The anticipated summer release of Universal’s Jurassic World, the fourth film in the Jurassic Park franchise, has made Velociraptors and T. rex a hot dinner-table topic—especially when kids are around. If your family trip takes you to Alberta, Canada, plan a stop at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller to see a world-class collection of fossils and engaging exhibits that appeal to all ages.
The Royal Tyrrell Museum features nine distinct galleries that trace life in prehistoric Canada. Highlights include the Cretaceous Alberta gallery, which showcases fossils from the region’s rich rock formations, and a preparation laboratory where technicians carefully clean, conserve and reconstruct specimens before they go on display. In the Lords of the Land exhibit, the famed Albertosaurus discovered by geologist J. B. Tyrrell is presented as a dramatic centerpiece, giving visitors a close-up look at a top predator from Alberta’s ancient ecosystems.
For an up-close field experience, visit the active dig at Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur & Heritage Museum in Warner. The museum houses a rare specimen of Acrotholus audeti, a small pachycephalosaur notable for its thick-domed skull. Devil’s Coulee emphasizes hands-on learning: guided tours of the Devil’s Coulee Dinosaur Egg Site let visitors see fossils in situ, learn how paleontologists document finds, and observe excavation work when crews are on site.
Devil’s Coulee also offers educational programs tailored to younger visitors. One- and two-day summer camps are available for children aged 6–10 and 10–13. Camp activities include daytime dinosaur tours, fossil identification, supervised digging demonstrations, and evening programs such as a campfire and a family-friendly film screening. These programs are designed to spark curiosity about Earth’s deep past while providing age-appropriate, interactive experiences.
Together, the Royal Tyrrell Museum and Devil’s Coulee provide complementary experiences: the museum offers curated, in-depth exhibits and behind-the-scenes conservation work, while Devil’s Coulee delivers a field-based perspective where participants can witness paleontology in action. Both destinations are excellent choices for families, school groups and anyone with an interest in dinosaurs and ancient life.
When planning a visit, check each site’s seasonal hours and program schedules, as active dig tours and camp sessions typically run during warmer months. Bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing, and a camera to capture the impressive displays and scenic badlands landscapes that characterize Alberta’s fossil country. Whether you’re inspired by blockbuster films or genuine scientific discovery, these sites offer memorable, educational experiences that bring prehistoric life to the present.