LAKE GEORGE, NY — Over 200 million years ago dinosaurs roamed the earth, and now they're back and thriving at Dino Roar Valley in Lake George. So grab your miniature paleontologists for a one and a half to two-hour road trip adventure they're going to love.
Dino Roar Valley is a new attraction at the 46-acre Lake George Expedition Park (that includes the long-standing Magic Forest amusement park). The park features 20 life-sized moving and roaring dinosaurs along a half-mile of paved walking trail aimed at transporting explorers back to primitive times. Towering hardwoods looming overhead, and a stream dotted with prehistoric-like ferns along its banks, create an ideal environment for your family’s expedition.
”The nice thing about the property is it's such a natural setting and it's got a valley and a stream. It really adds to the ambiance of the property," said general manager John Collins.
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On a recent visit, after receiving expedition instructions at base camp, children as young as two marveled at the teeth of the Spinosaurus’ cousin the 3700 pound Baryonyx, got up close and personal with a Triceratops and her juvenile offspring, and learned that a Coelophysis became the second dinosaur in space in 1988 when a skull was placed on the space shuttle “Endeavor." Some shut their eyes, while others bounced around the beasts daring them to roar at them, and some crept quietly closer, trying to escape being noticed by these "terrible lizards." Insider Tip: Know your child, some of the dinosaurs can be scary.
"People are surprised at the actual size of the dinosaurs," said general manager John Collins of the animatronic creatures acquired from Zigong Huilongtang Culture Arts Company — a company in Zigong, Sichuan of China, an area with known by many as "dinosaurs' hometown."
Standing below the 130-foot long Titanosaurus, I can attest to this fact. Even though it was considered a plant-eater, I'm not so sure I would have wanted to have a run-in with this guy [See Photo Below].
Fun facts like the ones about the Baryonyx, Triceratops, Coelophysis and Titanosaurus stated above are located on plaques in front of each dinosaur providing answers to questions such as “What did these dinosaurs eat?” “How did they defend themselves?” And “When they lived.” There is also an opportunity for kids (and adults if they’d like) to uncover the remains of six different dinosaurs in the Dino Dig Sandbox.
“We really wanted to make it fun and entertaining, but we also wanted to make it educational at the same time,” said Collins. Insider Tip: Bring a notebook, your kids are going to want to document all the new dinosaurs they meet and dinosaur facts they learn.
All-day admission to Dino Roar Valley is $24.99 plus tax, $19.99 plus to Magic Forest, or $35 plus tax for the combo ticket (“The best bang for your buck,” Collins said.) Workshop packages (that include admission to Dino Roar Valley and the chosen workshop) are $41.99 plus tax. Insider Tip: Purchase your tickets online and save $3 per person.
For those concerned with the price of the park, Collins believes it is well worth it. Between the time it takes to visit and learn about each dinosaur, time spent at the Dino Dig Sandbox, a stop at the Dino Nest playground for a little downtime, a break for food and the shows that run every half hour throughout the day (there is one at Dino Roar Valley, and two at Magic Forest — you have access to the grounds just not the rides with your Dino Valley ticket) families could spend an entire day exploring, learning and having fun. And isn’t that what a family day of road tripping should be?
Lake George Expedition Park is located at 1912 US Route 9 in Lake George, NY. For more information visit lakegeorgeexpeditionpark.com.
Note: I received complimentary admission for the purpose of this article.
