Giants, Dragons & Unicorns debuts at MOSI this Saturday, May 17!
Were dragons just misunderstood dinosaurs? Could unicorns trace their horns to the Arctic seas? And did a real sea monster inspire the terrifying kraken? Starting May 17, you’ll get a chance to find out as Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures takes over MOSI, Tampa’s Museum of Science & Industry.
Created by the American Museum of Natural History in New York, this unique exhibition brings centuries of folklore to life through the lens of science, revealing how real animals, fossils, and cultural traditions may have inspired legendary creatures like fire-breathing dragons, deep-sea monsters, magical unicorns, and more. You’ll come face-to-face with creatures of legend and uncover the surprising truths that may have inspired them.
Related: Florida's largest planetarium now open at MOSI!
Hands-on fun teams up with history to ensure the exhibit amazes guests of all ages. Rearrange mammoth bones to build a giant, create your own virtual dragon, and snap a photo with three different dragon legends.
Giants, Dragons, and Unicorns exhibition highlights:
Unicorns:
Get up close with a narwhal tusk—the spiraled tooth that once convinced medieval Europeans they had found magical unicorn horns. In fact, unicorn myths span continents: the European version is sleek and horse-like, while the Asian unicorn, first mentioned in texts more than 4,000 years ago, had a scaly coat, flesh-covered horns, and a wolf-like face.
Sea Monsters:
Ever heard of a creature more than a mile around, with arms as thick as a ship’s mast? That’s how sailors once described the kraken—possibly inspired by sightings of massive giant squid. A towering model with tentacles rising from the floor brings this sea legend to life.
Mermaids:
As European sailors explored new oceans, they reported glimpses of mermaids in the waves. These tales merged with local legends at ports around the world, creating rich, regional versions of the half-human, half-fish figure.
Dragons & Griffins:
Before paleontology existed, people uncovered large, mysterious bones and assumed they belonged to dragons. In Asia and Europe, these fossil finds—including fearsome teeth and claws—fed stories of fire-breathers and sky beasts. And in the deserts of Central Asia, early discoveries of Protoceratops—a beaked, four-legged dinosaur with long shoulder blades—may have sparked the myth of the griffin.
Storybooks come to life
“Giants, Dragons & Unicorns is the perfect blend of science, storytelling, and imagination,” said John Graydon Smith, CEO of MOSI. “It taps into something universal—the thrill of mystery and the joy of discovery. This exhibition is a reminder that myths aren’t just make-believe. They reflect our need to understand the unknown, and they show how science and imagination have always been connected.”
Whether you're a fantasy fan, a curious kid, or just love a good mystery, Giants, Dragons & Unicorns brings centuries-old stories to life in a way that’s playful, thought-provoking, and unforgettable.
Visiting Tampa for a limited time, Giants, Dragons & Unicorns: The World of Mythic Creatures is organized by the American Museum of Natural History in New York and is included with MOSI admission. For more information or to plan your visit, head to mosi.org.