Clark Planetarium
4.6(1.9K)google
4.1(197)yelp
PlanetariumScienceSpace & AerospaceInteractiveEducationalFamily
Overview
The Clark Planetarium stands as a premier educational and scientific attraction located in downtown Salt Lake City, dedicated to exploring the profound mysteries of outer space and aerospace innovations. The planetarium features over 10,000 square feet of highly interactive exhibits, including hands-on weather simulators, a realistic virtual Mars rover piloting experience, and authentic lunar samples gifted by NASA. Visitors can enjoy high-resolution cosmic journeys inside the state-of-the-art Hansen Dome Theatre or watch visually spectacular science documentaries inside the massive IMAX 3D theatre, sparking a lasting curiosity for cosmology and technology.
Practical Info
Mon9:30 AM – 8:00PM
Tue9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Wed9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Thu9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Fri9:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Sat9:30 AM – 11:00 PM
Sun9:30 AM – 8:00 PM
Suggested Duration1.5-2.5 hours
Best TimePerfect year-round due to fully climate-controlled adaptive galleries. Aim for weekday afternoons after 2:30 PM when the massive morning elementary school field trip groups begin to exit; early hours ensure zero wait times at the famous, completely free 3-story interactive science exhibits, letting you experience the high-tech cosmic flight simulators and booking the premier 5:00 PM IMAX 3D dome theater shows without lines.
Getting ThereLocated inside The Gateway shopping district in downtown Salt Lake City at 110 S 400 W. Public transit features seamless access: take the clean, high-frequency Light Rail (TRAX Blue Line) directly to the designated Planetarium Station, which surfaces within the city's downtown Free Fare Zone—letting you walk straight from the platform into the lobby canopy. Drivers must use the mall's paid garage.
Travel Tips
- Free Exhibition Galleries & Paid Dome Theaters Setup: Walk-in entry to the three stories of interactive deep-space science exhibits is 100% free. However, watching the cinematic IMAX 3D films or Hansen Dome laser shows requires separate paid theater tickets.
- Gateway Commercial Parking Validations: The complex has zero complimentary surface stalls; users must park inside The Gateway garage. Request a digital parking validation stamps at the planetarium main desk to secure the first hour of parking free.
- Strict Late-Entry & Re-entry Lockout for Dome Shows: Once the main dome projection starts and ambient lights dim completely, latecomers are barred from entering for safety reasons. Re-entry is strictly prohibited if you leave during the film; use restrooms beforehand.
Reviews
Positive
- Located in downtown Salt Lake City, it is packed with cutting-edge interactive digital space and cosmic simulators, blending great visual impact with high fun.
- The venue utilizes top-tier IMAX and 3D full-dome digital theaters with stunning AV effects and comfortable seating, living up to its name.
- Most amazingly, the massive interactive science exhibits on the first two floors are completely free to the public, scoring perfect cultural value.
- The indoor facilities are highly modern with full elevator accessibility, spotless restrooms, direct light rail access, and great driving convenience.
Heads up
- Though main halls are free, core 3D dome theater movies require pricey extra tickets, which sell out rapidly during peak holiday hours.
- On rainy weekends, summer breaks, or school field trips, visitor density gets overwhelmingly high, packed with shouting kids and loud noise.
- The planetarium itself lacks a dedicated free lot; out-of-town drivers must use expensive commercial mall parking garages, inflating trip costs.
- The academic astronomical text panels are mostly English-only, severely lacking advanced multilingual QR translations, limiting international appeal.