What age is Dinosaur World best for?

Ages 3-10, especially kids in their dinosaur phase. Younger toddlers enjoy the models. Tweens may find it basic. Teens will likely be bored. Under 3 is free.

Is the Fossil Dig worth it?

Yes. For $5 per person, kids dig for real fossils (shark teeth, ammonites) in a sand pit and keep everything they find. It's the highlight of the visit for most families.

How far is Dinosaur World from Tampa?

About 25 minutes east of downtown Tampa in Plant City, just off I-4. It's on the route between Tampa and Orlando, making it a natural stop for families driving between the two cities.

Is Dinosaur World crowded?

Rarely. Even on weekends, the park is quiet compared to major Tampa attractions. Weekday visits often feel nearly private. The trail through the woods absorbs visitors easily.

Dinosaur World

Name: Dinosaur World
Address: 5145 Harvey Tew Rd, Tampa, FL, 33565, US
Telephone: (813) 717-9865
Rating: 4.2

Rating

4.2(4,500)

Family of 4

$52-$70 (adults $17, children 3-12 $12, under 3 free).

Duration

2-3 hours

Best Ages

Best for ages 3-10

About

Dinosaur World is a delightfully quirky outdoor attraction about 25 minutes east of Tampa in Plant City, featuring over 200 life-size dinosaur models arranged along a winding trail through natural Florida forest. For kids who are in their dinosaur phase (generally ages 3-10), it's a dream come true.

The trail winds through shaded woods with dinosaur models positioned throughout -- some visible from a distance, others emerging from behind trees as you round a corner. The scale is what makes it work. A T-Rex standing 20 feet tall in the middle of a palm forest, a Brachiosaurus neck stretching above the tree canopy, Triceratops posed as if grazing among palmetto fronds.

Educational plaques accompany each model with species information, era, and fun facts.

The Fossil Dig is the experience that elevates a visit from interesting to memorable. For $5 per person, kids receive a bag and access to an excavation pit filled with sand and real fossils -- shark teeth, ammonites, shell fossils, and mineral specimens. They dig, sift, and keep everything they find. For a dinosaur-loving child, taking home actual fossils they discovered themselves is priceless.

The Bone Yard play area has dinosaur-themed climbing structures for younger kids to burn energy. A small museum building houses fossil displays and dinosaur skeletons. The gift shop is well-stocked with dinosaur toys, books, and models ranging from $5 souvenirs to $25 collectibles.

Dinosaur World is not a polished, high-tech attraction. The models are static fiberglass, not animatronic. The facilities are basic.

But the combination of life-size dinosaurs in a natural forest setting, a real fossil dig, and an affordable price point creates an experience that dinosaur-loving kids remember for years. It's the kind of place that exists nowhere else, and kids who love dinosaurs will beg to return.

The park is entirely outdoors, so weather matters. October through April provides comfortable temperatures. The tree canopy provides shade, but summer visits can be hot and humid. Bring water, sunscreen, and bug spray. There is no food on-site -- pack a picnic for the provided tables.

Age Suitability

Infants (0-1)Toddlers (1-3)Little Kids (4-6)Big Kids (7-9)Tweens (10-12)Teens (13-17)

Parent Logistics

Stroller-Friendly

Yes

Nursing / Changing

Not Available

Kid Meals

Not Available

Setting

Outdoor

Rainy Day

Not ideal

Plan Your Visit

Best Time to Visit

October through April for comfortable outdoor temperatures. The park is entirely outdoors on a shaded trail through woods, but Florida summer heat can make it uncomfortable. Weekdays are very quiet. This is never crowded.

Wait Times

No waits for anything. This is one of the least crowded attractions in the Tampa area -- you may have the trails nearly to yourself on weekdays.

Nearby Food

No food on-site (picnic area available). In Plant City (5-10 min): Fred's Market Restaurant (Southern buffet, local institution, 10 min), Buddy Brew Coffee (Plant City location, 10 min). On the way back to Tampa, I-4 corridor has standard fast food and chain restaurants.

Why Kids Love It

Over 200 life-size dinosaur models line a winding trail through shaded Florida woods, and kids lose their minds. A full-size T-Rex towers between the trees. A Brachiosaurus neck stretches above the canopy. Raptors lurk behind palmettos. Each model has educational signage, but the visceral thrill of standing next to a life-size dinosaur is what sticks with kids.

The Fossil Dig ($5 extra) puts kids in a sandbox-style excavation pit where they dig for real fossils -- shark teeth, ammonites, and other specimens that they keep. For dinosaur-obsessed kids (ages 4-9 especially), this is pure magic. The Bone Yard is an enclosed play area with dinosaur-themed climbing structures.

Dinosaur World is not a high-tech or polished attraction. The models are static (no animatronics), and the gift shop is kitschy. But for kids who love dinosaurs, walking through a forest filled with 200+ life-size models triggers genuine wonder. It's a niche attraction that delivers exactly what it promises.

Pro Tips from Parents

The trail is shaded by a natural tree canopy, making it bearable even in warm weather
The Fossil Dig ($5 extra) is the highlight for kids -- they dig for real fossils and keep them. Don't skip it.
This is a quirky, low-key attraction -- don't expect Disney production values. The charm is in the life-size models in a natural forest setting.
Bring your own food and water -- there are picnic tables but no food vendors
The park is 25 minutes east of Tampa in Plant City -- combine with Dinosaur World and a Tampa day for variety