Salt Lake City carries a reputation for stunning mountain views, outdoor recreation, and deep historical roots tied to pioneer settlement. What often surprises first-time visitors is just how rich and varied the cultural landscape is once you step off the ski slopes. From massive collections of fine art to intimate spaces dedicated to scientific discovery, the city offers a museum scene that punches well above its weight. Whether you are planning a rainy-day activity or simply want to understand the region on a deeper level, exploring these institutions is one of the best ways to connect with the city.
The diversity of the museums here reflects the unique intersection of geology, faith, art, and innovation that defines Utah. You can spend the morning examining ancient dinosaur fossils and the afternoon standing in front of a Monet. Because the city is relatively compact, it is entirely possible to visit two or three cultural landmarks in a single day without feeling rushed. The key is knowing which spots align with your specific interests, whether you are traveling with curious kids or seeking a quiet solo retreat.
Many of the top attractions are located near downtown or the University of Utah campus, making them easy to reach via public transit or a short rideshare. Several institutions offer free admission days or discounted evening hours, which is a significant benefit for budget-conscious travelers. Additionally, the dry climate and high elevation mean that indoor cultural stops provide a welcome break from the intense summer sun or the inversion-prone winter days.
The local museum community places a strong emphasis on education and preservation. Curators here are not just caretakers of artifacts; they are storytellers who connect the past to the present. You will find that exhibits frequently highlight the contributions of Indigenous peoples, early pioneers, and the diverse immigrant communities that shaped the Wasatch Front. This nuanced approach offers a much more accurate picture of the American West than the stereotypes often portrayed in popular media.
For families, the interactive nature of many Salt Lake City museums is a major draw. Children can engage with hands-on science experiments, walk through life-sized replicas of historic villages, or get up close to live native animals. These experiences are designed to be just as engaging for adults, ensuring that a family outing does not feel like a compromise for the grown-ups in the group.
Below, you will find a curated list of the best cultural institutions in the area, followed by practical advice to make the most of your visit. Each entry offers a distinct perspective on what makes Salt Lake City a genuinely compelling destination for curious travelers.
Natural History Museum of Utah
| Address | 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (801) 581-6927 |
The Natural History Museum of Utah is outstanding! The building itself is beautiful and modern, and the exhibits are incredibly well done. From the impressive dinosaur displays to the geology and Native American culture sections, everything is engaging and informative.
The museum is clean, well-organized, and easy to navigate. The interactive exhibits make it enjoyable for both adults and kids, and the views of the Salt Lake Valley from the building are a nice bonus.
We really enjoyed our visit and found it educational without feeling overwhelming. Highly recommend if you’re in the Salt Lake City area — it’s one of the best natural history museums we’ve been to!
This was an incredible museum. As though I was apart of the 1970's TV show, "Land of the Lost" to live amongst dinosaurs. Even the lab Palentologist was at work (pix proves it). A beautiful designed museum. The natural backdrop, windows allow for natural light, informative labels, even the video prompts to make one question various theories (stuck in mud, bacteria, float bloat, or all aided in their disappearance). Had I lived here, I'd been inspired to go this route. As a natural explorer this region piqued my curious nature-I'm ready to dig. Free now from Armed Force Day to Labor Day for Veterans. Talk about getting lucky. An easy 2+ hours here both inside and outside.
I love that they have seasonal exhibits, so we never get bored of coming here. My son would love to come every week! He loves dinosaurs, and we could stay here all day. This time they have the Bugs exhibit and we all loved it. It es very interactive for kids and adults.
We love every part of NHMU!
We absolutely loved the museum! We took our three kids, 7, 5 and 1 and there were so many interactive exhibits. There was plenty for us to look at too from geodes, to fossils and replicas, ancient local Native American artifacts, etc. We visited the rotating exhibition, which was Bug World and had a lot of fun interacting with the larger than life replicas and games. I highly recommend visiting. We were able to have some of our admissions free with the rewards from the county library reading challenge. I hope it's an annual reward, even so, the museum is worth the fee!
