Share |
Print Article
Family Travel Files Ezine Family Vacations Resource
USA: Mountains West, Tracking Dinosaurs on Vacation. Dino fanatics of all ages found their interest in the magnificent prehistoric reptiles rekindled with the ABC Mega Series of Dinotopia, based one of my favorite childhood books. Luckily nearly everyone in North America is within a short drive of ancient “lizards” and mammals.

From still active dig sites to cool hallways in which immense skeletons loom, to fascinating exhibits which display the most recent theories on lifestyle this list sums them all up. Coast to coast, from sunny California to Connecticut, the U.S. offers dinosaur lovers and their families a chance to get up close and personal with natural history. Only what we believe to be the best is featured on this list. Of course if you’ve visited a fantastic dinosaur site, let me know and I will add it. Have a great time tracking dinosaurs.

Colorado: Denver Museum of Natural History. Features a fossil preparatory lab, dinosaur models set in lifelike dioramas, and displays on ancient mammals and prehistoric man, as well as skeletons of Diplodocus, Stegosaurus, Coelophysis, and Lambeosaurus. You can watch dinosaur replicas fight, experience the warming and cooling of the earth’s climate, and examine fossils from Museum Touch Carts closely. (2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, Colorado 80205. 1 (303) 322-7009 or 1-800-925-2250 or www.dmnh.org)

Colorado: Museum of Western Colorado/Dinosaur Valley. This museum features five lifelike animated scale models, as well as “death pose” dinosaur skeletons and a working fossil preparation lab. The main focus of this museum are the dinosaurs of western Colorado, eastern Utah, and surrounding areas, realistic robotic dinosaurs and a working paleontology laboratory. Make sure to make time for a Dino Dig, one of the museum’s main attractions. (462 Ute Ave., Grand Junction, CO 81501. 1 (970) 242-0971 or www.wcmuseum.org)

Idaho: Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument. This is considered one of the finest fossil beds in the world, rich with mammals and other prehistoric animals from the Pliocene Period. Hagerman Fossil Beds also contains the largest concentration of Hagerman Horse fossils in North America Hagerman. Over two hundred species have been discovered here. The species which have been discovered here represent the time directly before the Ice Age. (P.O. Box 570, 221 North State Street, Hagerman, ID 83332. 1 (208) 837-4793 or www.nps.gov/hafo)

Montana: Museum of the Rockies. A world-class museum headed by Dr. John "Jack" Horner, the father of a Maiasaura nesting site called “Egg Mountain”. Due to the discovery of a baby hadrosaur skeleton and whole new species, Maiasaura the “good mother lizard”, was discovered. Exhibits at the museum illustrate how duckbill dinosaurs might have cared for their young as well as much more. Kidspace logo identifies touchable fossils in Landforms/Lifeforms, and the Triceratops skull by the Fossil Bank. During summer months they conduct Dino Camp for kids. Dinosaur “detectives” spend two days digging, learning how dinosaurs took care of their young, make fossil casts, and more. (600 W. Kagy Blvd., Bozeman, MT. 1 (406) 994-DINO, 1 (406) 994-2251 or www.museumoftherockies.org)

Nevada: Berlin Ichthyosaur State Park. The park has a fossil shelter that features nine fossilized sea serpents, Ichthyosaurs “fish lizards”. There are plenty of scenic routes as well as camping grounds. It was established to protect the fossils of these “fish lizards”. Bonus points: Although the Ichthyosaur is the main focus of this park, it also preserves a turn-of-the twentieth century mining town called Berlin along with the Diana Mine. (HC 61 Box 61200, Austin, NV 89310. 1 (775) 964-2440 or www.state.nv.us/stparks/bi.htm)
 
Utah: Dinosaur National Monument. World-famous as one of the richest dinosaur bone beds ever discovered, Dinosaur National Monument provides an opportunity to explore fossil remains of nine different species, in a single location. This monument is also home to the endangered bald eagle. In Echo Park, there is Indian art which demonstrates how ancient people felt about their surroundings. (4545 E. Highway 40, Dinosaur, CO 81610-9724. 1 (970) 374-3000 or www.nps.gov/dino)
 
