Visit 200-Million-Year-Old Dinosaur Footprints in Massachusetts

I think we've all seen enough Jurassic Park movies to get an idea of just how big dinosaurs were when they roamed the Earth over 200 million years ago. To get a sense of their size in person, you can visit Dinosaur Footprints in Holyoke, Massachusetts, and be astounded by over 100 fossilized footprints from four different types of dinosaurs. If you have kids who love dinosaurs, this is a must-see that's right here in New England.

This 8-acre wilderness reservation was purchased for the public in 1935 and is managed by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.  Since it is for the public, you can visit and see these amazing footprints yourself during daylight hours from April 1 to November 30. The best part is that there is no cost for admission to Dinosaur Footprints.

Even though these prints are 200 million-year-old relics of the past, they are extremely well preserved and you're allowed to touch them and even walk in the dinosaur's footsteps to get a feel for just how long their strides were.

According to the Dinosaur Footprints website, these are the first dinosaur prints ever to be scientifically described. Paleontologists believe the prints were left by some of the earliest known dinosaurs, from small plant-eaters to large meat-eaters up to 20 feet long.

If you'd like to visit Dinosaur Footprints, they are located on Route 5 in Holyoke, are open from dawn to dusk from April 1 through November 30, and admission is free to the public.