These are the top five picks, plus some honorable mentions, from the staff at www.yourmuseumstore.com

American Museum of Natural History, New York

There is no greater city in the world than New York and any trip to the Big Apple should include a stop at its wonderful American Museum of Natural History (AMNH).  This museum has gained added notoriety due to the popular Ben Stiller comedy, “Night At The Museum.”  However, when it comes to dinosaur exhibits, the AMNH is definitely not kid’s stuff. 

Boasting wonderful diversity of specimens (over 100 on display in their Dinosaur Halls), the exhibits are structured to demonstrate the evolutionary connections between species, offering a different perspective than the more traditional “chornological order” structure most often seen in similar exhibits.  Highlights on your trip to the AMNH are the Hall of Saurischian Dinosaurs where the T-Rex and Apotasaurus can be found and the Hall of Ornithischian Dinosaurs, home to the Stegosaurus and Triceratops. 

On the IMAX screen, the museum is exhibiting “Dinosaurs Alive!”  The 40-minute film follows AMNH paleontologists on an expedition to the Gobi Desert of Mongolia and to Ghost Ranch, New Mexico as they search for dinosaur remains.  Fans of this museum note good lighting in the dinosaur halls for snapping quality photos.  Detractors balk at the suggested donation of $15 for adults. 

Pros:  Rich specimen diversity, good lighting for pictures, the iconic T-Rex, Apotasaurus and Triceratops

Cons:  Can get very crowded, long lines for tickets

Tips:  For big families, the $15 price tag can be a strain but it’s only a “suggested donation.”  Let the ticket agent know you’d like to make a smaller donation that fits your budget.

 
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, Washington D.C.

No visit to our nation’s capitol is complete without a trip to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History (NMNH).  The nation’s oldest dinosaur museum, the diversity of exhibits is on par with the AMNH, though vistors are sometimes disappointed with the poor lighting and sometimes confusing or missing labels and displays.  Still there is much to enjoy here, with both Saurishian and Ornithischian dinosaurs being well represented.  The vicious Allosaurus is quite popular along with the Triceratops, which was returned to exhibit after a recent restoration.  Ths free admission museum is just one of the Smithsonian’s many fascinating collections and a “must” for anyone exploring Washington D.C.

Pros:  FREE!  Other Smithsonian Museums are right nearby

Cons:  Poor lighting, expensive cafeteria, crowded

Tips:  Parking is a hassle so use the Metro, cafeteria prices are high so pack a lunch and save some cash      

Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago

Visting the Windy City?  Promising an awe-inspiring journey through 4 billion years of evolution, The Field Museum of Natural History in Chicago offers a wide variety of dinosaur fossils in its Genius Dinosaur Hall along with animated videos, hands-on interactives that tell the story of when dinosaurs ruled the Earth with their “Evolving Planet” exhibit. 

The McDonald’s Fossil Preparation Lab offers a unique glimpse into the behind-the-scenes work of the paleontologist.  Star of the show is “Sue” the T-Rex, a nearly complete specimen discovered in South Dakota in the 1990s.  Also of note is the rare Cryolophosaurus, the only dinosaur ever discovered in Antarctica. 

Pros:  Sue the T-Rex, up-to-date “Evolving Planet” exhibit, lots more to see beyond dinosaurs

Cons:  Noisy, steep ticket price ($15 for adults), closes at 5 p.m. every day

Tips:  Save the rental fee by downloading the audio tour from their website and add to your ipod before you go.

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History, Pittsburgh PA

The Carnegie Museum of Natural History boasts the third largest display of real mounted dinosaurs trailing only the AMNH in New York and the NMNH in Washington D.C.  With 19 dinosaurs on display in two halls, the “Dinosaurs in the Time” exhibit boasts a number of holotypes (considered the premier and defining fossil for a given specimen) including Diplodocus canegii, Apatosaurs louisae and Camtosaurus aphanoecetes.  Others specimens of note are the Stegosaurus, Allosaurus, and Camptosaurus.

Pros:  Recent renovations in 2007 and 2008 offer a more modern scientific view of dinosaurs

Cons:  High price tag, $15 for adults

Tips:  50% discount for military, museum open until 8 p.m. on Thursday

The Academy of Natural Sciences, Philadelphia PA

A thorough collection of fossils and replicas from the Mesozoic era with about 30 species represented, half being full skeletal mounts.  Popular attractions include the Big Dig, a hands-on exhibit for would be paleontolgists and the Fossil Prep Labs where visitors can view live demonstrations of fossil preparation.  A great stop for those in the Philly area.  Kids will especially enjoy the many interactive displays.

