The museums of Salt Lake City provide you with a wonderful glimpse into the city's rich past as well as its unique traditions, heritage, and personality. Get to know Salt Lake City by spending some time at these fine museums on your next trip to the area.
Pioneer Memorial Museum
The Pioneer Memorial Museum is a true gem, and was founded in 1901 by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers in an effort to preserve the history of artifacts of the city's founding fathers and early pioneers. The museum is noted as having the world's largest collection of artifacts on one particular subject, and is filled with interesting artifacts from the pioneer days. Here, you can view pioneer dolls, artwork, handiwork and crafts, clocks, weapons, and more. Two large displays on both Brigham Young and Herbert Kimball explore the life and times of these instrumental Salt Lake City figures. Take some time to walk to outside to the Carriage House outbuilding to explore various modes of transportation that pioneers used, including original wagons and mule-powered streetcars.
Fort Douglas
Fort Douglas was the largest Army post in the US in 1861, and played an instrumental role in the famous Utah War of 1857. This military fort also was key in military operations up through the Vietnam War. The fort has been transformed into a military museum, and with a self-guided tour of the Fort Douglas Museum, you can view various military artifacts and displays covering U.S. military history past and present, including vehicles, weapons, artwork, and more. This museum also offers special events and exhibits throughout the year. This museum is located at 32 Potter Street in Salt Lake City.
Kimball Art Center
The Kimball Art Center is one of the city's most esteemed art galleries. This art gallery has been an instrumental part of Salt Lake City's art community for more than three decades, and features works of art from local, national, and international artists, as well as special educational programs and community events. In the main gallery of the Kimball Art Center, you will find works of art from prominent local artists. The main gallery also hosts nationally touring exhibits, which in the past have included works by Andy Warhol, Norman Rockwell, Rembrandt, and others. The Kimball Art Center also includes the Garage Galley and the Badami Gallery, which hosts works from up-and-coming artists. The Kimball Art Center is also known for hosting the annual Kimball Arts Festival and the Sundance House for the Sundance Film Festival.
Children's Museum of Utah
The whole family will have a great time learning more about the world around you at the Children's Museum of Utah. This interactive museum is designed to give adults and kids of all ages an interactive experience filled with learning and discovery. There are over 140 permanent exhibits which cover various aspects of the sciences, humanities, and arts. In addition to the regular exhibits, the museum also hosts daily arts and crafts activities, weekly performances like puppet theater, and other educational programs.
