Dinosaur Museum in Branson, Missouri
Also known as the Dinosaur Walk Museum, the Branson Dinosaur Museum is a popular attraction that puts visitors face-to-face with some of the most menacing creatures that ever walked the earth. Located on West Hwy. 76, the museum shares a facility with The Haunted House and Monster Asylum and is one of two such museums in the country; the other is located in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.
The dinosaurs at this museum are not fashioned from real fossils but they are modeled by specialized “paleo” artists who study actual fossils and footprints to create their amazing likenesses. These artists specialize in what is known as “flesh replications”, producing lifelike re-creations of a variety of different species of dinosaurs. The sculptures are created in a large facility out in the deserts of Utah and are actually first modeled from wood but then covered with clay and sculpted to the dimensions of the animal being replicated. After that, the clay models are molded and reproduced in fiberglass. Then these talented artists add the finishing touches to make their creation look as if it's the real thing.
Visitors to the Branson Dinosaur Museum will walk on foot through a number of different exhibits profiling well-known and not-so-well-known dinosaurs. Among the favorites is a huge model of the T-Rex, the largest predatory dinosaur on record. Other exhibits include a replica of the mighty Stegosaurus, a display about swimming dinosaurs, and additional re-creations of the Dilophosaurus, and Allosaurus, and the duck-billed Parasaurolophus, an herbivore. In all, there are 50 life-size dinosaurs at this 24,000 square foot museum, which has been a perennial favorite with dinosaur fans of all ages since it opened just a handful of years ago.
Also part of the museum is a small movie theater where visitors can gather to watch a flick about the world of prehistoric animals. The movie plays constantly throughout the day. There is also a “book nook” where young visitors can explore the land of the dinosaurs through books geared to their age level. There’s also a Kid’s Theater that plays videos appropriate for little ones. All the books and videos are available in the museum’s gift shop and can be purchased at the end of the visit. The gift shop also sells dinosaur models, stuffed animals, games, puzzles, fossil replicas, and other dino-related souvenirs, including apparel.
Birthday parties can be held at the museum with various packages available for those who’d like to celebrate their special day there. Special rates are also available for groups of 15 or more visiting the museum together.
The Branson Dinosaur Museum is open daily all year
round as is the neighboring Haunted House. Guests may purchase tickets for
just Dinosaur Walk or may buy a combination ticket for both attractions. The
museum sometimes offers online coupons that save a few dollars on the
admission cost, however, admission tickets cannot be purchased online.
Useful Links:
http://www.bransondinosaurs.com/
http://www.bransonworld.com/branson-attractions/detail/branson-s-dinosaur-museum.html
Return to Branson Missouri Guide Home Page