dinosaur safari new jersey

Field Station: Dinosaurs is…

A world-class family attraction that combines cutting-edge science with the creative minds of great artists to create a one-of-a-kind experience that’s thrilling, educational and fun.

And at the center of it all is the fun, the joy and the wonder of dinosaurs. Our expedition takes every family on a shared adventure – full of mystery, surprise and a sense of awe.

Walk along wooded trails, check out life-sized dinosaurs and enjoy a full schedule of shows, games and activities , all of which is included in your Day Pass admission.

Explore More: Resources

• Website: Field Station: Dinosaurs
• Article: No extinction here: Iconic dinosaur display in Bergen County’s Overpeck Park turns 10 (NorthJersey.com)
• Bio: Jason P. Schein (Elevation Science Institute)

Feature image by Michael Golz, courtesy of Field Station: Dinosaurs

About Spencer Bollettieri:  As a biologist, journalist, and writer, Spencer Bollettieri has written for sites such as Screen Rant. Although mostly based out of New York, he’s traveled the world in pursuit of new stories .

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See 40 true-to-size dinosaurs come alive when Dino Safari invades Garden State Plaza

PARAMUS — No time machine is needed to see dinosaurs come to life — just a car and a trip to the mall.

More than 40 life-size moving dinosaurs including the Triceratops, Parasaurolophus, Microraptor and T. rex will take up residency at Garden State Plaza from July 16 to Aug. 8 for Dino Safari .

On the drive-thru experience, explorers will learn how dinosaurs evolved, where they lived and how they ate, moved and behaved.

There will also be surprises along the way, such as a dinosaur battle and an earthquake — or you might need to help save a baby dinosaur. 

“We are thrilled to be bringing this safe and fun experience to families in northern New Jersey, particularly in light of the many challenges everyone has faced over the last year,” said Tom Zaller, president and CEO of Imagine Exhibitions, producer of Dino Safari. “Our animatronic dinosaurs transport visitors to a land of prehistoric proportions.”

Imagine Exhibitions started to create museum and traveling experiences 12 years ago, Zaller said. 

Once the pandemic hit, the company was looking to find a different, safe way to bring the exhibits back to the public. Last May, the producers found a zoo to host the first Dino Safari, and now they have three exhibits touring at all times. 

Dino Safari is aimed at children 10 and younger and is for all dinosaur fans, Zaller said. 

Paramus life-size dinosaurs are educational

The program was created with the help of paleontologist Gregory Erickson and features factual, educational content.

There will also be a storytelling element, in which drivers are guided through the fictional "Pangea National Park" by an audio tour that is available in English and Spanish. The audio plays through the car's radio. 

Regular hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

The dinosaurs will be in the parking lot along Route 4 east and the Garden State Parkway, across from the main Neiman Marcus parking lot. 

MORE FUN: Eat, hike, explore and discover: Here's your ultimate North Jersey summer bucket list

DINOSAURS: They're big, they're bad and they're back. Field Station: Dinosaurs reopens in Bergen

Advance tickets can be purchased now at dinosafari.com . Ticket prices begin at $49.95 per vehicle. The ticket includes a "survival pack" that contains a passport to Pangea with a scavenger hunt and other surprises for an interactive experience. 

"There's a lot of fun to be had," Zaller said. "There's a lot to do in the car without chasing kids around."

Kristie Cattafi is a local reporter for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to the most important news from your local community, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.

Email:  [email protected]

Twitter:  @KristieCattafi  

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LuminoCity Dinosaur Safari in Atlantic City, NJ

LuminoCity Dinosaur Safari brings a light-up walk-through dinosaur experience for the entire family to the Jersey Shore! It’ll be stationed in Atlantic City through September 5th. Bring your little dinosaur enthusiasts to the exhibit to see life-size dinosaurs come to life! If you can visit during the evening hours, the magical lights make the dinosaur safari glow. Watch your child’s imagination soar with dinosaurs and glowing scenery!

