Here is a great list of the free days offered by Hogle Zoo, Tracy Aviary, The Living Planet Aquarium, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and Red Butte Gardens! They are all throughout the winter, but they are a great way to get out of the house and enjoy (a usually expensive) fun activity for FREE!
Hogle Zoo
I think my most favorite FREE Admission days are the ones at Hogle Zoo, and that’s mostly because of my kids! They LOVE the Zoo! I haven’t ever gone in the winter before, and I am very excited to try it this year. Free Admission will be on the following days:
- Wednesday, November 28
- Wednesday, December 26
- Wednesday, January 30
- Wednesday, February 27
Tracy Aviary
We have gone to Tracy Aviary often since living in Salt Lake! Each time we go, our kids love it just as much as our first visit. There are so many birds there and they are all so interesting and neat to watch and see. I think my favorites are the Flamingos. They are so cute!
Tracy Aviary is offering FREE Admission every Wednesday in November, December, January and February! YAY! Their Wild Wednesday Promo will get you a FREE Admission ticket, but there is a $1 conservation fee per person. (still not bad, and donating it to a good cause!)
The Living Planet Aquarium
The Living Planet Aquarium is dedicated to cultivating public interest in the environment, conservation, and the enhancement of our planet and its creatures through adoption, education, research and recreation.
We have gone to Living Planet Aquarium dozens of times, and it is just as interesting each time. My kids especially love the penguins, otters and Sharks. If you are wanting to go, then they are offering Free Admission on November 26 from 10am-6pm! I would go early (and expect a little bit of a wait to get in).
Utah Museum of Fine Arts
I have never been to the Utah Museum of Fine Arts, but often thought it would be a fun experience My kids love to paint and do crafts and all of that, so I am sure that they would enjoy looking around at everything too. I just found out that the UMFA offers Free Admission ALL YEAR ROUND on the first Wednesday of the month and the third Saturday of the month. There are FREE Crafts on the Third Saturday as well! You can’t beat that! I am looking forward to going and taking my family out for a FREE fun and educational day.
The Natural History Museum of Utah
The Natural History Museum of Utah had a free admission day on Saturday September 29. If there is another day coming up I will be sure to post it! It still looks like a great place to visit and there is so much to see there! View their upcoming events here
(You can get in FREE all month long if you get a Community Exploration Card from your local Salt Lake City Library)
Red Butte Garden
Red Butte Garden’s is holding its 10th Annual Holiday Open House on December 1 – December 2, 2012.
This year marks the 11th Anniversary of the Holiday Open House at Red Butte Garden! The first Saturday & Sunday in December we fill the Orangerie with local artists who have created an array of locally handmade gifts for sale. We also offer free admission, complimentary cider and hot chocolate, and 15 acres of winter wonderland to explore. So bring your shopping list and your winter boots and come enjoy the season with us here at the Garden!
They are offering FREE admission, FREE cider and hot chocolate, and acres of winter wonderland to explore.
Discovery Gateway
March 14, 2013 – FREE Admission Day
Discovery Gateway is offering up FREE admission on Thursday, March 14, 2013!
If you have never been there or you have been there 100 times, your kids will love to explore, play and create and Discovery Gateway! They have so much to do there and it fits all different ages! From a real Helicopter to a life size horse and everything in between, your kids will have so much to do for hours. It’s a great place for parents to connect with your kids and have fun playing and exploring too!
(You can get in FREE all month long if you get a Community Exploration Card from your local Salt Lake City Library)
Gardner Village
Visiting Gardner Village is always fun! There is so much to see and do, and tons of cute shops you can look through. Wal around and see the beautiful decorations and see all the shops. From December 1 to December 24 they will have their Elves out so you will be able to go on a Elf Hunt (print off the form here) and try to find them all! If you do, you can go to the local bakery and get a cookie for a small fee!
You can also enjoy a horse drawn carriage ride, classes, portraits and more!
Admission is always free.
Clark Planetarium
Admission is always free to get into Clark Planetarium and explore its exhibits. They have tons of interactive things you can do with your kids, even a gravity station. It’s awesome! They have shows/movies for a fee. Outside the Clark Planetarium is the Gateway Mall and there is a huge splash pad that is free. It is a great way to spend a day with your kids for FREE!
National Parks FREE Admission
FREE Admission to ALL National Parks! Get all the details here.
Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates in 2013:
- January 21
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - April 22-26
National Park Week - August 25
National Park Service Birthday - September 28
National Public Lands Day - November 9-11
Veterans Day weekend
National Parks that are in Utah:
Arches
Bryce Canyons
California
Canyonlands
Capitol Reef
Cedar Breaks
Dinosaur
Glen Canyon
Golden Spike
Hovensweep
Mormon Pioneer
Nautral Bridges
Old Spanish
Pony Express
Rainbow Bridge
Timpanogos Cave
Zion
Here’s a tip-265 of your 398 national parks NEVER charge an entrance fee. So start Planning Your Visit!
Lights at Temple Square
The Lights at Temple Square are truly amazing! You won’t see a better light display in Utah in my opinion. Temple Square is open from 9am to 9pm everyday. Take your family to go see this beautiful free display and be sure to take your camera too! Dress warm, it gets really cold, but they have to two large visitors centers you can go in to warm up and look around as well.
The Shops at Riverwoods FREE Carriage Rides
Enjoy FREE Carriage Rides at the Shops at Riverwoods in Provo! Available Monday, Friday and Saturday from 6 pm – 9 pm! What a fun family activity! The shops are located at 4801 N. University Ave., Provo, UT 84604 .
The Shops at Riverwoods is Utah’s premier community gathering locations for shopping, dining and entertainment.
Located at the base of the Wasatch Mountains, near Provo Canyon, The Shops at Riverwoods features some of Utah’s finest shopping, and exquisite dining. The development is set in a unique riverfront environment designed specifically with community in mind.
This community plaza is truly one-of-a-kind.
FREE Community Exploration Card
The City Library opens doors to the community with the Community Exploration Card! Library cardholders can visit a number of Salt Lake City’s cultural centers for free by checking out a card from any branch of The City Library. With the Community Exploration Card, four people will be admitted to Discovery Gateway, The Leonardo, Natural History Museum of Utah, and Red Butte Garden.
The Community Exploration Card is valid for general admission but not for special events or exhibits. A limited number of cards are available for check out at the beginning of each month and must be used during that month. To provide equitable access for everyone, cards are limited to one per household in a 12-month period.
If you know of any place else that is fun and offering up a free or discounted admission then let me know and I will add it!
I’m heading to Zion, Bryce in April 🙂