If you have heard some roaring in the Spring Branch District lately, it might just be traffic along I-10 — or maybe it’s the newest entertainment experience at the Marq’E.
“Dinos Alive: An Immersive Experience” has come to the Spring Branch District thanks to Exhibition Hub immersive digital art experiences and Fever entertainment platform.
Following successful runs in Los Angeles, Washington D.C. and Seattle, the exhibit opened in late March and will continue for a limited time at the Marq’E Entertainment Center, 7620 Katy Freeway, in the same space that housed “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience” from the same partners.
For now, according to Carlos Ortiz Class of Fever, the immersive exhibit is slated to be in Houston through June. However, the van Gogh experience was extended beyond its initial date, so it’s possible this one could as well.
Unlike “Van Gogh: The Immersive Experience,” the dinosaur exhibit does not rely on a video accompanied by a score as the main attraction.
Instead, the exhibit is “brought to life” with the help of realistic, life-size installations and moving replicas. Dinos Alive takes explorers of all ages “face-to-face” with the creatures that dominated the animal world for more than 140 million years.
The self-guided experience, which can last anywhere from 45 to 75 minutes or so, allows you to interact with more than 80 famous dinosaur specimens – including the massive T-rex, Stegosaurus, Velociraptor and many more. There’s even a Suchomimus, which my dinosaur aficionado friend visiting the exhibit recently was surprised to see. Meaning “crocodile mimic,” the Suchomimus lived between 125 and 112 million years ago in what is now Niger. It has a long and shallow skull, similar to that of a crocodile, earning its name.
One of the first stops as you meander through the Dinos Alive exhibit is a virtual aquarium where guests can immerse themselves in the “deep sea” while Jurassic sea giants swim about in their “natural habitat.”
Following that experience, young and old paleontologists alike will be naming off the dinos featured in the next room while the animatronic specimens move and roar from all corners.
Don’t worry: It’s not too scary. However, if your little one needs a break from the roaring, head to the interactive space in the next room where kids can become paleontologists and tame the most iconic dinosaurs, dig for fossils and bring their own coloring sheets to life.
From there, Virtual Reality technology allows you to literally move among the dinosaurs — and even ride one or two. Spin around in your chair to get a glimpse of all sides of the dinosaur you’re riding from above.
On a recent weekday, the crowds were light and families were able to move back and forth through the rooms with ease. You can even backtrack to catch one more glimpse of that favorite dinosaur of yours.
Prices start at $20.90 per tickets to the dinosaur experience. Group discounts are available. A VIP ticket ensures you won’t wait in line, include the virtual reality experience and also come with a free poster or magnet.
Purchase tickets here.
There is plenty to do before or after Dinos Alive, too, so it’s easy to make a day of it and never leave the
Spring Branch District — or even deviate from the Jurassic theme. Right next door, candy store Rocket Fizz offers a large selection of sweet treats.
If you need something more substantial, head two storefronts over to Warehouse 72 restaurant, which has created a special “DINO-MITE” kids’ menu in honor of the nearby exhibit.
Kids can enjoy specials like T-Rex Pizza, Stegosaurus Salad, Velociraptor Pasta and a Dino Dirt Cup and Dino Cookies for dessert, while adults get 15 percent off their meal with a same-day ticket stub.
For reservations, visit https://www.opentable.com/r/warehouse-72-houston.
Need a pick-me-up after all that dinosaur hunting? Just a few minutes away at Cambrian Coffee, 9461 Hammerly Blvd., the owners’ love of geology and fossil hunting is as apparent as their expertise in coffee and talent for baking.
Named after the first geological time period of the Paleozoic Era, Cambrian Coffee is known for its sausage rolls, baked goods and the dinosaur mural on the side of the building — the place to get one last perfect photo to remember your roaring good time in the Spring Branch District.
— by Dorothy Puch Lillig
