Utica Zoo Dino Discovery
Dinosaurs are coming to the Utica Zoo!
Imagine the thrill of stepping into a world where life-sized dinosaurs roar, move, and immerse guests of all ages in a Jurassic experience like no other. Introducing Dino Discovery presented by The Flemma Group at Baird, opening May 24 and running through October 19.
This five-month prehistoric adventure promises to transport visitors back in time to an era when dinosaurs roamed the Earth. Dino Discovery will feature up to 20 animatronic dinosaurs strategically placed throughout the zoo, equipped with lifelike movements, sounds, and even water-spraying effects for a truly interactive experience.
In total, over 16,000 pounds of dinosaurs and landscaping will be showcased across the zoo, offering a visually stunning and educational journey through the prehistoric past. Visitors can expect daily dino presentations, special educational programs, and a variety of themed events throughout the summer, making every visit a new and exciting adventure.
Best of all, Dino Discovery is included with regular zoo admission, ensuring that all guests have the opportunity to enjoy this immersive, limited-time experience.
Opening May 24, 2025!
Special Events & Dates
Member Mornings
Saturday, May 24 | 9 am – 10 am
Utica Zoo members get early access to the Zoo before we open to the public.
Sensory Friendly Mornings
Date TBD
All dinosaur movement, sounds, and effects will be turned off. Visitors who wish to experience Dino Discovery in a more sensory-friendly way are invited to attend our Sensory Friendly Mornings. Regular admission rates apply, no pre-registration is needed.
General Information
Dino Discovery is included with regular admission.
The dinosaurs are taking over the zoo! They will be placed all throughout the Utica Zoo; along pathways, picnic areas, and in some exhibits.
No, most of the dinosaurs will be behind barriers and visitor fences, and we ask visitors to not touch any of the structures. However, there is a climbable, life-sized Pachyrhinosaurus for photo opportunities!
Yes! Make sure you stop by one of our photo opportunities, like our climbable Pachyrhinosaurus, or giant dino eggs! For commercial photography, please contact info@uticazoo.org
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
“The Utica Zoo is a premier attraction in Oneida County, continually finding new and exciting ways to engage visitors of all ages. This upcoming dinosaur exhibit is a game-changer—not only is it the first of its kind in the Mohawk Valley, but it’s also expected to bring in thousands of visitors, boosting tourism and supporting our local economy. This is exactly the kind of immersive, family-friendly experience that makes Oneida County a standout destination, and we are thrilled to partner with the Utica Zoo as they continue to innovate and inspire.”
“The Utica Zoo is an invaluable asset to our region, enriching our community by providing educational and recreational experiences for residents and visitors alike. Hosting this unique dinosaur exhibit this summer adds to the Zoo’s dynamic offerings and highlights the importance of accessible, high-quality attractions that enhance our quality of life. A thriving community is one where people love to live, work, and play—and having a strong cultural and recreational foundation, like the Utica Zoo, makes our area even more appealing for families, visitors, and businesses looking to invest in a place where people truly want to be.”
Design-A-Dinosaur Coloring Contest
One local artist will get the chance to customize one of the dinosaur displays. Young artists, (1-17 years old) are encouraged to submit original designs to create a custom paint job for one of the sculptures featured at the zoo. To enter, color in the picture of the dinosaur — using crayons, markers, paints, pastels, anything goes—let your creativity run wild.
Contest Details:
- Who Can Participate: Youths ages 1-17 years
- Rules: Color the attached coloring sheet using crayons, paint, or colored pencils
- Submission: Scan and email submissions to events@uticazoo.org , mail to the Utica Zoo, or drop them off at our admissions window between 10 am – 4:30 pm daily
- Deadline for Submission: Monday, March 31, 2025 at Noon. Entries received after this deadline will not be considered
- Judging: The Utica Zoo education team will pick the top 10 entries to be included in a social media contest. Social media followers will then comment/like on their favorites from April 1 – April 6. The coloring sheet with the most LIKES and/or COMMENTS on the Utica Zoo’s original post will be the winner.
- Prizes:
- 1st Place: Winning design will be painted onto the Dilophosaurus displayed at the Utica Zoo from May through October and the winner will receive a Utica Zoo Family Membership!
- 2nd Place: Utica Zoo Gift Basket (estimated value $50)
- 3rd Place: Gem & Fossil Mining Station Exploration Bags (2)
The Utica Zoo will conduct the Contest substantially as described in these rules, and by participating, each participant agrees as follows:
- Description of Contest/Participation.
- Dates of Contest: The Contest will begin on Wednesday, March 19, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. and ends Monday, March 31, 2025 at 12:00 pm EST.
- How to Enter: As of time of entry, entrant must: 1.) Download and print out (from uticazoo.org/dinodiscovery the coloring page template and color, 2.) complete all fields on the required entry form (name, age and email), and 3.) scan and email to events@uticazoo.org with subject line “coloring contest”, mail or drop off art at: Utica Zoo 1 Utica Zoo Way Utica, NY 13501 (during zoo hours) by contest end date, March 31, 2025 *Entries received after 12 pm on 3/31/25 will not be considered.