$25 per adult admission fee. Pretty large museum! Took us about 2-3 hours to see everything inside. The dinosaur exhibit was cool just form the sheer size of the skeletons. They have an outdoor terrace and overlook with a beautiful view of the city and mountains. When we went they had the Bug World exhibit open which had a bunch of fun kids games and giant walkthrough artwork featuring bugs. A lot of this museum was very interactive which we found fun even as adults. Definitely geared towards kids! Great way to spend a scorching hot day inside the AC while also getting out of the house.
Museum of Illusions Salt Lake City
| Address | 110 S Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | — |
What a fun museum!
The manager was super friendly, and was ready to help and answer any questions we had.
The illusions are so fun and rather trippy. I love the directions on the wall and the inspo pics on the iPad. I do wish that there were more, because some of the inspo pics are of other setups and it’s hard to recreate them. I also wished there were more places to prop up your phone, or a stand. If you plan to go, bring a tripod! Overall so fun and it took us about 2 hours and we had the place to ourself on a Tuesday afternoon 👏🏼
Museum of Illusions Las Vegas – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
The Museum of Illusions was such a fun experience for the whole family. It was full of interactive exhibits, mind-bending illusions, and plenty of opportunities to take creative pictures. My kids had a great time trying to figure out what was real and what was an illusion, and I enjoyed it just as much as an adult. It’s a great activity when you want something fun, different, and entertaining for all ages.
We had a great experience at the Museum of Illusions. Admission is a bit on the expensive side, but we felt it was worth it. The only downside was the parking situation, which was somewhat confusing for first-time visitors. It would have been helpful if the receptionist had asked whether we had driven and briefly explained how to use the parking QR code. Aside from that minor issue, everything was well organized, and we had a fun and memorable visit. Overall, a very good experience.
A few days ago I had the awesome opportunity to wander around the Museum of Illusions. I was amazed by how friendly and informative the staff were. We ran into them several times in different exhibits and they were quick to explain things and even helped us get amazing photos. Jason and Layla were particularly helpful. I could tell they love their job and relish seeing so many minds blown by the interactive and unpredictable pieces. Anyone looking to experience something new and is tired of the same old classic “Utah adventures” should skip the miniature golf, bail on the bowling, ditch whatever sequel is in the theater, and try something out of box. In fact, when you finish your visit you may not know if the box is even there.
A great time was had. Great grandpa & great aunt Amy were in town. We - grandma, grandson and guests - needed something to do on a rainy Saturday. When we arrived - 1:30ish - we had the place mostly to ourselves, it was awesome. By the time we had made our way through the joint was hoping. The interactive exhibits were a blast. My grandson liked the Vortex tunnel the best and must have gone through it a dozen or more times.
David one of the dosents helped us get some cool pictures in one of the exhibits. One of the photos David took with great grandpa's phone came out with some interesting flairs.
Museum of Utah
| Address | 450 N State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84114 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (801) 538-3100 |
Very nice museum!! Visited it today just 3 weeks after its grand opening.
Fully of the culture of Utah and the state history. The theaters in the museum are wonderful. The ceiling of laylight is amazing!!
There is a good view of Utah state Capitol building.
The gift store has many good choices of souvenirs.
5/5 Stars
The Natural History Museum of Utah is an incredible experience and one I’d highly recommend to both locals and visitors. It’s engaging, thoughtfully designed, and presents Utah’s history in a way that’s both educational and genuinely fun.
I especially appreciated how the museum showcases the many cultures that have shaped Utah while honestly exploring both the triumphs and the challenges throughout the state’s history. It doesn’t shy away from the difficult parts, and that balance makes the experience even more meaningful.
Whether you’re interested in dinosaurs, geology, Native history, wildlife, or Utah’s unique heritage, there’s something here for everyone. We left having learned so much and already talking about coming back. A must-visit if you’re in Salt Lake City!
Exceeded expectations. Wonderful displays. Many interactive components. The theaters are very well done. We appreciated the many displays honoring Utah's original indigenous peoples. Definitely recommend to visitors and long time Utah residents. Free. Spacious. Great for all ages. I learned so mich about our state.
Magnificent and beautiful stained glass telling the story of Utah! The staffs at the museum service counter were very friendly and knowledgeable. It is a great pleasure talking to them.
This is an incredible building. Very clean and I like how they set this museum up. You don’t get overwhelmed. The store also has the cutest stuff!
