Dinosaur activities in Washington, D.C., United States

Washington, D.C., United States has 3 family-friendly dinosaur activities on DinoPassport, including fossil digs & trails, dino parks & attractions and museums & exhibits. Highlights include Dinosaur Park, Smithsonian's National Zoo: Dino Summer, Smithsonian Deep Time Fossil Hall. 3 are free to visit. Each listing has a map, opening details, and directions.

Washington, D.C. puts world-class dinosaur science within reach of every family for free, led by the Smithsonian's David H. Koch Hall of Fossils, nicknamed Deep Time. Just outside the city, a real active dig site in Maryland lets kids search for 115-million-year-old fossils alongside actual paleontologists on open house weekends.

Fossil digs & trails in Washington, D.C.

Dinosaur Park

Fossil digs & trails · Free · grade school and up

A genuine active fossil site about 20 minutes from downtown D.C., where families can dig alongside real paleontologists for 115-million-year…

Dino parks & attractions in Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian's National Zoo: Dino Summer

Dino parks & attractions · Free · all ages

Each summer the zoo lines its paths with life-size animatronic dinosaurs, including a 39-foot T. rex, as part of a free self-guided trail th…

Museums & exhibits in Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian Deep Time Fossil Hall

Museums & exhibits · Free · all ages

The David H. Koch Hall of Fossils, nicknamed Deep Time, fills 31,000 square feet with roughly 700 specimens, including a mounted T. rex devo…

Good to know

What dinosaur activities can families do in Washington, D.C.?
Washington, D.C. offers 3 dinosaur spots for families: Dinosaur Park, Smithsonian's National Zoo: Dino Summer, Smithsonian Deep Time Fossil Hall. They span fossil digs & trails, dino parks & attractions and museums & exhibits.
Are there free dinosaur activities in Washington, D.C.?
Yes. 3 of the 3 dinosaur spots in Washington, D.C. are free to visit, including roadside statues and some public exhibits.
What's the best dinosaur museum or attraction in Washington, D.C. for young kids?
Dinosaur Park is a strong first stop for young dinosaur fans in Washington, D.C.. Every DinoPassport listing shows the recommended age range so you can match the visit to your child.

Last updated August 2026 · Facts verified from official venue sources.