Unearthing the Rutland Sea Dragon
June 17, 1:30 pm
Internationally recognized paleontologist, ichthyosaurs expert, and author Dr. Dean Lomax will join us at the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life for a dino-lover’s dream presentation! Hear all about his experience unearthing the giant Rutland Sea Dragon, the largest fossil found in the UK, plus learn more about his incredible background and the dino-digs that changed his life. After the presentation, Dr. Lomax will sign two of his books – Locked in Time and Prehistoric Pets – and will answer questions from guests. Join us at the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life on June 17, 2023, at 1:30 pm for this incredible paleo-event!
DINOS AND ICE CREAM
Looking to set up the perfect evening with your favorite plus one? For just $35, you can get admission and ice cream for two to the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life. This “sweet” package deal goes extinct on August 26, so reserve your tickets now!
Dinos After Dark
Tuesdays & Thursdays
6 pm – 8 pm
This summer, the dinos come alive at night! Join us for Dinos After Dark and explore the museum like never before as you wander through the halls, uniquely-lit for a new viewing experience. Enjoy exclusive programs like puppet shows, storytelling adventures, and scavenger hunts, plus receive free popcorn and sodas!
dinosaur island
May 27 – August 26
Need more Dinosuars? This summer, a prehistoric adventure comes to life at the Ashton Gardens, where animatronic dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes lurk in the vegetation.
JR. PALEO LAB AND GEODE CRACKING
JR. PALEO LAB
Ever wondered what it was like to clean and prepare a real fossil? At the Junior Paleo Lab, you’ll use the same tools as real paleontologists to excavate a fossil from the Eocene Era. You’ll be the first human to handle this fossil and will even get to take your specimen home with you. Dig in to the world of paleontology, only at the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life
$10 per person | $9 for Thanksgiving Point members
GEODE CRACKING
Time to get cracking! Now at the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life, you can take your very own geode, containing a mystery crystal, home with you! Just pick whatever geode calls out to you, head over to our geode cracking machine, and split it open for a one-of-a-kind souvenir.
$18 for Large Geode, $10 for Medium Geode | $16 for Large Geode, $9 for Medium Geode for Thanksgiving Point members
Inside the Junior Paleo Lab
Walking through the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life, staring up at the ancient fossils to each side of us and towering above our heads, we may think of how crazy it is that the bones we see are millions and millions of years old. But we don’t often think about how long it takes to get them out of the ground, chipped out of the rock, and mounted before us.
Dirt on Dinos
Wednesdays | 10 am
See interesting artifacts on display and ask our friendly staff all your dino questions. Included with regular admission.
Tales for Tots
Mondays | 11-11:20 am
Staff will engage guests with interactive storytelling as well as movement and/or music activities that connect to the story theme of the day.
Bubbles and Bites
Wednesdays and Saturdays | 1 pm
Join our staff and watch our our agile Alligator Gar hunt for lunch. Included with venue admission.
Mammoth Screen Theatre
Adventure into a 3D world with the Mammoth Screen Theatre, located inside the Mountain America Museum of Ancient Life! This theatre provides a wide selection of films on ancient life, nature, and space for all ages to enjoy.