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Though it may not be New York City or Washington D.C., Utah County is home to a plethora of worthwhile museums. In fact, there are nearly three dozen museums to explore throughout the area. Whether you're interested in art, history or science, you'll find a place to quench your thirst for knowledge and learning.
Here are some amazing museums in Utah County to visit in your free time.
Thanksgiving Point
Covering 155 acres, Thanksgiving Point includes multiple museums or discovery venues. Founded in 1995, the original Farm Country venue has been expanded to include Ashton Gardens, the Museum of Ancient Life, the Museum of Natural Curiosity and the Butterfly Biosphere. The water tower is one of Utah Valley's most recognized landmarks.
The Thanksgiving Point organization's stated mission is to "Bring the joy of learning and wonders of the natural world to life. Thanksgiving point operates as a 501c(3) non-profit.
Utah Valley University Museum of Art
Though the growing Utah Valley University might not be widely known for its vibrant art scene, this free on-campus museum shows the impressive talent alumni, students and instructors possess. Current exhibits include the Alumni Art Exhibition, Born Into This, and Through The Eyes Of A Child.
Art pieces vary across all media and themes. Current exhibits go through September 21, so head over to campus before then! Visit their website for varying hours of operation.
While you're at UVU, take a little extra time to marvel at the Roots of Knowledge stained glass mural. This massive artwork depicts human innovation, creativity and the pursuit of learning over time.
Peteetneet Museum
In Payson, the Peteetneet Museum is full of history dating back to 1901 when the building opened as a school house. Now, the refurbished structure is a community center and museum.
Inside you'll find displays and artifacts from the origins of Payson and how the town has grown over the decades. There are several rooms inside the three-level building, and one even features dresses worn by Doris Day, Sandrea Dee, and Shirley Temple.
Visitors can check out the old school building Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Chieftain Museum
The Chieftain Museum in Santaquin is another old school building turned into a town museum. Displays feature the history of Santaquin, how it got its unique name, and the friendship with Native Americans that led to the town's creation.
Replicas on display include pioneer tools and a handcart, old childrens' desks, and a mineshaft. You can check out real artifacts like old books, tools, typewriters, and furniture from a children's bedroom.
Museum tours are by appointment only, so schedule your visit throughout Santaquin history in advance.
Springville Museum of Art
One of the most revered museums in Utah Valley is the Springville Museum of Art. Inside, the museum is home to a collection of more than 2,500 art pieces in Utah, Soviet Russian and American themes.
The museum claims to house the largest public collection of 20th century Russian and Soviet art in the Western United States. All of the exhibits feature art pieces across different mediums, including paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures.
Entry is free, but museum hours vary. Visit their website to plan your trip.
Escape summer heat with spectacular Utah Valley waterfalls and amazing ice cream
There's a way to get some exercise, enjoy the beautiful scenery and beat the heat at the same time: Hike to one of Utah Valley's waterfalls! When you're done, cool off again at a nearby ice cream vendor.Museum of Peoples and Cultures
Brigham Young University has several free museums across its campus, but perhaps one of the lesser known is the Museum of Peoples and Cultures.
Inside you'll find relics and artifacts of generations from many moments in time. Currently, the museum has two special exhibits: Petra Beneath the Sands and Utah Valley. Petra is an exhibit of memories and findings of Utah archeologists who went to Jordan to study the "Rose City" and the "ancient Nabataeans who carved it."
The Utah Valley exhibit explores the "commonalities and differences of the peoples of Utah Valley: Archaic, Fremont, Ute, and Euro-American."
The museum is free to the public and is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Museum of Paleontology
Children and curious adults alike can spend hours in the Museum of Paleontology on BYU campus. Collections of rock and dinosaur fossils discovered by James A. Jensen and his crews show artifacts from Utah, Colorado, Montana and Wyoming.
Everything on display is discovered by BYU scientists throughout the years. One of the biggest collections of artifacts comes from the Dry Mesa Quarry in Colorado. You can also check out the fossil vertebrate collection which has more than 17,000 specimens — some dating back millions of years ago.
Visitors can watch dinosaur fossils prepared and even touch real fossils. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Bean Life Science Museum
Don't be confused by the name. The museum is not about beans. Its namesake was Monte L. Bean, who provided the museum with an extensive collection of animals from across the globe. Animals are still a primary focus of the museum and visitors will see well-crafted displays of everything from elephants to lions.
Hours are 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays. In addition to the displays, the Bean Life Science Museum offers camps and programs like live shows with reptiles and insects.
Utah State Hospital Museum
One of the smaller museums, but one chock full of history, is the Utah State Hospital Museum. In a past life, it was known as the Territorial Insane Asylum. The Utah Department of Health and Human Services site states, ". . . in its early days the facility was little more than a human warehouse. In fact, by 1955 the population at the hospital was over 1,500 patients."
Now, the hospital can serve about 348 people suffering from mental illness with more human dignity than decades ago.
Take a look into the past history of the hospital in the small museum located on its campus. You can see photos and artifacts of past mental health treatments and how far science has come in treating those who are suffering.
Tours are Tuesday and Thursday from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the historic superintendent's home on the property.
More to see in Utah Valley
These museums are only a glimpse of what the Valley has to offer. Visit the Utah Valley Chamber website to check out local institutions and businesses that enrich Utah County.
