Into dinosaurs? Denver is the place to be this summer

June 10, 7:26 PMDenver City Buzz ExaminerRichard Blake

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Have a little boy (or girl) who is really into dinosaurs?  Then Denver is definitely the place to be this summer.  In addition, to the world renowned fossils at the Museum of Science and Nature at 17th and Colorado, there is the "Jurassic Gardens" exhibit at the Denver Botanic Gardens on York Street and, to the west, Dinosaur Ridge along the Hogback.

Jurassic Gardens will feature life-sized realistic dinosaurs from the Jurassic and Cretaceous periods (65 million years ago) interspersed with pre-historic plants and their modern relatives.  In addition there will be plant fossils and a dig site where kids can dig for dinosaur bones.  There will also be a number of special events including art exhibits and family activities throughout the summer.  Check out the website for specific times:  http://www.botanicgardens.org/content/jurassic-gardens-exhibit

If the kids want to see the area where some of the very first dinosaur fossils ever found were discovered, Dinosaur Ridge, is located at 16831 W. Alameda Parkway in Morrison.  Open every day, there is no charge to visit the visitors center or view the outdoor fossils sites along the ridge.  Alameda is closed along the ridge and can be accessed on foot, by bicycle or use of the Ridge's van at a cost of $3 per person.  Guided tours are also $3/per person.  In addition to thousands of dinosaur tracks there is a dinosaur bone quarry where dinosaur bones are visible encased in rock.  

Dinosaur Ridge usually has one free day, called Dinosaur Discovery Days (DDD), per month during the summer months.   The next DDD is on July 5th and will correspond with the Grand Opening of the Dinosaur Ridge Exhibit Hall between 10 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. that day.  
http://www.dinoridge.org/