Dinosaurs are hella dope. And until we get a Jurassic World 3D virtual reality going, these are the best places to see real dinosaurs in America. Strap in and get transported to an ancient time...

American Museum of Natural History | New York City, NY
While this famed natural history museum has an incredible amount of mind-blowing exhibits to offer, most visitors are immediately struck by the beauty of the gigantic Barosaurus skeleton that towers over the entrance. At over 5 stories tall, this plant-loving dinosaur can be seen rearing up to defend its progeny from an oncoming Allosaurus in a memorably dynamic pose. This is in fact the only Barosaurus skeleton on display in the world since the fossils are incredibly rare. But that isn’t all. You’ll also see the skeleton of the T-Rex, “Rexy”, from the family movie series Night at the Museum (since that all takes place in this very museum) plus two whole exhibition halls dedicated to the most well-known dinosaurs. And also check out the rest of the museum…since it’s the largest natural history museum in the world.

Peabody Museum of Natural History | New Haven, CT
Led by my alma mater, the Peabody Museum at Yale University is considered one of the very best small museums for its internationally known dinosaur collections. Not only is there a life-size, bronze-cast statue of a Torosaurus outside the museum’s entrance, but inside visitors will find the Great Hall of Dinosaurs (first opened in 1926) complete with the famous mural “The Age of Reptiles”. Additionally, you’ll see the first-ever brontosaurus on display, in addition to the skeletal displays of a stegosaurus, camptosaurus, camarasaurus and many more.

The Academy of Natural Sciences | Philadelphia, PA
Situated smack dab on the Drexel University campus, the Academy of Natural Sciences is a truly remarkable museum. Not only can you watch real scientists prepare actuals bones dug up by paleontologists, but kids can dig in playful exhibits on their own or with the help of actual paleontologists. More importantly, did you know the T. Rex wasn’t the largest carnivore in the dinosaur world? That crown actually went to the Giganotosaurus, and the Academy is the only museum to have one on display. In fact, the Academy has joked that since both large meat-eaters lived in different eras, the first time they met was when the Academy first opened its exhibit.

The Field Museum | Chicago, IL
You know when Indiana Jones cries, “It belongs in a museum!”? Well this is the museum he was referring to. There’s a good reason Spielberg decided to associate his intrepid archeologist with this natural history museum—it’s considered one of the very best in the world. Explore its nine acres of exhibits but be sure to see “Sue”, the world’s most complete and best preserved Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton named after the archeologist Sue Hendrickson who found her on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation in South Dakota. The 42-foot long and 67 million year old dinosaur is a sight to behold—the skull itself weighs over 600 pounds and sports 58 sharp teeth. And if you’re looking for kid-friendly activities, the museum also hosts a Dozin’ with the Dino’s event where kids can sleepover with Sue.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History | Washington, D.C.
It’s literally the Smithsonian, so I feel like there really isn’t much more to say. The Hall of Paleobiology is a beloved favorite of museum-goers, hosted by the world-renowned Smithsonian Institution. Unlike most of the other museums mentioned here, the main hall is dominated by a giant elephant skeleton, but don’t worry, there are still a ton of unique dinosaurs on display throughout the museum such as a stegosaurus and a diplodocus. It’s a very family-friendly museum though, so be prepared for it to be packed.