Thanksgiving Point is one of the largest and most popular family attractions in Utah — a sprawling complex in Lehi (about 25 minutes north of Provo) that includes a world-class dinosaur museum, 55 acres of gardens, a working farm, a butterfly biosphere, a golf course, and multiple dining options. It's the kind of place where you can easily spend a full day, and families with kids will want to come back multiple times to cover everything.
For Provo and Orem residents, Thanksgiving Point is one of the best family day-trip options in the valley — close enough for a morning trip, large enough to fill an entire day.
The Attractions
Museum of Ancient Life
Highlight attraction · Allow 2–3 hours
One of the largest dinosaur museums in the world, with over 60 complete dinosaur skeletons and hundreds of interactive exhibits. The Museum of Ancient Life covers Earth's history from the Precambrian through the Ice Age, with a heavy focus on the dinosaurs that roamed Utah millions of years ago. The exhibits are well-designed, engaging for both kids and adults, and significantly more impressive than most people expect.
Don't miss: The massive sauropod skeletons in the main hall, the fossil dig activity for kids, and the marine reptile exhibits.
Best for: Families with kids ages 4–14 (though adults enjoy it too). Plan 2–3 hours for a thorough visit.
Ashton Gardens
55 acres · Allow 2–3 hours
One of the largest publicly accessible gardens in the Western U.S. Ashton Gardens features themed garden rooms — a waterfall garden, a fragrance garden, a rose garden, a secret garden, and more — connected by walking paths through manicured landscapes. The gardens are beautiful in every season but peak in late spring and summer when everything is in bloom.
Seasonal highlight: The Luminaria winter light display (November–January) transforms the gardens into a massive walk-through light installation. It's one of the best holiday light displays in Utah.
Best for: Garden lovers, photographers, and a peaceful family walk. The flat, paved paths are stroller-accessible.
Farm Country
Working farm · Allow 1–2 hours
A working farm where kids can feed animals, ride ponies, take wagon rides, and learn about agriculture. Farm Country has cows, horses, pigs, goats, chickens, and seasonal baby animals. It's geared toward younger children (ages 2–8) and gives urban and suburban kids a hands-on farm experience.
Best for: Young children who love animals. The pony rides and animal feeding are the highlights.
Butterfly Biosphere
Indoor tropical butterfly habitat · Allow 45 min–1 hour
A glass-enclosed tropical habitat filled with hundreds of free-flying butterflies from around the world. Walk through the warm, humid space as butterflies land on your shoulders and flowers. The biosphere also has educational exhibits about butterfly life cycles and pollination.
Best for: All ages. It's a calming, magical experience — especially for young children seeing butterflies up close for the first time.
Planning Your Visit
Tickets & Pricing
Thanksgiving Point attractions are ticketed separately. You can buy tickets for individual venues or purchase a multi-venue pass for a discount. Annual memberships are available and pay for themselves in 2–3 visits for families who plan to return.
| Attraction | Adult | Child (3–12) |
|---|---|---|
| Museum of Ancient Life | ~$20 | ~$16 |
| Ashton Gardens | ~$18 | ~$14 |
| Farm Country | ~$12 | ~$10 |
| Butterfly Biosphere | ~$14 | ~$12 |
Pro tip: The annual membership is the best value for Utah Valley families. It includes unlimited visits to all venues, guest passes, and discounts at on-site dining and the gift shop. If you visit three or more times per year, the membership saves significant money.
Check for deals: Thanksgiving Point occasionally offers discounted admission on select days, and Utah library cards sometimes provide reduced-price passes. Check before buying full-price tickets.
When to Visit
Best seasons: Spring (gardens in bloom, baby animals at the farm) and fall (cooler temperatures, harvest activities, Luminaria preparation). Summer is the busiest season — especially when school is out.
Best days: Weekdays are significantly less crowded than weekends. Tuesday through Thursday during the school year are the quietest times. Saturday mornings are the busiest.
How much time: Plan a half-day for one or two venues, or a full day if you want to see everything. Most families focus on 2–3 attractions per visit.
Getting There from Provo
Thanksgiving Point is in Lehi, about 25 minutes north of Provo via I-15. Take the Thanksgiving Point exit (Exit 284) and follow the signs. Parking is free and abundant at all venues.
FrontRunner option: The Lehi FrontRunner station is about 3 miles from Thanksgiving Point. It's possible to take the train and use a ride-share for the last mile, though driving is more practical for families with young children.
Dining
Thanksgiving Point has several on-site dining options. The Harvest Restaurant at the gardens offers a full-service dining experience with garden views. Quick-service options are available at the museum and farm. For more variety, the surrounding Lehi area has a growing restaurant scene — many options are within a 5-minute drive of Thanksgiving Point.
Beyond Thanksgiving Point: Lehi
While you're in the area, Lehi has several other attractions worth knowing about. The Outlets at Traverse Mountain (outlet shopping just off I-15), the Lehi Roller Mills (an iconic flour mill that appeared in the movie Footloose), and the growing tech corridor ("Silicon Slopes") that has transformed the area. Lehi's food scene is developing rapidly — check local listings for current restaurant options.
Related Guides
- Day Trips from Provo
- Free Things to Do in Provo
- Summer Activities in Provo
- Winter Activities in Provo
- Best Parks in Provo for Families
Last updated: April 2026. Pricing, hours, and attractions are subject to change — check thanksgivingpoint.org for current information.