Hours, Admissions & Directions
Museum Closures
NHMU is closed every Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and closes early at 3 p.m. the day prior to each of these holidays. The Museum is also closed the days of its annual fundraising gala and annual all-staff retreat. Reserve Tickets
Hours
The Museum is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week and remains open late until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Admission Prices
Museum Members — FREE
Adult — $22.95
Senior 65 and over — $20.95
Young Adult 13 - 24 — $20.95
Child 3 - 12 — $17.95
Child 2 and under — FREE
University of Utah Students **, Faculty & Staff with Valid ID — FREE
**University of Utah students must be currently enrolled in classes
Want a quiet trip to the Museum?
The Museum hosts school field trips most weekdays during the school year. Saturdays are also lively. If you wish to visit the Museum during a quieter time, weekday afternoons after 1:30 p.m. or Sundays are best.
Ticket FAQ
Click the questions below for answers.
What if I don't have my Museum Member card?
You do not need to present a Museum Member card when arriving at the Welcome Desk. Our Guest & Member Experience Team will look up your membership when you arrive at the Museum.
How long should I plan on visiting the Museum?
An average visit to the Museum is two to three hours. You may stay at the Museum for as long as you like, however, you must exit the building at 5 p.m. and at 9 p.m. on Wednesday evenings.
When is the latest time that I can enter the Museum?
Because the minimum length of time for a gallery visit is at least 30 minutes, tickets will not be honored after 4:30 p.m. and at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays. The Museum closes promptly at 5 p.m. everyday and at 9 p.m. on Wednesdays.
Guest & Safety Policies
Visitor policies are carefully established to provide a balance between the best experience for all visitors while protecting the Museum facility and collections. Read our Guest & Safety Policies here.
Museum Address
Natural History Museum of Utah
Rio Tinto Center | University of Utah
301 Wakara Way
Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Driving to the Museum
From the North:
- Take I-15 South
- Exit 307 for 400 South Exit — Turn Left onto 400 South
- Continue toward the University of Utah campus as 400 South turns into 500 South and then to Foothill Drive (UT-186)
- Turn left at Wakara Way — The Museum will be visible at the top of the road in front of you
- Continue up Wakara Way to the Museum
From the South on I-15:
- Take I-15 North
- Exit 304 to merge onto I-80 East toward Cheyenne
- Exit 129 for Foothill Drive (UT-186) toward Parleys Way
- Continue straight onto Foothill Drive
- Past Sunnyside Drive, turn right onto Wakara Way — The Museum will be visible at the top of the road in front of you
- Continue up Wakara Way to the Museum
From the South on I-215:
- Take I-215 North
- Exit 1 for Parleys Way/Foothill Drive
- Continue straight onto Foothill Drive
- Past Sunnyside Drive, turn right onto Wakara Way — The Museum will be visible at the top of the road in front of you
- Continue up Wakara Way to the Museum
From the East:
- Take I-80 West
- Exit 129 for UT-186 West
- Continue straight onto S Foothill Drive
- Past Sunnyside Drive, turn right onto Wakara Way — The Museum will be visible at the top of the road in front of you
- Continue up Wakara Way to the Museum
From the West:
- Take I-80 East
- Take exit 121 for 600 South
- Turn left onto S State Street
- Turn right onto 400 So./ UT-186 E/ E University Boulevard
- Continue to follow UT-186 E until Foothill Drive
- Turn left onto Wakara Way — The Museum will be visible at the top of the road in front of you
- Continue up Wakara Way to the Museum
Parking at the Rio Tinto Center
The Museum has two levels of surface parking adjacent to the building. It is an uphill walk from the parking lot to the Museum's main entrance featuring footpaths, stairways, and ramps for visitors in strollers and wheelchairs. Along the footpaths are markers indicating major geological time periods covering 150 million years.
Drivers may drop passengers at the turnaround and then park vehicles. Please note: Children under eight should not be left at the turnaround without an adult chaperone.
In the event that overflow parking is needed, please follow signs or directions from attendants indicating the location of additional parking. Additional street parking is also available on Colorow Road, one block west of the Museum.
Alternative Transportation to NHMU at the Rio Tinto Center
UTA Bus
Three UTA Bus routes stop at the intersection of Chipeta and Wakara Way, which is two blocks west of the Museum. Those routes are:
- 223 - East-Holladay Blvd to University of Utah (M-Sat service only)
- 455 - travels from the University of Utah to Ogden (M-F service only)
- 473 - an Express route to/from Ogden (M-F service only)
Note: It is an uphill walk from Chipeta and Wakara Way. Be prepared for an uphill walk or wait for the University of Utah Shuttle for service to the Museum's Main Entrance. At this time, there is no UTA bus service to the Museum on Sunday. For holiday service, please visit www.rideuta.com
Bike
There are multiple bike racks along the front of the Museum for the convenience of visitors. It is recommended that you properly lock your bike while visiting the Museum. The Museum is not responsible for any lost or stolen property.
Questions
Guest Services Information & Policies
Additional Questions? Contact Us
