What To Expect At Brookfield Zoo's New Dinosaur Exhibit

If you’re looking for a fun Chicago day trip this summer, Brookfield Zoo Chicago just gave Northern Illinois families a pretty solid reason to go.

Starting May 22, dinosaurs are officially returning to the zoo with a seasonal attraction called “Dinos!”. And no… this isn’t a small display tucked in a corner somewhere. The zoo is scattering 35 life-size dinosaurs throughout the grounds, meaning you could be walking past a giraffe one minute and a Tyrannosaurus rex the next.

Honestly, that’s a pretty wild combo.

35 Life-Size Dinosaurs Roaming the Zoo

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Instead of being stuck inside a single exhibit building, the dinosaurs will be placed all around the zoo’s pathways, turning a normal stroll between animal habitats into something that feels more like a prehistoric scavenger hunt.

You’ll see familiar giants like T. rex, along with flying reptiles like pterodactyls, popping up throughout the zoo’s 235 acres.

Translation… keep your eyes open.

Hands-On Dino Activities for Kids

The experience is designed to be interactive for families.

Visitors will be able to walk through a massive dinosaur rib-cage tunnel, climb on fossil displays, and dig for prehistoric discoveries in excavation zones. There will also be a Dino Trail packed with photo spots… which basically guarantees some great family pictures.

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A Virtual Reality Trip Into the Dinosaur World

One of the cooler additions is something called the “Ultimate T. Rex” virtual-reality experience.

Guests can sit in motion chairs while a 360-degree VR adventure drops them into a digital dinosaur world. If your kids are anything like mine… this will probably be the first thing they want to try.

Special Dino Events All Summer

Brookfield Zoo

The dinosaur theme won’t stop with the exhibit.

The zoo is also planning special events including a 2-mile Dino Dash fun run on May 30 and a “Dinos After Dark” pajama party on July 11.

Even better… the dinosaur exhibit is included with regular zoo admission.

Meaning this summer you could technically see a T. rex, a tiger, and a penguin in the same afternoon.

Not a bad excuse to plan a Chicago zoo trip.

The dinosaurs will stick around through October, so Rockford families have plenty of time to make the trip. Check the zoo's Facebook page for updates.

Tip of the hat to Time Out Chicago for spotting this one first. You can read more details about the exhibit in their report.