Thanksgiving Point

About

Thanksgiving Point is one of Utah's most impressive family destinations, spreading across 100 acres in Lehi, just south of Salt Lake City. This massive campus brings together five distinct discovery centers, each offering something different for curious visitors of all ages.

The Museum of Natural Curiosity is a hands-on wonderland with interactive exhibits that let kids and adults explore science, nature, and world cultures. You'll find a rainforest exhibit, a water play area, and towering outdoor structures designed to spark imagination. The Museum of Ancient Life houses one of the world's largest displays of mounted dinosaur skeletons, with over 60 complete skeletal replicas and dozens of interactive stations where visitors can touch real fossils and dig for bones.

Outdoors, Ashton Gardens covers 55 acres of beautifully designed themed gardens. Paved pathways wind through areas like the Italian Garden, the Fragrance Garden, and a stunning waterfall feature. Spring brings thousands of tulips into bloom during the annual Tulip Festival, one of the largest tulip displays in the Western United States.

The Farm at Thanksgiving Point offers animal encounters, wagon rides, and seasonal activities. It's a working farm where visitors can feed goats, watch cow milking demonstrations, and enjoy tractor rides through the property. The Butterfly Biosphere rounds out the campus with a tropical conservatory housing hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world.

Thanksgiving Point also features a golf course, several dining options, and a large retail space. Throughout the year, the campus hosts special events including outdoor concerts, holiday light displays, and educational programs.

Planning your visit is straightforward. The campus sits right off Interstate 15, making it easy to reach from anywhere along the Wasatch Front. You can purchase tickets for individual venues or get a combo pass for multiple attractions. Many locals opt for annual memberships, which offer great value if you're visiting more than once. Allow at least half a day if you're exploring two or more venues, and a full day if you want to see everything.

Accessibility

Thanksgiving Point is generally ADA accessible across its campus. The venue's paved pathways in Ashton Gardens and other outdoor areas are wheelchair-friendly, allowing visitors with mobility needs to enjoy the gardens and grounds. Accessible parking is available at each of the five discovery centers, and accessible restrooms are located throughout the campus.

Wheelchairs are available for rental at $10 at all five Thanksgiving Point discovery centers, subject to availability. Strollers can also be rented for $5. This is helpful for visitors who may not travel with their own mobility equipment, though bringing your own wheelchair or scooter is recommended to guarantee availability.

The indoor museums, including the Museum of Natural Curiosity and Museum of Ancient Life, feature level flooring and wide pathways suitable for wheelchair access. The interactive exhibits in these spaces are generally designed to be approachable for visitors of varying abilities.

In Ashton Gardens, the main pathways are paved and accessible, though some garden areas may include slopes or uneven terrain. The Jordan River Trail, which connects to the property, also offers accessible paved sections. Accessible seating is available at various attractions and event spaces across the campus.

For visitors with sensory sensitivities, contact Thanksgiving Point directly to ask about quiet hours or reduced-stimulation options, as these may vary by season and venue. Contact the venue at thanksgivingpoint.com for the most current accessibility details, including information about assistive listening devices, service animal policies, and any temporary accessibility changes due to construction or seasonal exhibits.

More accessible places in Utah

• Natural History Museum of Utah (Salt Lake City)
• Arches National Park (Moab)
• Bryce Canyon National Park (Bryce)
• Canyonlands National Park (Moab)
• Red Butte Garden (Salt Lake City)
• Dinosaur National Monument (Jensen)