Pros:  A great diversion for kids who might be burned out on the history of our nation

Cons:  Lacks the depth and variety of the premier dinosaur spots

Tips:  Look into purchasing a Philadelphia City Pass for one admission to this museum along with trolley use, the aquarium, the Franklin and the Zoo

Looking for something off the beaten path?  These dinosaur exhibits and dig spots offer a more up-close-and-personal experience for those who want to get their hands dirty.

Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology, Alberta, Canada

Rivals any of the premier dinosaur museums in the US.  This museum located in the Alberta badlands is off on its own, but worth the trek for those with a keen apetite for all things Mesozoic.  With guided tours of the badlands, camps for kids and a rich collection of fossils on display, including 40 mounted dinosaur skeletons, this museum is a dinosaur fanatic must.

Wyoming Dinosaur Museum, Thermopolis Wyoming

With 60 mostly late Jurrasic active dig sites in a 500-acre region, this is a dinosaur lover’s paradise.  The museum offers 200 displays with 20 mounted skeletons in a 12,000 sq ft facility.  

Ruth Hall Museum of Paleontology, Abiquiu New Mexico

Home to the Triassic dinosaur, Coelophysis, the New Mexico State Fossil. Located in Ghost Ranch, this site is known in paleontologist cirles for its rich quarries of the Triassic era, 220 million years ago. 

Denver Museum of of Nature and Science, Denver Colorado

Regarded for their exhibits on Stegosaurus, Allosaurs and Edmontosaurus – a great family museum.

Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center, Woodland Park Colorado

A great collection from the Late Cretaceous period. 

Come back soon…

These museums are currently closed for renovation, but will be highlights for any paleontology enthusiast when they re-open.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Los Angeles California

Re-opening in 2011, this museum’s Dinosaurs Hall will return better than ever with a world-class collection of Mesozoic fossils.

Dinosaur Monument National Park, Dinosaur Colorado

While still open, the main visitor center and access to the “fossil wall” are not available right now.  Structural damage to the main visitor center has forced a closure.  A temporary center is available with limited displays and visitors can hike a short distance to see fossils, but the main attraction is unavailable at this time.

Some wonderful items are on the market this year to help make children’s Christmases much more interesting and exciting. The most wanted preschoolers toy for this year is definitely the rather incredible Elmo Live! Toy, which is jam-packed with all kinds of interactive features for children and parents to enjoy. Then from the popular TV show there’s Peppa Pig’s Spaceship, a fun and colourful ship with its own sounds and convenient chunky carry handle. If your young pones are into automobiles, then there is the great Roary the Racing car Silver hatch Workshop Playset, which has moving parts and sounds.

An impressive and impressively durable childrens’ digital camera is available as well. The Kidizoom Multimedia Digital camera has 4 ways for your children to have fun, as well as teaching them about this important part of contemporary life. Another more technically minded kids toy that is great for your preschoolers is the LeapFrog Tag reading System, which is an important new device that helps make reading fun for parents and children together.

Fans of surreal TV franchise In the Night Garden will enjoy the In the Night Garden Upsy Daisy and her Chase and Play Bed, and young Telletubbies fans will be enthralled by the new Dance With Me Telletubby toys, just as much as students will. Other TV themed toys include the superb Bob the Builder Interactive Construction site, which is a must for any young construction enthusiasts! Lovers of the rejuvenated Mr Men can enjoy the Mr Tickle Stretch and Giggle toys, which will provide hours of amusement and number amongst the most wanted toys this year.

But then there’s Kota, which is truly special. Kota The Triceratops is literally one of the biggest and best toys for young children this year, offering endless fun as they ride on and interact with their new dino chum. Adventurous kids will adore the fun of the Take Along Thomas Morgan’s Mine Electronic Playset, which offers three different levels along with lights and sounds. For the more ecologically-minded youngster in your life there’s the Playmobil Recycling truck, which helps teach your youngsters the important value of recycling their waste.

These are just some of the excellent toys on offer this year. The range can indeed be mind-boggling at this time of year, but we hope that these tips will help you find that ideal gift for Christmas