*IMPORTANT: Field Station Dinosaurs is permanently closed. I am leaving this post up, though, for anyone who might want to reminisce or see what it was like to visit Field Station when it was open. Thanks for the memories, Field Station Dinosaurs!
Disclosure: Field Station Dinosaurs provided me with free entry tickets in exchange for a review post, but this in no way influenced my opinion. Trust me, people, I tell it like it is!
This post is chock full o' info, as usual, but it's designed for easy reading, so feel free to scroll through and find what you're looking for using my bold headings. Be sure to read my JERSEY MOMMA TIPS at the bottom of the page if you want to ensure the best trip possible!! Also, you can Pin the image below for future reference.
Where is Field Station Dinosaurs?
*IMPORTANT: Field Station Dinosaurs is permanently closed. I am leaving this post up, though, for anyone who might want to reminisce or see what it was like to visit Field Station when it was open. Thanks for the memories, Field Station Dinosaurs!
Field Station Dinosaurs used to be located in Secaucus, New Jersey (there is also another location in Kansas), but they moved to Leonia.
As stated, Field Station Dinosaurs was located in Leonia, and I must say, they did a great job of taking you back in time. The staff we encountered were courteous, enthusiastic, and friendly.
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| You could have your photo taken against a green screen before you enter the park! |
We visited on a weekday in the summer and it could certainly get crowded. This was around 10:45 on a Tuesday morning in August (the park opened at 10):
The line moved fast but still, ugh, that was the last thing I wanted to see after an hour drive.
Shows with Added Fees
At the time we visited, there was a 'Paleontologist's Laboratory' fossil dig for an extra $8 (you got to take home what you unearthed) and there was a blacklight puppet show in a tent that we did not see.
What Could You See at Field Station Dinosaurs?
It really felt like you were on an expedition of sorts. There were tents set up all over, and they made you feel like you were an explorer on part of the journey. Each child was given 'credentials' that they were supposed to present at tents and shows to receive a stamp. We abandoned this after a while, especially since we wanted the freedom to roam and not worry too much about the shows. Also, some of the shows had extra fees and we did not have a ticket that enabled us to see them (hence, no stamp for those activities).
Field Station Dinosaurs was kind of like an open-air museum, and kind of like a park. You walked around and there were life-sized dinosaurs all over. Some made noise, and most (all?) of them moved in some way. Some of them even looked like they were breathing! There were facts posted near each dinosaur so you could learn about them (although we were dismayed that the signs did not list estimated size and weight- we wondered if there was a reason for that?). There were so many fun photo ops.
Dinosaurs
Were the dinosaurs scary? Not really. Even the T-Rex feeding show was friendly. You could see the puppeteer's feet and the T-Rex had a friendly expression on his face. The animatronic dinosaurs didn't jump out at you and they didn't move around the park (just stationary movements).
There were shows and hands-on experiences for visitors at Field Station, too. Along the paths you would come upon tents where you could watch movies, play family games, or participate in workshops. I have to admit that we did not do many of these. My boy wanted to explore rather than sit for a 20 minute game. We did play a memory game in the Family Tent (boy, my memory is bad! I think I picked card #4 over and over again without realizing it).
My kiddo also loved the raptor maze. It was easy for him but he ran through a few times. The entire park was fenced in, so we felt comfortable just letting him run free through the maze and meeting him at the end of it.
Another favorite was the expedition site, which was basically just a giant sandbox. Kids could use small sand tools (provided) to unearth 'fossils' of different dinosaurs. It was a nice place to let kids play safely and parents could sit in the shade and watch.
Each event had a posted time and location, and they also made announcements throughout the park when a game or event was starting. Some kids also seemed to really enjoy the scavenger hunt that was offered at the park. This gave you something to look for and some of the kids were really getting into it. The T-Rex show filled up quickly. There was music and volunteers chosen from the audience, too.
There was a food concession stand in the park offering burgers, hot dogs, dino-shaped chicken nuggets, fries etc. There were also various ice cream bars and drinks available for purchase. Prices were not cheap, but they were similar to most venues and theme parks.
