Summer of Dinos
![A small fabricated prehistoric creature made of natural materials.](/sites/default/files/styles/hero_interior_large/public/2024-04/DI0A0585.jpg?h=6f2c6b77&itok=PjzNln1E)
May 25 — September 30, 2024
Free with general admission
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Visitors are invited to discover Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs—a self-guided exhibition featuring plants in our collection with roots that go back to prehistoric times. There is also a brand-new dinosaur exhibition in the Garden Railway, Garden Railway: Dinos! Plus, there will be a pop-up paleontologist’s cottage featuring hands-on “dig stations,” special family-friendly programming including Fossil Fridays, dino story time, and much more!
If you were to travel back in time to the Mesozoic Era, which lasted from approximately 252 million years ago to 66 million years ago, you would find a world much different than our own. Not only was it a time of great geologic and biological transition, but the world had some of the hottest temperatures ever known. As the climate changed, plants changed, too! Flowering plants appeared and led the way to an era that supported greater numbers and variety of dinosaurs than any other. Meat-eating animals like the Tyrannosaurus rex got their energy by eating plant-eating dinosaurs like the Triceratops, which got their energy by eating plants and the plants got their energy from sunlight! Without these plants, the food chain would have been incomplete.
Sponsored in part by:
![Booked logo.](/sites/default/files/styles/text_image/public/2024-05/bookedLOGO%20full%20%28002%29.png?itok=sC6YFbZx)
Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs
In Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs—a new self-guided exhibition that runs from Saturday, May 25, 2024 through Monday, September 30, 2024—visitors will learn more about the plants in our collection with roots that go back to prehistoric times. Join Morris Arboretum & Gardens as we travel back to the Mesozoic era, a time 252 to 66 million years ago (MYA) that saw the dominance of reptiles and conifers, the rise of dinosaurs, and the emergence of flowering plants.
Garden Railway: Dinos!
With more than 15 different rail lines running along a third of a mile of track, visitors will enjoy a spectacular display of dinosaurs including Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, and Velociraptor all made out of natural materials such as bark, leaves, and twigs. As one of the largest outdoor miniature train displays in the United States, the Garden Railway will delight and amaze visitors of all ages.
Paleontologist’s Cottage
The Paleontologist’s Cottage features hands-on “dig stations,” special family-friendly programming including Fossil Fridays, dino story time, and much more!
Fossil Fridays • 11 am
Friday, June 7
Friday, July 5
Friday, August 2
Friday, September 7
Storytime • 10:30 am
Wednesday, July 17
Wednesday, August 21
TyrannoMorris Rex
The 25-foot TyrannoMorris Rex heard about Summer of Dinos and traveled 66 millions years into the future just to see it!
Say hi to TyrannoMorris Rex in the Whimsical Woods on your next visit—now through Wednesday, July 31!
Please note: In the case of extremely high winds, TyrannoMorris Rex may need to be deflated.
Summer of Dinos Events
![A young boy holds a magnifying glass up to his eye while examining a leaf.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2024-04/boy-examining-leaf-magnifying-glass-Nature%20Sleuths.jpg?h=a5d78125&itok=uN8qcoTb)
Fossil Friday
Friday, July 5, 2024 • 11 am
Fossils are how we learn about dinosaurs and plants! Dig with us and discover plant and dinosaur fossils at Morris.
![A large fabricated Tyrannosaurus rex made of natural materials stands outdoors surrounded by green foliage.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2024-05/Garden%20Railway%20Dinos_T-rex_MArmstrong_1.jpg?h=efcc3c47&itok=hLsUMwS_)
Dino Weekend
Saturday July 13 & Sunday, July 14
Bring the whole family for some discounted prehistoric fun––ages 17 and under get in FREE all weekend long!
![A young women in a hat reads from a picture book to a group of caregivers and young children in the woods.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2023-08/storytime-with-clara.jpg?h=c33f6927&itok=G3jhL_lm)
Storytime
Wednesday, July 17 • 10:30 am
This month, we’re reading Slowly Slowly Said the Sloth by Eric Carle.
![Two young girls in dresses run through a field of bubbles.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2023-06/Blooming%20Bubbles_3.jpg?h=bfced127&itok=_XAmfgHf)
Dino Bubbles!
Tuesday July 23 • 11 am
July’s Bubble Surprise is a dino dance party while making cool dino masks!
![A hand holding a spiral drawing pad with a drawing of a "Juvenile Pachycephalosaurus!" skull.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2024-06/366527935_2068214640178729_7697751298296025922_n_0.jpg?h=20ae0123&itok=4CRkznMj)
Drawing Dinosaurs After Hours
Grab a friend and your art supplies, and join us at the Morris after hours for a fun evening of learning to draw dinosaurs with local artist Meg Lemieur.
![A young boy holds a magnifying glass up to his eye while examining a leaf.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2024-04/boy-examining-leaf-magnifying-glass-Nature%20Sleuths.jpg?h=a5d78125&itok=uN8qcoTb)
Fossil Friday
Friday, August 2 • 11 am
Fossils are how we learn about dinosaurs and plants! Join us for a fun fossil-themed activity.
![A young women in a hat reads from a picture book to a group of caregivers and young children in the woods.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2023-08/storytime-with-clara.jpg?h=c33f6927&itok=G3jhL_lm)
Storytime
Wednesday, August 21 • 10:30 am
This month, we’re reading The Rainforest Grew All Around by Susan K. Mitchell.
![Many bromeliad plants in green, pink, red, and black-and-white striped.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2024-05/bromeliad%20close-up.jpg?h=b496af98&itok=bmdKtjMp)
Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs Tour
Saturday, August 24, 2024 • 11 am
Join an experience guide on this exciting new tour to explore living examples of trees and plants that were around when dinosaurs roamed the earth.
![A young boy holds a magnifying glass up to his eye while examining a leaf.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2024-04/boy-examining-leaf-magnifying-glass-Nature%20Sleuths.jpg?h=a5d78125&itok=uN8qcoTb)
Fossil Friday
Friday, September 6 • 11 am
Fossils are how we learn about dinosaurs and plants! What is a paleo diet? Learn about poop fossils at the Paleontologist's Cottage.
![Many bromeliad plants in green, pink, red, and black-and-white striped.](/sites/default/files/styles/card_large/public/2024-05/bromeliad%20close-up.jpg?h=b496af98&itok=bmdKtjMp)
Plants in the Age of Dinosaurs Tour
Saturday, September 14 • 11 am
Join an experienced Garden Educator on this exciting new tour to explore living examples of trees and plants that were around when dinosaurs roamed the earth.