Dinosaur Place - Oakdale, CT

The Dinosaur Place, originally known as Nature’s Art, opened in 1991 in Salem, Connecticut, as a gift shop specializing in fossils, minerals, and jewelry. In 2001, owners Linda and Roger Phillips acquired a property in Montville and began transforming it into a dinosaur-themed park, initially called Dinosaur Crossing. Over time, Nature’s Art Village expanded to cover 24,000 square feet, featuring a gallery of crystals and authentic fossils next to The Dinosaur Place.

There are a wide range of attractions, including over 60 life-sized dinosaurs along 1.5 miles of nature trails, an animatronic dinosaur exhibit, Splash Pad (a zero-depth water playground), T-Rex Tower (a two-story custom-made playscape), a realistic volcano replica, A-MAZE-asaurus (a maze with a slide through the mouth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex), and Lapilli Landing (featuring mini golf, pedal go-karts, train rides, and more).

Besides the dinosaurs, the complex also provides numerous indoor activities for an additional fee. Visitors can dig for crystals and minerals, pan for “gold,” uncover dinosaur fossils, create crafts, shop for unique items, and browse for antiques.

Throughout the year, The Dinosaur Place hosts a variety of events to engage visitors of all ages, including the Easter Dino Egg Hunt, Earth Week celebrations, and Pumpkin Passage, a Halloween-themed event held every October. Each event offers educational and entertaining experiences, making The Dinosaur Place a year-round destination for families and dinosaur enthusiasts alike.