GRAND RAPIDS, MI – The “Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family” international traveling exhibition is coming to the Grand Rapids Public Museum on Saturday, Oct. 11.
Through April 26, 2026, the exhibit‘s Grand Rapids stop will feature recently added tyrannosaur discoveries, including the oldest feathery relatives of T. rex.
The exhibition highlights rare fossil specimens, models of feathered dinosaurs and cast skeletons, including that of “Scotty,” one of the world’s most massive and complete T. rex skeletons. It joins the Clapp Family Mastodon, a 13,000-year-old skeleton revealed at GRPM earlier this month, and Finny the Fin Whale skeleton.
“We’ve all heard of the T. rex, but there is so much more to discover about this family of dinosaurs when you visit Tyrannosaurs- Meet the Family,” said Kellie Rosekrans, director of marketing at GRPM. “On top of the rich educational value of this exhibit, just standing in front of a life-sized cast of a tyrannosaur skeleton and imagining Earth as it was when these animals were alive is enough to spark the kind of curiosity that lasts a lifetime.”
The exhibition was created by the Australian Museum and is toured internationally by Evergreen Exhibitions. It has been shown in Australia, New Zealand, Scotland and Canada, and is now touring the United States.
It allows visitors to investigate the tyrannosaur family in detail, revealing how natural selection, continental drift and climate change facilitated their transformation from carnivores into massive predators.
Tyrannosaurs came in all shapes and sizes and from many parts of the world. Their history dates back more than 100 million years.
To give the illusion of stepping back in time, Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family uses cutting-edge technology with hands-on and multimedia experiences.
These include digital screens featuring computer-animated creatures, large-scale augmented reality of tyrannosaurs exploring modern-day Grand Rapids, multi-touch and multiplayer family tree gaming table, and interactive life-sized dinosaurs in the gallery.
The GRPM has several events planned for the early days of the exhibit, including the following:
Tyrannosaurs member night (Oct. 10, 5 – 8 p.m.)
GRPM members will have the opportunity to explore this exciting exhibit before anyone else.
Mark your calendars for an evening of tyrannosaur-themed activities and exclusive access to the incredible world of tyrannosaurs. Explore all three floors on top of our brand new Tyrannosaurs traveling exhibit.
To attend, purchase a membership before Oct. 10, before registering for the event.
Tyrannosaurus trivia nights with Betka-Pope Productions (Oct. 16, 7:30 – 9 p.m.)
Study the Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family exhibit after hours and then take a seat under the whale skeleton in the GRPM’s main hall for a trivia challenge of paleontology and pop culture dinosaur questions.
This event will have a cash bar, and the winning team will receive a prize. Ages 18 and older permitted only.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 each or $40 for a team of four. Tickets are now available here.
Educator night with Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family (Oct. 22, 5:30-8 p.m.)
Visit the GRPM after hours for an exclusive event for educators connected to the traveling exhibit Tyrannosaurs: Meet the Family.
Also included: free supplementary materials including activity guides and books, GRPM staff with advice on maximizing the field trip experience, complimentary refreshments, a cash bar and a special raffle.
Visitors can learn more about the new exhibit and purchase admission tickets at grpm.org.