Dinosaur Journey Museum facts for kids

The Dinosaur Journey Museum, also known as the Museums of Western Colorado’s Dinosaur Journey, is an exciting museum located in Fruita, within Mesa County, Colorado. This museum is a fantastic place to explore the world of dinosaurs and learn about the ancient creatures that once roamed our planet. It's especially known for its amazing dinosaur exhibits and interactive displays that bring the prehistoric past to life!

Welcome to Dinosaur Journey!

The Dinosaur Journey Museum is a special place where you can travel back in time millions of years. It's dedicated to teaching visitors all about dinosaurs, fossils, and the science of paleontology. Paleontology is the study of ancient life, including dinosaurs, through their fossils. The museum is located in an area rich with dinosaur history, making it a perfect spot to learn about these incredible animals.

What You'll Discover

When you visit the Dinosaur Journey Museum, you'll find many exciting things to see and do. It's designed to be fun and educational for everyone, especially young explorers interested in dinosaurs.

Amazing Dinosaur Skeletons

One of the main attractions at the museum is its collection of real dinosaur skeletons and casts. You can see giant bones from creatures like the long-necked Diplodocus or the powerful Allosaurus. These skeletons help us imagine how huge and impressive these animals were when they were alive. Each skeleton tells a story about how dinosaurs lived, what they ate, and how they moved.

Roaring Robotic Dinosaurs

Get ready for some excitement! The museum features incredible robotic dinosaurs that move and even roar. These life-sized models are built to look just like real dinosaurs, giving you a thrilling glimpse into what it might have been like to stand next to a living dinosaur. They help make the ancient world feel very real and alive.

See Science in Action!

The Dinosaur Journey Museum also has a working fossil preparation lab. Here, you can watch real paleontologists and volunteers carefully clean and prepare fossils that have been found in the ground. It's like watching a detective solve a mystery, but with ancient bones! You can see how much work goes into getting a fossil ready for display or study. Sometimes, you might even get to touch real dinosaur bones!

Explore the Ancient World

The museum doesn't just show you dinosaurs; it helps you understand the world they lived in. You'll learn about the different periods of the Mesozoic Era, like the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods, when dinosaurs ruled the Earth.

Digging Up the Past

The area around Fruita, Colorado, is famous for its dinosaur fossil discoveries. Many important fossils have been found nearby, and the museum highlights these local finds. You can learn about the exciting expeditions where scientists uncover new clues about prehistoric life right in Colorado. It shows how new discoveries are still being made today!

Plan Your Visit

The Dinosaur Journey Museum is a great place for a family trip or a school outing. It offers a unique chance to connect with science and history in a fun and interactive way. Make sure to check their official website for current hours and any special exhibits before you go. It's an adventure waiting to happen!