- Winner Selection: Three prizes will be awarded at the close of the contest. Ten pictures will be chosen by the Utica Zoo Education Department to be submitted to a contest hosted on Facebook. The picture with the most comments and/or likes on April 7 will be chosen as the 1st place winner. The next top two pictures will be awarded 2nd and 3rd place. 1st Place Award: Winning design will be painted onto the Dilophosaurus displayed at the Utica Zoo from May through October and the winner will receive a Utica Zoo Family Membership. 2nd Place Award: Utica Zoo Gift Basket (estimated value $50). 3rd Place Award: Gem & Fossil Mining Station Exploration Bags (2). The 1st place winner and family may be invited to a press opportunity by Utica Zoo staff to unveil their artwork and speak about their inspiration and creativity. Winners will be notified via the email provided on their entry and need not be present to win. Disclaimer: The Utica Zoo reserves the right to amend these rules at any time without notice. The decisions of the Utica Zoo on all issues regarding this contest are final. Participation is void where prohibited by law.
- Prizes: Prizes are not transferable, redeemable for cash or exchangeable for any other prize. All prizes must be redeemed within the expiration dates expressed in the prize package. If a winner cannot be contacted or is disqualified, the Utica Zoo reserves the right to determine an alternate winner or not to award that winner’s prize, in their sole discretion.
- Eligibility and Limitations. Participants and winner(s) must be United States residents, age 1 to 17. Each template counts as one (1) entry per person and multiple entries may be submitted. Parents may assist children. Employees of the Utica Zoo, sponsors, their advertising agencies, and members of the immediate family of any such persons are not eligible to win.
- Contest Rules and Decisions. By participating in contest, each participant agrees to be bound by the official contest rules and the decisions of the Utica Zoo. Persons who violate any rule, gain unfair advantage in participating in the Contest, or obtain winner status using fraudulent means may be disqualified. Unsportsmanlike, disruptive, annoying, harassing or threatening behavior is prohibited. The Utica Zoo will interpret these rules and resolve any disputes, conflicting claims or ambiguities concerning the rules or the Contest and the Utica Zoo’ decisions concerning such disputes shall be final. If the conduct or outcome of the Contest is affected by human error, any mechanical malfunctions or failures of any kind, intentional interference or any event beyond the control of the Utica Zoo, the Utica Zoo reserve the right to terminate this Contest, or make such other decisions regarding the outcome as the Utica Zoo deem appropriate. The Utica Zoo may waive any of these rules in its sole discretion.
- Publicity; Use of Personal Information: By participating, where allowed by law, all participants and winner(s) grant the Utica Zoo exclusive permission to use their names, characters, photographs, voices, and likenesses in connection with promotion of this and other contests and waive any claims to royalty, right, or remuneration for such use. By participating in the Contest, where allowed by law, participants agree that the Utica Zoo may disclose personal information obtained from participants in the Contest to third parties and use such information for marketing and other purposes.
- Consumer Created Content. If the entry for the Contest requires creative material from the participant/entrant, by submitting your entry: (1) you agree that your disclosure is gratuitous, unsolicited and without restriction and will not place the contest sponsors under any fiduciary or other obligation, that the Utica Zoo are free to disclose the ideas on a non-confidential basis to anyone or otherwise use the ideas without any additional compensation to you; (2) you acknowledge that, by acceptance of your submission, the contest sponsors do not waive any rights to use similar or related ideas previously known to sponsor, or developed by their employees, or obtained from sources other than you; (3) you are verifying that you are the owner and producer of the submitted material and that no third party ownership rights exist to any material submitted, and (4) you are hereby granting the Utica Zoo a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, sub-licensable (through multiple tiers) right and license to use, publish, reproduce, display, perform, adapt, modify, distribute, have distributed and promote such content in any form, in all media now known or hereinafter created, anywhere in the world, for any purpose.
- Release: By participating in the Contest, each participant and winner waives any and all claims of liability against the Utica Zoo, its employees and agents, for any personal injury or loss which may occur from the conduct of, or participation in, the Contest, or from the use of any prize.
- Taxes: Any valuation of the prize(s) stated above is based on available information provided to the Utica Zoo, and the value of any prize awarded to a winner may be reported for tax purposes as required by law. Each winner is solely responsible for reporting and paying any and all applicable taxes related to the prize(s) and paying any expenses associated with any prizes which are not specifically provided for in the official rules.
- Miscellaneous: The Utica Zoo disclaims any responsibility to notify participants of any aspect related to the conduct of the Contest. For a copy of the rules, or a list of winners, submit a self-addressed, stamped envelope and request to: Utica Zoo, 1 Utica Zoo Way, Utica, NY 13501. All entries become the property of the Utica Zoo and will not be returned. This Contest shall be governed in any respect not set forth in these rules by the laws of the State of New York.
