3 minute read
FAMILY FRIENDLY
FUN FOR THE Entire Family
As the state with the largest percentage of children in the United States, with nearly 30% of the population under the age of 18, it’s no wonder why there is such a large variety of activities in Utah for families. With both fun and educational options available, you are sure to have fun along with them.
BOONDOCKS FUN CENTER HILL AEROSPACE MUSEUM
CLARK PLANETARIUM With locations in Draper and Kaysville, Boondocks has everything you need for family fun: mini-golf, gokarts, bumper boats, laser tag, arcade games, food and more. boondocks.com
HOGLE ZOO Exhibiting thousands of artifacts, two galleries, an outside air park, and 70 aircraft on display depicting the history of aviation of the United States Air Force, Hill Aerospace Museum is sure to amaze and educate both children and adults alike. aerospaceutah.org
A planetarium for visitors of all ages who want to discover and learn more about space and science. slco.org/clark-planetarium This 42-acre zoo features shaded pathways and more than 800 animals from diverse ecosystems. Located at the mouth of Emigration Canyon. hoglezoo.org
LOVELAND LIVING PLANET AQUARIUM Marine-life aquarium with multiple displays featuring more than 2,400 marine animals and three unique experiences: Shark Encounters, Penguin Encounters and Stingray Encounters. thelivingplanet.com
MUSEUM OF NATURAL CURIOSITY Explore more than 400 interactive experiences that teach about science and nature in this glass-walled museum located at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. thanksgivingpoint.org/experience/ museum-of-natural-curiosity
NATURAL HISTORY MUSEUM OF UTAH Located at Research Park on the campus of the University of Utah, the mission of the museum is to illuminate the natural world and the place of humans within it. A variety of exhibits make learning fun. nhmu.utah.edu
RED BUTTE GARDEN
Enjoy plant collections, display gardens and award-winning horticulture-based educational programs at Red Butte, the largest botanical garden in the Intermountain West. redbuttegarden.org
DINOSAUR QUARRY EXHIBIT HALL KENNECOTT COPPER MINE ST. GEORGE CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
View the wall of approximately 1,500 dinosaur bones including an Allosaurus, Diplodocus, and Stegosaurus. There are even places you can touch 149 million year old dinosaur fossils! nps.gov/dino
DISCOVERY GATEWAY CHILDREN’S MUSEUM LABYRINTH REALITY GAMES The Kennecott Copper Mine is known as the largest man-made excavation, and deepest open-pit mine in the world. Visit the new visitor experience, see the amazing view of the mine and watch the giant dump trucks with 12.5-foot-tall wheels drive by. riotintokennecott.com/visit
EVERMORE PARK Multiple hands-on exhibits allow children the opportunity to learn and be creative while playing and interacting with their environment. discoverygateway.org
LAGOON AMUSEMENT PARK Take your pick from a variety of themed reality games featuring multi-dimensional escape room challenges. Requires a team of two to four people. Reserved timeslots are available and recommended. labyrinthrealitygames.com Non-profit children’s museum in St. George, dedicated to providing vibrant and engaging interactive activities that invite children and families to discover, imagine and create. sgchildrensmuseum.org
THANKSGIVING POINT
UTAH OLYMPIC PARK A non-profit farm, garden and museum complex just 20 minutes south of Salt Lake. Families love the multiple offerings, including The Museum of Ancient Life, Ashton Gardens and the Butterfly Biosphere. thanksgivingpoint.org
An old-world, European village-themed experience park in Pleasant Grove. This blend of theme park, events, thrills and theatrics allows your family to become immersed in an incredible and unforgettable story. evermore.com An amusement park in Farmington with fun for all ages: a water park, thrill rides for the adrenaline junkies, a kiddie-land with rides for the little ones, and a variety of games and entertainment. lagoonpark.com
HEBER VALLEY RAILROAD THE LEONARDO MUSEUM
Photo courtesy of Audrey Livingston.
WHEELER HISTORIC FARM Built for the 2002 Salt Lake Winter Olympic Games, the Olympic Park has a variety of adventurous activities for the family including bobsledding, watching Nordic ski jump practice in the pool, touring the facility and wandering through the free museum. utaholympiclegacy.org
This historic 16-mile railroad based in Heber City offers regular scenic passenger trains and various themed family train rides throughout the year. hebervalleyrr.org Located in the heart of Salt Lake City, this museum seeks to connect science, technology and creativity. Kids will love the excitement that comes with creating their own art and technology in the museum’s hands-on exhibits. theleonardo.org A historic farm and public park serve as a large, natural open space in the Salt Lake Valley. With 75 acres of natural landscape, trails and backwoods area, it’s an ideal location for walks and picnics. slco.org/wheeler-farm/visit/park.