If you've driven I-4 between Tampa and Orlando, you've seen the dinosaur. The giant one standing by the highway near Plant City, every dino-obsessed kid in the back seat yelling at you to stop.
At some point you should stop. Dinosaur World is a 22-acre outdoor park with hundreds of life-size dinosaurs set along shaded walking trails, plus digs, a splash pad, and a couple of newer indoor attractions. It's not a theme park, and that's a big part of why it works for younger kids. You walk, you look, you dig, you go home before anyone melts down.
Dinosaur World quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Address | 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Plant City, FL 33565 |
| Hours | Daily 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; closed Christmas Day |
| Child ticket | $19.95 |
| Adult ticket | $24.95 |
| Excavation Pass | $34.95 / $39.95 |
| Size | 22 acres |
| Dogs | Leashed, friendly dogs welcome everywhere |
| Phone | (813) 717-9865 |
| Time needed | 2–3 hours |
Prices are from the park's Florida ticket page as of September 2026. All sales are final, so double-check before buying.
Getting to Dinosaur World from Tampa
Take I-4 east to Exit 17 (Branch Forbes Road), go north, then turn onto Harvey Tew Road. The park is right by the interstate. From downtown Tampa it's usually about 25 to 30 minutes without bad traffic.
Parking is on site.
What's at Dinosaur World
The dinosaur trails
This is most of the park. Paved and mulched paths wind through trees and ponds, with life-size dinosaurs around every turn. Some are tucked into the woods, some tower over the path.
The trails are shaded in a lot of places, which matters in Florida. Kids tend to sprint from dinosaur to dinosaur, so let them. The signs at each one are a good excuse for reading practice with early readers.
Aunt Cera's Fossil Dig
Kids sift through soil to find real marine fossils: shark teeth, Mosasaurus teeth, ammonites, crinoids, and more. This is the part a lot of kids remember most, because they get to keep what they find.
Uncle Rex's Gem Mine
The gem version of the same idea. Kids sift through soil to pull out colorful stones. Younger kids often like this better than the fossil dig, because the finds are bright and obvious.
Jurassic Jungle (new)
A new indoor, immersive jungle where guests trigger dinosaurs that move, roar, and scream, with music and lighting effects. It's great on a hot day. It may be a lot for sensitive toddlers, so hold hands on the first walk-through.
Jurassic Joyride
Kids (and adults) can climb on and ride a dinosaur in an enclosed area. The park says this one is a Florida exclusive.
Doom of the Dinosaurs
An exhibit of 16 life-size casts of real dinosaur skeletons, plus fossils and trace casts. The star is a full cast of "Stan," one of the most famous T. rex skeletons ever found. Older kids who are past the "big dinosaur statue" stage usually get pulled in here.
Dino Express
A train ride through the park's jungle landscape. Good for little legs that are done walking.
Splash pad
Water jets and sprays with shaded seating nearby. Pack a change of clothes. You'll need it.
Which ticket should you buy?
General admission covers the trails and the park. The Excavation Pass is the upgraded ticket. The pricing page doesn't spell out exactly what it bundles, so check the details at checkout or ask at the gate. If your kid is the type who will want to dig, it's worth sorting out in advance rather than negotiating at the dig site.
If you'll visit more than twice a year, look at the annual pass. It covers all three Dinosaur World parks (Florida, Texas, Kentucky), includes the seasonal events, gives $3 off general admission for guests you bring, and lists reciprocal discounts at other attractions, including the Florida Aquarium, Clearwater Marine Aquarium, MOSI, and the Glazer Children's Museum. The park suggests confirming those reciprocal offers with each attraction before you go.
Seasonal events in 2026
All three of these are listed as included with admission.
Jurassic Haunt: "Pirates of the Prehistoric" runs select nights from September 26 through November 1. The park turns spooky after dark with glowing trails, scare zones, a haunted train, and free face painting. They rate the whole event a 1 out of 10 on the scare scale, with one optional loop (Mammoth Gardens) at about a 3. That makes it one of the better Halloween picks for little kids. See our Halloween events for kids in Tampa guide for more.
Trunk or Treat is on October 24, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., with local businesses handing out treats.
Christmas at Dinosaur World runs November 27 through January 3, with miles of lights, lantern displays, Santa meet-and-greets on select nights, a Christmas market, and a free ornament-decorating studio. More holiday ideas are in our Christmas events for kids in Tampa guide.
Event dates come from the park's event pages and can change, so confirm before you go.
Is Dinosaur World good for my kid's age?
Toddlers (1–3): Yes, with a stroller. They'll love the size of the dinosaurs and the splash pad. Keep the visit short.
Preschool to early elementary (3–8): This is the sweet spot. Peak dinosaur age, can walk the whole park, gets a real kick out of the digs.
Big kids (9–12): Still fun, especially the skeleton exhibit, fossil dig, and Jurassic Jungle. Pair it with something else in Plant City to make the drive worth it.
Teens: Probably only if they're dino fans or coming along with younger siblings.
Tips for visiting with kids
Go at opening in warm months. The park opens at 10 a.m. Florida afternoons from May to September are hot, even with the shade.
Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. It's an outdoor park in the woods.
Budget for the gift shop. Most kids walk out wanting a dinosaur. Decide before you go in.
Wear shoes you can get dirty. Paths and dig areas are sandy.
Visit in fall, winter, or spring if you can. It's a much more comfortable walk, and the Halloween and Christmas events add a reason to come back.
Make it a Plant City day
Dinosaur World is a morning. Turn it into a full day with the rest of our things to do in Plant City guide: historic downtown, strawberry shortcake, and u-pick farms in season. If you're coming in late February or early March, time it with the Florida Strawberry Festival. And for indoor dinosaur fossils closer to home, see our best museums for kids in Tampa.