It’s ideal for children aged 7 years and younger; as my 9-year-old dinosaur expert had “already seen these dinos before,” but she still enjoyed the lit-up outing! For older children like my 9-year-old – pretend to be at Jurassic Park, find your favorite dinosaurs, and identify all of the dinosaurs (because, you know – parents quickly forget all of those names!). The experience will take 30-60 minutes, depending on your pace and interest in the scenery.

Enjoy the sights and sounds, and have fun pretending to be in the Jurassic Era!

Location: 35 S. Vermont Avenue, Ocean City, NJ 08401

Ticket Pricing:

• 5:30 – 8:30pm Entry Kids aged 3-12: $12 ea Adults: $16 ea Family Package: $47.60 (2 Adults, 2 Kids)
• 8:30 – 11:00pm Entry Kids aged 3-12: $16 ea Adults: $20 ea Family Package: $61.20 (2 Adults, 2 Kids)

August 12, 2022

How to Plan Your Adventures on Any Budget I love creating valuable content for you. However, there is a cost to maintaining a website. The links below are affiliate links, and when you click on a link I may earn a small commission, BUT there will be no additional cost to you. Let me help you create your next adventure! AIRFARE: Get great deals and expert guidance when booking your next flight by using CheapOAir . HOTELS & ACCOMMODATION: Undercover Tourist provides discounted hotel stays in many cities and resorts across the United States. Getaway invites you to relax and unwind in their tiny cabins nestled in nature. ACTIVITIES: CityPASS offers admission to the most famous and popular attractions in many major cities for up to 50% less than the combined regular price of admissions. From simple tours to extreme adventures, Viator makes it easy for you to create memories wherever you go at a lower price. With Gametime you can find tickets to your favorite live events including sports, concert, and theatre experiences. City Experiences give you the chance to explore unique places and have unforgettable experiences. Undercover Tourist provides attraction prices at discounted prices to theme parks, attractions, concerts and sports. VividSeats allows you to easily find tickets to the events you love, whether it be sports, concerts, comedy shows or theatre. Trusted Tours and Attractions provides discount tickets to top US sightseeing tours, attractions, and museums. The Sightseeing Pass is designed to make your trip planning easier by allowing you to select the places you want to see for a fraction of the price. PARKING: The Parking Spot makes long-term parking near the airport a superior experience.

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Jurassic Park has come to the Shore with the Dino Safari Festival.

This prehistoric wonderland comes to Freehold Raceway Mall from Thursday through Sunday, Nov. 5. Visitors will encounter life-sized animated dinosaurs towering nearly 50 feet, cretaceous volcanic caverns and enchanting illumination. 

Dino Safari originally launched in Atlantic City, and was recently in Rockaway. Attractions include: 

• Oviraptor Express, which a release says is "a wonderful way for visitors to become immersed in the light art experience, while traveling through the park for an additional cost per ride." 
• Dinosaur Speedway ride, "where families and friends can experience the thrill of racing around a prehistoric track for an additional $5 per ride." 
• Prehistorical Animal Light Arts, showcasing ancient creatures brought to life through "intricately designed light sculptures that are illuminated and crafted to provide a glimpse into a forgotten era." 
• Dino Paradise Bounce Castle, a 260-feet Bounce Castle for kids, for an additional $18 (no play time restricted). 

In October, Dino Safari Freehold will have Halloween decor, including a large-scale light art display where enormous dinosaurs take on a ghostly glow.

Dino Safari runs daily during from 4 to 10 p.m. Weekday tickets start at $23, Saturday and Sunday tickets start at $27, free for children 3 and younger. Tickets are only available online.

Go : LuminoCity Dino Safari Festival, Freehold Raceway Mall, 4 to 10 p.m. Thursday to Nov. 5, ; luminocityfestival.com.  

