20 Dinosaur Museums & Prehistoric Places We Dig

This dynamic science museum is one of the most kid friendly things to do in Columbus, offering hundreds of hands-on exhibits, a planetarium, a giant screen theater, and engaging live shows. It's a fun and interactive way to explore science and technology for all ages.

Sarah Calamita:  If you have dinosaur lovers this is THE place to go. The great thing is you can go in and spend a few hours inside, but then it is right on the lake so you can spend time outside and walk the path along the lake! It is an amazing museum. Don't miss the SUE exhibit!

Chicago Children's Museum is located at Navy Pier along with restaurants and cruise boats. Hands-on exhibits include digging for bones at Dinosaur Expedition, and getting your fingertips wet at Waterways. There are also a couple indoor playgrounds, one at the Kovler Family Climbing Schooner and another at the enchanting forest exhibit, Treehouse Trails.

The Dinosaur Discovery Museum is part of the Kenosha Public Museum, and displays casts of actual dinosaur fossil bones in the main gallery. It is the only museum to focus on the link between meat-eating dinosaurs and birds, one of the most complete known fossil records.

christadiserio:  You could take a week to view all of the natural wonders in this natural history museum that houses the Hope Diamond, a room with live butterflies, and even a live coral reef. The museum's collection of gigantic dinosaur skeletons, human remains, fossils, meteorites and more is nothing short of impressive.

Emily N:  The Museum of Natural History is probably one the most iconic museums in NYC and another must-see. There is so much to see in this huge museum that it calls for multiple visits! Kids love the dinosaurs (who doesn't?!), the giant whale who hangs from the ceiling at the Hall of Ocean Life and of course the very cool planetarium. AMNH hosts events and programs throughout the year for children and families as well making it the perfect place to return to again and again.

Kelly R:  Explore hundreds of fossilized dinosaur tracks in the domed exhibit center, only a small portion of the tracks that have been discovered at this cool Connecticut dinosaur spot. There are a variety of interactive exhibits and activities for kids, and families are even welcome to cast a souvenir dinosaur footprint (you must bring your own supplies).

Tracy Snyder Molina:  A host of science-based exhibits thrill families, including a garden walk & insect zoo, indoor lightning demonstrations and a play-based park exhibit where kids can learn about the science of motion. Dinosaur lovers won't want to miss the nearly-complete triceratops skeleton and full-size T-rex model. Kids love shows in the 4-D theater, planetarium and IMAX dome.

This dinosaur park near Fort Worth has preserved Sauropod and Theropod tracks at multiple sites along the Paluxy riverbed. In addition to the dinosaur experience, families can hike, bike, camp, and swim or fish in the river.

Stephanie W.:  This fun dinosaur place in the Black Hills is on a sandstone ridge where dinosaurs have been found. There are life-size dinosaur sculptures to check out as you wander the park, a gift shop and visitor center, and gorgeous 100-mile views of the South Dakota Badlands.

Gina I.:  This National Natural Landmark is considered the top dinosaur tracksite in America. One of the most kid friendly things to do in Denver, children can explore tracks and fossils on the famous Dinosaur Ridge Trail (a self-guided walking tour is free). There's a visitor's center with a Triceratops skull, T-rex teeth, and hands-on experiences like a simulated dinosaur dig!

Kelly R:  This geology and paleontology museum on the Casper College campus is well worth a trip with dinosaur loving kids...just look for the life-size T-Rex statue outside. Many amazing finds are packed into a small space, including an enormous Columbian Mammoth skeleton, a Torosaurus skull and hands-on dinosaur exhibits for kids.

Kelly R:  A terrific dinosaur museum has many mounted skeletons on display, along with information about how the species lived. There are active dinosaur dig sites here, and visitors of all ages can choose to take a tour or participate in an actual dig experience.

Kelly R:  This small but mighty dinosaur museum in Montana has some amazing fossils on display, including a Stegosaurus, Camarasaurus and duck-billed dinosaurs. Check out the cool Junior Paleontologist experience for your dinosaur lovers, which offers a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum and fossil preparation lab.

Kelly R:  The main attraction here is the enormous wall of dinosaur bones inside the Quarry Exhibit Hall, with 1,500 Late Jurassic fossils from Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Stegosaurus and more. There are even places where you can touch! If you have more time to spare, the park offers amazing views, pteroglyph hikes and river rafting.