Pioneer Memorial Museum, Salt Lake City

Step back into the past at this museum dedicated to Utah pioneers, boasting "the world's largest collection of artifacts on one particular subject". The entirety of the building houses the everyday items that Mormon settlers brought with them and used – everything from teacups to sewing machines to eyeglasses to children's toys. Although most of the items are commonplace, some are quite a treat to see, such as a restored steam engine from the American Fire Engine Company or the dresses and doll collections. Some of the displays are truly bizarre, including a collection of rattlesnake rattles, a petrified potato, a two-headed lamb, Victorian hair art and a "bloodstone" that Mormon leader Brigham Young believed to be endowed with magical properties. In addition, you may find wonderful maps of the original Salt Lake Valley settlement, as well as a cool replica of the golden spike that marked the completion of the First Transcontinental Railroad.

The museum does not seem that large, but it will take a while to make your way through due to the sheer volume of things to look at. The staff is made up of friendly volunteers that will offer a map to help with orientation. At a bare minimum, it will take around half an hour to walk through all of the floors and quickly glance through them, though you can easily spend an hour or more. No detail is left unturned on anything at all, with dozens of examples each time.

The Pioneer Memorial Museum is a nice spot to soak in some Utah history effortlessly by sight alone!