We always enjoy visiting This is the Place Heritage Park. We visited This is the Place Heritage Park during the Winter Season last year. We have also attended the Candlelight Christmas event. This year we were able to visit during the weekend of the Baby Animal Celebration. There were a lot of fun activities going on, but most of them are always happening at this amazing state park. So get ready for Summer Season at This is the Place Heritage Park.
The fun part of the Baby Animal Celebration is obviously going to see the baby animals. The park says that this time of year usually lasts through the end of May. We saw baby goats, pigs, bunnies, ducks, and even a puppy. Our boys favorite part was the chance to pet and hold little chicks. We had to hold one of every color. There were also pony rides going on in the animal section of the park (we didn’t wait in line for one, but you definitely should).
We spent a lot of the day visiting the village. We love wandering through the different buildings and listening to the artisans teaching us about pioneer life. When we visited during the Winter Season, there were not nearly as many buildings and activities going on as when we went during the Summer Season. Most of the buildings were open with fun activities for the children. We loved going to school for a short lesson. Another favorite was learning how to do pioneer chores. Our boys even got to create patterns in the leather, but they didn’t want to live in the shop as apprentices and learn the trade.
There is a new section at This is the Place Heritage Park since we last visited. There is a model of the ship Brooklyn. Kids (and adults) can climb on the ship and enjoy the beautiful view. They can also climb in the ship and check out the sleeping conditions. There is even a small stream where you can pan for gold. Make sure to hold on to the gold you find because you can take it back to the bank and have it weighed!
This new area is next to a large house called the Treasure House. It has a little bit of information about mining and you can climb the spiral staircase to overlook the Salt Lake Valley. You can also purchase a few different rock activities such as breaking a geode open, or an activity to search for gems. The final activity here is a mini train ride. There is a small pond that the train circles that was filled with geese. We even saw a goose nesting, and a nest with an egg! We had a blast at this new part of the park.
Across the way from the ship and treasure house is a new Native American Village that is currently under construction. We can’t wait to visit and see the fun activities that they include in this area.
We love that you can hop on the train that circles the park at anytime and ride it back to a different part of the park. So make sure to ride the train when those little legs get tired. The train has stops by the Treasure House, near the entrance, and at the top of Heritage Village by the hotel.
We tried something new this trip. We were given a coupon for a dozen mini-donuts at Brigham’s shop with our tickets, and they definitely did not disappoint. I think we might have to stop and get a few dozen every time we visit now (I do have a donut problem, though).
This is the Place Heritage Park is a fun, hands-on adventure that helps families get a small glimpse into the life of a pioneer. We love visiting so we can teach our boys about their heritage. And any time of year is a great time to visit! The Baby Animal Celebration only happens one day, but you can enjoy baby animals all spring long. For more information about Baby Animal Celebration, visit This is the Place.