Utah: Museum of Natural History. Located on the campus at the University of Utah, the museum of Natural History has a diverse fossil collection that is well known in the world of paleontology. Featured dinosaurs are; Allosaurus, Barosaurus, Catosaurus and Stegosaurus in full skeletal mounts. (1390 E. Presidents Circle, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84112. 1 (801) 581-6927 or www.umnh.utah.edu)
 
Images contributed by the Denver Museum of Natural History and the Museum of the Rockies. Text researched and compiled by Travel Communications. Copyright 2008.
Share |
RELATED ARTICLES
US: Rocky Mountain States - Spring Break Family Vacations with Skiing, Snow Tubing, and Waterpark Fun.
From Montana and Colorado to Utah and Wyoming we have family vacation ideas to cure spring fever. The good stuff awaits – take a spring break with your kids.
Utah: Park City, Family Winter Vacation Fun - Snow Tubing, and Skiing.
Park City offers families value for their winter vacation this season with accommodation deals and a variety of thrills on and off the slopes to make for a memorable bonding experience for the entire family.
Colorado: Steamboat Springs, Family Winter Vacation Snow Ideas.
Known by many as “Ski Town USA,” community maintains old-fashioned charm and conveys a friendly welcoming atmosphere. More than 40 Olympians call Steamboat home and smile at the mention of Howelsen Hill, their in-town ski hill. Steamboat Ski area is the second largest ski area in Colorado and receives more than 300 inches of snow on average.
Colorado: Gunnison-Crested Butte, Checkout Family Excursions/Deals on the Slopes & Beyond.
From sleigh rides, dog sledding, and shopping to skiing and boarding it is easy to find something fun to do. It’s ideal for making family memories with an 1880s-era backdrop rich with history, charm and friendliness.
Colorado: Gunnison-Crested Butte, Family Vacations Beginning with Kids Fly & Stay Free.
Once again is partnering with American Airlines to offer “Kids Fly for Free” which has obvious advantages for parents traveling with children aged 12 years or younger.

Read More Articles

FAMILY VACATION IDEAS
Wingate by Wyndham -St. George

Checkout our National Parks Package. [Read More]

Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs

Offering our Family Package which includes Mr. Biggs ultimate destination for family fun. [Read More]

Bryce Canyon Resort

Experience the splendor of Utah’s national parks, national monuments and state parks at our doorstep. [Read More]

Alta Peruvian Lodge

Every day is a full day at the Peruvian. [Read More]

Aspen Hollow in Deer Valley

A family friendly setting with easy mountain access. [Read More]

Bay Point Big Mountain/Whitefish Mountain

A Summer and Ski Resort. There is a reason we are called The Last Best Place. [Read More]

Bighorn Rentals

Escape to the mountains, family fun awaits. [Read More]

Grand Targhee Resort

Amazing skiing, and Snowcat Adventures amidst the snowy grandeur of the Grand Teton Mountain Range. [Read More]

Lionshead Inn

Discover a special kind of value, created by the friendly staff and the casual Rocky Mountain atmosphere. [Read More]

Park Plaza Resort

The perfect way to budget a Utah vacation anytime of the year. [Read More]

Purgatory Lodge

Escape to a retreat that is deep in the mountains, but right in the middle of all that the Durango area has to offer. [Read More]

Rabbit Ears Motel

Where summer and winter family fun abounds. [Read More]

Raintree at Polo Towers

Enjoy all that Vegas has to offer with the utmost in luxury and convenience. [Read More]

Raintree’s The Miners Club

A bustling year-round family vacation spot in the Rocky Mountains. [Read More]

River Rock Lodge

Big Sky is a premier ski and summer resort in Montana. [Read More]

Summer Bay Resort Las Vegas Desert Club

Relax, unwind and stay near the action on the Strip. [Read More]

Wingate Inn Family Stays

Contact us and we will create a family vacation package to fit your interests. [Read More]

Tent Mountain Guest Ranch

Offering four-season vacations and welcome families. [Read More]

The Edge Retreat

Located an hour from Salt Lake City. [Read More]

Sun Valley Trekking Yurts

A unique family experience. [Read More]

See More Family Vacation Ideas


Use of Travel Communications, Inc., websites constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
Site designed and hosted by Tempest Technologies, LLC