Thanksgiving Point: A Utah Family Destination for Curious Minds
There’s nothing quite like planning a vacation with your little ones in tow. Not only do you want to think of a family-friendly destination, but you also want activities that will transform, educate and engage your children. You want to make it a trip they’ll remember forever — cue your trip to Utah. (Read: Why Your Kids Need a Utah Trip)
Utah is known for its array of unique family-friendly activities, and there is a very special place among them called Thanksgiving Point. Before you ask, no, this isn’t a seasonal experience that centers around Thanksgiving time; it is a year-round, multi-faceted children’s adventure mecca just south of Salt Lake City, meant to spark joy for kids and get them curious about science and the natural world.
What truly sets Thanksgiving Point apart is its wide variety of attractions. More than just a brief stop, this immersive wonderland offers days of exploration, including the Butterfly Biosphere, Museum of Natural Curiosity, Curiosity Farms, Ashton Gardens, Museum of Ancient Life, Jurassic Jungle and a continuous lineup of special events. It’s a fantastic addition to any family-friendly Utah itinerary, promising to spark curiosity, fun and adventure.
Six Worlds of Wonder
Thanksgiving Point has six different attraction areas to choose from, three different restaurants and a plethora of year-round special events — including the popular springtime Tulip Festival, and holiday light spectacular, Luminaria. (Read: 5 Festive Activities to Brighten Your Utah Ski Holiday)
Experience the wonder of the Megalodon and other ancient creatures at the Museum of Ancient Life.
Photo: Courtesy of Thanksgiving Point
Museum of Ancient Life
Ready to check out the prehistoric world? Cue the Museum of Ancient Life. Home to one of the largest collections of dinosaur skeletons in the world, the museum offers a captivating experience through its life-sized exhibits, including a T. rex, Triceratops and many other ancient creatures. It’s a must-see for those curious about the past and the wonders of paleontology. (Read: Seeing the Dinosaurs of Utah Valley)
Jurassic Jungle
Newest to the Thanksgiving Point lineup is the five-story play space where prehistory meets indoor play. From a ginormous volcano slide to dinosaur animatronics and jungle challenges, this play place will keep the kids entertained for hours. Children are required to take off their shoes and wear grip socks, so be sure to pack some, or you can purchase some directly at Jurassic Jungle for a few dollars.
Museum of Ancient Life
Museum of Ancient Life
Butterfly Biosphere
Flutter among the majestic butterflies in Utah’s only butterfly conservatory and insectarium. Through its hands-on exhibits, the biosphere will teach you not just about butterflies but also about many other insects. Get up close and personal as butterflies land on your fingertips and swoop all around you.
Museum of Natural Curiosity
This museum features over 400 hands-on exhibits that explore topics like science, nature and technology. Highlights include hands-on activities in the Water Works area, an engaging Rainforest Exhibit and an immersive Discovery Garden that brings the wonders of nature to life.
The Butterfly Biosphere offers a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with a diverse collection of butterflies.
Photo: Courtesy of Thanksgiving Point
The whimsical and colorful Rainbow Bridge in the Museum of Natural Curiosity provides an imaginative structure that invites exploration and playful adventures.
Photo: Courtesy of Thanksgiving Point
Curiosity Farms
The nine-acre farm at Thanksgiving Point features a variety of interactive exhibits where guests can learn about animals, crops and the environment. Visitors can meet and feed farm animals, participate in gardening activities and even try their hand at farm chores. With its educational and fun approach to farming, Curiosity Farms provides a unique opportunity for children and adults to connect with the land and understand where their food comes from.
Meet the animals, get your hands dirty in the garden and discover the importance of our environment at Curiosity Farms.
Photo: Courtesy of Thanksgiving Point
Ashton Gardens
A stunning 55-acre botanical garden known for its beautiful landscapes, Ashton Gardens features a diverse collection of plants, flowers and trees, offering visitors a peaceful and scenic experience. The gardens include various themed areas such as the Rose Garden, Japanese Garden and the impressive Waterfall Canyon, providing a tranquil space to explore nature’s beauty. It’s also home to one of Thanksgiving Point’s most popular events, the Tulip Festival, which spans over six weeks in the springtime and features more than 900,000 flowers — including daffodils, hyacinths, tulips, poppies and more.
Experience the calming sights and sounds of the impressive Waterfall Canyon, a key feature of the Ashton Gardens.
Photo: Courtesy of Thanksgiving Point
Dining at Thanksgiving Point
Thanksgiving Point has three main restaurants: Harvest, Trellis Cafe and The Tower Deli. The slightly upscale Harvest, situated between the Museum of Ancient Life and the Butterfly Biosphere, is known for its handcrafted lemonade and locally sourced ingredients. Trellis Cafe, located within the stunning Ashton Gardens, offers a spacious, airy patio open daily for lunch, featuring a fresh menu of seasonally inspired fare. Lastly, if you’re looking for a quicker-service spot, check out Tower Deli, offering sandwiches, soups and salads. It also has an ice cream shop located next door, perfect for kids.
But you’d be remiss not to consider dining options in nearby Provo. And if you need a sweet treat at the end of the day, we’ve got you covered, check out A Sweet-Tooth’s Guide to Downtown Provo.
Savor fresh, locally-sourced ingredients at Harvest, Thanksgiving Point's dining experience.
Photo: Courtesy of Thanksgiving Point
Special Events You Won’t Want to Miss
Aside from its regular attractions, Thanksgiving Point hosts an array of unique and exciting special events, including the popular Tulip Festival and Luminaria holiday light walk.
If you're lucky enough to catch the Tulip Festival, it will not disappoint. This annual event runs for approximately six weeks in the springtime (typically April-May), featuring more than 900,000 bright and colorful flowers. In fact, it’s one of the largest spring flower festivals in the nation.
If you're visiting over the winter holidays, be sure to check Luminaria. This magical event typically runs from November-January. It's a local favorite featuring a light and music show on 6,500 programmable luminaries, a fire and ice show, and dozens of dazzling wonderland-themed areas.
Ashton Gardens Tulip Festival
Photo: Courtesy of Thanksgiving Point
A Family Road Trip From Las Vegas to Zion National Park
A three-day weekend is a perfect start in exploring the Wild West of Zion National Park and Southern Utah. This family-friendly road trip pairs a big helping of adventure with new discoveries in Southern Utah’s frontier for a weekend you and the kids won’t soon forget.
Highlights
- Zion National Park
- Kanarraville Falls
- Cedar Breaks National Monument
- Snow Canyon
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