Look beyond the colossal 11,750-foot Mount Timpanogos to the North, or the sprawling Utah Lake to the West, and you will find the small town of Provo, Utah. Named “The Happiest Town” in the USA, Provo offers a prime location for skiing, spas, and is home to Brigham Young University. As part of the BYU campus, the BYU Museum of Paleontology brings to life the rich dinosaur history in Utah. Travel through time with fully mounted dinosaur displays, hands-on exhibits, and theater at this family-friendly museum.
With so many local museum and historical sites, you’ll want to learn more about Provo’s historic and cultural attractions. If you are planning a visit to Provo, Utah, download our free Vacation Guide to find out more about all of the fun things to do near Hines Mansion! It’s full of the best tips and recommendations for things to see and do, like visiting Provo museums like the BYU Museum of Paleontology.
Why You Should Visit the BYU Museum of Paleontology
Formerly known as the “BYU Earth Science Museum”, the Brigham Young University Museum of Paleontology was built in 1976 as a thriving hotbed of discovery for dinosaur science, featuring an amazing display of rocks, minerals, gems, fossils, and hands-on exhibits. Visitors come from all over to see dinosaur fossils prepared, touch real fossils, and learn about paleontology – and it’s all FREE! The museum is also a popular attraction for school groups in Utah. Each month, school groups can learn more about ancient plants and dinosaurs by taking tours.
The BYU Museum of Paleontology Hours
The museum is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on University Holidays.
Larger than Life Experience
For the young and young at heart, one favorite of this dinosaur museum is the large collection of Jurassic finds. The museum features large skeletons of various creatures that once existed – some of the animals so new they haven’t been named yet! See a T-Rex skull, inspect a fossilized imprint of dinosaur skin, or even touch dinosaur bones – the possibilities of discovery are endless!
A Research Museum
Be there as discovery happens! The BYU Museum of Paleontology offers a large window to allow visitors a look in at a real fossil prep lab, where scientists and students work through ancient fossils. The museum is home to a fossil collection with specimens millions of years old. The wide variety of fossils of invertebrates, dinosaurs, fish, mammals, and plants will keep you entertained for hours. Kids will delight in getting to see paleontologists removing fossils from rocks and work on real bones!
Relax After a Day of Discovery at Hines Mansion
When you’re out perusing the historic displays of dinosaurs all day, you’ll need a home away from home to relax and end the day! Find comfort and leisure at the historic luxury bed and breakfast, Hines Mansion! Conveniently located in Provo, Utah, Hines Mansion offers cozy rooms that feature all the luxurious amenities of private bathrooms, a two-person jetted tub, comfortable robes, cable TV, and high-speed wireless service. Treat yourself to a gourmet breakfast every morning!