Dinosaurs in the Park

Dinosaurs in the Park comes to Shelby Bottoms Nature Center on Thursday, October 15, with paleontologists from the Earth Experience museum bringing their collection to the center for the day. It's a full-day event, open from 9 AM to 4 PM, and it's free for all ages.

The main draw is the collection they're hauling in: fossil casts of dinosaur skulls displayed alongside actual fossils, including pieces found right here in the local area. If you've ever wondered what a dinosaur skull actually looks like up close, this is your chance to see one without leaving town. The paleontologists will be on hand to walk you through the collection, and you can hear about the museum's dinosaur digs in Montana—the kind of field work that usually stays far away from a Nashville nature center.

One of the best parts is that it's not just a look-and-don't-touch kind of thing. They're inviting you to bring your own fossils and rocks for the team to identify on the spot. If you've got a strange stone from a hike or a piece of something you've been curious about for years, this is a good time to finally get a professional opinion on it. It's a rare chance to pick the brain of someone who spends their time digging in the dirt for a living.

It's open to all ages, so it works as a family outing or just a solo stop if you're into this stuff. There's no registration required—you just show up. You'll find it at Shelby Bottoms Nature Center, 1900 Davidson St, Nashville, TN 37206, on Thursday, October 15, from 9 AM to 4 PM.