Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. This means, we may receive a small commission if you choose to purchase something from a link we post. Don’t worry, it won’t cost you anything and does not impact our fair and balanced reviews and comparisons. This small percentage just helps us keep the power on and the chips and salsa stocked. We appreciate your support!

If you’re not headed to one of Utah’s Ski Resorts in the ice and snow or curing kid’s during the boredom with 101 things to do in Utah in the summer, you definitely need to check out the best museums in Utah for kids. At these museums in Utah, your kids can play, roam, discover, create and well, just be kids!

The best museums in Utah range in variety from focused children’s museums, to art museums, dinosaur museums and even unique road trip stops to entertain kids of all ages.

1. Natural History Museum of Utah

The first on our list and one of Utah’s newer and top attractions, the Natural History Museum of Utah provides an introduction to the science in Utah’s remarkable landscape. There is also a large collection of dinosaur bones and tons of hands-on activities for all ages. Once you have visited, you will understand why we listed this as one of the best museums in Utah for kids!

BUDGET TIP #1: Admission is only $5 for all ages after 5 p.m. on Wednesdays. Wednesday is the only day the museum has evening hours and it is open until 9 p.m.

BUDGET TIP #2: The museum also offers four free days per year!

BUDGET TIP #3: Included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to Salt Lake’s best attractions for an amazing price!

Natural History Museum of Utah Information

ADDRESS: 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

HOURS: Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Open until 9 pm on Wednesdays.

PRICE: $10 and up – Detailed ticket info for Natural History Museum of Utah

CONTACT: (801) 581-6927

WEBSITE: nhmu.utah.edu

2. Utah’s Hogle Zoo

Next up, with over 800 animals on 42 acres, Hogle Zoo is always a great place for kids and families to spend the day alongside amazing creatures. Get there early in the summer for fewer crowds and cooler weather.

BUDGET TIP #1: Prices are reduced October – April

BUDGET TIP #2: Admission is free at Hogle Zoo on the last Wednesday of the month from November through February.

BUDGET TIP #3: Find current discount coupons to Hogle Zoo

BUDGET TIP #4: Included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to Salt Lake’s best attractions for an amazing price!

Hogle Zoo Information

ADDRESS: 2600 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City, UT

HOURS: Daily from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

PRICE: $13 and up – Detailed ticket info for Utah’s Hogle Zoo

CONTACT: (801) 584-1700

WEBSITE: www.hoglezoo.org

3. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

It may be on the more expensive side when it comes to family attractions in Utah, but the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium will put your kids close to other creatures they won’t find anywhere else in the state. The shark tunnel is a highlight of the aquarium and watching the playful otters is always delightful. Despite the price, this is a must-see on our list of best museums in Utah!

BUDGET TIP: $5 off each ticket after 4:00 p.m. on Monday nights

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium Information

ADDRESS: 12033 Lone Peak Pkwy, Draper, UT 84020

HOURS: Daily from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Mondays open until 8 p.m.

PRICE: $15 and up – Detailed ticket info for Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

CONTACT: (801) 355-3474

WEBSITE: thelivingplanet.com

4. Hill Aerospace Museum

Featured next on our list of best museums in Utah, whether you’re a plane-lover or not, this free museum will be an enjoyable surprise! The Museum exhibits more than 90 military aircraft, missiles, and aerospace vehicles on the grounds and inside gigantic hangers full of historic air force airplanes and memorabilia. We still can’t believe this is FREE and seriously is one of the best museums in Utah for kids!

BUDGET TIP: FREE!!

Hill Aerospace Museum Information

ADDRESS: 17961 Wardleigh Rd. Bldg. 1955, Hill Air Force Base, UT

HOURS: Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

PRICE: Free

CONTACT: 801-825-5817

WEBSITE: www.hill.af.mil/Home/Hill-Aerospace-Museum/

5. Clark Planetarium

From planes and now to space, this list features the free interactive exhibits at the planetarium. For additional experiences like their planetarium shows, and documentaries, fees do apply. All of their exhibits, shows, movies and programs explore both the Universe and life here on Earth in a way that brings it to life for kids.

BUDGET TIP #1: Access to all of the hands-on, interactive displays is free.

BUDGET TIP #2: Clark Planetarium will validate parking for their patrons in the attached Gateway parking garage. Three hours for $1.00.

BUDGET TIP #3: Included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to Salt Lake’s best attractions for an amazing price! The pass includes One Dome Theatre admission and One IMAX documentary admission.

Clark Planetarium Information

ADDRESS: 110 400 W, Salt Lake City, UT

HOURS: Sunday – Wednesday: 10:30 am to 7:00 pm, Thursday: 10:30 am to 10:00 pm, Friday – Saturday: 10:30 am to 11:00 pm

PRICE: Free. Movies and shows start at $7.

CONTACT: (385)-468-7827

WEBSITE: slco.org/clark-planetarium

6. Museum of Natural Curiosity

With over 400 interactive experiences, every kid is bound to be entertained. Explore the rainforest, learn the science behind water flow, discover secret passages, perform magic tricks, and so much more at this world class children’s museum! A newcomer to our list of best museums in Utah, this museum is seriously a blast!

BUDGET TIP #1: Every Tuesday in August is $2 admission for all ages.

BUDGET TIP #2: Included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to Salt Lake’s best attractions for an amazing price!

Museum of Natural Curiosity Information

ADDRESS: 3605 Garden Dr, Lehi, UT 84043

HOURS: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Closed Sundays

PRICE: $15 and up

CONTACT: (801) 768-2300

WEBSITE: www.thanksgivingpoint.org/experience/museum-of-natural-curiosity

7. Red Butte Garden

The largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West. Explore themed gardens, a children’s garden, waterfall and pond and nearly five miles of natural area hiking trails. Outdoor concerts and hundreds of events in the Spring through the Fall.