Here are more things to do this weekend at the Jersey Shore:

Weekend washout? We have you covered with rain dates, more for Shore's biggest events

QFest in Asbury Park

After a six-year hiatus, QFest LGBTQ Film & Digital Media Festival is back this weekend, showing 20 films from the U.S. and around the globe.

The festival kicks off Friday at the Showroom Cinema in Asbury Park with an opening reception, an animated short about a transgender pirate, and a documentary about legendary author and activist Urvashi Vaid, who died in 2022.

The festival will continue with additional screenings, along with a Meet the Filmmaker brunch and awards ceremony, on Saturday and Sunday at QSpot LGBTQ Community Center in Asbury Park. 

“We're thrilled to once-again be hosting QFest, the first annual LGBTQ film festival in New Jersey," said Nick Romei, QFest Festival Director. "QFest provides one of only a handful of outlets where LGBTQ filmmakers from our state and around the world can show their work in a safe, welcoming and supportive environment. We're so proud to be able to invite the community back to QFest to watch LGBTQ movies together again.”

This year’s festival highlights LGBTQ artists and individuals addressing an onslaught of anti-LGBTQ legislation, rising hate crimes, drug addiction and dating in the age of hook-up apps. Of particular note are two documentaries about extraordinary working professionals and the profound consequences they suffer as a result of living their truths in Russia and Iran.

QFest is produced by QSpot, one of the largest LGBTQ community centers in the state. Tickets start at $10. A three-day pass is available for $50.

Go : QFest LGBTQ Film & Digital Media Festival, Friday to Sunday, ShowRoom Cinema, 707 Cookman Ave., Asbury Park, and QSpot, 1601 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park. For tickets and a complete listing of this year’s films and screening schedule, visit QFestNJ.org. 

Grown in Monmouth Restaurant Week

Summer may be over, but locally grown produce is still on the menu at Shore restaurants.

Grown in Monmouth, an initiative designed to preserve and grow the county’s agriculture industry, is hosting Restaurant Week Friday through Saturday, Sept. 30. Participating restaurants are required to feature at least one dish made with ingredients grown in Monmouth County.

Nineteen restaurants are taking part, including The GOAT by David Burke in Union Beach, which will cook with mushrooms from Two River Mushroom in Millstone Township; Apple Street Kitchen in Tinton Falls, which will highlight produce from its own organic garden; and Amici Gelato & Caffe in Asbury Park, which will feature honey from Honeysuckle Nectary in Howell.

Go: Grown in Monmouth Restaurant Week, Friday to Sept. 30 at restaurants across Monmouth County; growninmonmouth.com.

Halloween costume swap in Monmouth County

Upcycle gently used costumes for kids, adults or pets for a spooktacular new-to-you ensemble during the Monmouth County Park System’s Eek-O-Fabulous Costume Swap. 

Drop off a costume and receive a token entitling you to a “new” costume on the day of the swap. Costume drop-offs will be accepted from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday to Friday, Sept. 29, at Huber Woods Environmental Center, 25 Brown's Dock Road, Middletown; Manasquan Reservoir Environmental Center, 311 Windeler Road, Howell; and Thompson Park Visitor Center, 805 Newman Springs Road, Lincroft.

“New” costumes can then be selected during the swap from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30, at the Freneau Woods Park Visitor Center in Aberdeen. 

Almost due or have a newborn? No token required for baby’s costume. Costumes are only available during the swap date and time. Unused tokens may be used at next year’s swap.

Go : Eek-O-Fabulous Costume Swap; 732-872-2670, MonmouthCountyParks.com.

Kids Boo Fest at Six Flags

On Saturday and Sunday, Kids Boo Fest runs from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Six Flags Great Adventure in Jackson.

Boo Fest features trick-or-treating in Cornstalk National Park for kids 12 and younger; a live show called "Witch's Brew"; "The Hunt for Boo" journey through the woods; a kid-friendly haunted house; and wagon rides.

