A city alive with learning and culture that's surrounded by natural wonders, Salt Lake City is a great place to spend the day at one of the many public and private museums. Whether you want to stroll through galleries filled with works of art or visit rooms full of history, Salt Lake City gives you plenty of museums for the choosing. Here's our list of the top places to visit for a range of learning and cultural explorations. 

Natural History Museum of Utah

With nearly a dozen permanent exhibits and traveling exhibitions, the Natural History Museum of Utah offers visitors a glimpse into the natural and cultural history of Utah and surrounding areas. The "Native Voices" exhibit explores the history of Utah's eight recognized Native American tribes with a collection of artifacts that help tell the story of their people. Learn about the city's namesake in the "Great Salt Lake" gallery that features hands-on exhibits to tell the story of this body of water surrounded by desert. 

Step further back in time in the "Past Worlds" exhibit, where you can walk a path through dinosaur skeletons and help excavate. Kids will love "Our Backyard," which invites young and old to get up close to the kind of life we can find right outside our back doors. Traveling exhibits change throughout the year, so be sure to check the museum's website to see what you can experience when you visit. Open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the museum also stays open until 9 p.m. on Wednesdays. 

Location: 301 Wakara Way

Phone Number: 801-581-6927 

Utah Museum of Fine Arts

The Utah Museum of Fine Arts features an extensive collection of art grouped by culture or period. The second floor houses art exhibits from Africa, Japan, Europe, China, and the ancient Mediterranean, along with art influenced by the Pacific, Mesoamerica, and South Asia. Other galleries include "salt" and the "Modern and Contemporary" collection. 

Enjoy the museum cafe, the current traveling exhibit, and the sculpture garden on the first floor. The museum offers free admittance for students at any of Utah's public universities, active duty military members and their families, and Utah Horizon cardholders. Visit from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday with extra time on Wednesday evenings, when the museum stays open until 8 p.m. 

Location: 410 Campus Center Drive

Phone Number: 801-581-7332

Leonardo Museum of Creativity and Innovation

Built to honor the creative genius in everyone in the spirit of the famed inventor and artist, the Leonardo Museum offers a unique experience for all ages. Head to "Flight" to explore aviation artifacts, take on a flight simulator, and celebrate one of DaVinci's favorite pursuits. "Black Wings" presents an inspiring look at the contributions of African Americans in aviation, including pilots, astronauts, and flight engineers. 

The museum's "Innovation Showcase" features spotlight exhibits on inventions and inventors, including women innovators. The Leonardo Museum also houses traveling installations for immersive experiences featuring art, technology, and science. We think DaVinci would approve. The Museum welcomes visitors Wednesday through Sunday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.

Location: 209 E. 500 S.

Phone Number: 801-531-9800

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

Head over to the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum for exhibits designed to help kids explore the world. Visit themed areas and kid-sized learning centers perfect for little ones and their parents. The museum features exhibit areas like "Kids Eye View," which is a little town with mini storefronts, a construction zone, car maintenance shop, and a spot for water fun. Check out "Move It!" — it's an indoor play space with an obstacle course and plenty of space to jump rope, hula hoop or stretch out. 

Head to the "Garden" exhibit to play like a bee in the Honey Climber, an extensive indoor climbing complex that looks like a honeycomb hive. Check out the "Saving Lives" exhibit to get inside an actual life-flight helicopter, where you can become a first responder. There's even more to explore at the Story Factory and Sensory Room. The museum is closed on Tuesdays but opens from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every other day except Sunday, when hours start at noon.

Location: 444 W. 100 S.

Phone Number: 801-456-5437

Museum of Natural Curiosity

Just a few miles south of Salt Lake City, the Museum of Natural Curiosity offers hundreds of hands-on exhibits perfect for families. Visit the "Rainforest Room" to explore ancient ruins, discover the "Archimedes Playground" filled with simple machines, or stop at the "Trading Post" to swap found treasures for points that can add up to something big. 

"Kidopolis" is the perfect place to crawl through secret passages, take over a magic shop, or conduct a locomotive. You'll also find other attractions and museums on-site, including the "Butterfly Biosphere," "Museum of Ancient Life," and "Ashton Gardens." Purchase separate admission or an Explorer Pass to access all attractions for the day. 

Location: 3605 Garden Drive, Lehi, Utah

Phone Number: 801-768-2300

Hill Aerospace Museum

For a deep look into the history of aviation and aerospace from the United States Air Force, check out the Hill Aerospace Museum. Featuring a collection of thousands of objects related to military flight, the museum operates as a public space and area for academic study and restoration. Get up close to nine types of aircraft or visit the museum during one of its special events, like a virtual reality flight. Stop by Hill Air Force Base to visit the museum Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Location: 7961 Cottonwood St., Building 1955, Hill Air Force Base, Utah

Phone Number: 801-825-5817

Museum of Contemporary Art

Utah's Museum of Contemporary Art features ever-changing exhibitions of modern artists. The museum hosts an eclectic collection of visual arts with contemporary themes and voices. The Museum of Contemporary Art also hosts events like performance art, films, workshops, and talks with artists in residence. Bring the kids for Family Art Saturdays. You can visit the museum Wednesday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Location: 20 S. W. Temple St.

Phone Number: 801-328-4201

That's our list of awe-inspiring museums in Salt Lake City for rainy days, celebration days, and plain old sunny days. Did we miss one of your favorites? Let us know, so we can make our list complete with your suggestions.