Dreamscapes
| Address | 16 N Rio Grande St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Thursday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM Friday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday: 12:00 – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 9:00 PM |
| Phone | (801) 637-5155 |
Take your time. This place is so much fun. Make sure you go with the right friend(s) and you'll have a great time.
No need to buy tickets online. They offer discounts for first responders, seniors, etc.
We went on a Tuesday evening and practically had the whole place to ourselves! We only saw other patrons in the very last room with the cute wishing well.
I have been wanting to visit Dreamscapes for years and it's even more delightfully weird than photos (from a few years ago) led me to believe.
It's magical throughout and a little unnerving at times. And we did everything... I think. We played every game, looked in every compartment we could find and went into every crawl space.
We spent two full hours here and it was a blast.
The only downside was that most of the audio stuff was a little boring and didn't enhance our experience. Push the button in the speaker doorway, though. That was fun.
I might go again either alone or with a group of friends and prepare a playlist of bizarre, dreamlike songs and put on my headphones the whole time.
Amazing time visiting! So much interesting stuff to see! The adult ball pit is a great addition and the staff was nice. Ticket was very simple to purchase online. Would definitely recommend for anyone looking for a unique, fun way to spend a couple hours.
Super fun and interactive! Very creative! I love the whole upcycled/recycled vibe. And they are always changing the installations.
I had a lot of fun. I loved that the art was interactive and it makes for great photos. We loved it almost spent 2 hours here soaking it all in. The poetry was one of my favorite things there. I have been to meow wolf las Vegas and I would say it’s just as fun!
Dreamscapes truly transports you to a whole other world with the amazing art and genius details that can be found in every nook and cranny. The amount of creativity and collection of items was astonishing… and to turn it into art? Wow!
The staff here were super nice and it’s definitely an artfully fulfill way to spend an afternoon or evening. Highly recommended for the curious mind!
Clark Planetarium
| Address | 110 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM Saturday: 9:30 AM – 11:00 PM Sunday: 9:30 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | (385) 468-7827 |
Very nice planetarium for individuals and families. Lots of programs to watch both in imax and in the dome. Plus interactive displays for the kids. Nice shop inside for fun, creative, and learning toys for kids. Lots of kids. And can be a bit distracting when we watching the shows. But it was a very enjoyable experience.
We've cone here a few times and our grandchildren have loved it. Tons of educational video games, all free. The last time we came they had a Kpop demon hunter music Lazer show in the dome theatre. They liked that also. Will come again.
We stopped at the Clark Planetarium before heading to a concert nearby and it was a great place to explore! The exhibits are free, it's air conditioned, the bathrooms are clean, and they have a gift shop. We didn't have time to catch a show, but we would love to next time.
This place is incredible. It’s free to enter, $1 parking with their QR code and entertaining for hours. I only went with educated adults and all of us had a blast. We could have stayed here for a full day easily. We played the mars simulation for at least 2 hours and then came back the next day just for that. The other games, models, simulations, etc. are all incredibly educational and entertaining. Everything is hands on and they do a great job of showing complex topics in a really simple, easy to remember way. Their shows are also all incredible. I highly recommend coming here multiple times and going to both the imax and dome theaters if possible.
Great for all ages, there were even babies crawling around safely in some areas. I’ll be taking my kids here often.
Kids get a chance to put hands on some real science. "Whoa. How cool" or "how does it do that?" Free to roam all the levels without charge. We watch KPop in a laser show form that was a big sing a long for the kids. We had a great time. 10 out of 10 as far as im concerned.
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
| Address | 410 Campus Center Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM |
| Phone | (801) 581-7332 |
An excellent and widely varied art museum that has a little bit of everything, with lots of modern/contemporary art, plus ancient and global societies art as well. I felt like this museum was more than worth the admission price, with some unique art and artifacts that would put the big city museums to shame. Some of the best Hindu statues I’ve seen anywhere and the Mexico room was stunning with its mural.
The cafe inside offers enormous portions for such a fair price too!
Luckily my group got there on a free day! It was a fun visit with lots of interesting exhibits. My favorite were the oil paintings and the sculptures and artwork from ancient cultures. Awesome stuff!
I enjoyed very much. They have a good variety of art, from different eras and cultures.
