Natural History Museum of Utah
Natural History Museum of Utah
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
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
About
As the Utah state museum of natural history, this top attraction provides an introduction to the science in Utah's remarkable landscape! With engaging exhibits and over 5,000 artifacts on display, the Museum features Utah's paleontology discoveries, fascinating gems and minerals found world-wide, preserved artifacts from Utah's prehistoric peoples, and stories told by the five Native nations that lie within the state's boundaries. Journey to the top of a three-story indoor Canyon. Wander through Utah's dinosaurs and animal life. Interact with earthquakes, erosion, and our Digital Globe to discover how the earth's surface and the Great Salt Lake have changed over time. Enjoy breath-taking views from our observatory deck. Hike the Bonneville Shoreline trail. Experience natural history as only Utah can reveal it. Enjoy beverages, lunch or a snack at the Museum Cafe. Shop the Museum Store for unique jewelry and gift items influenced by nature's design. Visitors with young kids will enjoy Our Backyard, an intimate, discovery-based environment that invites our pre-school visitors to experience natural history first hand!
Duration: 2-3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: East Bench
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
191 within 5 kms
Attractions
202 within 10 kms
See what travellers are saying
- swoodrufMuskegon, Michigan1,400 contributionsWonderful Natural History Museum with Dinosaurs Galore!What a terrific museum! I have never seen so many dinosaur skeletons from so many different periods as I have in this museum. I found it fascinating. The research has advanced so much since when I was a child. The area around Salt Lake used to be a huge inland lake, Lake Bonneville, which is fossil rich. The university must have an archaeology program, as there are windows where you can see people working on digs. The museum as actually on the grounds of the University of Utah. We had a snack in the snack bar and perused the store when done. This museum is so huge that you feel like you didn't get to see everything as well. Very fun time with my 13 year old grandson.Visited June 2023Written 1 July 2023
- Kelsey PSan Rafael, California117 contributionsCool science museumWe stumbled in on a rainy day and had a wonderful time. The museum takes you upward through time starting with a really cool dinosaur exhibit, then geology and how the Great Salt Lake was formed, indigenous artifacts, taxidermy dioramas, and ending with a really cool exhibit on current Native communities in Utah. There were a couple areas closed for renovations, and a special exhibit on conservation with live animals on display. We didn't bring children but there were a lot of hands on activities for kids of all ages. Definitely worth a visit while in SLC.Visited September 2023Travelled as a coupleWritten 7 September 2023
- Gilles Tremble4 contributionsA must for anyone interested in the Earth's incredible history and a whole lot of fun.A dinosaur-sized adventure that had me feeling like a curious kid again! As soon as you walk in, you're surrounded by towering dinosaurs and fascinating geological displays that transport you back in time. The hands-on exhibits and interactive displays make learning about natural history a blast. What makes this place truly special is the panoramic view of Salt Lake City from the top floor; it's like a reward for the journey through the museum. It's not just a museum; it's a day filled with wonder, learning, and even a touch of adventure.Visited March 2023Travelled with familyWritten 9 November 2023
- Mark HIrvine, California238 contributionsEvery exhibit is great!Great museum with an attractive layout and good views of the Valley. Liked the cafe and each floor of the museum! Underneath the migrating birds on the ceiling, is a map of the Great Salt Lake through the ages. The UGuest Wi-Fi is tricky to access because you need to enter your phone number as a username and an access code. If you have to switch screens to find the code, then the login disappears and you start over. Some of the staircases could be marked for those with low vision: add a stripe of paint across the top step and across the bottom step.Visited February 2024Travelled soloWritten 18 February 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
1,573 reviews
Excellent
1,221
Very good
281
Average
57
Poor
12
Terrible
2
Mark H
Irvine, CA238 contributions
Feb 2024 • Solo
Great museum with an attractive layout and good views of the Valley. Liked the cafe and each floor of the museum! Underneath the migrating birds on the ceiling, is a map of the Great Salt Lake through the ages. The UGuest Wi-Fi is tricky to access because you need to enter your phone number as a username and an access code. If you have to switch screens to find the code, then the login disappears and you start over. Some of the staircases could be marked for those with low vision: add a stripe of paint across the top step and across the bottom step.
Written 18 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FlaTravelGuy
Tampa, FL41 contributions
Nov 2023 • Family
We had the pleasure of touring during “behind the scenes day”. Enjoy meeting many of the professors and employees who are more than eager to discuss their work. A great day overall.
Written 18 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gilles Tremble
4 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
A dinosaur-sized adventure that had me feeling like a curious kid again! As soon as you walk in, you're surrounded by towering dinosaurs and fascinating geological displays that transport you back in time. The hands-on exhibits and interactive displays make learning about natural history a blast. What makes this place truly special is the panoramic view of Salt Lake City from the top floor; it's like a reward for the journey through the museum. It's not just a museum; it's a day filled with wonder, learning, and even a touch of adventure.
