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Nature's Art Village

1650 Hartford-New London Turnpike, Oakdale, CT 06370 · Oakdale, CT

Why you should go…

Nature's Art Village in Oakdale, Connecticut centers on The Dinosaur Place, an outdoor playground and nature trail populated with life-size dinosaur sculptures. The same campus includes a large rock, mineral, and fossil retail shop along with mini golf and a splash pad for younger visitors.

  • #dinosaurs
  • #outdoor playground
  • #rock and mineral shop
  • #family fun
  • #connecticut

Good to know

General attractions guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Book the time slot, not just the ticket

    Timed entry is now the norm at big-draw attractions, and online tickets are often cheaper than the gate.

  • Grab the daily schedule on arrival

    Feeding times, keeper talks, and shows run on a posted timetable that changes day to day.

  • The first hour is the quietest

    Queues build through late morning and peak after lunch, so an early start buys you the shortest waits.

  • Budget past the ticket price

    Parking, lockers, strollers, and food inside the gates are common extras worth planning for.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Nature's Art Village, ordered by straight-line distance. A few more like it, plus some different kinds of fun so you can build a full day.

  • Stay
    Iconic

    Mohegan Sun

    $50+

    A sprawling Connecticut casino resort with 1,600 rooms, a 10,000-seat arena, and dozens of restaurants and shops.

    4.0 mi awaySwitch it up: Stay

  • Shopping
    Local Gem

    Scooter A Long

    $25–$50

    Mobility scooter rental and delivery service serving Mystic-area attractions like the aquarium and Seaport.

    4.8 mi awaySwitch it up: Shopping

  • Museums
    History Buff

    Submarine Force Museum

    Free

    Home of the USS Nautilus, the world's first nuclear-powered submarine, on the Thames River in Groton, CT.

    6.6 mi awaySwitch it up: Museums

  • Tours
    Outdoor Adventure

    Thames River Heritage Park

    Under $25

    Hop-on hop-off water taxi tour linking historic sites along the Thames River in New London and Groton.

    8.4 mi awaySwitch it up: Tours

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Guilford Fairgrounds

    Under $25

    Home of the annual Guilford Fair, a Connecticut agricultural fair with livestock, exhibits, rides and food each September.

    30 mi awayMore like this

  • Attractions
    Family Favorite

    Roger Williams Park Zoo

    $25–$50

    Historic Providence zoo with elephants, giraffes, and Victorian park grounds.

    44 mi awayMore like this