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.

Many of us, especially kids, are very curious about dinosaurs. We are always eager to know more about this life form that roamed the earth thousands of years ago. Here are some interesting facts about dinosaurs:

The Largest Dinosaur

According to studies from complete skeletons, the Brachiosaurus is the largest or heaviest and tallest dinosaur. They are about 40 feet tall and approximately 70 to 80 tons in weight. Further studies about other dinosaurs like the Seismosaurus, Supersaurus, Ultrasaurus and Argentinosaurus are suggesting that the Brachiosaurus is not really the largest dinosaur. However, merely partial skeletons of these dinosaurs were discovered, making scientists uncertain if these are new species or they are also larger Brachiosaurus.

The Estimated Age of Dinosaurs

If scientists will just base their calculations on fossil records, the age of dinosaurs cannot be guaranteed. Although there were studies on their teeth’s growth rings, these were constantly replaced throughout the dinosaur’s lifespan. Thus, when compared to modern large mammals and reptiles, scientists estimated that dinosaurs could have lived for about 50 up to 150 years.

The Smallest Dinosaur

Paleontologists noted that the smallest dinosaur was the Compsognathus. It is even about the same size as a chicken. An adult Compsognathus can reach 2 feet in length, more attributed to its thin, long tail.

The Smartest Dinosaur

The Troodon had the largest brain out of all the species. This is in relation to its actual body size. This is why they are thought as the most intelligent amongst other dinosaurs. In fact, most paleontologists regard them as smarter than an ostrich, making it smarter than any living reptile on Earth now.

The Toughest Dinosaur

Contrary to belief that the toughest dinosaur was the Tyrannosaurus Rex, it is the Deinonychus. This is because the T-Rex is more like a scavenger than a ferocious hunter. This made the Deinonychus the meanest ad toughest dinosaur. It is merely 2.7 meter long, 1.5 meters tall and it weighs just like an average man. Despite their small size, they are noted as “the most extraordinary predators of all time”. Due to its large serrated teeth, keen eyesight, great agility, grasping hands and sickle-shaped 5-inch long claws on every hind’s foot, this dinosaur variety is a very ferocious enemy.

The Size of Dinosaur Eggs

Despite the size of dinosaurs, their eggs are quite small. In fact, the gigantic Sauropod’s eggs are no bigger than volleyballs. One reason is the fact that a bigger egg entails thicker shells so that it will not collapse. A very thick shell can actually pose 2 big problems. The 1st problem is that it is too thick for the oxygen to permeate. This means, the embryos will not be able to breathe. The 2nd problem would be the fact that the shell will be too thick to be pushed by the hatchlings.

The Fastest Dinosaur

The Galliminus which can travel about 35 mi per hour is considered as the fastest dinosaur. The Coelophysis ranks second at an estimated 25 mi per hour. The third in ranking is the T-Rex at 15 mi per hour.

The Strangest Dinosaur

The Ancient Wing or the Archaeopteryx is a small creature with feathers. It is similar to a chicken but it can fly. It is actually the 1st known bird, showcasing how birds are descendants of dinosaurs.

The Number of Dinosaur Types

At current, paleontologists and scientists note that there are about 440 types of dinosaurs that existed.

The Voices of Dinosaurs

Even if no one actually heard the voice of a dinosaur, many scientists guess that the T-Rex had a raspy and deep voice, the Hadrisaur had a voice like a honking 5-ton goose and the Apatosaurus had a voice similar to a herd of snorting horses.

Dinosaur Names

The names of dinosaurs are mostly a combination of Greek or Latin root words. Their names actually describe them. A good example would be the Triceratops which means “three-horned face.” These names also describe the place of their discovery or to recognize learning institutions. A good example is the Arctosaurus whose remains were found along the Arctic Circle. The Yaleosaurus was actually named after the Yale University.