If your family is experiencing the Jurassic Era at home, marked by dinosaurs everywhere, T-Rex facts at the dinner table, and playground dates that inevitably include you reminding Junior to “make sure they know you’re a nice dinosaur, not a scary one,” then we’ve got the perfect playbook for your next summer adventure. From digging for dinosaur bones to marveling at life-size replicas, Atlanta dinosaur activities abound. Keep reading for our favorite ways to please your pint-sized paleontologist.

Fernbank Museum & 3D Theatre

Fernbank exhibitions and programming about natural history are hard to beat, but its permanent exhibitions—including Giants of the Mesozoic that has a 123-foot long Argentinosaurus and a Giganotosaurus—comes pretty close. The permanent exhibition, A Walk Through Time in Georgia, tells the twofold story of Georgia's natural history and the development of the planet, including the era of dinosaurs in today's Georgia.

767 Clifton Road NE
Atlanta, GA
404-929-6300
Online: fernbankmuseum.org

Dinosaur Explore

Extinct from Earth for millions of years, some Jurassic giants have made their way to Stone Mountain Park. This captivating creature collection features 20 life-size dinosaurs with special effects allowing them to move and roar just like their ancient ancestors. Begin your adventure with a trip through a time machine portal to find yourself among some of your pre-historic favorites including the giant T-Rex, Allosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Brachiosaurus, and more. Families will also enjoy interactive paleontology tents, fantastic photo ops, and a dinosaur feeding wall.

1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd.
Stone Mountain, GA
800-401-2407
Online: stonemountainpark.com

Tellus Science Museum

Stare into the mouth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex, catch a glimpse of a saber-tooth cat and discover how life on Earth began in the Tellus Fossil Gallery. This walk through history will take visitors past millions of years of dinosaurs, reptiles, and giant mammals that dominated the land, sea, and air before becoming extinct. Follow up a tour of this gallery with a visit to the Fossil Dig. For an enhanced learning experience, download and print your own Fossil Hunting License and bring it with you to identify your finds.

100 Tellus Drive
Cartersville, GA 30120
770-606-5700
Online: tellusmuseum.org

Photo via iStock.

—Shelley Massey

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If your kid is in a dinosaurs-are-so-cool phase, or you’re just into quirky roadside attractions, make a pit stop at Virginia’s Dinosaur Land. Tucked behind the trees near the Shenandoah National Park, Dinosaur Land features nearly 50 large dinosaur statues, all baring a nice set of dagger teeth. It’s random and wacky—and completely unforgettable.

It’s a TRIP
Tack a stop here onto a larger excursion — on the way to go camping or hiking at Shenandoah National Park, for instance. Or make it a 45-minute detour from a spelunking adventure through Luray Caverns. Dinosaur Land is open daily and costs no more than $6 per person. It will remind you (in case you forgot) of what it was like back in the Mesozoic era when dinosaurs were the only creatures roaming the earth.

Say Cheese!
Family owned and operated for more than 50 years (apparently dinosaur roadside parks were all the rage in the 1950’s and ’60’s), there are ample photo opportunities here. Climb into the hand of an enormous, snaggle-toothed King Kong. Pose for a snapshot inside the razor-sharp jaws of a shark. Hug the biggest octopus you’re sure to ever see. You’ll be glad you preserved the memories.

Dinos 101
Learn along the way by reading informative explanations of each creature’s eating habits and evolutionary position. For example, if you thought T-Rex was the biggest of the dinosaurs, you would be wrong: There was an even bigger one, appropriately called Gigantosaurus.

3848 Stonewall Jackson Hwy. (White Post, Va)
540-869-2222
Online: dinosaurland.com
Open: Daily, 9:30 am-6 pm; closed Jan. 1-Feb. 28
Cost: $6/11 and up; $5/ages 2-10; Free/under 2

Have you ever been to Dinosaur World? Tell us about it in the comments section below. 

— Jamy Bond and Ayren Jackson-Cannady

Photos courtesy of Jamy Bond

This spring, take a quick trip to Field Station: Dinosaurs and bond with your Jurassic era friends. The dinosaur-themed walking park opened last year in Secaucus, New Jersey and re-opened for the season earlier this month. So why should you jump on the prehistoric bandwagon and check out the attraction? Keep reading to find out. Plus, see our insider tips on making your visit great.

The life-size animatronic dinosaurs on display will awe your lil’ paleontologist and the whole family can experience the park easily since it’s ADA accessible, which means you can maneuver a stroller through the dinos no problem.

Over thirty creatures are featured in this theme park that feels like a prehistoric nature preserve. Paved and gravel paths wind their way throughout and feature moving, roaring dinosaurs that react to passers-by, thanks to special motion-detection sensors. It can be awesome for your older kids, but just keep an eye on your little guys under age three in case some find them a little too realistic! Spend two hours meandering through the paths to see the dinosaurs or make it a whole-day affair with lunch and activities.

Must See and Do List
This year, the museum has really beefed up the fun with new activities! Here are our top five picks:

Ampitheater Shows: New this year are two live 20-minute shows. Don’t miss Dino Whodunit to find out with the resident T-Rex why dinosaurs became extinct or Dragons to Dinosaurs, an interactive show with music and puppets about ancient folklore.

Fossil Dig Site: Unearth giant dinosaur skeletons and real fossils and experience what it’s like to join a scientific expedition.

Dinosaur Dance Party: Swing to the “Dimetrodon Dance,” a 200-million year old dance craze and boogie down to the music of the Dinosaur Troubadour.

Mesozoic Concentration: Use your memory in a fast-paced game where you mix and match the tools of a paleontologist to uncover the secrets of the world’s most successful dinosaur hunters.

What Color is your Dinosaur: Help paint an original dinosaur mural or become a paint splattering expert at this art-based activity. Contact the park for exact program times.  

Insider Tips
Stick to our tips for the best visit. Field Station is a growing theme park, and like your kiddos might require a little of patience. But it’s definitely worth the visit!

Tickets: Buy your admission tickets in advance online or over the phone. You’ll save $5 per adult and over $2 per kid compared to the box office price. If you think you’ll visit more than three times this year, consider the season pass.

Dining: You can bring your own lunch to enjoy at the picnic area or buy basic concessions fare (think burgers, popcorn, ice cream) from the on-site food stands. It’s cash only, so come prepared.

Parking: If you drive, there is on-site parking for $10, which is cash-only, too. Whatever you drive, don’t park your car in Laurel Hill Park. The park is monitored and vehicles will be ticketed.

Restrooms: Portable toilet trailers are the only restrooms on site, so plan accordingly. Potty visits before leaving home and diaper changes in the car might be easier.

How to Get There
Good news! You don’t need a car to see the dinos. From New York Penn Station, you can take NJ Transit rail to Secaucus Junction and it only takes 9 minutes. From there it’s a 10-minute walk to Field Station. Several NJ Transit bus lines will drop you off at Secaucus Junction, too. Want to drive? Very clear driving directions are listed on the park’s Web site.

Field Station: Dinosaurs
One Dinosaur Way
Secaucus, Nj
Cost: At the door $25-$40 for adults, $20-$35 for kids ages 3-12 and seniors 65+, kids under 2 free
Hours: In April, open Fri., Sat. & Sun., 10:00 am – 6:00 pm
Online: fieldstationdinosaurs.com

Let us know about your visit to Field Station: Dinosaurs and share your favorite tips!

— Sarah K. Choi

photos courtesy of Field Station: Dinosaurs