Dinos Unearthed at ZooTampa Trex

INSIDE LOOK: Dinos Unearthed invade ZooTampa!

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It's not uncommon to find something BIG at , but how about something big…and ancient? Like, REALLY ancient??

Dinosaurs are back at the zoo, and it's a chance for you to go nose to snout with 15 life-sized dinosaurs as part of the new, limited-time Dinos Unearthed event!

A young boy in a bright green rash guard and patterned swim trunks smiles excitedly with his arms outstretched while standing in shallow water at a colorful water park. Behind him, vibrant blue, red, and yellow water slides and play structures tower under a partly cloudy sky.

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We got a first look on opening day, and we can confirm that it's RAWRsome, friends! We can also confirm that the first kids who got to experience it absolutely loved it! It's also a great opportunity to get some fun pics with the kids, so keep that camera charged.

So, let's dive in and get a peek at what to expect when you go!

About Dinos Unearthed at ZooTampa

Dinos Unearthed is included with Zoo admission and is located outdoors, not far from the Indian Rhinos in Asia. Once you walk through the zoo entrance, make your first left, keep walking until you pass the rhinos, and you'll see Dinos Unearthed on your left.

What you'll encounter next is a fully immersive experience that transports you into a whole new world, engaging your senses through touch, sight, and sound. It even teaches you how these dinosaurs played an important role in their ecosystems and what they have in common with animal species today.

And it's all told through a fun storyline that starts as dinosaurs are “unearthed”.

“You'll stumble upon dig sites just like this, some cool fossils that we've unearthed, and then we've got a research tent right here where some of our researchers have been studying these amazing dinosaurs. They can touch these fossils and see what it would be like to be a researcher,” Savannah Burkholder, the director of event productions at ZooTampa, told us.

Tying in these tactile experiences for kids throughout the exhibit was intentional. Kids can feel what each dinosaur's skin may have felt like, touch some of the “fossils”, and even unearth “fossils”!

Dinos Unearthed at ZooTampa Parasaurus
Parasaurus at Dinos Unearthed at ZooTampa. Photo by Laura Byrne.

“We think that education starts when you're a child, right? And so when you touch things, and you feel things, you can get inspired to want to learn about animals and conservation and these amazing animals that we had millions of years ago.”

You'll want to keep your camera handy because there are photo moments at almost every turn!

Here are the dinosaurs you'll meet at Dinos Unearthed

  • Allosaurus
  • Amargasaurus
  • Apatosaurus
  • Brachiosaurus
  • Carnotaurus
  • Diabloceratops
  • Dilophosaurus
  • Ornithomimus
  • Pachycephalosaurus
  • Pachyrhinosaurus
  • Parasaurolophus
  • Stegosaurus
  • Troodon
  • Tryannasarus Rex
  • Utahraptor

But wait…there's more!

During the event and throughout the Zoo, guests can enjoy ferociously delicious bites and dino-themed meals that will satisfy appetites of all sizes. Guests can also visit our Dinostaur retail shop, offering toys, gifts, apparel, and more!

Dinosaur plushes and more at the store at Dinos Unearthed at ZooTampa.
There are so many adorable Dino-themed items to shop at Dinos Unearthed!

Spring Break Must-Dos at ZooTampa:

Stay Late

The Zoo will operate on extended hours, staying open until 7 p.m. during spring break and weekends in April, so plan a WILD evening with the kids! Explore the zoo and then grab dinner here – try some of the Dinos Unearthed-themed menu items like the Carnivore Burger and Dino Doughnuts. Head to Australia and let the kids play in the splash pad and playground while you enjoy a cold drink during Sunset Sips Happy Hour at the Boomerang Bar.

Book an Animal Experience

There are so many incredible ways to connect with animals at the Zoo. These experiences have been some of my family's most memorable moments. Some of our favorites include the Indian Rhino Feeding, Giraffe Encounter, Giant Tortoise Encounter, Koala Behind-the-Scenes Tour, and even stepping into the water with stingrays at Stingray Shores!

Shop ‘til You Drop

The gift shops are a great place to find unique gift items for all ages. We love the books, ZooTampa souvenirs and t-shirts, stuffed animals (that my kiddo still sleeps with), and the animal tracking Expedition Fahlo Bracelets. You can even symbolically adopt an animal and receive a plush and adoption certificate.

Dinos Unearthed has its own gift shop, the DinoStaur, where you can find everything dinosaur-related, including sustainable stuffed dinosaur toys and the coolest shirts.

*ZooTampa has teamed up with the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities (CARD) at the University of South Florida to provide support and assistance to optimize the potential of people who are neurodiverse. You can view the sensory guide for Dinos Unearthed here. 

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