View of the iconic Thanksgiving Point watertower (source: fotoflyblog.com)
Thanksgiving Point
Founded in 1995 by Alan and Karen Ashton, Thanksgiving Point is a unique destination where recreation, education, and peace all come together. Located twenty minutes south of Salt Lake City, Utah, and 20 minutes north of Provo, Utah, just off of I-15, Thanksgiving Point acts as a refuge from everyday life - a unique location showcasing the beauty and majesty of nature in countless ways...from dinosaurs to dahlias. There are many different things to check out: from farms, museums, shops and restaurants, you'll find something that interests you here!
If you have children, the Museum of Natural Curiosity is a must-see! (photo: currentlywandering.com)
The Museum of Natural Curiosity
In 2014, Thanksgiving Point opened the Museum of Natural Curiosity, a 45,000 square foot building built for families to explore. Inside is 400 interactive exhibits, including four main galleries—Rainforest, Water Works, Kidopolis, and the Discovery Garden. The Museum of Natural Curiosity is a LEED certified building. In its first year of existence nearly 700,000 guests visited the museum.
The Museum of Ancient Life
Exhibits at Thanksgiving Point's Museum of Ancient Life include some of the longest and tallest dinosaurs ever discovered. In all, the gigantic dinosaur museum houses more that 50 standing dinosaurs and more than 100 flying reptiles! The museum also features 50 hands-on exhibits for families to enjoy and learn together.
Right: There's lots to see in the Museum of Ancient Life! (blogspot.com)
Available during museum hours, the Mammoth Screen 3D Theater shows science films connected to the museum’s collections and exhibitions. They are projected on a screen nearly six stories tall! It is indeed a very impressive way to watch some interesting movies.
Gift Shop & Restaurants
The Emporium is a 13,000 square foot gift shop with wonderful gift ideas, located in Thanksgiving Point’s Water Tower Plaza. The Harvest Restaurant features fine dining with a variety of fresh-from-the-garden American cuisine. Adjacent the Harvest Restaurant is the Tower Deli that features an old-fashioned ice cream shop and a wide variety of fresh sandwiches and salads.
The Ashton Gardens
The heart of Thanksgiving Point is a magnificent fifty-five acre park of spectacular theme gardens that debuted of summer of 2000. Each area in the Garden has an individual identity, like rooms in an estate. Visitors will be enchanted by a Rose Garden, Monet Garden, Italian Garden, Secret Garden, Butterfly Garden, vista Garden, Parterre Garden, the Largest Man-Made Waterfall and an outdoor atmosphere. Each spring 300,000 tulips are on display in the annual Tulip Festival. More than 100,000 guests visit the festival each year.
Thanksgiving Point exists as an expression of gratitude. It is founded on the belief that all things that come of the earth were created for the benefit and the use of man, to please the eye and gladden the heart, to strengthen the body and enlighten the mind. It promotes enjoyment of nature and invites all to experience beauty and education. The Thanksgiving Point is a non-profit organization. Its primary purpose is to provide a wholesome environment designed to educate and allow a safe haven where families can come and learn together.
A calf is fed at Farm Country, where lots of live farm animals can be seen (wikipedia.org)
An agricultural learning and discovery center, called Farm Country, is home to a charming animal park and demonstration vegetable garden. Large greenhouses and multiple classrooms allow growing and learning to continue throughout the year.
Surrounding Thanksgiving Point's gardens is an 18-hole championship golf course that has already received accolades from the golf world including Golf Digest, Golf Magazine, and Links. The privately owned course is open to the public six days a week and takes reservations two-weeks in advance.
So whatever the reason you've come to visit Thanksgiving Point, we hope you enjoy your visit!
Address:
3003 N. Thanksgiving Way
Lehi, UT 84043
(888) 672-6040
For specific hours and other info for each location within Thanksgiving Point, see their website:
www.thanksgivingpoint.com
Sources: www.utah.com and as otherwise noted, adapted by josephaw
Source: adapted from historytogo.utah.gov by josephaw
***This cache was made possible by MadamButterfly1822 and her amazing talent in sprucing up caches and making a dull army green container into a masterpiece worthy of much reflection as you sign the log. Thank you again MB1822 for helping with these caches.***