The Dinosaur Place
| Previously known as Dinosaur Crossing | |
 Monty T. Rex, a 14-feet tall T-Rex mascot of The Dinosaur Place, on Route 85 in Montville, Connecticut. | |
| Location | Montville, Connecticut, USA |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 41°25′57″N 72°13′21″W / 41.4326°N 72.2226°W |
| Status | Operating |
| Opened | 2001 |
| Theme | Dinosaur |
| Area | 60 acres (24 ha) |
| Website | Official website |
The Dinosaur Place is a family-owned 60-acre dinosaur-themed adventure park located in Nature's Art Village in Montville, Connecticut.[1][2][3][4] The park features 60 life-sized dinosaurs on 1.5 miles of trails, playgrounds, a custom-made play zone "T-Rex Tower", splash pad, a maze and several additional attractions.[5][6]
History
[edit]The Dinosaur Place opened in 1991 as Nature’s Art, a gift shop selling fossils, minerals, and jewellery in Salem, Connecticut. In 2001, the owners Linda and Roger Phillips purchased the Montville property and began the construction of the dinosaur-themed park that initially was called Dinosaur Crossing. Eventually, Nature’s Art Village expanded to 24,000 square feet and opened the gallery of crystals and authentic fossils next to The Dinosaur Place.[7][8][9]
Features
[edit]- 60+ life-sized dinosaurs on 1.5 miles of trails
- Animatronic dinosaurs exhibit
- Splash Pad, a zero-depth water playground
- T-Rex Tower, a two-story custom-made playscape
- A volcano replica
- A-MAZE-asaurus, a maze with a slide through the mouth of a Tyrannosaurus Rex
- Lapilli Landing, which includes mini golf, pedal go karts, and train rides.[10][11]
Events
[edit]The Dinosaur Place runs multiple events throughout the year, including Easter Dino Egg Hunt, the Earth Week,[12] and a Halloween event in October called Pumpkin Passage.[13][14]
References
[edit]- ^ "Nature's Art Village at Dinosaur Place". The Northeast's Entertainment Association (NEAAPA).
- ^ "The Dinosaur Place at Nature's Art Village". Ocean Community Chamber of Commerce. 2023.
- ^ "The Dinosaur Place". Connecticut Office of Tourism. April 19, 2023.
- ^ Smith, Jen Rose (May 29, 2018). Moon New England (Travel Guide). Moon Travel. ISBN 978-1640491748.
- ^ "Connecticut News and Weather from FOX61". WTIC-TV (Fox 61). Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ Garrett, Courtney (June 11, 2022). HowExpert Guide to Mystic, Connecticut: 101 Tips on Where to Eat, Play, Stay, and Explore in Mystic, Connecticut. Hot Methods. ISBN 978-1648918674.
- ^ "Dinosaurs travel cross-country to new home at Montville museum". New Haven Register. May 9, 2004.
- ^ "A Playground of Bones". Hartford Courant. July 30, 2007.
- ^ Laschever, Barnett D.; Cantele, Andi Marie (May 18, 2009). Explorer's Guide Connecticut ((Explorer's Complete) ed.). Countryman Press. p. 452. ISBN 978-0881508246.
- ^ "The Dinosaur Place, an Attraction for Dino-Loving Kids, Opens for the Season in Montville". Darienite.com. April 10, 2021.
- ^ Moser, Erica (October 6, 2019). "Nature's Art in Montville plans new attractions". The Day.
- ^ "The Dinosaur Place Announces 10th Annual Earth Week Celebration". Providence Business News. April 13, 2011.
- ^ "Let's Go: Nature's Art Village hosts Pumpkin Passage". The Day. October 4, 2021.
- ^ Sammons, Lisa (September 28, 2022). "The Dinosaur Place Has A Glowing Pumpkin Trail And Fall Celebration Coming To Connecticut And It'll Make Your Season Magical". Only In Your State.
External links
[edit]- The Dinosaur Place Official Website