This Incredible Museum In Utah Is A Fantastic Day Trip Destination

Are your kids bored yet? School's been out for several weeks now, and temperatures are starting to heat up. Get out of the heat and spend the day inside the Natural History Museum of Utah, where you'll find everything from ancient dinosaur bones to exhibits that showcase today's latest technology.

The Utah Museum of Natural History first opened in 1963 at the campus of the University of Utah. In 2011, the museum relocated to a brand new building at 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.

The museum is located at the Rio Tinto Center, and it's a truly beautiful building. It's situated high in the foothills, with a great view of the valley, and is found right alongside the Bonneville Shoreline Trail. In fact, you can access the trail right from the museum's front doors.

The building meets LEED Gold Standards, and many green elements were used in the design of the building, from the solar panels on the roof to the type of pavement used in the parking lot.

This museum is chock-full of informative and entertaining exhibits about everything from geology to astronomy and beyond. If it exists (or has existed) in the natural world, you'll find it here.

Learn about Utah's first residents - the many species of dinosaurs who roamed the Beehive State. The museum houses dozens of reconstructed dino skeletons that help you imagine what these creatures were like millions of years ago.

Learn about the people who called Utah home long before white settlers arrived.

Engage with interactive exhibits that teach you about the world around you.

Watch scientists at work while they prepare specimens for the exhibits at the museum.

What's your favorite exhibit at the Natural History Museum of Utah?

If you're looking for a fun hike, check out this waterfall trail that you don't want to miss this summer.