I grew up with a younger brother who loved dinosaurs, especially Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus Rex. This summer, when he and his kids are in town from Seattle, I know we’ll trek down to the Minnesota Zoo in Apple Valley and check out the dinosaurs on display at the zoo. The zoo’s Dinosaurs exhibit opens this Saturday, May 26, and runs through September 3 (cost: $4 with admission).
No, the zoo doesn’t have real, live dinosaurs roaming the grounds, but it does have 15 larger-than-life animatronic dinosaurs that visitors can find on the Northern Trail. Dinos on display include Tyrannosaurus Rex, Troodon, Diplophosaurus, Giganotosaurus, Brachiosaurus, and Chasmosaurus. And these big guys don’t just stand there, they move and roar. You can even sit on a T-Rex for a photo op.
gigantosaurus and tyrannosaurus Rex. photos courtesy of Minnesota zoo
Opening weekend is full of activities, if you happen to be in the area this Memorial Day. Meet Dr. Bone-a-Part, listen to music, get your face painted or learn from the zookeepers. Then, throughout the summer, the zoo will have Dino Nites, with music, face painting, and more (from 6:30-9 p.m. on June 14 & 26 and July 24, adults only 18+ on July 12, check online for pricing and registration), and Dinos and Donuts, an early morning adventure via the Dino Train (from 7:45-9:30 a.m. on June 9, 23 & 30, July 7 and August 11 & 18, adults only on July 14, check online for pricing and registration).
Did you know the name dinosaur translates as “terrible or wondrous lizards”? Test your dino knowledge in a trivia quiz on the zoo website.
Once you’ve visited the Dinos, stick around the zoo and check out Russia’s Grizzly Coast, Penguins of the African Coast, and other exciting exhibits or take in a film at the Great Clips IMAX Theatre.
Here are a few videos to get you excited for Dinosaurs at the Minnesota Zoo!
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