20 Dinosaur Museums & Prehistoric Places We Dig

Kelly R.:  One of the best Columbus family attractions, COSI is a hands-on science center featuring a giant screen theater, planetarium, and a number of exhibits including a dinosaur gallery, an interactive ocean area and an outdoor science park. Everything at COSI is kid friendly, but the fabulous Little Kidspace keeps the first-grade and under set coming back.

Shila:  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.

Shila:  The Dinosaur Discovery Museum is part of the Kenosha Public Museum, and displays casts of actual dinosaur fossil bones in the main gallery. Families can see cool artifacts while exploring the museum, and the gallery wall projects environmental & animal sounds.

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.

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.

Stephanie W.:  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!

Kristy Pepping:  Don't miss this pit stop for kids who love dinosaurs when you're visiting Los Angeles! Remember them from Pee-wee’s Big Adventure? The park includes a dinosaur walk, dino dig, fossil panning and access to climb inside Mr. Rex all the way up to his mouth.

Erynn:  The whole family can learn about birds, dinosaurs, insects, mammals, and more at the Natural History Museum. Beyond their regular family-friendly exhibits, the museum caters to kids with touchable minerals, furs and fossils, authentic scientific exploration tools, and an insect zoo. Interactive shows (some feature actors dressed as dinosaurs!) round out the educational entertainment.