Concession stand after 12:00 on a weekday in the summer:
They also allowed you to bring in a small, personal sized cooler, which is what we did. We had a mini lunch packed in there and we purchased some drinks, which suited us just fine. There were plenty of benches and picnic tables in shaded areas to sit at and eat.
Restrooms at Field Station Dinosaurs
Restrooms at the park were located in a trailer (since this was an outdoor venue). That meant they were essentially dressed up outhouses.
Birthday Parties and Other Events
There was a 'yurt,' (like a little hut) available for birthdays and events, and it really did look cool! The hut was sponsored by IKEA so I noticed some fun IKEA furniture around and it and inside (I peeked in when someone opened the door).
Field Station Dinosaurs also hosted special events like Dinosaurs After Dark, Scout Days and others. Did you ever attend one of these while it was open?
Gift Shop at Field Station Dinosaurs
The gift shop was small and kind of hot/stuffy when we visited in the summer, but I liked their variety of items. From colored rocks to plush dinos, there was something for everyone. They also had t-shirts, books, fossils and other items for your little paleontologists.
Field Station Dinosaurs was an exciting place for adults and kids who loved dinosaurs, since the animatronics were so life-like. Just walking through the gates and seeing them at full height was pretty breathtaking, even for an adult.
Dinosaurs After Dark
Field Station Dinosaurs offered plenty of different events and activities throughout the season. One of the best was Dinosaurs After Dark. In some ways, it was even better than the regular day time visit. The crowds were smaller and the heat of the summer sun was not an issue! The event was guided and even ended with a campfire and s'mores. It wasn't scary at all, and we were provided with little flashlights to help with our "expedition."
Jersey Momma's Final Words:
*IMPORTANT: Field Station Dinosaurs is permanently closed. I am leaving this post up, though, for anyone who might want to reminisce or see what it was like to visit Field Station when it was open. Thanks for the memories, Field Station Dinosaurs!
If you have memories of Field Station Dinosaurs that you'd like to share, please feel free to leave them in the comments section (comments are previewed before publication).
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Pretty lady! Even in the blurry picture, you shine. Loved the review and wish I could be there. Fun place!
ReplyDeleteAw, you are too kind, Rebecca!! Thank you!!
DeleteWORST day of the summer AVOID this shoddy unbelievably unprofessional place at all costs. Dinosaurs barely move at all and make almost no sound. Advertising is deceptive, glossy brochures make it look far, far better than the pathetic reality I regrettably encountered. AVOID, AVOID, AVOID this place or you will regret it as long as you remember the waste of the day. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED! With no exxageration this was the worst thing I did in a decade of summers. I took my 13 year old and my 8 year old and they both were quite unhappy at me for taking them. My 6 year old liked it, but for $20 ? I wish I stayed home and watched squirrels run around my yard. I wish I could give it less than one star. They claim 40 live activities ? pshaw.Non entertaining abd non educational. Better programming on TV. Feeding frenzy featuring mighty T Rex ? What a joke! crummiest robots I've ever seen! Lifeless and non realistic. Pathetic.Credentials are useless. Trail map ? Don't need a map to navigate the one sad dusty square where these junk robots are stored. Expedition schedule ? This park invests too much on their brochures and maps to glorify this sad, sad exhibit. Don't be fooled like I was!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to hear that you had such a negative experience at Field Station Dinosaurs. It's important to note that my article was written about their location in Secaucus, which is now closed. I have NOT visited their new location in Leonia yet, so I can't attest to what they offer or what it's like there. For those planning to visit their new location, be sure to check out their website and Facebook page to read more reviews and see if this is the right destination for you. I appreciate you commenting and telling others about your experience there. Did you talk to anyone at the park to let them know how unhappy you were with your visit?
DeleteJust to add that my post has been updated to reflect my experience at the Leonia location. I do agree that they spruce it up in advertisements and brochures but we did not have as terrible an experience as the commenter above. I do not give false info in my posts, so what we experienced was really how it was for us. I don't recommend paying full price for anyone- always look for coupons, groupons or discounts.
ReplyDeleteI’ve only been there about 10 years ago or so when they were in Secaucus and I absolutely loved it I may go myself to check out leonia
ReplyDelete