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Dinosaurs are returning to Chicago—but this time they’re sharing space with giraffes and gorillas.
Beginning May 22, prehistoric giants will once again roam the grounds of Brookfield Zoo Chicago, part of a new seasonal attraction called “Dinos!," an immersive outdoor experience that scatters life-size dinosaurs throughout the zoo.
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The exhibit features 35 full-scale dinosaur installations, including familiar crowd-pleasers like Tyrannosaurus rex, as well as flying reptiles such as a pterodactyl. Instead of being confined to a single gallery, the prehistoric creatures are stationed throughout the zoo, turning an ordinary stroll between animal habitats into something closer to a Jurassic safari.
In true family-friendly fashion, the experience leans heavily into hands-on discovery. Visitors can walk through a massive dinosaur rib cage-tunnel, climb on a giant fossil, dig for archaeological treasures in interactive excavation areas and follow a “Dino Trail” dotted with prehistoric photo ops.
The zoo will also roll out an “Ultimate T. Rex” virtual-reality adventure, complete with motion chairs and a 360-degree digital journey into a dinosaur-filled landscape.
“From awe-inspiring dinosaurs to unforgettable animal encounters, this season offers a dynamic mix of experiences for guests of all ages and interests,” said Andrea Rodgers, Brookfield Zoo Chicago senior vice president of guest experience & operations, in a statement. “Whether you’re visiting the Zoo to meet a new species, enjoy live entertainment or simply spending time together outdoors, Brookfield Zoo Chicago continues to create fresh opportunities for guests to explore our 235 acres and connect with wildlife and nature in meaningful ways.”
Special events tied to the exhibit will run throughout the summer, including a 2-mile Dino Dash fun run on May 30 and an after-hours “Dinos After Dark” pajama party on July 11, both designed to extend the prehistoric theme well beyond daylight hours.
The dinosaurs will remain at the zoo through October, meaning Chicago families have plenty of time to encounter creatures that vanished from Earth roughly 65 million years ago.
And unlike the velociraptors in certain blockbuster films, these come with an important reassurance: They’re strictly animatronic.
Even better? The dinosaur takeover is included with regular zoo admission, making it maybe the only attraction where you can see a Tyrannosaurus rex, a tiger and a penguin in the same afternoon without paying extra for the privilege.
Which, if you think about it, is exactly the kind of ecological mash-up Chicago does best.