Exploring The Leonardo: A Museum of Creativity and Curiosity
The Leonardo Museum is one of the most popular museums in Salt Lake City for a good reason. It is named after the iconic Leonardo da Vinci. This museum originally opened in 2011, and is a community powered museum, seeking to educate the public. The Leonardo surrounds the intersection of science, technology, and art, all of which were inspired by Leonardo da Vinci’s admiration of these subjects. The exhibits are each unique, offering visitors an interactive and collaborative experience. The exhibits showcase artificial intelligence, aviation, innovation and more! If you’re looking for the perfect museum in Salt Lake City that will inspire and spark your curiosity, this is it! You will walk away from this museum having learned more on numerous subjects and understand more on the passions of Leonardo da Vinci.
Exhibits
The Leonardo currently has five different and unique exhibits for visitors to explore. Each contains artwork and an interactive experience that challenges visitors curiosity.
Into the mind of Artificial Intelligence:
As artificial intelligence grows, more uncertainty arises around the technology. The exhibit delves into artificial intelligence’s vast possibilities. The exhibit allows visitors to enjoy an interactive experience where they can explore artificial intelligence. The exhibit also has panel discussions, lectures, and events to engage the community in this technology. This exhibit begins every hour through 10am to 6pm.
Look at Us:
This exhibit uses portraits of endangered species to pay homage to them, as they are slowly disappearing from our planet for numerous reasons. It is a personal way to ensure each of these animals are truly seen by visitors. In some ways it is an emotion evoking an uncomfortable reality that many visitors will have to face when visiting this exhibit. The artwork is done by Scotty Mitchell who wanted to highlight these animals while also addressing the issue of animals becoming endangered or extinct due to human cause.
Flight:
The Flight exhibit is Leonardo’s first block-buster scale exhibit. As you would guess, the exhibit surrounds the innovation of flight and aviation. This exhibit allows for you to explore the technology and science, as well as personal stories surrounding flying. You can inspect a real C-131 aircraft, fly a plane using flight simulators, and much more. Get ready to put your pilot hat on while exploring this exhibit!
Innovation Showcase:
This exhibit is a collection of innovations throughout history. It touches on transformative innovations like the sewing needle made in 4000 BCE to the personal computer created in the 70’s. The exhibit also displays innovations that have been created specifically in Utah. One of the most famous inventions from Utah is the world renowned Frisbee. The showcase also touches on women innovators, who’s innovations have had large impacts in the technology industry. This exhibit tells the stories of these inventors through an interactive experience.
Black Wings:
The final exhibit, Black Wings, highlights the many African Americans’ who helped propel aerospace and aviation throughout history. These individuals were often overlooked in being detrimental parts of aviation and aerospace history, so this exhibit gives them the recognition they deserve. This exhibit utilizes photographs and interviews to demonstrate their achievements and resilience. This exhibit was made possible through the collaboration with Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
Upcoming Events
The Leonardo has frequent events to support the community of Salt Lake, and often has deals on the website to have extra activities included with a day pass, or is free to members who purchase a pass. For the month of July the current upcoming activities include: DIY Parade Day, crafting mini parade floats free with admission; Art Adventures: Andy Warhol’s Eye-Popping Pop Art, a hands on art workshop creating pop art influenced by the famous Andy Warhol; Little Leos, a recurring event with the educating staff for an hour of fun with an accompanying parent/guardian. These events are held each month with new, and recurring events to keep the learning, and mix of knowledge alive at the Leonardo!
Plan Your Visit
Tickets:
Tickets go for $16 a day for adults and have full access to all activities and exhibits on the first and second floor of the Leonardo. Students, Seniors, and Military patrons can receive the same general admission tickets $4 cheaper, at $12 per day. For any young children ages 3-15 a full day pass is $10, and any children 3 or younger get in for free.
Discounts:
Currently the only discounts that come straight from The Leonardo are the Student, Military, and Senior discount of $12 day passes. On external websites like Groupon, however, patrons can find limited time deals and specials. America First Credit Union offers a special of free entry to the Leonardo on Wednesdays with the proof of being a member at the Credit Union upon entry that is good for up to 10 visits.
Membership:
If looking to purchase a more cost effective route on tickets at the Leonardo, they offer memberships at a great price for individuals, partners, and families for the entire year. With their changing exhibits and activities to do, memberships offer the room to come back and see these new exhibits at prices listing from: $60/ year for Individual, $80/ year for Dual, and $125/ year for Family. The individual membership allows for just a single cardholder, the dual allows for two cardholders, and the family allows for two cardholders and four guests for the entire year. Benefits included with all memberships are discounts to their gift shop and bistro, member-only events, and direct support to The Leonardo for the making of more exhibits.
Directions:
Per Leonardo’s website, directions and parking to get to the exhibit are very straight forward. When North on I-15, take the 600 South exit until you reach 300 East. Take a left on 300 East to 500 South, and another left directly after to get you to the corner of 200 East and 500 South in Salt Lake City. If coming South on I-15, take the 400 South exit until you reach 200 East where you take a right. On the left corner of 200 East and 500 South is The Leonardo.
Parking:
The best bet for parking is arriving early on a weekend day where there is free 2 hour parking besides the residential streets neighboring The Leonardo. If those are full, you are able to go to the library after a visit and obtain validation for the parking underneath library square from the Salt Lake City library. Lastly, street parking is available on the surrounding streets around The Leonardo with meters, with the exception of 400 South. All street and residential parking is at drivers discretion as well as monitored and enforced by the meters.
Accessibility:
The Leonardo is in compliance with ADA and offers several accessibility services and routes on property. Ramps for entrance are on the West side of the building directly from the sidewalk. Inside you will find an elevator on the South side of the building with full access to all public floors (3). There is an additional elevator that guests can use to access the MiG-21 viewing deck from the flight exhibit. Wheelchairs and strollers are also available for rent at the Leonardo upon a first come first serve basis, so make sure to call ahead to see if they have been rented out before your trip using the number (801)-531-9800. If you have a working service animal that needs to be with you, Leonardo also allows full access and allowance to your service animals.
Salt Bistro:
Salt Bistro is a cafe that The Leonardo offers patrons as well as non- Leonardo guests for drinks and quick eats. They are open Tuesday-Sunday: 11:00am-3:00pm with varying menu items like coffee, wine, and charcuterie plates for the older guests with a more refined palate. The Salt Bistro also offers options for the kids including crackers, a diverse selection of cheeses, and panini’s to keep you enjoying all the Leonardo has to offer in your visit.
Location, Hours, & Contact Information
The Leonardo is open through Tuesday to Sunday. Its hours are from 10am to 7pm.
The Leonardo is located at 209 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.
For more information or questions, you can contact the museum at (801) 531-9800.
Social Media
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