Dinosaurs are alive and well inside Springfield’s MassMutual Center this weekend.
It’s all part of Jurassic Quest, the largest traveling dinosaur experience in North America, which roars into town for three days. Hours are Friday from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Dinosaurs are believed to have once made their home in the Pioneer Valley which was – at the time – a subtropical swamp inhabited by carnivorous, two-legged dinosaurs.
“Visitors can walk through 165 million years of dinosaurs from the world’s Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods and come face-to-face with our 60-foot-long Spinosaurus and the king of all dinosaurs – our life-size Tyrannosaurus Rex – as well as many others including the Parasaurolophus and Carinthosaurus,” said Jurassic Quest’s Park Ranger Marty Hoffman.
“We also have our three little baby dinosaurs – Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex and Trixie the Triceratops. Kids just love meeting them up-close and hugging and petting them. It’s adorable and something you don’t want to miss,” he added.
In addition to life-like dinosaurs, Jurassic Quest includes some of the largest rideable dinosaurs, live dinosaur shows, interactive science and art activities including a fossil dig and real fossils like T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn and life-size dino skull, a “Triceratots” soft play area for the littlest explorers, bounce houses and inflatable attractions, photo opportunities, and more.
“We have both stationery dinosaur rides and other dinosaurs that you can climb aboard as the friendly dino actually walks around for real,” said Hoffman.
The Jurassic Quest herd of animatronic dinos – from the largest predators to playful baby dinos – are displayed in realistic scenes with some that move and roar, allowing guests to experience them as they probably were, since no one was alive back then to tell, when they roamed Earth millions of years ago. But they are real as real can be. Jurassic Quest works in collaboration with leading paleontologists to ensure each dinosaur is painstakingly replicated in every detail, from coloration to teeth size, to textured skin, fur or feathers, drawing on the latest research about how we understand dinosaurs looked and moved.
Jurassic Quest, which last visited Springfield in September 2022, has expanded its “quest” for this year with more hands-on activities and educational opportunities. Jurassic Quest now includes an expanded Excavation Station and more Jurassic-themed rides and inflatables. Even their animatronic herd has expanded to include fan favorites, such as the Utahraptor and Giganotosaurus. In addition to “The Quest,” a self-guided scavenger hunt style activity where budding paleontologists can become junior dinosaur trainers, Jurassic Quest has added a new video tour to watch featuring their popular dino trainers including Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty.
Hoffman explained why kids have an unending love of dinosaurs.
“They are kind of like dragons, which kids find very exciting, except they don’t breathe fire. But dinosaurs didn’t need to, they are so cool just as they are and look like something from a sci-fi book. But the difference is that are real and actually existed on this planet and that somehow makes them better,” he said.
General admission tickets are $22 and include access to the dinosaur exhibits, arts and crafts activities, and dinosaur shows. Special activities including rides require additional tickets. There is also an upgraded kids unlimited admission with unlimited access to dinosaur rides, Jurassic Jeeps, fossil dig and most dinosaur themed inflatable attractions. Seniors ages 65 and older are $19 with ID. Entry is free for children under age 2.
For more information, or for tickets, visit massmutualcenter.com.
