Families with little dino lovers at home will love seeing the look of amazement on their child’s face when they come face-to-face with a dinosaur.
From life-sized replicas and fascinating exhibits to hands-on fossil digs, explore a world of ancient creatures and discover hours of family fun at these dinosaur attractions in Chicagoland.
Looking to plan a dino-mite family vacation? Check out The Ultimate Guide to Dinosaur Attractions in the Midwest.
This article was recently updated on June 12, 2024 by Chicago Parent’s Assistant Editor, Nikki Roberts. The update included her research and fact-checking expertise to provide the latest information on dinosaur attractions in Chicagoland. Questions? Please reach out to nikki@chicagoparent.com.
Dinosaur attractions in Chicagoland
Bess Bower Dunn Museum
- Address: 1899 W. Winchester Road, Libertyville
- Cost: $6-$10/adults, $3-$6/ages 4-17 and seniors 62-plus, free/children 3 and under
Journey to the museum’s Prehistoric Lake County collection and meet a life-sized Dryptosaurus that used to roam Lake County millions of years ago. Kids can also help excavate an ice dig site and learn about fossils.
Chicago Children’s Museum
- Address: 700 E. Grand Ave., Chicago
- Cost: $21 for tickets purchased online
Go on your very own dino expedition at this kid-friendly recreation of a Saharan expedition. In the Dinosaur Expedition exhibit, kids can dig for bones and fossils while learning about different dino skulls, teeth and claws. You can even find a life-size Suchomimus skeleton!
Chicago Dinosaur
- Cost: Private rentals start at $450
Perfect for birthday parties or special occasions, this life-sized T. rex can visit your family! Bob the T. rex is a 14-foot long animatronic dinosaur that comes with a pro dinosaur trainer. For an extra fee, you can arrange a visit with Max the baby raptor, too!
Dino Farm Adventure
- Address: Kuipers Family Farm, 1N318 Watson Road, Maple Park
- Cost: $21.99/weekends, $19.99/weekdays
A trip to Dino Farm Adventure will transport your family to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth!
Discover 20 life-sized dinosaur animatronic dinosaurs, then learn some new dino facts from conservationists and experts. A friendly triceratops, baby dinos and dinosaur souvenirs are just some of the dino-mite fun your family can discover at Dino Farm Adventure.
The Field Museum
- Address: 1400 S. Lake Shore Drive, Chicago
- Cost: $14-$30, free for children under 3
Sue the Tyrannosaurus rex is one of Chicago’s most beloved dinosaurs. Learn about Sue and the other dinosaurs that call the Griffin Halls of Evolving Planet exhibit their home at the Field Museum. Your family will meet Máximo, the largest Titanosaur ever discovered, and the new Spinosaurus!
Jurassic Gardens
- Address: 27582 Volo Village Road, Volo
- Cost: $16.95/general admission, free/ages 4 and under
Travel back in time with a trip to the indoor Jurassic Gardens. More than 30 life-like animatronic dinosaurs come to life at this prehistoric park. There is also a Jurassic Arcade, a fossil dig activity, a massive Prehistoric Playground and a nine-hole dino-themed mini golf course.
Jurassic Quest
- Cost: $22-plus/ages 2-64, $23/seniors 65-plus, free for kids 2 and under
This traveling dinosaur show visits Chicago a couple of times a year. Experience life-size animatronic dinos, meet baby dinosaurs, watch live raptor trainings, bounce on dino-themed inflatables and so much more. From crafts to dinosaur rides, expect to find exciting dinosaur activities the entire family can enjoy.
Wonder Works Children’s Museum
- Address: 6445 W. North Ave., Oak Park
- Cost: General admission is $15/person, free for infants under 12 months
The museum’s annual Dino Works event will delight aspiring paleontologists and dino lovers of all ages. Build a dinosaur nest, dig for dino bones, create your own dinosaur, enjoy a dinosaur storytime and much more Jurassic fun. This event typically takes place around the end of March.
Dinosaur attractions worth the drive
Burpee Museum of Natural History
- Address: 737 N. Main St., Rockford
- Cost: $12/ages 13 and older, $10/ages 4-12, free/children 3 and under
Visit Jane the juvenile T. rex, Homer the Triceratops and more ancient creatures at this natural history museum in Rockford. Learn how fossils are created in the Fossil Lake exhibit. Stop by the Jay & Barbara Paleo Lab to learn even more about how the experts prepare fossils for display.
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