Why go
The Church History Museum near Temple Square tells a different story from the Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Natural History Museum of Utah near the university. Downtown performance venues add theater, dance and music. Pick a focus before traveling between these areas, and check the program for any live event.
The full story
Salt Lake City's cultural landmarks are spread across several districts. Near Temple Square, the Church History Museum uses objects, art and documents to tell the history of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To the west, Clark Planetarium and Discovery Gateway offer science and hands-on activities around The Gateway. On the University of Utah side of town, the Utah Museum of Fine Arts brings a broad art collection into the same area as the Natural History Museum of Utah, which concentrates on the region's land and peoples. The performing arts tell another part of the story. Capitol Theatre has long been a stage for visiting and local productions, while the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center is associated with local dance companies. These places make for different kinds of outings: a self-paced museum day, a family science stop or a scheduled evening performance.
Useful to know
- Combine the two University of Utah museums if art and natural history both interest you.
- Check the venue's current calendar before planning a theater, dance or music evening.