Provo, UT

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! Lions and tigers and bears, oh my (not to mention fish, cougars, and birds that fly)! Oh my! Oh my! Oh my!

This may be how you feel when you first walk into the magnificently spacious Monte L. Bean Museum. Okay, okay, maybe this is just how I felt—not to mention my beautiful 19 ½ month old daughter who took off immediately to “pat” the first “deer” she could find. (No, you are not supposed to touch the animals.)

After securing her safely in her stroller, we were off! We were greeted by Hogle Zoo’s “Shasta,” a beautiful liger (a half tiger half lion) that was donated to the museum after her death. The main display (which I am told is changed periodically) featured incredible lions, wolves, and cougars in action! A lion was even attacking an antelope in air! (We “wowed” over this one!)

We passed a huge bear ready to attack (we were glad he was “caged”) and entered the world of Africa. Tigers, lions, zebras, giraffes, ostriches, antelope, rhinos, and hippos were all on glorious display as we “oohed and “ahhed” over each of them.

We turned the corner to the grassland ecosystem where beautiful scenes of gophers, snakes, turkeys, and foxes filled our eyes. Right next door was the fabulous forest ecosystem featuring a beautiful mountain display of a mother bear and her cub (not to mention cute squirrels, birds, and beavers). The marsh ecosystem was a sensational swamp with a bounteous bird scene.

After admiring the rest of the deer, bugs, butterflies, and the “mollusca family tree,” it was time to go to the second floor. Different assortments of fish and sharks swam above us as we made our way upstairs. (It was fun to see what an actual “mahi mahi” looked like! YUM! YUM!)

When we reached the top we were surrounded by deer, more bears, porcupines, alligators, and Pumba was even there! (Yes, the warthog!)

After saying goodbye to the other children there (my daughter called them all “babies”) we went back downstairs to enjoy the “Children’s Room.”

My daughter absolutely LOVED all of the fun toy animals, Lincoln logs, blocks, and tons of books! There was a beautiful animal mural painted on the wall and a fun nature rug on the floor (where my daughter pointed out every single “bug” and “bunny” to me.)

We were able to see a fabulous reptile show featuring a very lively iguana. (By this time my baby had had it, and she was dropping tic-tacs all over the floor). We decided it was time for us go, but not before stopping at the wonderful gift shop and buying her a cute “bunny!” (Everything was well priced—unlike most gift shops you go to.)

Some wonderful things about this museum:

*Very clean restrooms with changing tables, hand sanitizer, and air freshener
*Drinking fountains (with steps for little ones)
*Children’s Play Room
*Strollers, babies, kiddies, families—welcome!
*FREE ADMISSION
*Visitor Guides
*Elevator
*Benches for resting/viewing scenes
*Video clips/recordings of animals
*Fun Scavenger Hunts available for different ages
*Live Animal Shows Monday through Saturday
*Discovery Reading Time Weds at 11:00 am
*Saturday Safari Adventures

(Call the number or check the website for additional information.)

Contact: (801) 422-5051
www.mlbean.byud.edu

Location:
645 East 1430 North
Brigham Young University
Provo, UT 84602

10 AM - 9 PM Mon - Fri
10 AM - 5 PM Sat
Closed Sunday

This museum is fun to do–to do, to do, to do!

-Amy