Kids also can ride the park's coasters and other attractions. Boo Fest runs weekends through Sunday, Oct. 29.

Go : Kids Boo Fest, 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekends through Oct. 29, Six Flags Great Adventure, 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson; sixflags.com/greatadventure/events/kids-boo-fest-2023.

MAC Music Cafe in Middletown

The Middletown Arts Center presents the monthly MAC Music Cafe, an afternoon of live music, from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday.

This month’s singer-songwriter showcase features local talent Patrick Bamburak, Rick Dill, Gwynne Alden and Frank Patrouch. The concert will take place in the MAC theater.

The event is free with a suggested donation of $5. 

Free parking is available onsite, with additional free parking available in the station-metered lot.

Go : MAC Music Cafe, 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Middletown Arts Center, 36 Church St., free; 732-706-4110, middletownarts.org .

Harvest Home Festival in Holmdel

The Monmouth County Park System will host its Harvest Home Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Historic Longstreet Farm in Holmdel. 

Reminiscent of an old-fashioned fair from the 1890s, the event features wagon rides, old-fashioned games, live entertainment and craft demonstrations. 

Other activities include cider making, a pie-eating contest and a timber framing activity.  Visitors are invited to enter its Home & Garden Competition. Categories include needlework, baked goods and art. Call 732-946-3758 for details on entering the competition. 

Go : Harvest Home Festival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Historic Longstreet Farm, 44 Longstreet Road, Holmdel; 732-842-4000, MonmouthCountyParks.com.

Save someone in need in Asbury Park

The Monmouth Ocean Omega Foundation presents the Be the Match Bone Marrow Drive Health Initiative Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at St. Stephen AME Zion Church in Asbury Park.

Bone marrow transplants can treat more than 75 conditions, including cancers like leukemia and lymphoma, and diseases like aplastic anemia and sickle cell disease.

Signing up to join the bone marrow donation registry involves a simple cheek swab.

A year membership to Planet Fitness will be given away during the health fair.

You also can learn more about bone marrow donation and send away for a registration kit at bethematch.org.

Go: Bone marrow drive and health fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, St. Stephen AME Zion Church, 1001 Springwood Ave., Asbury Park.

Margate Fall Funfest by the Bay

More than 110 booths featuring food, arts, crafts, kid's activities and more make up the Margate Fall Funfest, taking place from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.

There will be 10 live bands on the WZXL 100.7 Main Stage, 12 acts on the 95.1 WAYV Kid’s Stage, Ray Scott’s Dock Wetlands Wonderland, and two days of parades featuring Miss New Jersey. There's also the Saturday Cornhole Tournament and the popular Steve and Cookie’s Dog Show on Sunday.

Funfest After Dark, from 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday, features wine and spirits tasting, small bites, and the band NJ British Invasion. Tickets are $20 advance, $25 on Saturday.

Free jitney shuttle service is available all along Ventnor and Amherst avenues, and from the parking lot at the Eugene Tighe School, 7804 Amherst Ave. Look for the Free Funfest Jitney sign in the jitney window, or download the Jitney Surfer app.

Go : Margate Fall Funfest by the Bay, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Amherst Avenue. Funfest After Dark runs 7:30 to 10 p.m. Saturday; https://margatehasmore.com/event/fall-funfest-2023/ .

Ilana Keller and Sarah Griesemer contributed to this story.

Have an event coming up at the Jersey Shore? Tell us about it. Email Bill Canacci at [email protected].

A WALK-THROUGH DINO ADVENTURE FULL OF SURPRISES!

ABOUT THE EXPERIENCE

Travel Back In Time

Grab a Jurassic passport and feel the thrill of standing next to 20+ giant moving dinosaurs on a walk-through expedition for the whole family.

Get To Know Every Dino

Dino Safari is both thrilling and educational. Learn how dinosaurs evolved over time, where on Earth they lived, and the discoveries paleontologists have made about how they ate, moved, and behaved.

