Explore Nearby Museums
 Updated: 11/2/2013 
Natural History Museum of Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Description

The Natural History Museum of Utah is pleased to be open in our new home, the Rio Tinto Center, to serve as the state's new natural history museum building. Located in the foothills above Salt Lake City, the building is an accomplishment of the community and will serve to further the Museum's mission; to illuminate the natural world and humans place within it.

With the opening of the Rio Tinto Center, Utah has the natural history museum that a state rich in natural history and assets deserves. A visit to the Museum allows visitors to explore nature and science in ten themed galleries, and to also step outdoors to experience nature as it's revealed just outside the building. The exhibits and the Trailhead to Utah encourage visitors to explore nature and science at other museums, national and state parks, and destinations around the state. And the Museum is passionate about studying science and engaging visitors in current research with a vision toward the future of life in our dynamic and growing region.

Visitors enter the Level 1 Foyer to purchase admission and register for events. From there, they climb the main staircase, or take an elevator, to emerge in the main lobby area, which we call the Canyon. Three-stories high and featuring a Collections Wall displaying over 500 objects from the Museum's collection, the Canyon is our central public and gathering space

From the Canyon, visitors can enjoy spectacular views of the Salt Lake Valley, begin to explore the Museum's Trailhead to Utah system, enter the exhibit galleries, or enjoy the Museum Store and Cafe.

Beyond the public areas of the Rio Tinto Center, the building provides advanced research and collection facilities for Museum scientists who oversee the care and curation of 1.2 million objects in the Museum's collection. The collections and research areas are the core of the institution and feature sophisticated climate control and other means of protecting the collection, and a venue for undergraduate and graduate training at the University of Utah.

Programs
Celebrate Your Child's Birthday at the Museum: Science-themed birthday parties for kids turning 4 - 10 years old held in our private Party Room allow party guests to enjoy the galleries and exhibits.
Spend an unforgettable night at the Museum! Participate in science activities for the entire family as you explore the Museum after hours.
Architecture Tours ; Explore the Rio Tinto Center's unique design, materials, green features and public art on a guided architecture tour. Scheduled 45-minute tours are available Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 1:30 p.m and Friday at 11:00 a.m. All tours meet in the Canyon. Brief, customized tours available outside of our scheduled tours. Look for an Architecture Guide in the Canyon.
Family Workshops: Learn Together as a Family! Come nurture your passion for the natural world and share it with a child. At NHMU Family Workshops, adults and children discover, collaborate, and create together. You’ll learn from natural history experts as you build new skills and explore Museum resources.
and much more on our website ...
Services
The Store

The Museum Store has been designed to be ever changing and evolving. Every time you visit you will discover handmade items such as a Shoshone breastplate and one-of-a-kind art pieces; jewelry from traditional Navajo designs to works from regional artisans; books, notecards, and clothing to remind you of your day at the Museum; and hundreds of dinosaurs and toys to delight young visitors. Offering items for every price-range, the Museum Store offers an assortment of exclusive and unique merchandise for a museum that is like no other.

The Cafe

The Museum Cafe features specialty coffees, smoothies, breakfast pastries, lunch fare including salads and sandwiches, and beverages and other refreshments. Don't miss everyone's favorite iced Dinosaur Cookies -- the perfect end to a visit the Museum!

Plan an Event

We are pleased to offer select spaces within the Museum's new home, the Rio Tinto Center, for private rentals. From the architectural details, the extensive collections, and the spectacular views, the Museum is a unique environment in which to celebrate special occasions and hold memorable events for corporate, professional or community organizations.

Gift Shop
Event Rental
Restaurant
Group Tours
Address
301 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
phone: 801-581-6927
e-mail: info.nhmu@gmail.com
home page: nhmu.utah.edu/
Report Incorrect Data
Submit Events
Hours of Operation
Sunday - Tuesday, Thursday - Saturday10 AM - 5 PM
Wednesday10 AM - 9 PM

Last admission is 30 minutes before closing.

