Table of Contents
List Of Best Dinosaur Museums In The US
- Museum of the Rockies – Bozeman, Montana
- Wyoming Dinosaur Center – Thermopolis, Wyoming
- Field Museum – Chicago, Illinois
- Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Los Angeles, California
- American Museum of Natural History – New York City, New York
- Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Washington DC
- Las Vegas Natural History Museum – Las Vegas, Nevada
- Dinosaur National Monument – Jensen, Utah
- Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
- Dinosphere at The Children’s Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana
- Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History – Norman, Oklahoma
- Houston Museum of Natural Science – Houston, Texas
Let us discuss about these best dinosaur museums of America.
Best Dinosaur Museums In The US: Description
1. Museum of the Rockies – Bozeman, Montana
The Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Montana, is a fantastic place to explore the world of dinosaurs. It has an incredible collection of dinosaur fossils because Montana is known for its dinosaur discoveries. You can see impressive dinosaurs like the T-Rex and the huge Allosaurus in the Siebel Dinosaur Complex. The museum also has many T-Rex and Triceratops skulls, dino babies, eggs, and nests. A unique feature of this museum is the Bowman Dinosaur Viewing Lab, where you can watch scientists work on real dinosaur fossils and even ask them questions.
2. Wyoming Dinosaur Center – Thermopolis, Wyoming
The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis, Wyoming, offers a one-of-a-kind experience because it is located near active dig sites. Instead of bringing fossils to the museum, you can come to the place where they are found. You’ll love seeing Jimbo the supersaurus and Lori the hesperornis, the largest and smallest dinosaurs discovered in Wyoming. One of the most exciting activities at the Dinosaur Center is the “Dig for a Day” experience. You can actually go out with paleontologists and work at the dig site, which is really awesome!
3. Field Museum – Chicago, Illinois
The Field Museum in Chicago, Illinois, is home to one of the most famous dinosaur exhibits in the world. You can’t miss Sue, the incredible nearly complete T-Rex, when you visit. The museum does an awesome job explaining how Sue came to be and what scientists have learned from her skeleton. In the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet, you can see dinosaurs displayed within an evolutionary context. Make sure not to miss the 3D movies that give you even more insight into Sue the T-Rex and Titanosaur Máximo, another impressive dinosaur on display.
4. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Los Angeles, California
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in Los Angeles, California, is truly one of the best museums for dinosaur enthusiasts. It has over 300 fossils and 20 mounted skeletons on display. What’s unique about this museum is that you can see T-Rexs at different stages of life, including a two-year-old, 14-year-old, and 17-year-old. Keep an eye out for the plesiosaur with an unborn baby preserved in her abdomen – the only one of its kind. The museum also has videos showing how their teams discover and dig up new fossils. Don’t miss the Dino Lab, where you can watch paleontologists working on fossils, and the Dinosaur Encounters live performance with life-size dinosaur puppets.
5. American Museum of Natural History – New York City, New York
The American Museum of Natural History in New York City is the largest dinosaur museum in the US. It has a whole floor dedicated to fossils, including 100 different dinosaurs. The museum has been showcasing dinosaurs since 1905, making it one of the oldest and most iconic places to see dinosaurs. You can explore the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs and the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs, where you’ll find incredible displays. Make sure to visit the fourth floor for the enormous Titanosaur, which has been there since 2016.
6. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History – Washington DC
The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington DC has an impressive dinosaur exhibition that was recently renovated. They have created a more dynamic and interesting display, showing dinosaurs in energetic poses. You can see a massive T-Rex in the middle of devouring a triceratops, which is quite a sight! The museum allows visitors to touch some of the dino fossils, providing a personal experience with what they’re seeing. The best part is that this incredible museum is open every day of the year and free for all visitors.
7. Las Vegas Natural History Museum – Las Vegas, Nevada
For a realistic dinosaur experience, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum in Las Vegas, Nevada, is the place to be. They have created replicas of some of our favorite dinosaurs and placed them in designed habitats complete with sounds and movement. You’ll be amazed when a 35-foot T-Rex lowers its head toward you, baring its teeth and roaring. Make sure to check out the mummified dino, Leonardo, which was naturally mummified before being fossilized. It gives us a rare look at the dinosaur’s skin texture.
8. Dinosaur National Monument – Jensen, Utah
Dinosaur National Monument in Jensen, Utah, offers a unique opportunity to see real dinosaur fossils in their natural setting. The Quarry Exhibition Hall is built around a wall of rock that was once a riverbed. You can see over 1,500 dinosaur bones right where they were solidified in time. Unlike other museums, the fossils are still in the ground instead of being mounted. Interactive displays help you visualize how the bones fit together and reconstruct the dinosaurs. The monument also has amazing hikes where you can see petroglyphs and more dinosaur bones.
9. Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Academy of Natural Sciences in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a long history with dinosaur exhibits. It was the first place to mount a dinosaur skeleton for display back in 1868. Today, it continues to be one of the best dinosaur museums in the US. You can see about 15 different fully mounted dinosaur skeletons and dozens of other specimens. The Dinosaur Hall features standing T-Rex, Avaceratops, Chasmosaurus, Pachycephalosaurus, Tenontosaurus, and Tylosaurus. It’s a fascinating place to learn about these ancient creatures.
10. Carnegie Museum of Natural History – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
The Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has been a prominent dinosaur museum since 1907 when the first Diplodocus Carnegii, known as “Dippy,” was displayed. The museum continues to exhibit dinosaurs as accurately as possible, updating displays as new information is learned. You can visit the museum’s Paleolab and watch paleontologists examine and work with dinosaur fossils. The museum is open daily, and discounted entry is available after 3 pm on weekdays.
11. Dinosphere at The Children’s Museum – Indianapolis, Indiana
The Dinosphere at The Children’s Museum in Indianapolis, Indiana, is a paradise for kids who love dinosaurs. As soon as you arrive, you’ll notice the larger-than-life sauropods climbing up the side of the museum. Inside, you’ll find a fantastic experience with fully mounted dinosaur skeletons and lifelike animatronic dinos that move and make noise. There are also touchable fossils, interactive digital displays, dino art, and a Paleo Lab where you can explore. It’s a place where kids can truly understand and appreciate these amazing creatures.
12. Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History – Norman, Oklahoma
The Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History in Norman, Oklahoma, is a treasure trove for dinosaur enthusiasts. In the Siegfried Family Hall of Ancient Life, you can marvel at a variety of dinosaur specimens. From the impressive Apatosaurus to the fearsome Saurophaganax, there are many skeletons on display. You can also see a Smilodon fighting an Arctodus over the body of a bison, which creates a dynamic and exciting scene. The museum has interactive displays and educational information that will help you learn more about these fascinating creatures. Don’t forget to visit the Fossil Gallery, Bringing Fossils to Life, and the Diorama exhibitions to see even more amazing fossils and learn about prehistoric life in Oklahoma.
13. Houston Museum of Natural Science – Houston, Texas
The Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston, Texas, is a must-visit for dinosaur lovers. In the Morian Hall of Paleontology, you’ll find a vast collection of fossils and skeletons that will amaze you. From the stegosaurus to the T-Rex, there are many enormous dinosaurs to discover. The museum has done a fantastic job in presenting these dinosaurs in action, showing predator-prey scenes that make the exhibits come to life. You can also explore the Cretaceous gallery, which features a variety of fascinating creatures. With interactive displays and educational information, the museum offers a fun and educational experience for kids and adults alike.
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Summing Up
These are the best dinosaur museums to visit in the US. You will have a different experience in each museum. I hope you enjoy these incredible dinosaur museums.