So many kids go through a dinosaur phase, and you might be surprised to know several places in the Nashville area cater to dinosaur enthusiasts. From outdoor treks to indoor playgrounds, here are five experiences dinosaur kids will love.
From now until July 26, you can find life-sized animatronic dinosaurs at the Nashville Zoo. Cross a rope bridge beside a 23-foot-tall brachiosaurus, let a dilophosaurus spit water at you, and get roared at by raptors. It’s a short trail close to the carousel. While I do wish the trail were longer, it’s well worth the $5 ticket on top of zoo admission.
This dinosaur-themed indoor playground in Madison is packed with fun activities: A ball pit by a volcano, slides, climbing mazes, and, of course, dinosaurs. Grab a snack at the Pterodactyl Cafe inside. While there’s lots to do, it’s on the expensive side: Tickets start at $15, purchasing Dinotopia socks is required, and parents have to pay for tickets, too. It can also get crowded and dirty, and it’s hard to see your kids in some areas. Consider visiting during the week if you’re able, and don’t forget the hand sanitizer.
Meet Frank at the Earth Experience Museum. (Margaret Kingsbury / City Cast Nashville)
Not enough people know about this very cool natural history museum in Murfreesboro. It’s full of rocks and fossils, but the star of the show is Frank, a 38-foot-long T-rex skeleton. The museum also houses a working paleontology lab, where you can watch experts at work. There’s a small children’s playroom, too. While on the small side and with limited hours, this is a great place for rock- and dino-loving kids and adults. They're visiting Shelby Bottoms Nature Center on March 12 with some cool fossils!
In 2024, the Adventure Science Center added a dinosaur-themed exhibit, where future paleontologists can dig for pretend dinosaur bones, see a giant mamenchisaurus cast, and learn more about Tennessee’s fossil history. I haven’t been since this new exhibit opened, and I plan to check it out soon!
About an hour and a half north of Nashville in Kentucky is an awesome outdoor dinosaur park. Follow several paved trails to see hundreds of life-sized dinos. There’s also a dino-dig area, a dino-themed playground with picnic tables, and a large gift store. There’s no on-site food, nor good restaurant options nearby, so I recommend packing a cooler with lunch before you go, and eating at the playground. Mammoth Cave is nearby, so you can make a day or weekend of it by going to both!
