The Natural History Museum of Utah opened a spectacular new building in 2011 on the hillside campus of the University of Utah, with sweeping views of the Salt Lake Valley from the upper gallery windows. The building itself is striking — copper-clad forms that echo the angular geology of the Colorado Plateau — and the collection inside is world-class.
The dinosaur galleries are the highlight, with enormous and complete specimens including an Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, and multiple sauropods, all presented with exceptional interpretive materials. The Utah Peoples gallery covers the twelve Native nations with historical ties to the state. A geology hall explains the remarkable landscape that makes Utah such a destination for paleontologists and hikers alike. Budget two to three hours.