Utah is one of the few places where a single weekend can include a shark tunnel, a dinosaur fossil lab, a roller coaster, and a red rock canyon. The state has something for toddlers, tweens, and teens, and plenty of it works in any season.

This guide covers the best family attractions in Utah, grouped by region so you can plan a day without crisscrossing the state. You will find ages, rough price ranges, and indoor and outdoor notes for each stop, plus tips for saving money. If you want even more ideas once you finish reading, our guide to finding awesome family fun on the Utah GetOutPass is a good next stop.

A quick note on prices: the ranges below reflect regular daytime admission at the time of writing. Many attractions use demand-based pricing, so check the official site before you go.

Utah Family Attractions at a Glance

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Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Front

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The Salt Lake City area packs the most attractions into the smallest amount of driving, which makes it a great home base for families with younger kids.

1. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (Draper)

The star of this aquarium is a 40-foot shark tunnel, but the rainforest and ocean exhibits keep older kids busy too. Because it is mostly indoors, it is a reliable pick for winter and rainy days. Children under 3 are free.

2. Utah's Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City)

Hogle Zoo is home to more than 150 species. The African Savanna is the zoo's largest exhibit, and construction starting in 2026 may affect some animal viewing, so check the zoo's website before you plan your route. Spring and fall tend to be the most comfortable seasons for walking the grounds. Buying tickets online saves a couple of dollars per person.

3. Clark Planetarium (Salt Lake City)

The exhibits are free, which makes this one of the best budget stops in the state. Dome and IMAX shows cost extra, and the Hansen Dome Theatre is a hit with curious kids who love space.

4. Discovery Gateway Children's Museum (Salt Lake City)

This hands-on museum is built for little hands, and kids can climb aboard an authentic Life Flight helicopter. It is best for ages 1 to 10, and its indoor setting makes it a strong cold-weather backup.

5. Natural History Museum of Utah (Salt Lake City)

The Past Worlds gallery features dinosaur skeletons and an active fossil preparation lab, so kids can see real science happening. Plan on a couple of hours here, especially if you have a dinosaur fan in the group.

6. Tracy Aviary (Salt Lake City)

Tracy Aviary sits inside Liberty Park, so you can pair a bird visit with a playground stop. Ambassador-bird demonstrations are included with admission, so check the daily schedule when you arrive.

Park City, Lehi, and Farmington

7. Utah Olympic Park (Park City)

The grounds and the museum covering the 2002 Winter Games are free to explore. In summer, activities like the alpine slide generally run about $35 each, and height, weight, and age rules vary by ride. The 2026 summer rides have closed for the year, but the museums remain a good winter option.

8. Thanksgiving Point Museum of Natural Curiosity (Lehi)

Kids can explore Kidopolis, the Rainforest, and the outdoor Discovery Garden. Tickets are cheaper online than in person, and a seven-venue pass is also available if you want to see more of the campus. Get details on the Museum of Natural Curiosity at Thanksgiving Point.

9. Lagoon Amusement Park (Farmington)

Lagoon is the state's classic amusement park, and a single-day ticket includes Lagoon-A-Beach when the water park is open. Ticket eligibility is partly based on height, and parking and some attractions cost extra. Summer offers the full range of rides, while spring and fall bring seasonal openings and events.

Ogden and Logan

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10. Treehouse Children's Museum (Ogden)

This museum centers on storytelling, art, and imaginative play. Admission is $12 per guest age 2 and up, and visits must include both an adult and a child.

11. Zootah at Willow Park (Logan)

This small community zoo sits on seven tree-lined acres, which makes it a manageable outing for toddlers and preschoolers. It is also one of the lowest-cost attractions on this list. Hours get shorter in colder months, so it is best from late spring through early fall.

Southern and Eastern Utah

12. St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site

This museum was built right over a fossil track site, so kids see real dinosaur trackways exactly where they were found. It is indoors, which helps on hot or rainy days, and tickets are only $5 for youth and $10 for adults.

13. Zion National Park (Springdale)

Entry is $35 per private vehicle and good for up to seven days. For a gentler family outing, the paved Pa'rus Trail follows the Virgin River. During shuttle season, private cars cannot use Zion Canyon Scenic Drive, so check the current shuttle schedule.

14. Arches National Park (Moab)

Entry is $30 per private vehicle. The Balanced Rock loop is just 0.3 miles, with a paved first section, so it works well for short legs. Arches does not require timed entry reservations in 2026, although heavy congestion can temporarily limit entry.

15. Bryce Canyon National Park (Bryce Canyon City)

Entry is $35 per private vehicle. The paved Sunset to Sunrise rim section is stroller friendly and gives you a great look at the hoodoo amphitheater. Keep a close eye on young children near overlooks.

16. Dinosaur National Monument (Jensen)

Entry is $25 per private vehicle and valid for seven days. The indoor Quarry Exhibit Hall shows roughly 1,500 dinosaur bones still sitting in the rock, which kids find unforgettable.

Best Time to Visit by Season

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Southern Utah in particular gets busy, so it helps to read the state's advice on planning for southern Utah's busy season before you lock in dates.

Tips for Visiting Utah with Kids

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• Pick the season by elevation. Bryce is much higher and colder than St. George, so check snow, ice, and road conditions even when lower elevations feel mild.
• Build a winter backup plan. Museums and the aquarium keep the day on track when weather turns.
• Stay safe on the trails. Carry plenty of water, use sun protection, and check flash flood forecasts before entering narrow canyons or washes.
• Look for free and low-cost stops. Clark Planetarium exhibits and the Utah Olympic Park museums are free, while Zootah and the St. George dinosaur museum are very affordable. If you have a fourth grader, the Every Kid Outdoors pass can cover federal entrance fees for the whole family.
• Watch the park fees for visitors from abroad. Non-U.S. residents age 16 and up generally pay an extra $100 per person at Zion and Bryce unless they have an eligible annual pass.

Plan Your Utah Family Trip

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Whether you are exploring Salt Lake City museums on a snowy weekend or hiking a red rock canyon in spring, Utah has no shortage of ways to keep kids moving and curious. Mixing one big outdoor day with a couple of indoor stops is an easy way to keep energy up and costs down.

Ready to save on your next outing? Browse the GetOut locations page to see where your membership works, and read our roundup of fun places to visit in Utah for more inspiration.

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