A major new attraction has opened in southern New Jersey. The Jean and Ric Edelman Fossil Park & Museum of Rowan University officially welcomed the public on 29 March 2025, inviting visitors to step back 66 million years for an immersive, hands-on experience unlike any other in the region.
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Set above a fossil-rich quarry, the museum combines interactive exhibits, real fossil digs, scenic trails, and imaginative outdoor play areas. The site offers visitors of all ages the opportunity to explore the Cretaceous period — not just through display cases, but by getting their hands dirty.
Designed to spark curiosity and wonder, highlights include:
⚫ A palaeontology-themed playground with a 45-foot wingspan wooden Pteranodon
⚫ Explorer Key access for extended digital learning and enhanced in-museum activities
⚫ The Quarry Grounds Café, with views over the fossil site and food sourced from local vendors
⚫ Darwin & Co. gift shop, featuring sustainably made items and a children’s reading space inspired by Darwin’s real study
⚫ Nature trails across the four-acre site, perfect for outdoor exploration
New Jersey has a rich history in dinosaur discovery. The first nearly complete dinosaur skeleton (Hadrosaurus) was unearthed in Haddonfield in 1858. Just a mile from the museum site, the world’s first discovered tyrannosaur (Dryptosaurus) was found in 1866 — predating the discovery of T. rex in Montana.
Located in South Jersey, the museum is 20 minutes from Philadelphia, around 1 hour 15 minutes from Newark, and about 1.5 hours from central New York City — making it a natural addition to Northeast U.S. itineraries.
Admission starts at $29 for adults and $24 for children aged 3–12, with free entry for children under 3
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Plan You Visit
For additional details and to purchase tickets or memberships, visit
efm.org.
Posted by: New Jersey Division of Tourism
Posted on: 01/05/2025