We were looking for something to do on a Saturday afternoon, and this was the perfect way to spend a couple of hours. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was pleasantly surprised. The space was lively yet thoughtful, with families introducing children to art in an engaging way.
As a big fan of Monet, I was happy to see pieces inspired by his work, capturing that soft, pastel, atmospheric beauty he was known for. The contemporary pieces also stood out, especially the interactive candy-wrapped installation—taking a piece was a unique and exciting experience. The American art collection was fascinating, with detailed descriptions providing insight into the dates, techniques, and materials used.
The museum does a great job of enhancing the experience with QR codes on the walls, linking visitors to additional information about the pieces as they walk through. The setting itself is stunning—beautiful rooms with high ceilings and large windows offering views of the mountains surrounding the university. The diverse exhibits, including Egyptian, Pacific Asian, and Himalayan sections, were thoughtfully arranged, making the space easy to navigate.
To top it all off, there’s even a small coffee shop area with tables inside and out, perfect for continuing the conversation about the exhibits with friends or loved ones. I can easily see this as a great date option for an afternoon—relaxed, engaging, and with plenty to talk about.
Overall, a beautifully curated museum in a breathtaking location—well worth a visit.
Quiet, great art including North American and European works, along with many others. Very enjoyable.
Utah Museum of Contemporary Art
| Address | 20 S W Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | (801) 328-4201 |
Very nice contemporary art museum right next to the conversation center. Wish it was bigger but very nice temporary collections. I saw the altered states in the acid west. Various artists interpretations of acid culture in western lands.
I got to go here with my daughter on a field trip. Let's just say it was a lot more FUN, and INTERESTING than I thought it was going to be!! The kids got to do a hands on art activity, and walked around with a worker talking about some of the art. The kids really loved it! Thank you for having us UMOCA, I'll be back for sure!!
It’s nice little art museum. Not a lot of art to see though they have the space to fill it. I’d recommend adding more pieces as you can finis the whole place in like 10 min
First of all, the art in here isn’t great. I’m no artist but I think I can tell when something was made with skill vs something made like a chill project that got rejected. I know it’s all perspective and point of view but if you’re gonna call yourself a “Museum” and put up what you have then I think you need to rename the place. Honestly it’s small for one, two is the art here is such a reach. To connect 2 dots in the descriptions of the art, you need to really need to reach for it. Doesn’t make sense. The lady up front was kinda nice. The place is actually quite boring and empty. The shop has cool stuff but is quite expensive. Sort of a let down but worth checking out if you want to be flabbergasted on what some people call art.
The UMOCA’s programs, workshops, and exhibits bring rich creativity to the Utah arts community. I have been to many free workshops with my family, as well as social events, and artists discussion panels. Every visit fills me with inspiration and gratitude.
Salt Lake Art Museum
| Address | 249 S 400 E, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | (801) 410-0015 |
Beautiful stained glass windows and gorgeous architecture all restored. A important historical building as Salt Lake's first Jewish synagogue. Be sure to go upstairs as one room is dedicated to the history. Nice art collection with featured exhibits.
Awesome experience. Wonderful place to visit. I've waited a long time for Salt Lake City to have an art gallery
I attended the grand opening today and it's such a beautiful museum. Gorgeous historical building with a variety of art styles. I especially loved the art by Pilar Pibil.
The exhibit was nice but my wife in a wheel chair could not access the upper galleries.
Grand Opening was great! Would recommend a visit to anyone based on my experience.
Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
| Address | 444 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (801) 456-5437 |
We have a BLAST here! The Children’s Museum offers a Construction Zone, Bakery Area, Subaru Shop, Farm, Bank, Grocery Store, Water Play, Bee Themed, Indoor Playground, Train Show, Dinosaur Zone, Helicopter, Art Studio, Etc. The price is reasonable. They order discounted parking at the front desk so be sure to ask about that. I belt was $2 for three hours in the parking garage. Overall, it was a great experience and the kids absolutely loved it. The staff was all around if we had questions and they were keeping everyone clean all throughout our visit.
The trip was great! I’d suggest it for kids 3 and up. I liked how they had different areas, so the kids could explore and play with various things. The only strange thing was that we had to pay for parking, but others in our group didn’t. If we’d all paid separately, parking would have been covered. The parking system was also a bit odd. They have a new system, you scan an QR code and if you don’t have signal they have WiFi, but since there’s no service in the parking lot, it doesn’t make sense because they need to send you a text to verify.
