On the hunt for dinosaurs in the area?
Six Flags, Science Center among places with attractions open
It’s not 100% safe to come face to face with other humans yet, but dinosaurs are a different story. New dinosaur attractions are open now at Connecticut Science Center in Hartford and Six Flags New England. Permanent exhibits of dinosaurs also are open in the Hartford-Springfield area.
Six Flags
The entire Six Flags amusement park in Agawam hasn’t reopened yet. While awaiting Massachusetts state guidelines, the park has only some food stands, stores and the dinos open. “Dinosaurs: A Walk Thru Experience” is roaring daily until April 25, then on weekends after that until May 23.
The attraction is free to all current members and season pass holders. Discounted day passes — $19.99. for adults, $9.99 for kids 48 inches or less — also are available. Hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Dinosaurs: A Walk Thru Experience” includes 20 lifesize moving, growling dinosaurs; a dinosaur puppet show; dinosaur games; dinosaur characters; and a virtual dinosaur hunt. QR codes access dinosaur educational materials.
Visitors must make reservations at sixflags.com/newengland. No tickets will be sold on site. To prevent crowding, arrival times are staggered, and the path through the attraction is one-way only. All visitors will have contact-free temperature and backpack checks, and masks must be worn by anyone older than 2.
For more information about safety, visit sixflags.com/newengland/plan-your-visit/safetyprotocols.
CT Science Center
“Passport to Pangea: Dinosaurs Around The World” will be on view on the fourth floor until Sept. 6 at CT Science Center, 250 Columbus Blvd. in Hartford. Families can interact with animatronic dinos including herrerasaurus, amargasaurus, iguanodon, neovenator, oviraptor, protoceratops, velociraptor, hadrosaur, leallynasaura, minmi, Spinosaurus, triceratops and the ever-popular Tyrannosaurus rex.
Also included are fossils and casts of several dinosaurs, as well as scientific information about Pangea, the prehistoric supercontinent of the Paleozoic and Mesozoic eras, when dinos lived.
“Dinosaurs Around the World” is included in the price of admission, which is $24.95, $22.95seniors, $26.95 ages 3 to 17, 2 and younger free. The Butterfly Encounter is $5 extra. The cinema is closed. Hours are Wednesday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m ., weekends 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Masks must be worn and social distancing maintained. Touchless temperature checks will be taken at the door. All tickets must be bought in advance at ctsciencecenter.org.
Other attractions
▪ “Dinosaurs in Your Backyard: A Portal to Past Worlds” is at Children’s Museum, 950 Trout Brook Drive in West Hartford. It has footprints, fossils, bones, 3D dinosaur models and a dinosaur game show. Timed tickets must be bought in advance. Admission is $8, younger than 2 free. thechildrensmuseumct.org
▪ At Mystic Aquarium, “Jurassic Giants” is an indoor walking trail with 12 animatronic dinosaurs in created natural habitats. It is part of the regular lineup of exhibits and attractions at the venue at 55 Coogan Blvd. The aquarium is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission varies by day. mysticaquarium.org.
▪ The Dinosaur Place at Nature’s Art Village, 1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike in Montville, opened for the season on March 26. It has 1 ½ miles of trails and caves with 50 dinosaur models and touch-and-learn activities. It is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Admission varies by season. naturesartvillage.com.
▪ Springfield Science Museum, part of the Springfield Museums complex at 21 Edwards St. in Springfield, has a dinosaur hall with a life-size replica of a Tyronnosaurus rex, as well as replicas of a coelophysis, a stegosaurus skeleton and fossils of dinosaur tracks. It is open Tuesday to Saturday10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tickets — $25, $16.50 seniors and students, $13 ages 3to 17, 2 and younger free — should be reserved online.
▪ Dinosaur State Park’s exhibit center, which houses many fossils, is still closed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Check the website for updates. The outdoor walking trails are open daily. 400 West St. in Rocky Hill. dinosaurstaepark.org.