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Calf feeding demonstration at Thanksgiving Point

Thanksgiving Point

A large garden, museum, and farm complex in Lehi, Utah

Photo: Erivan79 ( talk ) ( Uploads ), CC BY 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Thanksgiving Point is a nonprofit complex in Lehi, Utah, with gardens, museums, a working farm, and a butterfly conservatory. Visitors can explore themed gardens, see hundreds of butterflies, learn about dinosaurs, and enjoy seasonal festivals and classes.

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  • Ashton Gardens covers 55 acres with 15 themed gardens
  • Butterfly Biosphere houses hundreds of butterfly species
  • Hosts a popular spring tulip festival each year
  • Museum of Ancient Life features one of the largest fossil cast collections
  • Founded in 1995 as a community gift

What is Thanksgiving Point?

Thanksgiving Point is a large public destination with indoor and outdoor attractions. Its 55-acre Ashton Gardens feature themed areas such as a Monet pond, a rose garden with 60 varieties, and a replica of The Secret Garden. The Butterfly Biosphere houses hundreds of butterfly species and other insects. There is a working farm with animals and gardens, and two museums: one focused on dinosaurs and ancient life, and another on science and curiosity for children. Visitors also find event spaces, dining, and seasonal displays.

The history of Thanksgiving Point

Founded in 1995 by Alan and Karen Ashton, Thanksgiving Point began as a gift of farmland in Lehi, Utah, intended as a community garden and farm experience. The name was chosen to express gratitude. The first public venue, Farm Country, opened in 1996, followed by the gardens in 1997 and the Museum of Ancient Life in 2000. Over time, the complex expanded to include more museums, gardens, and educational spaces, growing into a major regional attraction.

What there is to see

The gardens were designed with input from landscape architect Leonard Grassli and now include 15 themed spaces. Ashton Gardens demonstrates water-wise gardening and features a large water reclamation system. The Butterfly Biosphere is a USDA-certified conservatory with a walk-through path among butterflies. Farm Country maintains demonstration gardens and offers daily animal encounters. The museums present interactive exhibits, fossil casts, and hands-on science activities. Classes and seasonal events are held throughout the year.

Overlooking the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, UT on a beautiful morning.
Overlooking the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point, Lehi, UT on a beautiful morning.. Photo: Darrenrs, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
This is the main lobby of the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah, U.S.A. It displays a depiction of a Torvosaurus dinosaur skeleton pursuing a herd of Othnielosaurus .
This is the main lobby of the Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, Utah, U.S.A. It displays a depiction. Photo: leon7, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Tulips at Thanksgiving Point tulip festival
Tulips at Thanksgiving Point tulip festival. Photo: Rockclaw1030, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

When to go

Thanksgiving Point is open year-round, drawing about 2.8 million visitors annually. It hosts a spring tulip festival, a corn maze in autumn, and a winter lights event called Luminaria. The gardens and event spaces are popular for weddings, parties, and community gatherings. Educational programs for all ages cover gardening, crafts, animal care, and science. The site is also used for university extension classes and horticulture training.

Parts and collections

Within Ashton Gardens, visitors find a range of themed areas, including a Monet-inspired pond, a rose garden with many varieties, and the Light of the World Garden with 35 large bronze sculptures. The Butterfly Biosphere features changing displays of butterfly species from around the world. The museums offer rotating exhibits and special events. Each part of Thanksgiving Point offers a different experience, from quiet garden walks to interactive science play.

Why Thanksgiving Point matters

Thanksgiving Point is a community hub in Utah, known for its educational mission and seasonal festivals. The Light of the World Garden features sculptures depicting scenes from the life of Jesus, reflecting local religious culture. The gardens and museums serve as gathering places for families, students, and visitors. Thanksgiving Point is recognized for its role in horticultural education and as a venue for public events.

Questions people ask about Thanksgiving Point

What is Thanksgiving Point?

Thanksgiving Point is a nonprofit complex in Lehi, Utah, with gardens, museums, a working farm, and a butterfly conservatory. It offers educational programs, seasonal festivals, and event spaces for visitors.

Where is Thanksgiving Point located?

Thanksgiving Point is in Lehi, Utah, United States. It is easily accessible from the surrounding region and serves as a major local attraction.

What can visitors see at Ashton Gardens?

Ashton Gardens features 15 themed gardens, including a Monet pond, a rose garden with 60 varieties, and a replica of The Secret Garden. It also has water-wise demonstration areas and the Light of the World sculpture garden.

Are there special events at Thanksgiving Point?

Yes, Thanksgiving Point hosts events like a spring tulip festival, a corn maze in autumn, and a winter holiday lights display called Luminaria. It also offers classes and workshops year-round.

What is unique about the Butterfly Biosphere?

The Butterfly Biosphere is Utah's first insectarium, with a USDA-certified conservatory housing hundreds of exotic butterflies and other insects from around the world. Visitors can walk among the butterflies and see live insect exhibits.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Thanksgiving Point", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Opening times, prices and bloom dates change: check with the place before you travel. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.

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The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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