Spotlight: Salt Lake City - The Leonardo

Spotlight: The Leonardo is a museum dedicated to open your mind to new possibilities and discover your inner genius. The museum opened its doors in 2011 with the goal to open visitors' minds to explore possibilities in the fields of science, math, technology and art. Its educational philosophy is based on the methods of its namesake - Leonardo da Vinci who continually allowed his curiosity to guide his experiments. Unfortunately, the museum has been plagued by financial woes since opening its doors, and may be forced to close unless it can find a way to improve its fortunes.

Location: The Leonardo Museum is located in Library Square at 209 E 500 S, Salt Lake City, UT. 

Cost: $12.95/adult, $8.95/child (3-12), $9.95/senior, student or military

Time: Open daily from 10:00 am - 5:00 pm. Plan on spending from 1-3 hours.

Description: The Leonardo hosts a variety of different exhibits. FLIGHT is an interactive exhibit that allows visitors to learn about different human experiments with flight over the years, with successes and failures documented in film. Visitors can explore a massive C-131 aircraft that helps them discover the secrets of flight. Two flight simulators allow visitors to experience what it is like to pilot one of these massive vehicles.

     Perception: The Illusion of Reality helps visitors explore how their brains work - distorting, adding or subtracting elements from reality in order to make sense of what their senses (particularly hearing, sight and touch) are telling them. My daughter was fascinated by the optical illusions.

     Woman/Women celebrates the achievements of women through the course of history including several contemporary women who are helping to shape the world today. It includes a film entitled 50/50 by Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tiffany Shlain.
     The Innovation Showcase highlights inventions that have changed the world, focusing particularly on inventions by Utahns - such as the Frisbee, the artificial heart and television.
     The Young Inventors Garden allows young inventors to explore their own creativity through Legos, puzzles and a variety of other interactive experiences.

far away view

close up view

     Other attractions include: the O.C. Tanner Atrium, Leonardo's Workshop, Leonardo's Studio and Leonardo's Laboratory.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 5)

Things You Should Know: - You need to provide ID to get the student or military discount.
- Entrance fees to the Leonardo are covered if you have an active Salt Lake Pass.
-Parking is available below Library Square.

Nearby: Salt Palace Convention Center, Clark Planetarium, Gilgal Sculpture Garden, Tracy Aviary