So cute for the kiddos! It is not crowded at all! I recommend you to bring your own snacks because here they don’t sell anything more than water bottles ☺️ you can eat at the rooftop.
It is the perfect place for these hot days 🥹 children can play freely! My kids are 3 and 1 YO, and it is just perfect.
We brought my 5 year old son and my 9 yr old daughter for a fun day and when we arrived we were told we , as adults and parents had to pay as well. First off let me start by saying, paying for the parking lot is tedious work. They don’t even have cell phone service so you have to connect to their WiFi. Second, When I asked the attendant why adults had to pay if we were just supervising not even using the facilities, she replied, we encourage parents to play as well. As if I would climb up the top of the slide or the beehive???!!! Are we serious? 🙄 are we serious??? And the state of their facilities is great, don’t get me wrong, I’m sure the kids love it, but if they’re charging that much per adult, I’m sure they could invest in some new aprons. It’s not that hard!! So many kids use them daily and they are so worn out the Velcro won’t even stick anymore!!!
Three floors packed full of hands-on activities for all ages! Even the 17 year old had a blast. I recommend planning at least two hours for this one.
Church History Museum
| Address | 75 N W Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | (801) 240-3310 |
I flew in town to be on set of #thechosentvseries filming in Goshen Utah at the church owned property. And as we were preaching to people on set. They wanted to see and read all about the church. We took them to the temple experience at temple square, then here at the church history museum,
And we gave them copies of the Book of Mormon, and now they are meeting with the missionaries at home in their home states, what a beautiful place…
The updated displays were interesting and engaging. It's definitely a 1-sided view of history, though improvements have been made in recent years to be more transparent and show a variety of positions and views.
Amazing people working there. I really enjoyed the aboriginal art display. My grandson liked the children's play area.
Brought our 8 and 10 year old grandchildren here. Tons of hands-on fun. They especially liked the Temple room where kids can build things related to temples like Stain glass, building an archway with small blocks, earthquake simulation and more
I loved all the interactive displays, the push button videos, drawers to open, life size room displays. It tells the story of Joseph Smith's life and of his writings. Even had the original printing press which printed thousands of his Book of Mormon. A children's video and big play set to build things and climb on were lovely. Staff were present in every room to answer questions. It was all lovely! And Free and open unitl 8pm!!
Pioneer Memorial Museum
| Address | 300 N Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM Saturday: Closed Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | (801) 532-6479 |
I had a most interesting and enjoyable visit. There are extensive exhibits which I appreciated as I enjoy reading about the pioneers. Parking is available on the street, staff were welcoming, all in a well mantained beautiful building. Highly recommended.
Very interesting collection of Western artifacts and early Mormon pioneers. Well worth a visit. Staff is very nice.
Great museum! This is very informative. They have all sorts of artifacts from the pioneering era. The amount of things they were able to keep is astonishing. From election pamphlet to huge carriage, it is quite a lot of things to see. If you want to visit this museum fully you will need more than an hour. This is a free activity that is totally worth it.
Absolutely awesome museum! And it’s FREE 99! Some people
Complain that the exhibits are too repetitive or the pictures are too much. This is less of an educational aesthetic museum and more of a real time archive you can step into so yes there are hundreds of photos of people on the walls and hundreds of folded quilts or forks etc. It is a housing unit for these historical artifacts. Loved it!
I love this museum! It shows stuff the pioneers had and used. The things may be old, but they’re very nice to look at.
Land Cruiser Heritage Museum
| Address | 476 W 600 N, Salt Lake City, UT 84103 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Saturday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | (385) 385-5246 |
Great little museum for Land Cruiser enthusiasts. There were so many different models for different years, different models. They had models from Japan, Canada, Venezuela, Columbia, and Australia. So steering wheels were on both the left and the right. There was information posted at each vehicle and even audio from online telling more information and stories about the vehicle. We spent over an hour there.
If you love Land Cruisers this museum is amazing! So many variants and collections not sold in the US, explanations of where they have gone (everywhere) and knowledgeable friendly staff. I can’t wait to go back, this is an automotive nerds dream, I love this place!