Museum Type(s)
Anthropology
Archaeology
Children's
General
Natural History
Science
University
Staff
DISCLAIMER
This information, including business hours, addresses and contact information is provided for general reference purposes only. No representation is made or warranty is given as to its content or the reliability thereof. User assumes all risk of use. Stories USA, Inc. and its content suppliers assume no responsibility for any loss or delay resulting from such use. Please call ahead to verify the dates, the location and directions.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

March 15 - 18, 2025

Blacksburg, Virginia

Virginia Association of Museum's 2025 Annual Conference!

Saturday, March 15 - Tuesday, March 18, 2025

The Inn at Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, Virginia

Hosted by: Virginia Association of Museums

2025 Conference Theme: Looking Back to the Future For the past several years, many museums have been deeply involved in planning programs and events to observe the 250th birthday of the United States of America. While this is certainly an occasion to celebrate, this anniversary also forces us as a society to reckon with ongoing inequities and challenges within the US that go back to its inception. As museums ask their audiences to look to the past to understand the present and shape a better future, perhaps now is a good moment in time for Virginia’s museum community to take pause and look back at its own history. We are excited to see you in Blacksburg in March 2025 as we take a moment in our hectic schedules to take pause and visit our diverse pasts. Let’s uncover and share our histories to build a more resilient Virginia museum community.

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

March 29 - 31, 2025

Athens, Ohio

Ohio Museum Asociation 2025 Annual Conference - Athens

Saturday, March 29 - Monday, March 31, 2025

TBA

Athens, Ohio

Hosted by: Ohio Museums Association

"Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential

The heart of innovation is transformation – shaking up our established way of doing things by introducing new methods, new ideas, and new approaches to both obstacles and opportunities

Museums across Ohio are not just adapting, but innovating to reach their full potential and better serve their communities. No matter their role, museum professionals are introducing forward-thinking perspectives and initiating creative solutions to launch the field into a future where museums can remain trusted and relevant community cornerstones

How can your museum stay true to mission and serve your community in new and meaningful ways? How can we as museum professionals meet the challenges of the future with reinvigorated enthusiasm

Join us in Athens, March 29-31 as we explore these topics and more at the 2025 Ohio Museums Association’s Annual Conference: Innovation: Museums and Reaching our Potential.

For more information, please email oma@ohiohistory.org.

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

March 30 - 31, 2025

Raleigh, North Carolina

North Carolina Museums Council 2025 Annual Conference

Sunday, March 30 - Monday, March 31, 2025

TBA

Raleigh, North Carolina

Hosted by: North Carolina Museums Council

Museums Unwalled: Expanding Horizon

This theme highlights the importance of museums as dynamic entities that engage with communities, foster education, drive cultural change and often go beyond the building itself. By focusing on areas such as community engagement, digital and virtual presence, interdisciplinary collaborations, sustainability, accessibility, and cultural diversity, we aim to provide a comprehensive and enriching experience for all attendees

The primary objective is to provide a platform for museum professionals and others working in the industry to share ideas, best practices, resources and innovative approaches that demonstrate how museums can reach audiences in and beyond our physical spaces. We aim to inspire attendees to think broadly about the potential of their institutions and to foster a spirit of innovation and community engagement.

By facilitating discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, the conference will empower current and future museum professionals and to expand their impact, embrace new challenges, and create meaningful connections with their audiences and communities.

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

March 31 - April 3, 2025

Washington, Arkansas

Arkansas Museums Association 2025 Conference

Monday, March 31 - Thursday, April 3, 2025

Historic Washington State Park

Washington, Arkansas

Hosted by: Arkansas Museums Association

"From the Ground Up: Cultivating Essential Skills in Museums

This year, the AMA conference theme is "From the Ground Up: Cultivating Essential Skills in Museums" As museum professionals we learn and use a wide variety of tools and skills every day

The Arkansas Museums Association is planning its 2025 Annual Conference, which will be hosted by Historic Washington State Park on March 31-April 3, 2025.

The goal of the conference is to support and foster the museum community through a mix of speakers as well as workshops, practical and informative presentations, in-depth discussions, and examples of projects and initiatives that are relevant to museums in Arkansas. Arkansas Museum Association members take ownership in the conference experience as presenters, speakers, panelists, facilitators, and workshop leaders.

For more information, please email arkansasmuseums@gmail.com.

view all conferences
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