Most People Have Never Heard Of This Fascinating Dinosaur Exhibit At The Arizona Science Center

Museums definitely aren't just for kids -- at least, not when they're harboring something as cool as what you'll find at the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix. There, you'll meet Victoria, the world's largest touring reconstructed Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. If you've ever wanted to get up-close-and-personal with a dinosaur, now's your chance!

Housed in the Arizona Science Center, Victoria is the second-most complete T. rex skeleton ever discovered.

She debuted in November of 2019 and was scheduled to depart earlier this year -- but we're in luck. Due to the unforeseen circumstances 2020 has bestowed upon us, the exhibit has been extended until January 3, 2021!

So, who is Victoria? Well, she's a young adult Tyrannosaurus Rex who lived about 66 million years ago.

Her stature is quite impressive, at a whopping 12 feet tall and 40 feet long. She was unearthed near Faith, South Dakota in 2013, and immediately after the discovery, paleontologists began their research (and the tedious process of putting together her 199 bones).

It is believed that Victoria lived between 18 and 25 years.

The cause of death is unknown, but one theory is that she had a mouth infection, caused by a bite from another T. rex, which led to sepsis.

Visitors get the rare and unique opportunity to experience Victoria in five different ways.

The first is a "meet-and-greet" of sorts, which involves getting up-close-and-personal with and taking pictures of her skeleton.

After your photo-ops, the exhibit takes a more immersive turn.

You'll design a hologram of Victoria, compare your hearing and sense of smell to hers, observe how she behaved in her natural habitat, and step back in time to the Cretaceous Period, the era in which she lived. At the end, a gift shop offers all sorts of neat, dino-themed knick-knacks.

Guests can choose between either a guided or solo experience.

The former is held at both 9:30 a.m. and 10 a.m. and only includes Victoria. Tickets are $34.95 for adults, and $27.95 for children ages 3-17. Opt for the self-guided tour and you can enter the museum anytime from 10:30 a.m. - 2:45 p.m. and follow a predetermined path through all the most highly-rated exhibits (with optional add-ons). Prices vary for this experience, so click here to learn more.

The center is taking steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

These measures include limiting capacity to 10%, requiring all guests and staff members to wear face coverings, closure on Tuesdays for deep cleaning, physical distancing encouraged, and guided experiences restricted to 10 people per group.

Visit the museum's website or Facebook page to learn more.

Have you had a chance to meet Victoria yet? If so, we'd love to hear what you thought of the exhibit! Let us know, and check out our previous article for a place where you can see real dinosaur tracks right here in Arizona.