During a recent trip to Iceland, my son and I rented a Toyota Land Cruiser and quickly fell in love with this incredible vehicle 🚙❄️. It handled everything so well that we couldn’t stop talking about it even after the trip ended.
Later, my son discovered that there is a museum in Salt Lake City dedicated to the Land Cruiser, and we immediately knew we had to visit it! 😄 The museum has an amazing collection and does a great job telling the story and history of this legendary vehicle.
Seeing so many different models and learning more about how the Land Cruiser evolved over the years was really interesting. If you’re a fan of this iconic SUV or just love unique car history, this place is definitely worth checking out! 👍🚗
What a cool find in Salt Lake City Utah! A whole collection of Toyota’s land cruisers from 50’s onward from all over the world! And in all formats. It sparks my imagination of adventures!
And even the “toy” collection is amazing with color charts.
I had an awesome time. Excellent collection of well-prrserved vehicles and pieces of history. Great to see all the different Toyota Land Cruisers and learn about their history. The staff was super friendly and knew a lot about every vehicle. Everything was really clean, and you can tell they put a lot of effort into taking care of the collection. If you're into cars, off-roading, or just want to check out something unique, I'd definitely recommend stopping by. It was way cooler than I expected!
The Gateway
| Address | 400 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM Sunday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM |
| Phone | (801) 456-0000 |
▪︎¤★°•🪐🛸👽 Great place! Just went with my cousins dressed as Aliens! Super friendly staff and fun place to do photoshoot interaction or exploring!! Went twice in two different locations this one and another in south town mall absolutely loved both!!! 👽🛸🪐•¤★°▪︎
Had a great time here while I had a couple extra hours in SLC! There is lots to do around- the water fountain show, the vendors, food (including delicious icecream/cookies) the art museum. There was plenty of friendly people walking their dogs, and lots of seating. No complaints.
The New Year 2026 countdown celebration was a BLAST!! Great DJ/music. Very large crowd. Glad to see security checkpoints. Fireworks and music went hand in hand creating an awesome celebratory atmosphere! Love that you can see the whole space from above. The bars and lounges nearby are good hangout spaces when outside got too cold. One shortfall: I wish they use the large TV screens more effectively to show the time for count down.
This was a very nice place for adults and families. Lots of great restaurants, taco ice cream anyone? If you’re bringing kids, there’s nice areas to hang out or if you wanna spend some money and have some fun. There’s an illusion, museum, a children’s museum and Dave & Buster’s.
Awesome place to hang out in SLC - so many activities and great food choices. Love the Art everywhere too! So many cool things to do and check out - literally spend the whole day there!
Chase Home Museum
| Address | S Constitution Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84105 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: Closed Tuesday: Closed Wednesday: Closed Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Sunday: Closed |
| Phone | (801) 245-7285 |
Cute little art museum with lots of pieces representing various cultures. Really gave some deeper perspective on heritages of Utah, with a good deal of indigenous art as well as other international pieces. Plus a fun little do-it-yourself interactive display for kids and adults!
This museum is just four rooms, but there’s a lot of interesting things to see. Enjoy the beautiful handcrafted items such as this extraordinary quit with cattle brands and this European style hand painted wooden bowl. Enjoy walking this mid 19th century home located in the middle of the park.
I was waiting for my kid to finish lessons near by and figured I’d stop and check out this place. It’s a unique little collection. Its free and worth the quick stop if you’re already going to be in the park.
A very nice place to visit in the middle of liberty park
Perfectly sized for lunch break viewing. Great variety in the displays between the 3 galleries. Honestly it left me wishing it was twice as big
Temple Square
| Address | 50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150 |
|---|---|
| Maps | Click here |
| Website | Click here |
| Opening Hours | Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM |
| Phone | (801) 240-8945 |
What a beautifully landscaped area. Unfortunately the temple is still under a 6 year renovation project but the new visitors center just opened. It was fascinating to learn about a religion that I knew very little about. I'm sure I'll never become Mormon but it was interesting learning about the history and practices of their religion. IMHO, this is what's great about the US. We should all be able to practice whatever we believe or nothing at all.
