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Discover Dinosaurs And Prehistoric Fun
This Summer

By Melody Schubert

Earlier this year two new dinosaur species were discovered in Antarctica in February. The frozen Antarctic landscape preserved the fossils of a primitive carnivore and large plant eater that have ignited the imagination of dinosaur enthusiast around the globe. Those traveling to Indianapolis, Indiana this summer can dig into the history of these prehistoric creatures thanks to the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.

Families will travel back in time together at the Dinosphere, an exciting new attraction hatching at The Children's Museum of Indianapolis. Kids of all ages can experiment and explore more about dinosaurs at the interactive learning stations throughout this unique attraction. Search for clues about dinosaurs and learn how they lived and died. Explore a bit of history by touching real fossils and piecing together dinosaur anatomy while searching for T. rex's "dinner".

This unique exhibit will showcase one of the largest displays of real juvenile and family dinosaur fossils in the United States. Some of the most notable specimens in the world assembled for the Dinosphere include:

The first juvenile T. rex on display in a museum is the centerpiece, Bucky, a teenage Tyrannosaurus rex. 

A cousin of the T. rex called a Gorgosaurus, one of the most complete skeleton’s of a Gorgosaurus ever found. Visitors will also find Kelsey, a Triceratops, and Baby Louie, who was featured on the cover of National Geographic and is the only articulated dinosaur embryo fossil ever found in the world.

Baby Louie’s cousin Frannie, is a rare Leptoceratops, a smaller cousin to the Triceratops with a razor-sharp, parrot-like beak.

A child’s dreams come to life with the Lanzendorf Art Collection of dinosaur art on exhibit at the Children’s Museum. After the discovery of his first dino toy in a ceral box, Chicagoan John Lanzendorf began collecting dinosaur material. Since then he has accumulated of almost 300 original paintings, prints, drawings and sculptures, in addition to his collection of dinosaur toys. Through the creativity of internationally known artists these extinct specimens come to life. The Children’s Museum will continue to rotate the art collection over time according to various themes and plans to include sculptures on display for touching. After viewing John Lanzendorf collection on the third floor of the Museum children can draw and sculpt their own masterpieces in the hands-on area.

Come sink your teeth into summer fun at Dinosphere on exhibit at the largest children's museum in the United States. Rated the #1 children's museum in the nation by Child Magazine, The Children's Museum in Indianapolis is located at 3000 N. Meridian St. The museum is open Tuesday - Sunday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. The museum is open on Mondays through March and Labor Day only. To explore more about visiting this wonderful exhibit and other new exhibits coming to the Children's Museum in Indianapolis call (317) 334-3322 or call 1-800-820-6214. You can also visit their website at: http://www.childrensmuseum.org

Families can dig into more dino adventures around Indiana and beyond while traveling this summer. Dig up some history on these prehistoric giants at the Clarksville History Museum, located along the Ohio River shoreline at 2000 W. Broadway in Clarksville, Indiana. Uncover the facts behind the hundreds of fossils, including dinosaurs, fish, mammals and assorted reptiles, birds and invertebrates on exhibit. Many of these dinosaur fossils on display were found in eastern Wyoming and date to between 65 to 70 million years ago. These extraordinary specimens on loan to the Clarksville History Museum are part of the private collection of Jack Hankla, of Danville, Ky.

Follow the footsteps of these massive creatures at the world's largest naturally exposed fossil beds near The Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center. Fossils found within the bed date back almost 400 million years. Visitors can also explore more about the history of glaciers, local wildlife, steamboats and famous explorers like Lewis and Clark at The Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center. Interpretive Center hours are Monday - Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. To find information about the "Dinosaurs and More!" exhibit  and the Ohio Interpretive Center located at 201 West Riverside Dr. in Clarksville, IN call: (812) 280-9970. Email request to info@fallsoftheohio.org or visit: http://www.fallsoftheohio.org/index.html

Looking for more dino adventures this summer? If your travels take you through the Smokey Mountains stop by the Dinosaur Walk Museum in Pigeon Forge, TN. The museum lets guest get an up close and personal view of the world’s largest collection of life-size Dinosaurs and other amazing creatures. Throughout the museum guests can learn more about the life of these intriguing creatures that once roamed the earth. Also on display for families to enjoy are other interesting and entertaining exhibits on mammals, sea life, and reptiles. The Dinosaur Walk Museum is located in Pigeon Forge, TN next to the Veteran’s Museum at 106 Showplace Blvd. To find out more about tickets and other information on the Dinosaur Walk Museum call: (865) 428-4003 or visit the web site: http://discoverattractionsinthesmokies.com/dinosaurwalkmuseum/. Find more family fun you can sink your teeth into this summer at: http://www.travellady.com/Special/family.htm or explore exciting travel reviews on Tennessee at: http://www.travellady.com/Destinations/east.htm#Tennessee

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