Have you ever wondered what’s waiting inside Tyrannostorus? From towering dinosaur skulls and authentic fossils to meteorites, crystals, animal specimens, and hands-on science activities, there’s a lot to discover!
Join us for a tour of Tyrannostorus and explore some of our favorite specimens, collections, and experiences.
Meet Stan the T-Rex
One of the first things you’ll see when you walk through our doors is Stan, our massive T-Rex skull and unofficial Tyrannostorus mascot.
Stan is a cast replica of a real T-Rex discovered near Buffalo, South Dakota. More than 70% of Stan’s skeleton was recovered, making him one of the most complete T-Rex specimens ever discovered. His incredible skull even preserves evidence of injuries and bite marks from encounters with other tyrannosaurs.
Stan is only the beginning. Throughout Tyrannostorus, you’ll find dinosaur fossil replicas including teeth, claws, eggs, and skulls, along with authentic dinosaur fossils and other prehistoric specimens.
Discover Authentic Fossils
If you love fossils, there’s plenty to explore!
Our collections feature authentic fossils representing prehistoric life from around the world. During the tour, you’ll see a real Triceratops frill fragment from the Lance Formation of Wyoming, fossil fish from the Green River Formation, fossilized shrimp from Lebanon, dinosaur teeth, Megalodon teeth, and much more.
You’ll even encounter coprolite, which is the scientific term for fossilized poop!
Explore the Natural World
Tyrannostorus goes far beyond dinosaurs.
Our zoology and natural history collections include animal skulls, skeletons, insects, marine specimens, and other fascinating examples of life on Earth.
Take a closer look at alligator skulls, snake skeletons, an incredible gharial skull replica, authentic Great White shark teeth, butterflies, beetles, arachnids, and specimens from around the world.
Each one has a story to tell about how animals live, adapt, eat, and interact with their environments.
Hold a Piece of Space
Some of the oldest objects at Tyrannostorus didn’t even come from Earth!
Our meteorite collection includes specimens from our solar system, including chondritic meteorites as well as lunar and Martian meteorites. We also have meteorites associated with Arizona’s famous Meteor Crater.
Imagine holding something that traveled through space before eventually finding its way to Earth!
Discover Crystals and Minerals
Our geology collection is filled with colorful minerals and crystals, from smaller specimens to enormous amethyst pieces and cathedral geodes.
You’ll also find Four Peaks Amethyst, a beautiful variety of amethyst found right here in Arizona.
Whether you’re an experienced collector or simply fascinated by the incredible things our planet can create, geology offers something new to discover around every corner.
Get Hands-On With Science
At Tyrannostorus, science isn’t something you can only look at. We believe some of the best learning happens when you can experience it for yourself.
Crack open your own geode with our geode breaker and discover the crystals hiding inside. Try our water sluice and pan for fossils, gemstones, seashells, and replica arrowheads. Young explorers can even dig for fossils in our kinetic sand pit.
You never know what you might uncover!
Step Into the Ancient World
Our journey through history doesn’t end with fossils.
Tyrannostorus also explores archaeology and ancient civilizations. During the tour, you’ll see an ancient hand axe from the Sahara dating back hundreds of thousands of years, along with replicas inspired by artifacts from ancient Egypt.
Archaeology gives us an incredible window into the lives of the people who came before us and another way to explore our shared history.
More Than a Store
Although Tyrannostorus is a store, our real passion is getting people excited about science and natural history.
Through classes, field trips, educational programs, outreach, and hands-on experiences, we help curious minds explore everything from paleontology and geology to zoology, archaeology, astronomy, and more.
You may even meet Bluey, our Velociraptor educational ambassador!
Come Explore Tyrannostorus
We hope you enjoyed this look inside Tyrannostorus!
Whether you’re a lifelong fossil collector, a dinosaur-obsessed kid, a rock and mineral enthusiast, a budding scientist, or simply someone who loves discovering extraordinary things, there’s always something new to explore.
Ready to see it all? View the video tour below and get a closer look at our fossils, specimens, collections, hands-on experiences, and more.
If you’re in Arizona, come visit us in person and experience Tyrannostorus for yourself!
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