Although it’s not quite Isla Nublar from the “Jurassic Park” movies, Leonia will be home to more than 30 larger-than-life-sized dinosaurs through the end of October at Field Station: Dinosaurs, an outdoor family attraction that is sure to impress all the paleontologists in your group.
The 2023 season opens on May 27.
The Set-Up
The dinosaurs on display are animatronics, aka robots computer programmed to move in a realistic way. They were designed by artists to have lifelike features.
Field Station even has paleontologists on staff who worked at the New Jersey State Museum in Trenton who help bring these dinosaurs to life.
Visitors walk stroller-friendly trails reminiscent of local zoos, but instead of live animals behind a rope fence, there are life-sized dinosaur attractions, including herbivores like the Stegosaurus, local dinos like the Hadrosaurus foulkii and crowd favorites like the iconic T. Rex.
The Activities
Kids and adults will be able to participate in numerous activities, all included with the price of admission. Interactive workshops, games and shows are a huge part of the Field Station experience. Check out Are You Smarter Than a Paleontologist?, the Dinosaur Dance Party, the baby dinos ready to hatch in the Dinosaur Daycare area, the Field Station Challenge contests, the Toddler-saurus Surprise Party and the T-Rex Feeding Frenzy.
You can dig for rocks, make dinosaur origami, meet Hollywood’s first famous dino Gertie, play Mesozoic Concentration, pretend to be Paleo Picasso by making artwork, sing along with the Dinosaur Troubador, go on a scavenger hunt and visit the paleontologist’s lab.
As soon as you enter the park, grab a schedule of events and check out the times for each activity.
Another fan favorite activity is the Jurassic Jump attraction, which debuted last year. Harnessed riders can jump to heights of 5-25 feet while centered on a trampoline. When bouncing on the trampoline the mechanical bungee relay system helps jumpers reach the level where they could look dinosaurs in they eye! Note: there is an additional $10 fee.
When It Rains
Even though the Field Station is an outdoor attraction, there’s plenty to do during a downpour, too, like exploring one of 40 live shows, dinosaur games and activities in one of the park’s tented pavilions.
The Concessions
The park’s concession stand offers many options. There are also designated picnic tables, so feel free to come in the morning and stay through the afternoon, fueling up in between.
Park Hours
The spring season runs from May 27 through June 25, open from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.
The summer season is from June 27 to Sept. 3, open from 10 am to 6 pm all week except Mondays.
The fall season is from Sept. 9 to Nov. 12, open from 10 am to 5 pm Saturdays and Sundays. The park will be open on Nov. 9 and 10 from 10 am to 5 pm.
You can also visit on holidays, since Field Station: Dinosaurs will be open on Memorial Day (Monday, May 29), Juneteenth (Monday, June 19), Labor Day (Monday, Sept. 4) and Columbus Day (Monday, Oct. 9).
The Tickets
Admission tickets start at $17.50 (kids under 2 are free). There are additional fees for the online Paleontologists Library and the Jurassic Jump. A family season pass is available for $129.
Gift cards are available.
Field Station: Dinosaurs is an official Education Partner of Bergen County. A portion of every ticket sold is used for the preservation and enhancement of Bergen County Parks.
Field Station: Dinosaurs is located in Overpeck County Park at 40 Fort Lee Rd. in Leonia. For more information, call 855-999-9010.
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