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The Natural History Museum of Utah is committed to providing inclusive experiences for all audiences and we are pleased to offer the following resources and services. For assistance planning your visit, specific questions, or feedback, please contact us.
Museum staff and volunteers strive to provide the best possible experience for all our guests and we welcome any and all feedback. If you have questions, concerns, or compliments regarding your visit to the Museum or NHMU's website, please share them here.
COVID-19 Update
The University endeavors to provide reasonable accommodations and to ensure equal access to qualified persons with disabilities through the Office of Equal Opportunity. If you would like to request an accommodation you can submit a request to the OEO or contact them by phone at (801) 581-8365 or by email at
.
Additionally, we offer several online experiences as an alternative to an in-person visit. Take a
Virtual Field Trip of our exhibitions led by one of the Museum's scientists or expert educators. You can also enjoy our breathtaking galleries in
360 Tours powered by Google's Poly.
Planning Your Museum Visit
Driving Directions, Public Transit, and Parking
For information on driving directions, public transit, and parking visit the Museum's
directions page.
Utah Transit Authority Accessible Services
Accessible Parking & Passenger Drop-off Area
Accessible parking is available on the east side of the main parking lot and there is a passenger drop-off area located in the turnaround. The turnaround is located on the north side of the building.
Accessible Entrances
All Museum entrances are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. There is also a passenger drop-off area located in the turnaround.
Quieter Museum Hours
If you wish to visit the Museum during a quieter time, the following days and times tend to be less busy: Monday through Thursday after 1:30 p.m. and Wednesday evenings between 5 p.m. to 9 p.m..
Social Stories
We welcome students and families with children and adults on the autism spectrum. To help prepare for your visit, download the Social Story about what to expect while visiting the Museum.
For Field Trip Students
For Non-Field Trip Visitors
Personal Care Assistant
The Museum will provide free admission for a paid Personal Care Assistant who is accompanying a guest with a disability.
Additional Museum Policies
For additional information about museum policies, visit Guest & Safety Policies page.
Resources
Elevators
All areas of the Museum are accessible by elevator.
Wheelchairs
Wheelchairs are available for guests to borrow at no cost on a first-come, first-served basis. You may check out a wheelchair at the Welcome Desk on Level 1. Please note there is no ramp between levels 4 and 5, and guests using a wheelchair must take the elevator.
Gallery Seating
Permanent benches can be found throughout the galleries.
Service Animals
The Natural History Museum of Utah allows service animals, that is, animals trained to perform specific tasks for an individual with a disability, into all the public areas of the Museum. In the rare case that safety concerns prevent a service animal from entering a collections or laboratory space, Museum staff will work with Museum guests and guest researchers to provide a reasonable accommodation.
Aira Access
Aira Access mobile information and verbal descriptions service is available at The Natural History Musuem of Utah. Visitors can download the free Aira app on a smartphone, connect to the museum's free Wi-Fi, and use the app to speak to an Aira agent using unlimited minutes provided courtest of NHMU.
Sensory Bags
Each sensory backpack is filled with objects representing Utah's natural world and the collections of NHMU. Designed for blind/low vision visitors, this backpack provides a self-guided tactile tour through our permanate exhibition. You may check a backpack out, free of charge, from the Welcome Desk on Level 1. (Pending availability, we recommend reaching out a few days prior to your visit.)
Spanish Language Resources
Museum maps and special exhibition are available in Spanish. To learn more visit the Museum’s exhibitions page.
Accessibility Tools
Noise canceling headphones and light sensitivity glasses are available for guests to borrow. You may check these items out, free of charge, from the Welcome Desk on Level 1.
Navigating the Museum
Restrooms
Restrooms are located on every floor of the Museum. Wheelchair accessible restrooms are located on every floor. All-gender restrooms are located on levels 1, 2, 3, and 5. All-gender restrooms provide access to safe bathrooms and changing areas for people of any gender identity and presentation. They also provide safe spaces for those who need the assistance of a Personal Care Attendant or those with small children.
Infant Care Room
Infant Care Room is furnished with an armchair, sink, changing table, and electrical outlet are located on level 2.
Drinking Fountains
COVID UPDATE: Drinking fountains on each level are currently unavailable - there is a water bottle filling station available on Level 2. Wheelchair accessible drinking fountains are located near restrooms and elevators on levels 1, 2, 3, and 5.
Dining
COVID UPDATE: The Museum Café is currently closed. The
Museum Café menu changes daily to ensure a selection of the finest and freshest ingredients offered to our visitors. Our daily menu is carefully selected to emphasize healthful, local and organic ingredients including a selection of gluten free, vegan and vegetarian options. All dining areas are wheelchair accessible.
First Aid
First aid response and equipment is handled by museum security. Should first aid help be required, speak to a Museum staff member.
Hearing Assistance
The Museum provides closed captioning for most videos in the permanent exhibits. Also, participants of the Highlight Tour are provided with broadcasting devices and audio-induction loops upon request.
Requesting Accommodations
The Museum endeavors to provide its visitors with disabilities equal access to its facilities, programs, services and activities. Reasonable notice to provide an accommodation may be required.
For guests who are blind or have low vision:
We can offer special tools for both individuals and groups that include touchable specimens from the natural world. To request a Sensory Bag (self-guided experience) or special program, please contact Echo Paixao by email or by phone, in advanced of your visit, at 801-587/5721. (We recommend reaching out 1-2 weeks prior to your visit.)
For guests who are Deaf or hard of hearing:
Transcripts or Closed Captions can often be provided for virtual programs. Sign language Interpreters can be made available for tours, public programs, or evening lectures. To request these accomidations, please contact Echo Paixao by email or by phone at 801-587/5721. Please be sure to specify the mode of communication required (e.g., for sign language: American Sign Language, Pidgin Sign Language, or Signed English). (We recommend reaching out 1-2 weeks prior to your visit.)
For guests who require Museum staff assistance:
If you have any other special needs, please contact our Guest & Member Experience Team through this form. (We recommend reaching out 1-2 weeks prio to your visitr.)
Contact Us
Museum staff and volunteers work to provide the best possible experience for all our guests and we welcome the opportunity to receive feedback from you. Please
contact us with any concerns or feedback. Inquiries concerning discrimination may be referred to the University of Utah's
Office of Equal Opportunity.
Nondiscrimination and Accessibility Statement