Written 9 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kelsey P
San Rafael, CA117 contributions
Sept 2023 • Couples
We stumbled in on a rainy day and had a wonderful time. The museum takes you upward through time starting with a really cool dinosaur exhibit, then geology and how the Great Salt Lake was formed, indigenous artifacts, taxidermy dioramas, and ending with a really cool exhibit on current Native communities in Utah. There were a couple areas closed for renovations, and a special exhibit on conservation with live animals on display. We didn't bring children but there were a lot of hands on activities for kids of all ages. Definitely worth a visit while in SLC.
Written 8 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
misanthropicdreamer
San Francisco, CA545 contributions
Sept 2023 • Family
The museum has a cool building but overall it is just average. We went to see the dinosaur exhibit and there are lots of impressive skeletons for kids. A caution is that there is a video stating a theory about dinosaurs eating other dinosaurs and then eating themselves— not good for kids (!) There is a Native American exhibit that was good. There were live animals and a talk in which the lady was going to show live animals. She showed a cute crested gecko but then just a snake skin. Would have liked more live critters.
Written 2 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pamela
10 contributions
Jul 2023
It's your basic museum, but it's pretty good. Nothing spectacular but it can occupy you for an hour or so.
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
swoodruf
Muskegon, MI1,400 contributions
Jun 2023
What a terrific museum! I have never seen so many dinosaur skeletons from so many different periods as I have in this museum. I found it fascinating. The research has advanced so much since when I was a child. The area around Salt Lake used to be a huge inland lake, Lake Bonneville, which is fossil rich. The university must have an archaeology program, as there are windows where you can see people working on digs. The museum as actually on the grounds of the University of Utah. We had a snack in the snack bar and perused the store when done. This museum is so huge that you feel like you didn't get to see everything as well. Very fun time with my 13 year old grandson.
Written 1 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dpat3
Colorado Springs, CO334 contributions
Jun 2023 • Family
We went on a week day with our 8 month old, 2 yr old and 5 yr old. It wasn’t super busy unless you were around a field trip. Plenty of room for our double stroller. The dinosaur exhibit is set up in a very cool way and was the best part. We enjoyed looking at the tall walls of butterflies and bugs but some were so high up you couldn’t see. It would be cool if they were horizontal instead. The thing we were super bummed about was the fact that there were signs for the outdoor exhibits on the top level but there was nothing up there. Would have liked some more hands on things for the little kids. Overall we enjoyed though.
Written 16 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FrequentFlier550634
Johns Island, SC2 contributions
May 2023 • Solo
Native American exhibit was excellent ,extensive and informative.. narrative materials about various tools and crafts were very informative.
Written 13 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Katiria
Tennessee17 contributions
Jun 2023 • Couples
This was at least for us, a hidden gem in our road trip that we found at last second. If you're interested in history/pre-historic times you will love this place. I would recommend taking at least two hours+ to appreciate the entire museum.
Overall would definitely recommend!
Overall would definitely recommend!
Written 11 June 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Violet
Davis, CA6 contributions
Planning to go to Salt Lake city, and looking for places to go n things to do there. Is this museum a must-go place? Or any other recommendations? Any info would be appreciated. Thank you.
az4985
10 contributions
Yes, this mueum is a must go. The dinosaur fossils are amazing and there are special temporary exhibits as well. When i went there was a cool viking exhibit. There are also areas you can walk around outside the museum.
I would like to visit the museum and need to find a hotel near by. Can you please list a few hotels that are close to the museum?
jerry c
Thornton, CO152 contributions
we always stay at the Home2 suites by Hilton salt lake city east. Its address is 2350 S. foothills drive. We have stayed here three times and it has always been great. Good luck and have fun.
What is the address I can plug into my GPS
David S
Salt Lake City, UT13 contributions
Our Location
301 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Hours
10:00 am – 5:00 pm Open 7 Days
10:00 am – 9:00 pm Wednesdays
Happy Summer of '16!!!
OMSLongIsland
Long Island, NY62 contributions
Is there a planetarium at the museum? I searched the museum website but found nothing. Yet, I thought that I had seen "planetarium" mentioned somewhere regarding the museum.
Mon U
Salt Lake City, UT32 contributions
Hello traveler, there is not a planetarium in the museum but the Clark Planetarium is at the Gateway downtown Salt Lake
Just search online by name and you can get more information including shows and activities.
mimosa1849
Encinitas, CA3 contributions
Do you have a place to check luggage while we're at the museum? And, how close can I get to the museum on light rail?
JimBreitinger
Salt Lake City, UT1 contribution
So sorry for the late response. Our guest services staff does work with guests to store luggage, at no charge.
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Claim your listingNatural History Museum of Utah - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
Frequently Asked Questions about Natural History Museum of Utah
- Hotels near Natural History Museum of Utah:
- (1.12 km) University Guest House & Conference Center
- (0.81 km) Salt Lake City Marriott University Park
- (2.59 km) Hampton Inn & Suites Salt Lake City/University-Foothill Dr.
- (5.59 km) Inn On The Hill
- (5.73 km) The Grand America Hotel
- Restaurants near Natural History Museum of Utah:
- (0.01 km) The Museum Cafe
- (0.82 km) Wakara Bar
- (0.82 km) Thistle & Thyme
- (0.68 km) PHC Dining Hall
- (1.37 km) Corner Bakery Cafe