Places You Can Hang Out Among Dinosaurs In Minnesota

Dinosaurs are creatures that capture the imagination and interest of people of all ages. Whether it's youthful wonder, scientific curiosity, or inspiration spurred on by the latest dinosaur movie, there are a few places in Minnesota where you can get your dino fix.

Of the places around Minnesota where you can hang out among dinosaurs, some of them feature actual fossils from these prehistoric creatures, while other places provide the chance to explore lifelike (and even animated) versions of these captivating critters.

While there are some touring attractions that swing through Minnesota from time to time, these spots offer regular opportunities to hang out among dinosaurs.

Places In Minnesota You Can Hang Out Among Dinosaurs

Science Museum of Minnesota

The Science Museum of Minnesota has a pretty extensive dinosaur exhibit they call their "Dinosaurs & Fossils Gallery". The ongoing exhibit is included in regular admission to the Science Museum and features hundreds of fossils, amber, petrified wood, dinosaur bones, and coprolites (fossilized poo).

You can get some perspective on how big these creatures were by exploring their displays, which include an allosaurus (pictured above), massospondylus, and even the 80-foot-long diplodocus.

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Whether you want to learn about the history of these creatures or just look at the impressive visuals, this is a great place to do so.

The Science Museum of Minnesota is located in downtown Saint Paul at 120 W. Kellogg Boulevard. Their hours are Sunday-Thursday 10 am - 5 pm and Friday-Saturday 10 am - 8 pm.

Minnesota Zoo's Dino Hideout

An attraction that opened at the Minnesota Zoo back in 2022, the "Dino Hideout" is a permanent seasonal feature that built on the zoo's popular "Dino Nites" in years prior to that.

The Dino Hideout is an outdoor section of the Minnesota Zoo that gives visitors the chance to walk among realistic dinosaurs in something set up kind of like the other animal exhibits at the zoo.

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Many of these lifelike dinosaurs move and make noises, adding an extra level of wonder and excitement for visitors of all ages. While you can't climb on these dinosaurs, you can get pretty close up to them and get some great selfies.

The immersive experience is open daily during the spring, summer, and fall seasons, located near the Tropical Trails area of the park. This experience is part of the normal cost of admission to the zoo.

The Minnesota Zoo is located at 13000 Zoo Boulevard in Apple Valley. It is open 10 am - 6 pm daily.

Southern Minnesota Museum of Natural History

Some of the exhibits at the Southern Minnesota Museum of Natural History include some interesting fossils from around North America.

Examples include oreodonts from the White River Badlands, "fish slab" fossils, a "Tyrannosaur Tracks exhibit, and even a hands-on "time vault" where you can "touch history" and get an up-close, hands-on look at fossils from various prehistoric eras.

The Southern Minnesota Museum of Natural History is located at 110 N. Main Street in Blue Earth. It is open daily June-August from 1 pm - 4 pm, and Saturdays 10 am - 2 pm from September through May.

Raptor Ridge Museum

Operated by Larry and Barb Levin, this natural history museum includes a variety of collections assembled by the couple.

Among the collections are butterflies, seashells, rocks & minerals, historic artifacts, dinosaur bones, and other finds from around the world. In addition to these collections, there are a few dinosaur sculptures outside of the museum that you can take photos with as part of your visit.

The Raptor Ridge Museum is free to visit, but you do need to call ahead as it is only open by appointment. You can call them at 320-295-3838 to schedule your visit.

It is located east of New London, Minnesota, on County Road 40 at 12050 County Rd 40 NE, Spicer, MN.