Last Updated on February 4, 2020 by Natalie
It’s happening! I think with a delightful, giddy air. I finally get to see a T-Rex skeleton in real life!* As we entered the exhibit, the T-Rex greets us with it’s fearsome teeth and incredible size. It’s impressive, bringing awe to our faces. Maybe it also brings a little fear into our hearts. However, we didn’t let that prevent us from learning all about dinosaurs at the Center of Science and Industry, aka COSI, in Columbus, Ohio. We even got to touch real fossils!
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Holy Jurassic, Batman! Yes, Tyrannosaurus Rex lived during the late Cretaceous period, not the Jurassic period. I really wanted to say “Holy Jurassic, Batman!”
*This T-Rex is a cast, read on for more information.
COSI Dinosaur Exhibit 2020 in Columbus, Ohio
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During our visit to Columbus, Ohio, we had the opportunity to visit COSI (Center of Science and Industry) a second time. During our last trip, we visited COSI Kidspace. This time, we got to see the dinosaur exhibit. This exhibit opened in November, 2017. The best part? The exhibit is permanent!
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Greetings, humans. I will eat you now!
Seeing Dinosaurs! Sort of…
Upon entering the exhibit, you are greeted by a life size cast of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. While I want to see the real fossil of a T-Rex (or any dinosaurs), the cast is amazing. Since it is to scale, you realize how big these things were when they existed. Did you know the T-Rex wasn’t a particularly fast moving creature? It’s top speed was around 25 miles per hour. Sure, I’d still get eaten if I tried to run from it.
Next to the T-Rex is a steel and fiberglass model of Apatosaurus louisae (usually incorrectly called a brontosaurus). Contrary to the opinion of the guy standing next to me that it was under construction, this dino is complete. It’s there to demonstrate that this animal did not raise it’s head up like a giraffe.
One of the “trophy” skulls.
After that, you wander into the next area. On the way, you see casts of dinosaurs prints found in various places in the world. Then you’re in the “trophy room,” where dinosaurs skulls are on display (mostly casts), like a Triceratops! You can even touch a real Triceratops horn fossil. On another wall, there are several large skulls on display. Though if you have kids, it’s debatable whether or not you’ll actually get to read descriptions.
My personal highlights
For the past couple of years, I realized that I really want to see a dinosaur exhibit. I wanted to stand under the giant fossils and feel the feelings that invoked. Knowing that these were mostly casts did affect me: I stood there and knew I wasn’t seeing something that was truly 65-70 million years old, but I was still in awe of its massive size.
We also got to touch real fossils!
I am very happy because I’m touching a real fossil!
Fun Facts
Tyrannosaurus Rex had the strongest bite of any land animal that has ever existed!
Did the kids like it?
“What was your favorite part of the dinosaur exhibit?” I asked my kids.
My four year old daughter answered,”the dinosaur skeleton.”
My five year old son, “I liked the video games, the T-Rex skeleton, and the giant skeleton [the steel Apatosaurus louisae model].”
This is the cutest dinosaur I’ve ever seen.
“So you both liked the exhibit?”
“We liked everything from there,” answered my son. My daughter chimed in with a yes!
There you have it! The kids enjoyed the dinosaur exhibit a lot and the other parts of COSI. We have been to the museum twice and we haven’t even seen half of it yet. It’s a wonderful gem in downtown Columbus, Ohio!
How to purchase tickets
Advance tickets can be purchased by clicking here. Tickets can also be purchased at the door.
Where to Park at COSI
Parking at the underground lot is usually the best option. The cost is $6 for the general public and $5 for COSI members.
The lots around COSI are not part of the members discount and the prices will vary by lot.
Do you have feedback on the dinosaur exhibit at COSI Columbus? My best feedback comes from readers like you! Please leave a comment.
