If you have a dinosaur-loving child (or adult) in your home, an exciting adventure awaits you only a car-ride away in neighboring Connecticut. Some of the biggest and best dinosaur-themed attractions in North America are closer than you think!
Travel back in time to the Age of Dinosaurs at one of the largest tracking sites in North America. Dinosaur State Park consists of more than 2 miles of trails, an Arboretum, Museum, hands on activities and a picnic area. Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the discovery of the tracks in Rocky Hill, special events are planned throughout the year including giveaways, book signings, nature programs and more.
While the trails are open year round, Tuesday through Sunday, outdoor activities such as track casting and mining are available each summer. Trails provide a beautiful, nature filled trek through a rich diversity of living things including red maple swamp, forest area of sugar maple, birch and others, open meadows and a traprock ridge which was once flowing with hot lava covering the habitat of Connecticut’s dinosaurs.
Inside the museum, exhibits include a model of Dilophosaurus, Anchisaurus and a Dimorphodon, a mural covered with dinosaur tracks, and a reconstruction of geologic formation including tracks, fossils and skeletal reproductions. The museum also includes a hands-on discovery room designed for both adults and children to explore and learn.
Finally, the Arboretum contains more than 200 varieties of plants with a direct link to those that existed during the Age of Dinosaurs. Species here include some familiar plants as well as unusual species with a goal to grow as many of the Mesozoic Era plant families as they can. Find more of the best National Park Day Trips here.
In Montville, CT sits another outdoor dinosaur adventure! At Nature’s Art Village & The Dinosaur Place, families come face to face with more the 40 life-sized dinosaurs on 1.5 miles of nature trails. Encompassing 60 acres of woodlands, you are emerged into the Jurassic era to explore touch and learn activities, Raptor Bay and picnic areas along the way.
One of the newest attractions at The Dinosaur Place is Monty’s Playground. This DINO-Sized playground has some of the coolest play features perfect for climbing, jumping, balancing and sliding. Just note that socks must be worn at all times here!
Other awesome attractions include A “Maze” asaurus; a mammoth-sized maze filled with twists and turns, New England’s largest Splashpad complete with waterfalls, cannons and more, Jurassic Moon Bounce and Discovery Depot where families can dig for crystals, pan for gold and unearth fossils.
There is no shortage of Dino-sized fun at either of these Dinosaur parks located within a day’s drive from most of the Hudson Valley. Check websites for special events, hours and ticket prices before you go. You can also find 15 of our top picks for Day Trips here.