What a beautiful temple. It is under renovations, so we couldn't get very close, but I got some beautiful photos, I think. We were there at 7:30 p.m. and were lucky enough to find a free parking spot a block away from the Conference Center, which is across the street from Temple Square. There is street metered parking. I was told it is $3.50 an hour. There is also underground parking with an entrance kind of in the middle of a street. It says $25 (a day?), but will be free if you get your ticket validated by someone when you take a tour or visit a museum. If you Google Temple Square, you can find more options for validation.
More about the grounds. They are lovely with many trees, flowers, and nice covered areas with benches which will make your chats slightly more private, if you need that. Green grassy areas, and there were families with children playing on the grass.
The Choir at Temple Square was rehearsing inside the Tabernacle, and we could hear them from outside the building. I was told that on Thurdays you can go in and listen for 45 minutes, and then you need to leave, as they will be recording.
I also saw the Family History Center across another street by Temple Square. Oh, also many beautiful statues depicting the life of the Savior and moments in Church History.
The Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Always Love the Beautiful Grounds at Temple! Great place to take family and to experience a very, peaceful and inviting experience you'll want to do again and again. There are new exhibits and statues and wide array of flowers and colorful trees. And the Temple is Amazing! Christmas time is always a Beautiful tribute to the Savior with Nativities and Lights. Highly Recommend!
Temple Square is a truly remarkable destination that combines history, architecture, and tranquility in a way that's hard to describe. The beautifully maintained gardens, stunning historic buildings, and peaceful atmosphere made it one of the highlights of my visit to Salt Lake City.
I especially appreciated how welcoming and knowledgeable the staff and volunteers were. They were happy to answer questions and share the rich history of the site without being intrusive. Walking around the grounds was incredibly relaxing, and every corner seemed to offer another beautiful view or architectural detail worth admiring.
Whether you're visiting for religious reasons, history, or simply to enjoy the beauty of the surroundings, Temple Square is well worth the visit. It's a place that inspires peace, reflection, and appreciation for craftsmanship and heritage. I left feeling refreshed and grateful for the experience.
I couldn't walk up to the temple itself due to construction, but I got to see the tabernacle where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir practices, the outside if the locked chapel, and the new visitor center. The missionaries were super helpful and more than willing to answer my questions. A beautiful place to visit, especially if you're Mormon. I recommend buying tickets ahead of time for the guided tour downstairs in the visitor center.
Tips for Visiting Salt Lake City Museums
To get the most out of your cultural itinerary, it helps to plan ahead and understand how the city operates. These practical suggestions will save you time, money, and potential frustration, allowing you to focus on the exhibits rather than the logistics.
Check for free or discounted days. Many of the larger institutions, including the Natural History Museum of Utah and the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, offer periodic free admission days or reduced evening pricing. Look at the official websites before booking tickets, as these events are often tied to specific dates or local partnerships.
Start early to avoid crowds. Weekday mornings, particularly Tuesday through Thursday, are generally the quietest times to visit. School groups tend to arrive mid-morning, so arriving right when the doors open gives you a peaceful window to enjoy popular exhibits without congestion.
Combine nearby attractions. Several top museums are clustered near the University of Utah campus and downtown. Parking in one central location and walking or taking the TRAX light rail between stops can save you the hassle of re-parking multiple times during a busy day.
Look beyond the blockbuster exhibits. While the famous dinosaur halls and iconic paintings draw the biggest crowds, some of the most memorable experiences are found in rotating temporary exhibits or smaller side galleries. Ask a docent what they personally recommend; they often point you toward hidden gems.
Respect photography and touching rules. Flash photography can damage delicate textiles, documents, and paintings. Pay attention to signage regarding whether you can touch interactive displays or if a piece is strictly hands-off. This helps preserve the collections for future visitors.
Salt Lake City’s museums offer a depth of experience that goes far beyond a simple indoor activity. They are places where science, art, and history converge to tell a story that is both uniquely local and universally relevant. By weaving a few of these stops into your trip, you gain a richer understanding of the landscape and the people who have called it home.
Whether you have a single afternoon or an entire week to explore, the cultural institutions on this list provide a compelling reason to linger indoors. Take your time, ask questions, and let the exhibits spark your curiosity. The best museum visits are rarely about checking off a list; they are about leaving with a new perspective on the world around you.
