Is admission to the Bean Life Science Museum free?

Yes. The museum's official homepage states that general admission is free.

Is the museum in Salt Lake City?

No. It is on the BYU campus at 645 East 1430 North in Provo, roughly 37 miles from central Salt Lake City.

What can toddlers do?

The official exhibit list includes Whooo Lives Here?, a toddler play area about animal homes. Animal displays and the large globe can also support a short toddler-paced visit.

Are public animal or science programs offered?

The official site currently advertises Creature Features and Biomes at the Bean programs. Verify the current day and time because schedules and holiday hours may change.

Are strollers, changing rooms, or food available?

Those amenities were not confirmed in the available official information. Call 801 to 422-5050 if they affect your visit.

Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum

Name: Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum
Address: 645 East 1430 North, Salt Lake City, UT, 84602, US
Telephone: 801-422-5050
Rating: 4.8

Rating

4.8(2,050)

Price

Free

Duration

About 90 minutes to 2 hours for exhibits and one program; this is a planning estimate

Best Ages

Ages 2 to 12, with additional depth for teens interested in biology, ecology, and evolution

About

Monte L. Bean Life Science Museum is a free, indoor natural history stop on the Brigham Young University campus in Provo. Families searching from Salt Lake City should notice the location before planning: the museum is roughly 37 miles from central Salt Lake City, so this is a separate Provo outing rather than a quick downtown stop.

The museum's exhibits cover animals, plants, habitats, evolution, and conservation. Children can trace the evolutionary tree of life, look at a large globe made with NASA satellite imagery, examine threatened and extinct species, compare freshwater and marine ecosystems, and study insects up close. The official exhibit list also includes more than 100 kinds of birds and a toddler play area called Whooo Lives Here?, which teaches young children about animal homes.

Families can add more interaction through the audio tour, exhibit QR codes, monthly bio-cards, and Curiosity Carts on the gallery floor. The homepage currently advertises Creature Features during the day, while the public-program page lists Biomes at the Bean on weeknights and selected Monday and Saturday times. Program schedules can change, so verify the day's listing before making a show the center of your trip.

General admission is free. Regular hours are 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM Saturday. The museum is closed Sunday and lists shorter hours or closures for several holidays.

Parking requires one important step. Visitor spaces are in the first row north of the museum between designated signs, and museum guests must register their license plate at the front desk. Additional parking is available at the Marriott Center lot, but campus events can restrict museum parking. Failing to follow the signs can lead to a citation.

Plan about 90 minutes to two hours for exhibits and one program. The indoor setting works well in rain, winter cold, or summer heat. Stroller access, changing facilities, a cafe, and food rules were not confirmed, so contact the museum when those amenities are essential.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Confirm with venue

Nursing / Changing

Unknown

Setting

Indoor

Rainy Day

Great option!

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

Arrive near 10:00 AM for easier pacing, or plan around a currently posted Creature Feature or Biomes at the Bean program. Verify the day's program schedule first.

Wait Times

No official wait time is published. Admission is free, but drivers must register their license plate at the front desk.

Nearby Food

A museum cafe, food policy, and children's meal choices were not confirmed. BYU campus dining may be nearby, but families should verify current hours and museum food rules.

Why Kids Love It

Children can compare animals from many habitats, inspect insects, see a huge globe, explore marine and freshwater displays, and use a toddler play area about animal homes. Curiosity Carts and creature programs add interaction when scheduled.

Pro Tips from Parents

Remember that this museum is in Provo, roughly 37 miles from central Salt Lake City, so include drive time in the plan.
Park in the designated visitor row north of the museum and register the vehicle's license plate at the front desk.
Check the homepage for holiday changes, campus-event parking restrictions, and the day's Creature Feature or Biomes program.
Start toddlers in the Whooo Lives Here? play area, then choose a few animal galleries instead of trying to read every display.

What to Bring

Your vehicle license plate number
A charged phone for the audio tour and QR codes
A light layer for indoor galleries
A notebook or pencil for animal observations

Cost Info

Free Admission

Estimated Cost (Family of 4)

$0 for museum admission.

Transportation, parking-related costs, food, camps, or separately registered special events are not included.

Tips to Save

General admission is free.
Use the museum's free audio tour, exhibit QR codes, bio-cards, Curiosity Carts, and listed public programs.
Register your vehicle at the front desk to avoid a campus citation.