Missouri Dinosaur Attractions and Events | Dinos and Designs

Bollinger County Library

What to Expect

Discover a piece of Missouri’s unique prehistoric history at the Bollinger County Library. While you’re browsing for books, you can also view actual fossils of the Parrosaurus missouriensis, the official state dinosaur! It’s an unexpected and fascinating stop for anyone interested in the ancient creatures that once roamed this very region.

The Prehistoric Experience

Following the closure of the Bollinger County Museum of Natural History, the library now has bones and models of the Parrosaurus missouriensis, Missouri’s state dinosaur, on display.

Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Every Second Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Branson Dinosaur Museum

What to Expect

Get ready for a roaring good time at the Branson Dinosaur Museum, an attraction designed with the young and young-at-heart in mind! With over 45 life-sized dinosaur replicas, this is your chance to walk among the giants of the past. It’s a fun, educational, and totally hands-on Jurassic adventure for the whole family!

The Prehistoric Experience

This museum features over 45 life-sized, detailed dinosaur replicas created by paleo-artists from fossil molds. The self-guided tour allows you to learn about herbivores and carnivores, see a fossil exhibit, and even touch a real dinosaur bone.

Hours: Seasonal hours apply. Generally open daily from 10:00 AM, with earlier openings and later closings depending on the season. Check website for specifics.

Crystal Cave

What to Expect

Step back in time, both geologically and prehistorically, at Crystal Cave! After exploring the stunning natural formations of this historic cave, take a stroll on the wild side down the brand-new Dino Trail. It’s a unique adventure that combines the wonder of the underground world with the thrill of the age of dinosaurs.

The Prehistoric Experience

The ‘Dino Trail’ is a nature walk featuring over 30 life-size dinosaur models, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex and Triceratops. Each dinosaur has an identification sign with interesting facts, making it a fun and educational outdoor experience.

Hours: Hours vary seasonally, check website for current times.

Dinosaur Canyon Golf

What to Expect

Putt your way through a prehistoric paradise at Dinosaur Canyon Golf in Branson! This isn’t your average mini-golf course; it’s an adventure through a land that time forgot, complete with waterfalls, a volcano, and, of course, dinosaurs! Grab your putter and get ready for a dino-mite time with the whole family.

The Prehistoric Experience

This is an 18-hole miniature golf course with a dinosaur theme, featuring several dinosaur statues and a volcano with real fire as obstacles and decoration.

Hours: Hours vary seasonally, typically open daily.

Discovery Center of Springfield

What to Expect

Ignite your curiosity and embark on a prehistoric adventure at the Discovery Center of Springfield! This hands-on science center is an playground of discovery for all ages, featuring the incredible Jurassic Discovery Unearthed exhibit. It’s an inspiring and educational experience where you can make science, and even paleontology, a hands-on adventure.

The Prehistoric Experience

The ‘Jurassic Discovery Unearthed’ gallery is a permanent exhibit featuring impressive animatronic dinosaurs, including a Tyrannosaurus Rex and a Triceratops. Visitors can operate a hadrosaur, dig for fossils in a sand pit, and take photos riding a Triceratops or inside the jaws of a T-Rex.

Hours: Tuesday-Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Monday: Closed

Discovery Playhouse

What to Expect

At Discovery Playhouse, kids can be paleontologists for a day in a wonderfully interactive environment! This children’s museum offers a fantastic blend of fun and learning, perfect for younger adventurers. Get ready for some hands-on history that will spark your child’s imagination and curiosity!

The Prehistoric Experience

The ‘Discover Dinosaurs Paleontology Lab’ allows visitors to work on a real Triceratops fossil skull named ‘Sage’. This hands-on exhibit provides an opportunity to experience real paleontology work. The lab has limited hours, so it is best to call ahead.

Hours: Tuesday-Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Friday: 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM; Sunday: 1:00 PM – 6:00 PM; Monday: Closed

Jurassic Land

What to Expect

Step back in time at Jurassic Land for an interactive prehistoric adventure your kids will never forget! With so many hands-on activities, from digging for fossils to riding a dinosaur, this indoor attraction is the perfect place for families to play, learn, and make memories together. Get ready to meet some friendly dinosaurs and unleash your inner paleontologist!

