Discovery Place Science has a new dinosaur-focused exhibit perfectly timed to beat the summer heat

The museum’s newest exhibition, Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family, is open now until Labor Day (September 3). They’re shining the spotlight on everyone’s favorite – and most feared dinosaur – the T. rex.

Here’s what to expect when you visit.

The cost of the Tyrannosaurs exhibit is $3 in addition to general admission, making an adult ticket $20 and a child ticket $16. You can also add Flying Monsters in IMAX to your ticket for an additional $4.

To control crowds and make sure you can geek out properly, you’ll be asked to choose an entry time when you purchase your ticket. Pro tip – your ticket will include access to the entire museum so there will be plenty to do if you choose a later time.

When it’s your turn to go inside, you’ll see just why this exhibit is so special.

You’ll immediately enter into a hallway with immersive screens that make you feel like you’re outside on the streets of Charlotte. . . in the company of a herd of dinosaurs.

Everything is huge.

Prepare to be in awe as you enter the dinosaur’s lair. A terror (the fitting name for a group of  T. rex) of skeletons tower above you from every angle.

In the shadow of the complete skeletons – made of casts – are real dinosaur bones of Tyrannosaurs and their relatives.

They’ve got more than just T. rex specimens.

The exhibit is the world’s first to showcase the newly-revised tyrannosaur family tree. They have over 10 full-size specimen skeletons, including one of the oldest and most feathery relatives, Guanlong wucaii. 

There are interactive elements for everyone.

Kids will love uncovering fossils in the dig pit. The hard packed sand is refilled every week, so you actually get to dig and pick like a real archaeologist.

Adults and kids can test their strength against the jaw strength of a T. rex in an interactive game that lets you see just how powerful their bite was.

There are countless other interactive parts to the exhibit – including one that lets you hang out with a dinosaur on the big screen. This was seriously hard and a little embarrassing.

Make the most of your visit.

Be sure to soak it all in before you leave – once you exit the Tyrannosaur exhibit, you won’t be allowed to re-enter. You can, however, stick around and see the other cool exhibits at the museum, like the indoor rain forest or Thinker Space.

Buy your tickets here and get to know the T. rex fam while they’re in town.

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This paid content was co-created in partnership with Discovery Place Science.