7 Seattle-Area Spots for Kids Who Love Dinosaurs

At the Burke Museum, kids can get close to real paleontologists at work on real dinosaur bones. Dino fans should head straight to the Fossils Uncovered gallery on the third floor to check out the evidence of ancient life. And you might get the chance to see archaeologists continue their work on the Burke’s 3,000-pound skull of a Tyrannosaurus rex, which is one of the best T. rex specimens on display anywhere.

You’ll also want to cruise by the Burke's two play areas.

Find it: 4300 15th Ave. N.E., Seattle, near the northwest corner of the University of Washington campus
Cost: $22 adults, $14 for youths ages 4–17, ages 3 and younger free

Money-saving tips: Street parking and campus lots are all free on Sundays. You can reserve a free museum pass (good for two people) through the Seattle Public Library, or visit on the museum’s free day, First Thursday. UW faculty, staff and students also get in free, so lucky you if there’s one of those among your crew. Military, AAA members and Microsoft Prime Passport holders get a discount.

Bonus: Archie McPhee (1300 N. 45th St., Seattle) is just a 10-minute drive west along 45th St., and it is stocked with all kinds of random plastic fun. Two-inch plastic dinosaurs start at $.50 cents each, so it won’t break the bank to grab a handful for the next airplane trip/long car ride/random toddler tantrum. Other goodies include plastic dino skeletons, a mini dinosaur viewer and dinosaur gliders.

Up next: Pacific Science Center