The Prehistoric Experience

Jurassic Land is an interactive attraction where visitors can participate in a fossil/gem dig, an archaeological dig, and ride a stationary dinosaur. The experience also includes a laboratory visit for a test tube project, a virtual reality dinosaur experience, and various dinosaur-themed games and displays.

Hours: Hours vary seasonally, please check website for current times.

Jurassic Quest x Brick Fest

Dates: November 14, 2025 to November 16, 2025

What to Expect

Get ready for a mega-event of prehistoric proportions as Jurassic Quest and Brick Fest join forces for an unforgettable family adventure! Witness over 165 million years of animatronic dinosaurs and marvel at incredible LEGO creations all in one place. With hands-on activities, life-sized dinos, and millions of bricks, this is a can’t-miss event for builders and dino-lovers alike!

The Prehistoric Experience

A traveling event featuring a large and realistic dinosaur exhibit with true-to-size animatronic dinosaurs. It includes a variety of dinosaur-themed rides, interactive baby dinosaur shows, fossil digs, and other hands-on activities.

Hours: Friday: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Saturday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM; Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM (Hours may be subject to change)

Living Dinosaurs at Branson’s Wild World

What to Expect

Branson’s Wild World offers a thrilling journey through the animal kingdom, with a special stop in prehistoric times! The ‘Living Dinosaurs’ exhibit is a captivating experience where you can see the survivors of the ancient world and stand next to their fearsome ancestors. It’s an adventure that’s millions of years in the making!

The Prehistoric Experience

This exhibit features life-size dinosaur models and animatronics, as well as real fossils of dinosaur eggs and bones. It also showcases modern-day animals that are considered ‘living dinosaurs,’ such as crocodiles, turtles, and ancient fish species.

Hours: Generally open daily 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM, with hours varying by season.

Missouri Institute of Natural Science

What to Expect

Unearth the ancient secrets of the Ozarks and come face-to-face with prehistoric giants at the Missouri Institute of Natural Science! This hidden gem offers a captivating journey through time, perfect for fossil hunters and dinosaur lovers of all ages. Best of all, admission is free, making it an affordable and educational adventure for the whole family.

The Prehistoric Experience

The museum’s collection features a variety of fossils and prehistoric bones, with the main attraction being ‘Henry,’ a massive and impressive Triceratops skeleton. Visitors can also explore the grounds and hunt for their own real fossils to take home.

Hours: Monday-Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Sunday: Closed

Schools Out Day: Dig It!

Dates: October 17, 2025 to October 17, 2025

What to Expect

When school is out, the fossils are in! Join the ‘Dig It!’ day camp at Wonders of Wildlife for a fossil frenzy your kids will love. They’ll get to be amateur paleontologists for a day, learning how fossils are made and uncovering the secrets of the past in a fun and engaging way!

The Prehistoric Experience

This is a single-day educational event for K-5th graders focused on paleontology. Participants will learn about how fossils are made, identify different fossil types, create their own fossils, and put together a mini-museum exhibit.

Hours: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM

Ste. Genevieve Museum Learning Center

What to Expect

Journey through millions of years of history, from the dawn of the dinosaurs to the modern day, at the Sainte Genevieve Museum Learning Center! Come face-to-face with life-sized dinosaurs in the incredible Hall of Giants and learn about Missouri’s very own state dinosaur. This world-class collection of artifacts and fossils offers an amazing adventure for the whole family!

The Prehistoric Experience

The ‘Hall of Giants’ features life-sized dinosaur replicas, including a T-Rex. The ‘Missouri Dinosaur Gallery’ tells the story of the Parrosaurus missouriensis, discovered nearby, and the museum has a lab for viewing scientific work on real dinosaur bones and fossils. There is also an exhibit with fossilized dinosaur eggs.

Hours: Open 7 days a week: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM