Natural History Museum of Utah

Explore Our Permanent Exhibitions

Sky
Weather, climate, astronomy, and the sun are interpreted in this gallery with its adjacent rooftop terrace.
Native Voices
The traditions of Utah’s five native nations—Shoshone, Goshute, Paiute, Ute, and Navajo—are featured in this circular gallery nestled in the hillside at the top of the building.
Life
The web of life is illustrated in a series of exhibits exploring complexity from DNA to Ecosystems, with a focus on Utah’s extraordinary biological diversity.
Land
A journey through three distinct physiographic regions formed over millions of years, the Land showcases Utah’s Middle Rocky Mountains, Basin and Range, and Colorado Plateau.
First Peoples
The story of Great Basin’s prehistoric peoples is told while putting visitors in the shoes of archaeologists who use science to interpret the past. Located in the R. Harold Burton Foundation Gallery.
Gems and Minerals
Rough mineral forms are juxtaposed with elegant cut gemstones, all in brilliant colors. Located in the O.C. Tanner Hall.
Great Salt Lake
The compelling narrative of the Great Salt Lake, a remnant of ancient Lake Bonneville is brought to life through hands-on interactives, sounds, smells, and a spectacular view of the Lake itself. Located in the Willard L. Eccles Foundation Gallery...
Past Worlds
A sequence of snapshots in time spanning 500 million years depicts a range of Utah’s ancient environments and their changing life forms. Located in the George S. and Dolores Dore Eccles Foundation Gallery.
Our Backyard
An intimate, discovery-based environment invites our youngest visitors to experience natural history first hand.
Utah Futures
This thought-provoking environment—the Museum’s crystal ball—is a place to explore pressing contemporary issues with local and global implications for the future. Located in the Barbara L. and Norman C. Tanner Gallery.

Special Exhibition Archive

Utah Wilderness 50
September 3 - December 14, 2014
Open Now! This special exhibition includes 50 compelling photographs that were selected through a juried process from more than 1,400 entries. All photos represent Utah public lands and reflect the spirit of the Wilderness Act of 1964.
The Horse
July 21, 2014 - January 4, 2015
The Horse, a special exhibition, explores the enduring bond between horses and people. Beginning with early interactions between horses and humans the exhibit shows how horses have, over time, influenced civilization including major changes in...
Chocolate: The Exhibition
February 8 - June 1, 2014
Now closed. Chocolate will engage your senses and reveal aspects of this sumptuous sweet that you’ve never thought about before. You’ll explore the plant, the products, and the culture of chocolate through the lenses of science, history, and...
Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters
May 25 - December 8, 2013
Powerful earth processes have shaped our dynamic planet including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. Nature Unleashed: Inside Natural Disasters explores the science behind these phenomena, the tools used to study and...
Weaving a Revolution
January 12 - April 28, 2013

This special exhibition, developed by the Natural History Museum of Utah, tells the story of tradition and change, the role of the trading post and influence of market demands and is stitched with the personal narrative of a few artists in the...