The aquarium in Draper, home to more than 4,000 animals, with a 40-foot shark tunnel and penguins. It lists no upcoming sensory hours, but it does say when it's least busy, what's not allowed and what the Lantern Festival nights are like.
Know before you go. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium's sensory-friendly evening for the autism community, ArtSEA, was Oct 14 2026; it doesn't list upcoming sensory hours, sensory kits or a quiet room. Here's what it does say about crowds, floors, light and the rules.
Hours
Monday 10 am to 8 pm; Tuesday to Sunday 10 am to 6 pm. Last entry 1 hour before close. Closed Thanksgiving Day (Thu Nov 26 2026) and Christmas Day (Fri Dec 25 2026); shorter hours on Christmas Eve; open for daytime guests on New Year's Eve. On Lantern Festival nights, from early November to early January, daytime guests must leave by 5 pm. Hours may change for special events.
“If you want to visit when there are fewer people, weekday afternoons are generally the least busy time to visit.”
“Field trips occur throughout the year, but from March 1 to May 30 is usually our peak season, so it may be busier during that time.”
“Certain walking surfaces (e.g. shark deck, Penguin Encounter room, etc…) may be slick; use caution.”
“Musical instruments, air horns, or other noisemaking devices”
“Warning: May contain bright, flashing lights that may potentially trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy. Viewer discretion is advised.”
“You’re welcome to arrive anytime, but please note that lines are typically longer right at 5:30 p.m.”
Questions: call 801-355-FISH (3474). If it's a busy season, a weekday afternoon visit and a short loop through the shark tunnel and the penguins is a real visit.
Weekday afternoons are generally the least busy; March 1 to May 30 is usually the busiest season.
Free parking in the lots next to the building and the Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza, with disability placard stalls closest to the building and the Welcome Center.
Lantern Festival nights may have bright, flashing lights that could trigger seizures for people with photosensitive epilepsy.
Tickets: adults $17.95 to $27.95, children (3 to 12) $12.95 to $22.95, and teens, students, military and seniors $14.95 to $24.95; children 2 and under are free. Prices change with demand and rise closer to the visit date, so buying ahead saves up to 35%. A valid ID may be needed for the reduced rates.
Museums for All: bring your SNAP, EBT or WIC card and a photo ID to the Welcome Center, and admission is $2 each for you and up to three more people ($8 for four). It covers general admission days, not after-hours events or animal encounters. Groups of 20 or more save $2 a ticket during regular hours; call 801-355-FISH (3474) ext. 225.
Food: please don't bring your own food or drinks inside; you can eat them on the plaza. Café seating is for Café customers, and there's limited seating on the second-floor lobby and the plaza for snack breaks.
Strollers are welcome, but there's no secure stroller storage; a few strollers rent for $7 at the Welcome Center. Manual wheelchairs rent for $8 for the day, first come, first served, and the aquarium holds your ID while you have it. Every habitat viewing area is wheelchair accessible, with ramps and an elevator in the main lobby.
Minors must be with someone 14 or older at all times. Not allowed, including: weapons, sharp objects or things that look like weapons (like foam-dart guns and costume weapons), air horns and other noisemakers, musical instruments, balloons and other inflatables, costume masks, laser pointers, lighters, skateboards, scooters, roller skates, roller shoes and hoverboards, drones, kites and model aircraft, climbing equipment, outside alcohol, and any other item the aquarium deems dangerous, inappropriate or disruptive. Trained service dogs are welcome; pets and emotional support dogs are not.
Penguin and Stingray Encounters run daily except Wednesdays, with limited spaces, so reserve ahead. The Aquarium Theatre on the second floor shows 10-minute films included with admission, with no food or drinks.
Getting there: the aquarium is off I-15 at exit 291, and UTA's F514 bus from the Draper and South Jordan FrontRunner stations stops just west of it on Lone Peak Parkway. Don't park in the lot directly north of the aquarium. Free WiFi: Aquarium-Guest, no password.
Lantern Festival: an outdoor lantern walk on the Rio Tinto Kennecott Plaza from early November to early January, 5:30 to 10 pm, with a separate ticket (Museums for All and SNAP, EBT and WIC don't apply; members save 15%). It's closed Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Eve. The inside of the aquarium is open 5:30 to 9 pm, though some animals may be asleep, and Tuki's Island isn't open. Lines are usually longest right at 5:30, a visit usually takes about 2 hours, and it runs rain or shine; if severe weather cancels a night, tickets are transferable. Outside food isn't allowed, but you can bring an empty water bottle to refill.
