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When the inversion settles in or the snow will not stop, the valley's museums are the best indoor days out. Several of them are free. Here are the ones worth the trip.
The museum sits in the foothills above the University of Utah with big windows over the valley. Its dinosaur hall is the highlight, and the building holds collections of more than a million objects and specimens. Plan on a half day.
The state's fine art museum is on the University of Utah campus, with a collection that runs from ancient works to contemporary pieces. It is an easy two-hour visit.
The state history museum opened on June 27, 2026, on the Utah Capitol complex. It is run by the Utah Historical Society, admission is free, and its four galleries hold nearly 1,000 artifacts, including the Mormon Meteor race car.
The exhibit floor is free, with hands-on space and science displays. The dome and big-screen shows cost extra and are worth it for kids who can sit through them.
A hands-on children's museum built for small kids, with pretend play, a kid-sized news studio and science everywhere. It is the place toddlers ask to go back to.
Across from Temple Square on West Temple, the museum covers the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints with art and artifacts. Admission is free, and it is closed Sundays.
Run by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers across from the State Capitol, this free museum is packed floor to ceiling with everyday objects from Utah's pioneer era. Cameras are not allowed inside.
UMOCA sits between Abravanel Hall and City Creek Center and shows contemporary art in rotating exhibitions. It does not charge admission and runs on donations.
Housed at historic Fort Douglas on the University of Utah campus, this free museum covers Utah's military history. It is run with volunteer help, and docent tours can be booked ahead.
For kids, start with the Natural History Museum of Utah, Discovery Gateway and Clark Planetarium. The first holds attention for older kids, the second is built for toddlers, and the third has a free exhibit floor. For adults, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and the Utah Museum of Contemporary Art are the art picks, and the Museum of Utah on Capitol Hill, which opened in June 2026, tells the state's story through people instead of dates.
A lot of this is free: the Museum of Utah, the Church History Museum, the Pioneer Memorial Museum, the Fort Douglas Military Museum, UMOCA and the Clark Planetarium exhibit floor. Downtown and Capitol Hill museums are close enough to stack two in one day.
Keep exploring Salt Lake Valley: The Best Date Night Spots in the Salt Lake Valley · Free Things to Do in the Salt Lake Valley · The Best Farmers Markets in the Salt Lake Valley. Need a local pro? Browse Valley Approved businesses. Planning the weekend? See the Events Hub.
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