What to Expect: Jurassic Quest ROARS Back into Tampa July 19-21!
Jurassic Quest is stomping back into the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall in Tampa from July 19-21, 2024. It’s a one-stop experience to can check out this indoor prehistoric experience like no other! It’s one of our favorite places to see dinosaurs in Tampa Bay.
You and the kids can get face to snout with life-size dinosaurs, see real dinosaur fossils, and even ride huge dinosaurs. But, that’s not all…
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This is your chance to step through 165 million years of dino history from the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous periods when some of your favorite dinosaurs roamed the planet. Jurassic Quest has worked closely with paleontologists to ensure their dinosaurs are as realistic as possible from the texture of their skin to how scientists think they moved in real life.
We were invited to check out this dino-tastic event. Before you load up the kids and head to Jurassic Quest, we’re sharing a few “need to knows” to help you plan an epic day!
So, what is Jurassic Quest?
If you’ve never been to Jurassic Quest, it’s a popular traveling event that has been around for more than a decade. It’s a three-day event featuring realistic-looking dinosaurs, live shows, interactive exhibits, rideable dinosaurs, fossil digs, bounce houses, photo ops galore, and more. You can easily spend a few hours here with the kids!
Kids can even explore their Dino Directory to learn more about dinosaurs they may see this year at Jurassic Quest!
What’s NEW for 2024:
For this migration, kids can face off with the notoriously fast Jurassic Quest Utahraptors for “Raptor Run” races, and “Rope-a-Raptor,” where experienced “BrontoBusters” help kids lasso stray dinos to lead them back to their pens.
There’s also a video tour this year where dino experts will help you learn all about some of your favorite dinosaurs. Take your family on “The Quest,” a self-guided scavenger hunt-style activity where budding paleontologists can become Jr. Dinosaur Trainers and learn all about the dinosaurs and time periods with the help of a fun and fact-filled video tour featuring star dino trainers: Safari Sarah, Dino Dustin, Prehistoric Nick and Park Ranger Marty (available onsite and on your phone via QR code).
Returning Favorites
Several of our favorites from shows past include:
- Raptor Training Experience which will go on throughout the day.
- Meet interactive baby dinosaurs: Cammie the Camarasaurus, Tyson the T-Rex, and Trixie the Triceratops.
- “Tricera-tots” soft play area for the littlest explorers
- Real fossil exhibit featuring T-Rex teeth, a triceratops horn, and a life-size dino skull
- Interactive science and art activities
Is this event scary?
Not at all! This event is geared towards even the littlest of dino fans. Upon entering the event, you immediately walk into the dinosaur area. While this room is darker than the activity area and some of the dinosaurs make noise, it’s not overwhelming or loud.
This event is great for dino fans of all ages, but we think preschool and elementary-aged kids in particular will especially enjoy the activities at Jurassic Quest. There’s even a special Tricer-Tots area for little ones!
How much are tickets for Jurassic Quest in Tampa?
Tickets start at $22 for kids and adults. Kids younger than 2 get in for free. The general admission ticket gets you access to the dinosaurs, arts and crafts, the Fossil Experience, and the Raptor Training Experience. You will be able to purchase ride and activity tickets on-site for an additional $6 each.
There is an option to upgrade your child’s ticket to a Kids Ultimate Admission ticket for $36 which includes dinosaur rides, T. Wrecks Raceway, fossil digs, an excavation station, access to dinosaur-themed inflatables, and more. Since activity tickets on-site are about $6 each, this may be a good deal if you plan to experience multiple activities. This ticket is only available for kids ages 2-10. Kids must be at least 42 inches tall for some of the rides. If you want to wait to upgrade your child’s general admission ticket to the Kids Ultimate Admission, you can do so at the event at the Dino Store for $16.
Activities that require a $6 fee:
- Kids 42 inches and taller can ride the largest rideable dinosaurs in North America. (extra event fee required or Kids Ultimate ticket)
- Dinosaur-themed bounce houses and inflatable attractions
- Giant fossil dig
- T.rex Raceway
- Face painting and more
Families can also act on early bird savings with the code TBPARENT for 30% off tickets at jurassicquest.com!
Parking Information:
Since you have to pay to park, we’ll mention this here so you can plan. The Fairgrounds charges $10 per vehicle for parking and $16 for an RV or Bus. Since Jurassic Quest is being held inside the Florida State Fairgrounds Expo Hall, the best entrance is from US-301.
Want more dinosaur fun this summer?
Head to MOSI in Tampa to explore the temporary Brick Dinos exhibit and the permanent Dinovations Lab. Don’t forget, the world’s largest triceratops is on display at Glazer Children’s Museum too!