Clark Planetarium
Clark Planetarium
4.5
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 10:45 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 10:45 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 7:00 PM
About
For more than 50 years, Clark Planetarium, formerly known as Hansen Planetarium, has been Salt Lake’s go-to destination for visitors of all ages who want to discover and learn about space and science. We engage audiences inside our walls and across the State of Utah in the creative process that is science through educational outreach, hands-on exhibits, on-site programming and our IMAX and dome theatres.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
437 reviews
Excellent
235
Very good
138
Average
44
Poor
11
Terrible
9
Cheryl Williams
32 contributions
Dec 2022
I always enjoy the fin, intriguing exhibits at Clark Planetarium. It's free to view the exhibits including trying the experiments as well as using the play area (slide). Plus if you want to buy a souvenir, they have a big, awesome gift shop which offers mostly reasonably priced items. If you have a big family, it might be hard to afford admission for all to enjoy one of the movies in the third floor dome theater, but I really enjoyed my experience viewing Expedition Reef. It was similar to what I picture when I think of visiting a planetarium. The narrator was informative and engaging. I haven't enjoyed a movie at their other theater, but they have some interesting looking films showing. It's probably a nice theater. I hope to return to this location and maybe enjoy more attractions / eateries in the same neighborhood and see another film or 2.
Written January 5, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
RC T
Grand Junction, CO87 contributions
Nov 2022
This is a fun museum. Kids will enjoy it, but there are also displays that are geared towards adults. There is no admission fee for the museum itself, but the two theaters charge for the films. One is IMAX, and the other is similar but not actually IMAX.
Written November 10, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Willowbroom Sam
Houston, TX1,388 contributions
Jul 2021
Very nicely maintained place. I did nkt visit the IMAX and the globe theaters. Rest of the exhibits were good.
Went by myself and so could read every single bit of every single display. Took me 2.5 hours.
Book tickets online - free for the exhibits, $7 for each show. There is a refreshments stall inside. Prices are very reasonable. Parking is just a dollar and if you get it validated by any person- reception or the store, I guess you get 50% off.
Just $3 or something for a lot of hours.
Enjoy this. Especially if the outside is hot.
Went by myself and so could read every single bit of every single display. Took me 2.5 hours.
Book tickets online - free for the exhibits, $7 for each show. There is a refreshments stall inside. Prices are very reasonable. Parking is just a dollar and if you get it validated by any person- reception or the store, I guess you get 50% off.
Just $3 or something for a lot of hours.
Enjoy this. Especially if the outside is hot.
Written July 23, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jekela
Salt Lake City, UT915 contributions
Jan 2020
Great place . . . especially for free! Tons of interactive exhibits that are fun for all ages! The dome theater is super fun for a movie (movies in both theaters do cost). Amazing gift shop/store with tons of toys, science and STEM activities for purchase.
Written February 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amy G
Laguna Beach, CA6 contributions
Jul 2023
On my own wandering the city of Salt Lake- decided to check out the Planetarium. Free entrance and great reviews led me to check it out. The displays were very informative and they had several unique meteorites and moon rocks from Apollo 11. The 3D movie ($9) of the Blue Whales: the comeback of the gentle giants was worth every penny. A must see if in Salt Lake City :)
Written July 22, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SuperDuper Coach
Mitcham, Australia185 contributions
Apr 2022
A relatively small planetarium with mainly interactive-type exhibits. Also the usual domed ceiling theatre and an iMax.
We saw two shows in the dome theatre “How earth began” and “Worlds beyond earth”. Both ok, fairly entry-level. Both included an update on what’s in the night sky right now. In between these we looked at a number of exhibits and afterwards looked in the gift shop.
Was worthwhile, good entertainment on a cold afternoon, but nothing special about this particular planetarium.
We saw two shows in the dome theatre “How earth began” and “Worlds beyond earth”. Both ok, fairly entry-level. Both included an update on what’s in the night sky right now. In between these we looked at a number of exhibits and afterwards looked in the gift shop.
Was worthwhile, good entertainment on a cold afternoon, but nothing special about this particular planetarium.
Written April 13, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Alex .
Nashville, TN161 contributions
Oct 2021
This was a great place to kill some time. We got tickets for one of the shows (which was meh, a typical planetarium show). The best part of the place is the mini museum and activities available for free that even us adults enjoyed.
