Last Updated on October 11, 2024
I am a dinosaur-lover. I have been since the young age of three when I received my first toy set of these fascinating beasts. Even as an adult, I have a huge collection of replica toy dinosaurs I happily display. I readily devour newly interpreted insight and recent discoveries of these denizens of the distant past. I have visited dinosaur parks, natural history museums, and even several places in Colorado that feature spectacular fossilized dinosaur footprints.
Yes, you can call me a true dinosaur-lover.
Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum
I was immediately enthralled to learn of a unique dino-adventure available in 2025. The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum (PJCDM) near Grande Prairie, Alberta, offers an extraordinary opportunity to experience prehistoric history up close.
The museum recently unearthed a monumental discovery: an exciting new find of a 600-pound skull of a Pachyrhinosaurus lakustai. This impressive creature of the Cretaceous Period is an ancient cousin of the Triceratops, from the famed Pipestone Creek Bonebed. Nicknamed “Big Sam,” this is the first complete skull found in the bonebed in over a decade. Pperhaps more importantly, it’s one of the largest horned dinosaur skulls ever unearthed in northern Alberta.
This discovery, made after two summers of painstaking excavation, brings media attention to one of the densest dinosaur fossil deposits in all of North America. “Big Sam” will soon be on display at the PJCDM, where visitors can witness firsthand the ongoing work of dedicated scientists preparing this incredible find.
PJCDM also offers a host of interactive exhibits, immersive dinosaur experiences, and even a behind-the-scenes look at the preparation lab, making it a must-visit destination for families, adventure seekers future-paleontologists and dinosaur enthusiasts like me.
But wait. There’ smore.
Alberta is a treasure trove of North American dinosaur fossil discoveries. For those looking for a fun, dinosaur filled itinerary, Alberta, Canada is definitely the place to be.
Town of Drumheller
Ninety-three miles northeast of Calgary is the small town of Drumheller, known as “The Dinosaur Capital of the World.” Drumheller is home to the world-renowned Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology. Here visitors can explore Canada’s largest collection of dinosaur fossils.
The museum is also a leading paleontological research institution that offers immersive exhibits, fossil preparation demonstrations and groundbreaking research on prehistoric life. It is a dinosaur-lover’s dream come true to marvel at the mighty T-rex and its colossal three-horned nemesis, the Triceratops.
Visitors can even walk through the jaws of the world’s largest dinosaur sculpture. Drumheller boasts five Guinness World Record-holding dinosaur fossils, making it a must-visit destination for anyone fascinated by ancient giants.
Dinosaur Provincial Park
Just outside Drumheller, Dinosaur Provincial Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for its prehistoric fossil-rich bone beds where some of the world’s largest and most impressive dinosaur fossils have been uncovered. It was here and at nearby locations where the fossilized remains of several of T-rex’s earlier relatives, Gorgosaurus, Daspletosaurus and Albertosaurus were dug up.
In the Dinosaur Provincial Park, visitors can join guided paleontological digs and hike scenic trails while hoping to unearth a dino discovery. The park’s otherworldly landscapes and abundant dinosaur discoveries make it a thrilling destination for travelers seeking adventure and a deeper connection to the prehistoric past. There’s plenty to discover when you step back in time to 70 million years ago.
So, which is it?
“Big Sam” in The Philip J. Currie Dinosaur Museum (PJCDM) near Grande Prairie in northern Alberta or south to Drumheller, home of the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Paleontology and Dinosaur Provincial Park where paleontology is an on-going effort in a spectacular landscape?
True, Alberta is a very big province. But why choose? A domain so rich in natural beauty and prehistoric discoveries should be explored in its entirety. I know you dinosaur-lovers out there will not be disappointed.
For me? Alberta is definitely on the top of my list of places to visit in 2025.
