The imaginations of children and adults can run wild at the 60-acre Dinosaur Place inside Nature’s Art Village north of New London, Conn. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
The imaginations of children and adults can run wild at the 60-acre Dinosaur Place inside Nature’s Art Village north of New London, Conn.
Everyone will enjoy searching for lifelike dinosaur models hidden in trees or behind rock formations, some creatures towering high above them.
Visitors to Dinosaur Place in Connecticut will enjoy searching for lifelike dinosaur models hidden in trees or behind rock formations, some creatures towering high above them. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
On a recent summer trip, my son and I were excited to visit the theme park’s dinosaurs — more than 60 of them — on a sweltering day. Tickets are available at the entrance, near the gift and ice cream shops. A QR code at the desk also links to a map of the park.
Nature’s Art Village features shopping and other attractions, but Dinosaur Place is the centerpiece.
Inside Nature’s Art Village, the Dinosaur Place, a dinosaur-themed adventure park, features more than 60 prehistoric creatures located in Oakdale, Connecticut, June 21, 2024. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes) (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Names and descriptions of the individual types are written on signs near each dinosaur. Some of our favorites were the Triceratops and Tyrannosaurus rex models and the Atrociraptor, one of the carnivores featured in the blockbuster movie “Jurassic World: Dominion.”
A Dilophosaurus, another carnivorous dinosaur, was placed in a cave-like enclosure behind a pretend electric fence; it would shake, roar and spit water, simulating venom, an attribute ascribed to it in the “Jurassic Park” movie.
A Dilophosaurus behind a pretend electric fence shakes, roars and spits pretend venom at Dinosaur Place in Oakdale, Conn. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
Children may cool down in the steamy summer weather at the Splashpad. The water playground features a dinosaur Rib Cage waterfall and T-rex water cannons. Kids must wear slip-resistant shoes to enjoy the zero-depth water there.
The two-story, enclosed T-Rex Tower, which the park’s website boasts is “The Largest Playscape on the East Coast,” takes kids through a series of obstacles, including a rope ladder, zipline and slippery slides. It is guaranteed to tire your little ones out. Children must remove their shoes, but wear socks before entering.
A-MAZE-asaurus challenges adults and children to find their way through a large maze or risk meeting a carnivore at a wrong turn.
A-MAZE-asaurus at Dinosaur Place in Connecticut challenges visitors to find their way through a large maze or risk meeting a carnivore at a wrong turn. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
There is also a slide in the maze that sends you out of the giant maw of a T. rex. For additional fees, there is a miniature train ride, pedal go-karts and an 18-hole mini golf course next to the park.
Toward the end of our visit, we caught up to the large, simulated volcano near a marshy pond that erupted on the hour. It spewed steam seconds before erupting into several jets of water for a volcanic effect.
A hike around the 1½-mile trail took about two hours while enjoying all the attractions. Outside the Dinosaur Place, enjoy shopping at the nearby Ageless Toy Shop, Ancient Fossil Shop, Artistic Jewelry shop and others.
A volcano erupts on the hour at Dinosaur Place, an educational theme park in Oakdale, Conn. (Juan King/Stars and Stripes)
On the QT
Directions: 1650 Hartford-New London Tpke, Oakdale, Conn., 06370; Google Plus Code: CQJH+P4 Oakdale, Montville, CT, USA
Times: Dinosaur trails are open daily, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.; see website for other attraction times. The park may close due to inclement weather.
Costs: $36.95 for ages 6-17; $32.95 for ages 2-5 and adults; $30.95 for 60 and older; free for 2 and younger.
Food: Food and drinks available at Monty’s Munchies or bring your own lunch and coolers.
Information: Phone: 860-443-4367; Online: naturesartvillage.com/experience/the-dinosaur-place