What Visitors Are Saying about Dino Safari

I went with a group of 10 adults. I think we had just as much fun as the kids around us.

My family and I loved this event. The kids loved it to much they wanted to stay. Thank you for the enjoyable time.

Both my kids, 2.5 and 5 year old, loved the Dino Safari. The exhibition was amazing, spectacular and educational! Thank you!

Horseshoe Hotel and Casino – Lower-level. 3645 Las Vegas Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89109

Don’t leave Las Vegas without seeing these other engaging exhibitions!

Imagine Exhibitions also operates Real Bodies at the Horseshoe Hotel and Casino and Discovering King Tut’s Tomb at Luxor.

Dinosaurs are roaming N.J. and you can walk past them at new Six Flags exhibit

• Updated: Jul. 18, 2021, 9:24 a.m. |
• Published: Jul. 17, 2021, 4:01 p.m.

• Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Would you really want to try and touch a dinosaur? Especially one that had two different types of teeth, or one that had large, curved “killing claws” or one that could grow to be 90 feet long and 15 feet tall and weigh 38 tons?

Okay, these aren’t live Cretaceous creatures but they look terribly real and they move and growl and roar. And if you can keep your hands to yourself, you can walk among the 30 dinosaurs embedded in a natural setting at Six Flags Xpedition Dino.

The attraction is an add-on side trip with Six Flags Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure , which features modern-day real life animals viewed from the safety of your car . During the day you can make a side trip from the safari, drive back in history and cruise by the creatures that roamed the earth during the Permian, Triassic Jurassic and Cretaceuos periods.

But at 6 p.m. is when the real fun begins. The road is closed to cars and visitors can set out on foot to stroll the Jackson, New Jersey version of the Mesozoic Era.

A Carnotaurus roars at the entrance to Xpedition Dino, a Jurassic adventure, which features 30 life-size dinosaurs with realistic movement and sound, an add-on experience to the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure at Six Flags in Jackson. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A T-Rex threatens visitors from the back of an abandoned Safari pick-up truck. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A Deinonychus Slasher feasts on its prey while visitors walk by. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

Dr. Bill Rives, Safari director and chief veterinarian, credits the marketing team with the idea of adding the dinosaur display.

“Safari Manager Jason Holloway, he is a major dino fan, (and) was instrumental in mapping the predator and prey locations, most popular/iconic dinos, time period of existence, and spacing,” he said.

“Remaining true to history, we did not want to place dinosaurs next to each other which would have never seen each other, in reality.”

With the dinosaurs’ convincing eye movements and head-turning, a person of a certain age could be forgiven for believing when one walks by that these merely animatronic predators have come to life and are tracking their next meal.

Some teenaged visitors sauntered by unfazed, holding their phones, snapping photos, and some very young children, confident in the company of their parents, roared right back at the menacing-looking dinosaurs.

Xpedition Dino is a limited engagement run. It opened on May 28, 2021, and will operate daily, through September 7, 2021, weather permitting.

Reservations are required.

Wednesday, July 14, 2021 - A Coelophysis A growls at a family of visitors at Xpedition Dino, a Jurassic adventure, which features 30 life-size dinosaurs with realistic movement and sound, an add-on experience to the Wild Safari Drive-Thru Adventure at Six Flags in Jackson and Brendan Izzo, 4 growls right back, accompanied by his dad, Robert, mom Stephanie and brother Ryan, 1 1/2. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A Coelophysis B at Xpedition Dino. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A Coelophysis A growls at a family of visitors. The Izzo family from left, dad Robert carries Ryan, 1 1/2 on his shoulders, mom Stephanie and Brendan, 4. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

An Utahraptor eyes a visitor to Xpedition Dino. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

A Deltadromeus roars at Xpedition Dino. Michael Mancuso | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

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Michael Mancuso may be reached at [email protected] .

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