Day 1 You'll See:
Day 2 You'll See:
Your group will get to see all the best educational treasures Salt Lake City has to offer with this fun 2-day itinerary, taking you from historic Pioneer Memorial Museum to the scientifically exciting Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.
1
Pioneer Memorial Museum
Welcome to the Pioneer Memorial Museum, otherwise known as DUP. This museum serves as one of many homes of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers, and it holds what is considered to be the world's largest collection of artifacts on one subject. The museum is free and is always a great option for student groups while in Utah. Within this massive manor, you will find paintings, photos, manuscripts, and other various memorabilia from Utah's earliest founders. The artifacts come from 'the time the earliest settlers entered the Valley of the Great Salt Lake', and exploring them allows you to walk back into the history of these hardy pioneer people who migrated 2,000 miles from Nauvoo, Illinois, in search of religious freedom. The artifacts you find within may surprise you, with several different types of things to be seen within the Carriage House, Medical Room, Clothing Room, and overall 3 floors of museum space.
Historic Trolley Square
We suggest you start your visit to the Trolley Square History Museum, the spot where you can get all the details of the history of the Salt Lake Rail company and experience the workshop where blacksmiths and carpenters prepared trolley cars daily. You will learn all about how the first tracks were laid here in Salt Lake City in 1872, and how the railroad industry affected the city and its economy. More specifically, you will learn about how this 10-acre original plot of land turned from 10th Ward Square in 1888, to football exposition center, to trolley barns for railroad tycoon Harriman, to the merchant area you see today, originally modeled after San Francisco's Ghiradelli Square. After you've learned all you can at the history museum do some shopping and dining, some popular shops being Pottery Barn, The Machine Age, Well Book Works, and much more. Next grab a bite to eat at any of the several onsite eateries such as Rodizio Grill, Old Spaghetti Factory, or Normal Ice Cream.
Temple Square
The Salt Lake City Temple is perhaps the most famous faith-based destination in the United States. Striking in its grand white granite facade, the Temple is the centerpiece and home church of more than 100 nationwide Latter-day Saints churches. While you have to be a member of the LDS church to enter the Temple itself, tours are available of the magnificent 10-acre complex and include the Historic Lion House, Humanitarian Center, and the Beehive House among others. The state's most visited attraction, Temple Square remains steadfastly loyal to the teachings of the Mormon Church while reaching out to those of other faiths and cultures, extending a hand of welcome and education. Start at the North Visitors Center and see the Thorvaldsen's Christus, an 11-foot statue of Jesus standing high on a pedestal and stretching his arms to the people below.
Beehive House
The Beehive House in Salt Lake City is a historic landmark that marks the official residence of Brigham Young, the second president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, from 1855 to 1877. The home got the name 'The Beehive House' due to the beehive structure that sits atop the home. The Beehive House was first built in 1854, sitting just 1 block east of Temple Square. This home served as the offices for the church, as well as Young's home for quite some time. Brigham Young served his tenure as Mormon head and Utah Territory Governor while he lived here, conducting several important meetings within the home during his time. After Young, 2 more Latter-Day Saints presidents lived here as well, including Lorenzo Snow from 1898 to 1901 and Joseph F. Smith from 1901 to 1918. Learn all about the lives of these men and much more during a free tour of the home, usually lasting about 30 minutes total.
2
Pony Express National Historic Trail
The Pony Express National Historic Trail commemorates an overland horse-and-rider relay that carried mail between St. Joseph, Missouri, and Sacramento, California, from April 1860 through October 1861. Letters, costing $5 each, could make the 1,900-mile trip in 10 to 12 days, depending on weather conditions. Completion of the transcontinental telegraph system put the Pony Express out of business. The Pony Express, though short-lived, was much needed during that time it was in operation, the Civil War in the states bringing a higher demand for quick communications such as news and orders for the Union. As mentioned before, while here at this particular section of the trail you will be able to read the commemorative plaque and info board and view the commemorative statue onsite.
Clark Planetarium
The planetarium is the go-to destination for any aged visitor with an interest in discovering and learning. There are several educational outreach programs and hands-on exhibits offered here, as well as the two onsite IMAX and dome theaters that present educational films and laser light shows. Ther are 3 full floors of free, hands-on exhibits, broken up into 3 main categories; Earth, Near Earth, and Beyond. Experience things like a giant tornado and a human earthquake within the Earth section, then explore space weather and solar flares within Near Earth. In Beyond you will explore planetary processes and star sizes, plus so much more! Be sure to check if there are any shows happening during your visit, which there likely will be, within the Hansen Dome or Northrop Grumman Theater, with examples such as Extreme Weather 3D, Perfect Little Planet, and Secrets of the Universe 3D.
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium
This educational institution first opened in 2014 and has since welcomed over 3.6 million guests. Loveland is AZA-accredited (there is 238 total in the United States) and is excellent for all age levels, interests, and groups interested in learning. The mission of this aquarium is to 'inspire people to Experience, Discover, and Learn about Earth's diverse ecosystems'. There are also several 'Encounters' you can take, including the Shark, Penguin, and Stingray encounters. Field Trip specific groups will have custom options for Ecoventure Classes, with specialized options for pre-K through 12th grade. The subjects covered range from the most basic Animal Shapes and Colors to the most advanced Bird Adaptations Lab. There are additional educational options for camps and scout workshops as well.