A hands-on dinosaur attraction at Town Square Las Vegas, just south of the Strip, where children feed and brush the teeth of animatronic dinosaurs, dig for fossils and meet baby dinosaurs.
Dinosaur Outpost is a hands-on dinosaur attraction aimed squarely at children aged about 5 to 12. It sits inside Town Square Las Vegas, the open-air shopping and dining center at 6569 South Las Vegas Boulevard, just south of the Strip. Instead of fossils behind glass, it is built around doing things: children help look after a collection of replica dinosaurs, with park rangers as guides. It is deliberately screen-free, which many parents appreciate after a few days of casino lights.
Activities change with the season, but the core list stays the same. Children can launch Brussels sprouts into dinosaurs' mouths, brush their teeth, catch fish to feed a baby T. rex and dig for replica fossils. Baby dinosaurs make regular appearances, roughly every half hour. There is a ride on a large Pachyrhinosaurus and pedal cars to race near a volcano.
Small explorer vehicles are for children between 36 and 48 inches tall, so younger children have something of their own. Rangers lead short guided segments, and special events such as scavenger hunts and seasonal programmes are added during school holidays.
This is a small, local-scale attraction rather than a theme park, and you should plan on about an hour to 90 minutes. Children at the top end of the age range may find it young. For the target age group it is a good way to spend a hot afternoon. Adults pay too, so check the combined price for your family before booking. Online ratings are positive but come from few reviews, so treat them with caution. Dinosaur Outpost is a Certified Autism Center, and it aims to be welcoming to sensory-sensitive children.
Town Square is about 10 minutes by car south of Mandalay Bay, near Harry Reid International Airport. It has free parking and plenty of family restaurants, so you can combine a visit with lunch or dinner. It makes a good choice for families staying at the south end of the Strip or in an off-Strip hotel, or for a gentle first afternoon after landing.
What to expect
The experience
An interactive indoor dinosaur experience with replica and animatronic dinosaurs, guided by rangers. Children feed, clean and care for the dinosaurs rather than just looking at them.
Best time
The heat of the afternoon, combined with lunch or dinner at Town Square.
How long
60–90 minutes.
Tips
Highlights include launching Brussels sprouts into dinosaur mouths, brushing dinosaur teeth, feeding fish to a baby T. rex, digging for fossils, riding a Pachyrhinosaurus and racing pedal cars. Baby dinosaurs appear roughly every 30 minutes. Designed for ages 5 to 12. Explorer vehicle rides are for children 36 to 48 inches tall. Older children may find it too young, so it is best for primary-school ages. It is a Certified Autism Center, with staff trained to welcome autistic and sensory-sensitive children. Activities are screen-free and hands-on. 6569 S Las Vegas Blvd, Suite 173, inside Town Square Las Vegas, about 10 minutes by car south of the Strip. Town Square has free parking and plenty of restaurants. Go in the heat of the afternoon and combine it with lunch or dinner at Town Square. Your children are teenagers or you want a serious science museum. The Natural History Museum suits that better.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families with children aged 5 to 12 who need a hands-on, indoor break from the Strip.
- Families
- Designed for ages 5 to 12, with screen-free, hands-on activities.
- Couples
- Built for children aged 5 to 12 rather than couples.
- Pair with
- The Las Vegas Natural History Museum for real fossils, or the Shark Reef Aquarium at nearby Mandalay Bay.
- Time needed
- 60–90 minutes.
Good questions
Where is Dinosaur Outpost?+
Inside Town Square Las Vegas at 6569 South Las Vegas Boulevard, Suite 173, just south of the Strip near Harry Reid International Airport. Parking is free.
What age is Dinosaur Outpost for?+
It is aimed at children aged about 5 to 12. Explorer vehicle rides are for children 36 to 48 inches tall. Teenagers may find it too young.
What do children do there?+
Feed dinosaurs, brush their teeth, dig for fossils, meet baby dinosaurs, ride a Pachyrhinosaurus and race pedal cars, with rangers guiding the experience.
How long does a visit take?+
About 60 to 90 minutes. It is a compact attraction, so combine it with a meal or shopping at Town Square.
Is it suitable for children with autism?+
Dinosaur Outpost is a Certified Autism Center, and its staff are trained to support autistic and sensory-sensitive visitors.