Written August 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Al Z
New York City, NY227 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
Such a great activity and place for kids. My daughter had so much fun there. We learned a lot and discovered so many things. There is a small area with slides which she also enjoyed. I bought tickets for one of the movie shows (I asked the team what was most appropriate for a 2.5 years old). It was a cartoon in the dome, really cool although my daughter got scared so we had to leave after 15 min. I highly recommend visiting Clark. Its the perfect activity to keep kids entertained. One tip, bring a 25cts coin so you can buy a small ball for one of the activities. I don’t cary cash with me so I wish I had known in advance!
Written January 29, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
txhawk36
Kyle, TX142 contributions
Nov 2020
I probably haven't been to a planetarium in 40 years, and was kind of surprised my son suggested we go (he's 24). They are taking all the necessary precautions for COVID. We were disappointed a few exhibits were closed for this reason. However, the way they have the exhibits, is a definite draw for kids today. They have so many interactive, game type exhibits. We had a lot of fun creating a black hole and other elements of the solar system. The only dome movie playing in our time was a cartoon, but it was pretty good, despite our ages, we both learned quite a bit in the Planetarium and the movie.
Written November 20, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
david m
Chubbuck, ID472 contributions
Jun 2021 • Friends
This Salt Lake City attraction is awesome. My family went to it because it was just down the road from our hotel and it was free. When we got there we expected it being free yo be very cheap. Yet, when we got inside it surprised us how awesome it was. There many exhibits that taught people of all ages about space, planets, stars, and many other things. Now the only thing you’d have to pay additionally are the movies. Yet, even if you don’t want to watch the movies it is worth just coming to view the exhibits.
Written June 8, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Em
Salt Lake City, Utah
Does purchasing an Imax/Some theatre movie ticket get you into the exhibits as well?
(during covid when you have to book times to visit the exhibits)
Written March 23, 2021
There are multiple theaters, movies, and times. They are listed on the website.
Written February 22, 2020
I would say no less than 2 years. It’s all very interactive, but under 2 I think would just be running around with nothing to keep them engaged.
Written August 5, 2019
What is your policy for field trips? I wanted to volunteer for my 1st graders class field trip, but I have a 6 month old baby. Do you allow me to bring her with so I could still volunteer?
Written October 24, 2018
I have not seen any age limitations posted but you would need to call the planetarium to make sure.
Written October 24, 2018
How long should I plan to spend in the Planetarium?
Written July 12, 2017
hi there,
do you have to purchase tickets in advance for the imax and other shows? or can you buy them on the day?
thank you
Written March 9, 2017
Hi there, I am the Marketing & PR rep for Clark Planetarium. You can purchase tickets online in advance, but this is not required. We sell tickets right up to show starting time on site, except for the last show of the evening; because the doors lock at the same time the last show begins, we typically stop selling tickets a few minutes before that.
Written March 9, 2017
Hi there Carolyn W. and thanks for reaching out. Another user mentioned that the Planetarium has underground parking. This is easily accessible on 100 So., 200 So., or on 400 W.. We also offer our guests free parking validations which allow 3 hours of parking in the underground lot for $1. Hope to see you soon!
Written December 24, 2016
What does tickets cost for children to adults. What do you get to see and interact with.
Written December 9, 2015
Hi all! The planetarium is experiencing renovations and changes, but we are definitely open and having a great time through it all, though some parts of the building look a little strange. Our renovation is a slow process to ensure that we continue to serve the public as much as possible through all of our changes. When we are finished in October 2016, we'll have a wide array of new, exciting, hands-on exhibits.
Show costs are correct at $7/$9 as another user indicated and we also have Night Vision on Thursday and Saturday nights, which is just $2 for everybody. As a user pointed out, entry to our exhibit halls is free to the public and we are open 363 days a year (closed Thanksgiving and Christmas days only). If you have any additional questions or I can be of service to you in any way please feel free to reach out to me directly at 385-468-1229. Hope to see you at the planetarium soon!
Written December 14, 2015
Hi there! I work at Clark Planetarium and wanted to be sure that you get an answer straight from the source. Our store, Planet Fun, carries, as some users have mentioned, a wide variety of gifts and toys. Our toys range in price mostly from $5 to $50, depending on what you are looking for. Some of our most popular toys include the full line of Celestial Buddies planetary plushies and a wide variety of science kits for kids and adults of all ages. We also carry multiple types of telescopes, binoculars, and microscopes for budding scientists, which vary in cost by the style and level of expertise. If you have more questions about the store, you're welcome to give us a call at 385-468-7827 and ask to speak with our store manager, Mike Sheehan and I'm sure that he will be glad to help you find the perfect gift or toy.
Written December 14, 2015
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