BUDGET TIP #1: Half-price admission in December, January, and February.

BUDGET TIP #2: Check out seasonal Free Garden Events at Red Butte Garden

BUDGET TIP #3: Included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to Salt Lake’s best attractions for an amazing price!

Red Butte Garden Information

ADDRESS: 300 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

HOURS: Open Daily. October through March 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. April and September 9 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. May through August 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.

PRICE: $7 and up

CONTACT: (801) 585-0556

WEBSITE: redbuttegarden.org

8. Discovery Gateway

Found downtown, Discovery Gateway is a climbing/playing/interactive experience. Each floor has various themes from water, architectural, imagination, to creativity. Parking is convenient and the museum is located near the Gateway Food Court. In the summer, play in the nearby outdoor fountains at Gateway.

BUDGET TIP: Included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to Salt Lake’s best attractions for an amazing price!

Discovery Gateway Information

ADDRESS: 444 W 100 S, Salt Lake City, UT

HOURS: Monday through Thursday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Friday & Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. Sunday noon – 6 p.m.

PRICE: $12.50 and up

CONTACT: (801) 531-9800

WEBSITE: discoverygateway.org

9. Treehouse Museum

A hands-on children’s museum with full size replications to imagine and play. There is a huge chess board, oval office replica, pretend diner, animation stations, a tree to climb through, and so much more. Don’t forget to visit an interactive play in their theater and possibly become an actor! Check out their page for discounts to Treehouse Museum.

BUDGET TIP #1: Reduced Admission Friday nights from 6 to 8 p.m

BUDGET TIP #2: Reduced admission for preschool kids and their parents on Mondays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. October through May.

Treehouse Museum Information

ADDRESS: 347 22nd St, Ogden, UT 84401

HOURS: Monday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Closed Sunday.

PRICE: $5 and up

CONTACT: (801) 394-9663

WEBSITE: treehousemuseum.org

10. St George Children’s Museum

If you’re headed to southern Utah, touch, feel, play, and explore in twelve exhibit rooms at the St. George Children’s Museum that are designed to encourage interaction between children and adults. Discover a world of imagination and learn and grow. “Discover, Imagine, and Create” is the Museum’s motto.

BUDGET TIP #1: Very affordable at $5/person and children under 2 are free.

BUDGET TIP #2: All Washington County residents can receive free admission (with proof of residency such as a driver license, library card, utility bill, etc.) on the first Thursday of the month.

St George Children’s Museum Information

ADDRESS: 86 S Main St, St. George, UT 84770

HOURS: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Closed Sunday.

PRICE: $5 per person

CONTACT: (801) 394-9663

WEBSITE: sgchildrensmuseum.org

11. Gilgal Sculpture Garden

Containing 12 original sculptures and over 70 stones engraved with scriptures, poems, and literary texts, this may be unusual, but is definitely worth a visit and deserves a spot on this list of best museums in Utah. As a whole, Gilgal Sculpture Garden is significant as the only identified “visionary art environment” in Utah and is free to tour.

BUDGET TIP: Always free

Gilgal Sculpture Garden Information

ADDRESS: 749 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84102

HOURS: Open Daily 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

PRICE: Free

CONTACT: (801) 972-7860

WEBSITE: gilgalgarden.org

12. The Leonardo

Not only does The Leonardo host world-class exhibits, they encourage guests to explore their creative side with hands-on make space activities that blend science, technology, engineering, art and math.

BUDGET TIP: Included in the Visit Salt Lake Connect Pass, an all-in-one ticket to Salt Lake’s best attractions for an amazing price!

The Leonardo Information

ADDRESS: 209 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84111

HOURS: Open Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

PRICE: $9 and up

CONTACT: (801) 531-9800

WEBSITE: theleonardo.org

13. Eccles Dinosaur Park

One of the best dinosaur museums you’ll ever visit, Eccles Dinosaur park has a collection of full-size creatures from prehistoric crawlers, to predators and even flying reptiles. More than one hundred dinosaur sculptures fill the park and are based on actual fossils skeletons. Special effects with robotics and sound also provide a great experience.

BUDGET TIP: Locals should consider getting the annual pass as it pays for itself after 3 visits. Also, the Dinosaur Park occasionally posts specials on local deal sites, like Groupon.

Eccles Dinosaur Park Information

ADDRESS: 1544 East Park Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401

HOURS: Summer – Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Winter – Open Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

PRICE: $5 and up

CONTACT: (801) 393-3466

WEBSITE: dinosaurpark.org

14. Hole N” the Rock

The next featured museum is a unique home and fun stop on a road trip. Carved out of a huge rock in Utah’s Canyonlands Country, Hole N” the Rock is a historic 5,000 square foot home that offers tours. There is also an unusual gift shop, exotic zoo, and trading post at the historic home that are open all year.

BUDGET TIP: This is a unique stop for a picnic and ice cream if you are driving in near Moab.

Hole N” the Rock Information

ADDRESS: 11037 South Highway 191, Moab, Utah 84532

HOURS: Open Daily

PRICE: House tours are $6.50 and free for under 5 years old. Exotic zoo is $4.25 and free for under 2 years old.

CONTACT: (435) 686-2250

WEBSITE: theholeintherock.com

15. BYU Museum of Art

There’s always something to see and do at the BYU Museum of Art! Exhibitions change periodically and not only do they display world-class artwork, but also provide many family activities. The museum is a great free family activity in Utah.

BUDGET TIP: Always free!