Royal Tyrrell Museum

With its impressive collection of over 125,000 fossils, The Royal Tyrrell Museum also has a life size replica of the Albertosaurus, the first dinosaur to be discovered in the region. The fossils have been carefully arranged in chronological order to tell the story of early insects and underwater life forms from the Ice Age to the Cenozoic era. In total, the timeline stretches across a 3.9 billion years of life on Earth.Visit the Dinosaur Hall and see the 40 skeletons there, up close. These carefully constructed models include the plesiosaur, triceratops, ankylosaur and the mosasaur, a 15-metre-long lizard. Upon entering the Lords of the Land exhibit, you will be immediately welcomed by the skull of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. On display are some fascinating fossil discoveries, still captured in time in the hard rock casings which illustrate their dramatic deaths. This is also where you’ll find the remains of the above-mentioned Albertosaurus, which was first discovered by geologist J.B. Tyrrell whilst searching for coal in 1884. The Cretaceous Alberta exhibit displays this colossal dinosaur in all its glory in a life size replica.Visit the living relatives of prehistoric plants in the Cretaceous Garden. This fantastic collection displays prehistoric plant life as it was and simulates the landscape that dinosaurs once roamed. Come and witness the fire-bellied toads, salamanders, lizards and ladybugs that live among the plants and provide pest control It is difficult to imagine that the Alberta Badlands were once part of the sea. The Devonian reef exhibit gives visitors a fascinating insight into this extraordinary period of prehistoric history. To explore the Badlands in full, take the guided hike through the sandstone hoodoo rocks. Tours run daily during summer and the autumn and on some weekends during spring. There is also a fossil search that enables visitors to excavate fossils on site and learn dig techniques. You can also make a fossil cast to take home as a souvenir.Situated an approximate 135-kilometre drive from Calgary, the Royal Tyrrell Museum is just off the highway to Drumheller. Onsite parking is free and there is an admission charge for the museum. Extra fees apply for audio guides and scheduled digs. Check the museum’s opening hours on the official website before your visit, as they will vary throughout the season.