With the release of Jurrasic World last weekend, we can’t help but crave more dinosaur knowledge. Where else to look than the world’s best dinosaur exhibits? We’ve searched far and wide to dig up the most interesting museums. From one-of-a-kind fossils to interactive exhibits, we can travel back 60 million years ago when these creatures once roamed the Earth and get a taste for what it would’ve been like to live amongst them.
Zigong Dinosaur Museum, China
This museum covers over 710,000 feet, making it one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world. What makes the Zigong so unique is that it rests on a key region for dinosaurs in China. In fact, the museum is placed atop an actual fossil site, giving visitors a glimpse into an actual excavation site.
Their displayed collection has 18 complete skeletons among 200 individuals pulled from the graveyard. Other exhibit features include mechanical dinosaurs and a vast array of dinosaur eggs.
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, Washington, D.C.
The Hall of Paleobiology at the Smithsonian Museum added its first fossils in 1859. They continue to lead expeditions around the world for new specimens to add to their collection.
Unfortunately, the hall will be closed until 2019 for major renovations. In the meantime, parts of the dinosaur collection are displayed around the museum, including a couple of their highlighted features; a long-necked diplodocus and an armored stegosaurus.
Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin
Established in 1810, this museum houses the tallest dinosaur in the world on display, a 41-foot, 5-inch Brachiosaurus making it a Guinness World Record holder. They also have a massive collection of bones excavated largely from Tanzania, featuring all kinds of species.
This museum also holds the most important archaeopteryx fossil in the world, demonstrating the birdlike link between dinosaurs and birds.
National Dinosaur Museum, Canberra, Australia
The National Dinosaur Museum holds the largest permanent display of dinosaurs, fossils, and impressive footprints from the prehistoric era. Another fun factor to this one-of-a-kind museum is the collection of dinosaur sculptures and animatronics that will make you forget that you live in a world without living dinosaurs.
The museum also provides fossil digs, guided tours, and children’s learning events.
Field Museum, Chicago, IL, U.S.A.
Meet Sue. She’s the largest Tyrannosaurs in the world and she’ll be there to greet you upon entering The Field Museum. Exhibits here include dinosaurs from as far away from as Madagascar and Antartica.
Other features of the museum include fossils, interactive displays, recreated seascapes and landscapes, and a showing of Walking T. Rex 3D: The Story of Sue.
Jurassic Land, Istanbul
If you’re looking for more of a theme park other than a museum, then this is your dinosaur adventure. Jurassic Land features 70 animatronic dinosaurs, giving you an up-close and personal experience with the prehistoric era.
Jurassic Land combines education with fun offering an interaction with a “veterinarian” taking care of an injured Stegosaurus and showing up egg incubators. If you’re a fan of the Jurassic Park films, you will enjoy everything this museum has to offer.
Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Science, Brussels
With the largest dinosaur in the world, it’s no secret that it houses an amazing collection of fossilized skeletons and casts. A main attraction is the 30 Iguanodons, the second dinosaur to be classified in the 1800s.
The museum caters to everyone’s scientific needs with a gallery dedicated to the fossilization process and dinosaur digs.
What do you think is the best dinosaur museum in the world? Tell us about it in the comments below!