Over 60 life-size animatronic dinosaurs greeted me as I walked the wetlands trail at the Roger Williams Park Zoo on a foggy April morning.

The trail was filled with people of all ages taking photos of their kids standing next to the realistic creatures.

The trail is wide and easy to walk with a few benches along the way. It is wheelchair accessible.

I’ve followed the trail before, enjoying pumpkins, Christmas lights, Asian lanterns, and the natural beauty of the marshland.

This time I felt like I was back in the days of the dinosaurs, and they seemed to own the environment, towering above the park, hiding in the bushes, and flying over the three bridges on the trail.

As you enter the zoo, you are greeted by a giant brachiosaurus, and follow the trail of dinosaur footprints past the animals to the elephant exhibit and the beginning of the dinosaurs’ magical world.

The eerie sounds of the ancient creatures greet you. Some swing their long necks toward you, but please, don’t touch them or, as the signs warn you, do not feed them.

Park Director Stacy Johnson reminds us that the exhibit is an integral part of the zoo’s mission to both entertain and educate. He reminds us that dinosaurs are still around today in the form of many birds. He encourages us to visit the special exhibit demonstrating that important fact.

I was impressed with the realism of the exhibits, with careful attention given to the movement of their eyes and limbs. I caught one drooling. And those big teeth look so real.

The end of the exhibit features a giant Apatosaurus that leads you to a hands-on area where children  can participate in a Dig Cite, and go on dinosaur rides.

Take your time enjoying the exhibit, taking photos, buying a snack, and of course exiting through the gift shop.

You can take it all in in an hour, but a casual trip needs a couple of hours to real get into it.

The exhibit is a bargain at $9 for adults and $7 for children, however you must purchase a ticket to the zoo ($20.95 and $ 14.95).

Visit rwpzoo.org  for all the details on groups rates and zoo memberships.     

“Dinosaurs Among Us” continues at the Roger Williams Park Zoo through August 13. 

Buy your tickets on line at rwpzoo.org/dinosaurs to avoid lines.