2 dinosaur exhibits open this weekend

Jacksonville Zoo, Fairgrounds welcoming prehistoric creatures

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The dinosaurs are coming back.

Well, not really. But there are two exhibits locals can check out this weekend, and one of them is at the Jacksonville Zoo.

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Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Stegosaurus and friends are taking over the River City. The zoo cut the ribbon Friday for the grand opening of its outdoor interactive dinosaur exhibit called Dino-Trek.

Seventeen different species can be found along the jungle-like path, and visitors can enjoy up close and personal interaction with creatures from the past.

"It has been really, really fun. Folks ought to come out," said Cullen Richart, zoo facilities manager. "This is just amazing. I walked it after the VIP last night and walked it after they left, and it's just amazing."

Not too far from Dino-Trek is Discover the Dinosaurs at the Jacksonville Fairgrounds. It's another interactive exhibit, but this one is indoors and is a traveling museum that makes stops across the country.

This exhibit is aimed at providing fun for kids as well as giving them a little bit of history.

"We have dinosaurs you can push a button and control different parts of their body," said Taylor Hughes, Discover the Dinosaurs assistant manager. "You can make them roar and move. So it's definitely fun and something that gets everyone moving around and exploring rather than just sitting and watching something."

The exhibit at the Fairgrounds is open all weekend, and the Jacksonville Zoo exhibit is open until June 30.