost 2 million artifacts in its collection, the Natural History Museum of Utah is definitely one of the best. The exhibits cover billions of years of evolution through a wide range of topics from archaeology to the environment. Highlights include a gallery of towering dinosaur skeletons, a detailed reconstruction of a Native Peoples settlement from around 900 AD, and an outdoor Poetry Path that winds along a scenic shoreline walkway.

Once you’ve explored the Museum, head over to the Red Butte Garden and Arboretum to see more natural wonders on its nature paths and tranquil gardens. The park is home to 3,000 species of plants and trees, and there are 100 themed gardens to choose from when you want to simply sit, relax, and soak up the beautiful surroundings.

Hill Aerospace Museum, Hill Air Force Base

If you’ve got a thing for flying, you’ll be in heaven at the Hill Aerospace Museum. Located on Hill Air Force Base south of Ogden, the museum welcomes around 350,000 people each year to see its incredible collection of more than 90 military aircraft, missiles, and planes. You can also visit the Utah Aviation Hall of Fame, which celebrates military aviators, civilian scientists, and others who have made exceptional contributions to the State of Utah’s aviation programs.

While you’re in the area, head into Ogden to explore the historic city’s vibrant downtown. The Nine Rails Creative District is a must-see with dazzling murals, quirky galleries, and busy studios lining the colorful streets. Check out The Monarch building, home to a wine cafe, a coffee shop, a gift store, and several studios where you can see local artists at work and pick up unique souvenirs.

Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi

The intriguingly named Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point is a lifesaver for parents trying to keep kids entertained on vacation. With more than 400 interactive exhibits, it’s one of the largest children’s museums in the state and perfect for kids of all ages. Younger ones will love running around the Rainforest and exploring the secret passageways of Kidopolis, while bigger kids can take to the skies in an exciting Canopy Tour, a rope bridge course suspended 40 feet in the air. As well as permanent exhibitions such as the Discovery Garden and Water Works, the museum’s Innovation Gallery carries rotating exhibits so the kids can learn something new every visit.

Continue the fun with a ride on The Carousel, a traditional Victorian carousel in the grounds of the museum, or head to nearby Ashton Gardens, where you’ll find 50 acres of landscaped lawns, the largest manmade waterfall in America, a greenhouse, and a cafe.

Clark Planetarium, Salt Lake City

Do some stargazing at the Clark Planetarium, an out-of-this-world attraction in the heart of Salt Lake City. The Planetarium has three floors of free exhibits entitled Earth, Near Earth, and Beyond. See moon rocks and meteorites, then head upstairs to learn about space weather and see time-lapse footage of the northern lights, also known as the aurora, from the International Space Station. On the top and final floor, visitors travel into deep space to explore black holes and alien landscapes.

The Clark Planetarium is just a block away from another iconic Salt Lake City destination: Dreamscapes. This unique space is dedicated to immersive art and run by the Utah Arts Alliance. It features a labyrinth of audiovisual landscapes. Visitors walk through various scenes, from dreamy forests to the vibrant ocean floor, as if experiencing a dream.

Frontier Homestead State Park, Cedar City

If you’ve ever wondered what Utah looked like in the 1800s, head to the Frontier Homestead State Park and see for yourself. Mormon leader Brigham Young sent missionaries to this area in the 1850s to mine iron, and you can view their equipment, homes, and artifacts at the park. Exhibits include historic cabins, the original town bell, horse-drawn farm equipment, and wagons. The museum's centerpiece is the Hunter House, the fifth oldest structure still standing in Utah.

The Frontier Homestead is conveniently located on Main Street in Cedar City. Next door is the Cedar City Visitors Center, where you can pick up a visitor’s guide and a self-guided walking tour map of the city’s historic downtown.

Springville Museum of Art, Springville

First established in the early 1900s, the Springville Museum of Art is Utah’s first museum for the visual fine arts and houses over 2,600 pieces, including those of Soviet Realist and American painters. Its collection also covers 150 years of Utah art and hosts four juried collections annually, showcasing the best contemporary talent. The museum building itself is an attraction in its own right. It was built during the Great Depression in Spanish Colonial Revival style and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2009, a beautiful sculpture garden was added to the grounds.

Once you’ve had enough art history, switch things up with a visit to Springville’s Main Street, where you’ll find a very unusual attraction. Clint’s Reptile Room offers a hands-on experience with over 60 different reptile species. Founded by a biologist and online educator, this mini zoo emphasises education and learning, aiming to dispel myths about reptiles while giving everyone in the family a fun, memorable experience.

American West Heritage Center, Wellsville

The American West Heritage Center in the Cache Valley is a living history museum set against the backdrop of the scenic Wellsville Mountains. The outdoor museum brings to life Utah’s Western heritage from 1820 to 1920. You’ll find enough to keep you entertained all day on the 275-acre museum campus. Meet baby farm animals, take a pony ride, visit the Native American exhibit to learn about the Shoshone Nation, visit a pioneer dwelling, or see a historical reenactment. The center also hosts seasonal events, including summer tea parties, fall corn mazes, and spooky ghost tours through the Haunted Hollow.

Wellsville is the closest town to the American West Heritage Center, where you’ll find plenty of places to fuel up after a long day exploring the museum. You can’t leave town without grabbing a sweet treat at Wellsville Cone, an ice cream parlour on Main Street that serves up locally made Aggie Ice Cream.

Anasazi State Park Museum, Boulder

The Anasazi State Park Museum in southern Utah is one of the state’s most unusual museums. The site of an Ancestral Puebloan village, likely occupied from A.D. 1050 to 1200, the museum includes a life-sized replica of a six-room dwelling. Inside the museum itself, you can view artifacts recovered from the site by archaeologists and catch a glimpse of how this ancient culture farmed, built their homes, and lived together in the desert.

In the shadow of Boulder Mountain, the museum is surrounded by some of Utah’s most fascinating natural attractions. The Escalante Petrified Forest State Park is a 40-minute drive south, and beyond that, you’ll find Bryce Canyon National Park. Less than an hour to the north is the entrance to Capitol Reef State Park. If you need somewhere closer to grab a bite before heading back on the road, check out Hell’s Backbone Grill and Farm, less than a mile south of the museum. Set amid beautiful pastoral scenery, this is a farm-to-table restaurant specialising in Western and Southwestern cuisine.

Utah Adventures

When you visit one of the above Utah museums, you’re not just going to a building or an exhibit, you’re taking a trip through time, to the stars, or into your imagination. There are so many adventures waiting within these walls, giving visitors a chance to get to know the real Utah. Whether you’re looking for something to keep the kids busy, create memorable vacation moments, learn something new, or enjoy the stunning Utah landscape, put these museums on your Utah bucket list to keep the whole family happy.