Boblo Island Amusement Park was a beloved amusement park that began operating in 1898 and ran for almost 100 years. The park sat just above the mouth of the Detroit River, but was actually on the Canadian side on Bois Blanc Island, Ontario. It lies just above the mouth of the Detroit River and was commonly referred to as Detroit's Coney Island.
The island park was a five-minute ferry ride from Amherstburg, Ontario via the SS. Ste. Clair and the SS Columbia - steamers known at the "Bob-Lo Boats."
Do you find yourself becoming excited when you hear the open strains of John Williams' theme song to "Jurassic Park"? Or maybe, you had a childhood dream of becoming a paleontologist, but life got in the way? Well, there is a dinosaur-themed park in Michigan that I think you'll love. It's located in Kalamazoo, which also happens to be home to some gorgeous summertime hikes.
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Located on the Western Michigan University campus, these scale-size dinosaurs make for an exciting afternoon of discovery. You'll find the outdoor dinosaur display behind Lee Honors College and Rood Hall.
Or you could simply ask a passing college kid to point you to the dinos! I know if I were attending WMU, I'd know exactly where the dinosaurs live.
There is a wide variety of these majestic creatures available for you to view. And not just view, but walk among during your visit to this incredible Michigan dinosaur display.
Admission to the Schmaltz Geology Museum and Dinosaur Park is completely free for visitors to explore. In addition to the outdoor dino exhibits, there is also a very educational museum inisde.
Entry to the museum is free, as well. There you'll learn about the fascinating creatures that walked the earth before we did.
You'll learn all about the native environment of the Brachiosaurus, which I assume is not next to a tall, campus building. You'll also learn about the dinos' eating habits, which are probably more substantial than whatever the WMU dining hall is serving that day.
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The Schmaltz Geology Museum features 40 exhibits with more than 600 specimens. These include an impressive array of Michigan fossils, rocks, and minerals.
One of the WMU Museum's most notable exhibits is the Kelley Collection of Fossils and Modern Shark Teeth. I'm a rock lover myself, and am very much looking forward to laying my eyes on the Michigan copper boulder.
There are also a couple of interactive displays at this Kalamazoo-area museum. There is an augmented reality sandbox, as well as an ultraviolet fluorescent display.
However, the real attraction for those looking for an interactive activity is the dinosaurs outside. They are the true stars of this Michigan museum, after all.
The dinosaurs at this outdoor exhibit on Western Michigan University's campus are all from the Mesozoic Era. The displays include triceratops, stegosaurus, spinosaurus, and more.
Pictured above is one of the newest additions to this dinosaur-themed park in Michigan. Remember these spitting things from the original Jurassic Park?
They are called Dilophosaurus and there is no evidence that they did any spitting in real life... only the movies. In fact, there is no evidence that any dinosaurs spit venom of any kind. Guess you can't believe everything you see in the movies!
They are, however, ready for selfies. I gotta say, it would be very difficult to stop me from snapping a pic with each and every dino at Schmaltz Geology Museum and Dinosaur Park.
If you plan to take the entire family to this dinosaur-themed park in Michigan, I have a fabulous suggestion for your meal. This combination of restaurant, bar, and 7-acre outdoor play area is perfect for kids of all ages. There is so much to do in the magical town of Kalamazoo, that it might be worth making an overnight stay of it. Here's an option with rooms so comfortable the whole family can share one.
If you decide to make the trip out to see these dinos, I'd love to hear about it! Tell me your experience in the comments.
Searching for a fantastic family adventure that will keep visitors of all ages smiling? It’s rare to find an attraction that delights both kids and adults alike, but one indoor amusement park in Michigan fits the bill. Whether you’re ready to burn off some energy or simply looking for a spot to sit back and observe while your little ones play, this place has it all. Get ready for the ultimate family day trip in Michigan.
If you can't make it to Lansing, don't worry. There are five other Launch locations in Michigan: Ann Arbor, Westland, Novi, Sterling Heights, and Grand Rapids.
The Lansing spot has more than 30,000 square feet of indoor fun and games. It's a great place to spend the day with family because there are plenty of exciting activities for everyone to enjoy.
You may have been to trampoline parks before, but Launch is on another level. In addition to trampolines, the park has a big arcade, a restaurant, a dodgeball course, and a lot more fun things to do.
If you want to have some fun while your younger family members are jumping around, try the Cliffhanger! It's an indoor rock climbing wall that will challenge your strength, balance, and stamina.
Get ready for some serious fun at Launch! You can play laser tag, jump into a foam pit, and have a friendly competition in the Battle Pit. There are so many exciting things to do that will make your time at Launch super enjoyable.
While you're taking a break, you can enjoy delicious food from Krave Restaurant, which is inside the park. They have pizza, salads, ice cream, and more, so you can add a tasty treat to your fun family day.
When you're all set to go on a day trip with your friends or family, Launch Novi and the other Launch spots in Michigan will make sure you have a great time. And by the end of the day, you'll be happily tired from all the fun.
To learn more about this amazing indoor amusement park in Michigan, you can find all the details on the official website of this fantastic indoor amusement park.
Have you and your family bounced and climbed the day away here during past adventures? I’d love to hear from you, so share your experiences or recommend other indoor theme parks by completing this nomination form. And if you’re looking for more ‘indooramusement parks near me‘ – check out this indoor amusement park in Grand Rapids.
