Celebrate Utah's Dinosaur Heritage: Jurassic World Giveaway


When Jurassic Park came out I was a Midwestern girl who'd never seen a dinosaur bone.  Wow, how the world has changed!  Now, with an even bigger dinosaur movie about to premier, I'm living only minutes from one of the world's largest dinosaur museums and take the kids fossil hunting every time we go out hiking.  It's exciting to be teaming up this week with the gals at The Salt Project to bring you an epic dinosaur giveaway...


Did you know that Utah is a Dinosaur Fossil gold mine?! I mean, Utah, it's a big deal.


So big in fact, that the Utahraptor was found right here in Moab, Utah. That's right people, we have our own dinosaur. It's also a cousin of the Velociraptor in Jurassic Park. Utah has a lot of dinosaur history, so we've compiled a list of our favorite Dinosaur Museums. You'll definitely want to add these museums to your summer bucket list.

Natural History Museum of Utah | Salt Lake City


The Natural History Museum of Utah has the world's largest and only display of 14 ceratopsian (horned) dinosaur skulls. The Museum collection is super unique because nearly all the specimens are from Utah and at least 15 of them are new to science since 2000!


They also have the Lythronax (similar to tyrannosaurus) that was found in Southern Utah and can only be found on display here in Utah!

Museum of Ancient Life | Thanksgiving Point | Lehi


The Museum of Ancient Life at Thanksgiving Point has 60 complete dinosaur skeletons and is one of the largest dinosaur museums in the world. You've probably driven by it and seen the giant tyrannosaurus rex on the building.

Ogden Eccles Dinosaur Park | Ogden


Tucked in the mouth of Weber Canyon, you'll find dinosaurs hidden throughout the brush by the Weber River. Watch paleontologist clean off fossils or dig for some gems in the cave. The Jurassic-World-like playground will have your kids playing for hours!

St. George Dinosaur Discovery Site | St. George


This museum just opened up in 2000 and is family-friendly. It's built over dinosaur footprints that you can see through the floor. Best part? The footprints were found right here in Utah. It's a small museum, but it is jam packed with fossils! Be sure to schedule a tour, we hear that's the way to visit.
National Geographic just did a story on all the new species that are coming out of Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument in Southern Utah and all the pieces are sent to the Utah Museum of Natural History. Pretty cool right?

So cool in fact, that we've got a giant giveaway!

***GIVEAWAY***

We will have five winners! Thanks to our amazing sponsors! This giveaway has a little bit of something for every age. Baby, littles, teens and adults will all love this giveaway.

Thanksgiving Point : Tickets
Megaplex Theatres : Movie Passes & Large Popcorn
The Salt Project : 2 Adventure Packs
LeggyBlondeShop : Dinosaur Planter
LovelyLettersDesign : Dinosaur Party Invites and Thank You Cards
SnuggleMeDesigns : Dinosaur Hooded Towel
Cloud9Craftss : Jurassic Park Movie Poster
LittleSaplingToys : Dino Teethers

Here's how the bounty will be divided.  We will have 5 winners.

The Grand Prize Winner
5 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah
5 Tickets to Thanksgiving Point's Museum of Ancient Life
2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres
2 Salt Project Adventure Packs
First Choice to 2 other prizes
1 Dino Teether
1 Potter Pack

Second Place
5 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah
5 Tickets to Thanksgiving Point's Museum of Ancient Life
2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres
Second Choice to 1 other prize
1 Dino Teether

Third Place
4 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah
2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres
Third Choice of 1 other prize
1 Dino Teether

Fourth Place
4 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah
2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres
Fourth Choice of 1 other prize
1 Dino Teether

Fifth Place
2 Tickets to the Natural History Museum of Utah
2 Movie Passes & Large Popcorn from Megaplex Theatres
Fifth Choice of 1 other prize
1 Dino Teether

Giveaway: Trail Ride for 2 at This Is the Place Heritage Park

If you haven't yet, make sure to check out my husband's first post on A Local Wander.  
He's telling all about the great time he had at This Is the Place Heritage Park with B on horseback.  


30 and 60 minute trail rides are offered at the park Monday through Saturday, 9:30am-6:30pm.
Well-trained horses are suitable for ages 5 & up and all skill levels.

Trail rides do include admission to Heritage Village and all the activities there.


We are so excited to be offering the chance for two of our readers 
to take a 30-minute trail ride
 at This Is the Place Heritage Park...





Salt Lake Like the Pioneers Did It: This Is the Place Trail Rides

This is a sponsored post.
I received a product in exchange for an honest review.

Living in Utah, we talk a lot about the "pioneers."  It was their tenacity and faith that brought about the blooming of the Salt Lake & Utah Valleys.  During our recent visit to This Is the Place Heritage Park it was exciting to step back through time and see what the area would have been like when they were first here working and praying.  The park offers so many different hands-on activities that bring history to life and perhaps the most realistic of all is a trail ride in the park's outer hills.


Here is when I tell you that my niece, who came prepared for the day with pink cowboy hat, sparkly belt, and cowboy boots, decided at the last minute she did not want to go.  So, she and I had a nice time walking around Brigham's Forest Farmhouse while my husband and B went out on the trail. Since he went, and I didn't, I'm turning the reigns (Yep, terrible pun) over to him today as my first A Local Wander contributor...

The Joy of a Horse-riding Father

Growing up I had a horse. She was an ornery horse, spoiled, lazy, and slightly homicidal. She almost sent me to the spirit world seven different times and I'm sure she knew it.  We fought through a lot of stubbornness (on both our parts).  After breaking both our family saddles, she and I came to an agreement that I would ride bareback and she would accept me as her rider.


The horses at This is the Place Heritage Park are the exact opposite of my horse! It was refreshing to learn that horseback riding can be effortless and pleasant. The welcoming committee (a very friendly toddler) greeted us and welcomed us in to meet his Dad, the real McCoy of western cowboy fantasies. Our trail guide introduced 8-yr-old B to his horse and explained how to help her stop and go. Right from the start B was in charge of making sure Classy was walking and not always stopping to eat.




The ride wound through the park with incredible views of the Salt Lake valley and the historic pioneer buildings. It was amazing and rewarding to see my son commanding a beautiful horse and learning that even at the ripe age of 8 he was the one in control. We had a guide in front and a guide in back sharing information about the park and surrounding areas. The horses are so incredibly gentle and the guides are so confident in their abilities that any concerns I had of this ride being like those of my youth were quickly erased. I had expected them to take halter rope and lead him in a manner reflecting a circular pony ride, so when they gave him the reins and said, "Go," I was very impressed. It was a unique and relaxing way to spend some time with him..


I detest not being able to control my destiny, I like to drive my own ATV, I prefer to paddle my own boat, and I love to control my own horse.  I saw this in my son today. It was great to see the joy of accomplishment when we returned and he told his mom that he rode a horse!


The trail rides at This Is the Place Heritage Park are a great place for children and parents to take the ropes and experience the joy of riding a horse. It's a hands-on way for them to put themselves in the pioneer stories they've always been told.  This activity will enrich the great time families are already having at This is the Place Heritage Park.

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