Dinosaurs Among Us Returns to Roger Williams Park Zoo this Spring
Back by popular demand, the exhibit will feature life-size and life-like animatronic dinosaurs, rides, fossil dig stations, special events and more from April to August.
Courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo
Dinosaurs will roam the earth once again at Roger Williams Park Zoo this spring with the return of Dinosaurs Among Us.
Open April 7 through August 13, the family-favorite exhibit will allow visitors to travel back 65 million years with an immersive walk-through experience featuring nearly sixty life-size animatronic dinosaurs. One of the largest outdoor exhibits of its kind, the giant ancient creatures, as well as some of their babies, will be stationed along the Zoo’s wetlands trail.
This is your chance to walk up and say hi to an eighteen-foot-long Dreadnoughtus and an eight-foot tall Brachiosaurus, along with other well-known species like the Tyrannosaurus Rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and many more. They’ll even greet you right back: the tech-ran dinosaurs are capable of life-like movements and impressive roars. The Zoo team researched and provided specifications for the dinosaurs to look as “real” as possible. With moving heads, eyes, arms and mouths, this interactive experience will make guests feel like these extinct animals were brought back to life.
But that’s not all: dino-loving families and children will also have the opportunity to enjoy walking dinosaur rides, dinosaur-themed selfie stations, meet and greets with baby dinosaurs and hands-on fossil dig stations. Plus, the Zoo has many special events in store, including:
Interactive Bird Show: April 14 through Sept 4
Birds take flight at the Zoo this year as they display their natural behaviors and abilities during daily shows. Guests can get an up-close look at falcons, macaws, cranes, owls and more as they fly, call and mimic their interpreter —along with some surprise encounters that make this a don’t miss treat (weather dependent)
Dinos at Dusk Family Nights: the Second Saturday of each Month, May through August
Families can journey back in time and enjoy an evening at the Zoo from 5-9 pm.
Dino Sip & Stroll with Food Trucks: May 17 and July 12
Enjoy sweet and savory food trucks located around the Zoo, live musical entertainment and animal encounters and of course dinosaurs. This 21+ event is included with Zoo admission. Food and drinks will be available for purchase.
Sensory Days: Saturday, April 29, Saturday, May 20, Saturday, June 17 and Saturday, July 8
Special sensory-friendly mornings will be available an hour before the trail opens to the public at 9 a.m. The opportunity is designed for those with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and sensory processing differences and their families from 8–9 a.m.
The Zoo’s executive director, Stacey Johnson, is looking forward to welcoming both dinosaur fans and bird enthusiasts alike in the coming months.
“Although we have been told that dinosaurs have been extinct for millions of years, the truth is that they really are still among us,” she says. “Birds are dinosaurs; not long after the rest of their relatives became extinct, bird species, many that we recognize today, were thriving. These extraordinary living dinosaurs provide a vivid link to the ancient past. So, we are very excited that, in addition to this fantastic dinosaur exhibit, we also have a special bird show that will surprise and delight our guests.”
Though located on the Zoo grounds, the Dinosaurs Among Us exhibit is not included in the price of Zoo admission. A separate ticket is required and can be purchased either online or on-site. Ride tickets will also be available at the Zoo and do not need to be purchased in advance. Some of the events mentioned above, however, will require additional tickets and must be purchased online. All tickets and additional information can be found at rwpzoo.org/dinos.
