July 17, 2009
Dinosaur Capital of the World, Continued: Drumheller, Alberta Bites Back
The skeleton of Tyrannosaurus on display in the Royal Tyrell Museum in Drumheller, Alberta. From Flickr user headspacej.
Last month I asked readers of this blog to vote for which location deserved the title of “Dinosaur Capital of the World.” Glen Rose, Texas quickly jumped into the lead, but many commenters voiced their preference for Drumheller, Alberta. Glen Rose might have the tracks, they say, but it is hard to beat Drumheller when it comes to the abundance of fossil bones.
Now the Drumheller Mail has weighed in on the great debate. According to the newspaper, Drumheller has tons of dinosaur fossils, a long tradition of paleontology and some dino-centered culture that can’t be beat:
The valley has a rich history of dinosaur bone excavation going back more than a century, and of course the Royal Tyrrell Museum. It is hard to go a block in downtown Drumheller without seeing a statue of a dinosaur. This all makes it hard to argue that Drumheller is not the capital.
Indeed, Drumheller resident Bob Llewellyn, who has been involved with paleontology in the area for years, stated that “I don’t think we have to worry about anyone else, I think we have a lot going for us. … The fact is, we are known all over the place…I don’t think we have to sit back and take guff from anybody.”
Admittedly I have never been to Drumheller or Glen Rose, but in the interest of full disclosure I have to cast my own vote for Drumheller, Alberta. The area is abundant in fascinating dinosaur fossils, it has a solid history of supporting paleontological science, and the Royal Tyrrell Museum is a first class institution that I hope to visit in the not-too-distant future. And, not to knock Glen Rose, but the fact that young earth creationists have often tried to use the dinosaur tracks found near the Texas town to try and convince people that humans and dinosaurs once lived together makes the southern site lose a few points in my book (although a homegrown creationist museum recently popped up in Alberta, too). The true dinosaur capital of the world should have a strong tradition of excellent paleontological research, and in that respect Drumheller is hard to beat.
What do you think? Is Drumheller’s status as the “Dinosaur Capital of the World” safe, or has it been superseded by Glen Rose? Have your say in the comments!
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I’ve been to Drumheller and you cannot walk 2 feet down the street without running into a dinosaur of some kind. The museum is HUGE and spectacular with a preperation lab right where the public can observe. With so many diffrent kinds of dinosaurs discovered localy I’m at a loss as to how Glen Rose, with a set of tracks, is getting so many votes??? Is everyone from Glen Rose voting? Did the buttons get switched? Is ACORN involved in this?
I don’t know if the term “Dinosaur Capital” is useful, except to tourism offices, but I have to say I was impressed with the Royal Tyrell Museum, and the setting of Drumheller was absolutely beautiful. To be fair, I haven’t been to Glen Rose, but trackways are only one part of the big picture of understanding the creatures.
I have been to Bedrock, at least the outside, but most of the dinosaurs seemed to be made of plastic or plaster or something. If you don’t know how to get there, besides becoming a cartoon character, it is about 30 miles south of Grand Canyon National Park, and is one of those great tourist traps. The nearest actual fossils of dinos are probably 80 miles away to the east. You might find a brachiopod or sponge fossil, though.
Thanks for the info, Garry. Bedrock was included as a gag; every list needs an outrageous option, but I am surprised that I number of people have picked it!
I happen to have been to both the RTMP (numerous times, as I live in fairly close proximity) and to Glen Rose. While the tracks at Glen Rose are truly spectacular in their own right, they hardly qualify as an appetizer compared to the multicourse,all-you-can eat gourmet banquet, that is the Drumheller Valley / Tyrrell Museum, (and 2 hours down the Red Deer River is Dinosaur Provincial Park, which in this analogy is the overstuffed larder / farmers market that stocks the banquet at the Tyrrell Museums table ).
If Glen Rose equals our sun, Drumheller, RTMP, Dinosaur Prov. Park is the equivalent of the rest of stars in our galaxy. In terms of competition for “Dinosaur Capital”, there frankly is no contest. . . entirely different levels of magnitude involved. . .
To continue, Liaoning is like an exotic, distant nebula filled with intrigue. . . while “Flintstoneville” like a case of bad indigestion, belongs deep within the bowels of the category labelled “other”. . .
I have been to both sites, as well as all of the large dinosaur museum and sites in North America. All are signifcant, all are worth seeing. But Drumheller is certainly the best to be called the Dinosaur Capital.
I’ve not been to Glen Rose but have been to Drumheller, Dinosaur Provincial Park and the Tyrrell. It’s hard to describe the area but one can’t help feel like they have stepped back to the age of dinosaurs as you descend into that valley. A walk anywhere in the valley or around the museum can result in your own finds of fossilized creatures from the distant past. The Tyrrell itself is a must see for anyone interested in the natural history of the planet. Fascinating!
Drumheller has my vote simply because it has both the scientific community and paleontological background at the Royal Tyrrrell Museum, but also a huge abundance of other Dinosaur themed attractions which cater to younger kids and adults alike.
For the xtreme dino fans, Drumheller is simply just the hub to many other areas all nearby which are very rich in fossils.
It is a great place to visit, and an awsome place to live. If you haven’t been it is worth the trip!!
I to have voted for drumheller, partly because of the Museum and fossils that abound in our beautiful valley, but no one has mentioned our huge and i mean huge model of T-rex that graces our sky line, that alone blows most competition out of the water. Another reason aswell, we have a fossil dig site museum, and our natural topography, well just tops the list. Anyone who visits the valley would clearly see why there is absolutely no other competition in this debate, as far as I’m concerned we should not even have to justify who’s #1- we simply are!
I was just at the Royal Tyrell Museum a few weeks ago and snapped that snazzy shot at the top of this post! I had been there about 10 years ago before we had kids, and thought it was excellent — this time was even better, especially seeing the excitement and awe on the faces of my daughters. It’s really a spectacular place. I’m sure there are others too — time to make a list for the next few summer vacations…
Drumheller is definitely the Dinosaur Capital of the World, we have the Royal Tyrrell Museum which is both scientific and great for kids and adults alike. We also have an abundance of dinosaurs everywhere you look. There have been many scientific finds in the valley, come visit and see for yourself.
I have stood in mouth the giant T-rex and viewed Drumheller down below through its teeth!!!
Although I’m a born and raised Drumhellerite and my opinion could be considered biased, it’s a no-brainer that Drumheller is the “Dinosaur Capital of the World”. From the abundance of fossils, the landscape and the world class Royal Tyrell Museum, Drumheller is now and always will be the “Dinosaur Capital of the World”. If you don’t believe me come visit Drumheller and see for yourselves…WOW!
Drumheller…WOOT!!!!! I live there and it is definatly the dinasor capital…no…questions…freaking…asked!!!!!!!!!
Drumheller has to be the dinosaur capital. As stated before we have dinosaurs on every corner and the Royal Tyrell
Drumheller is the capital, I always enjoy going there
I’ve been to Drumheller a number of times, and to the Museum of Natural History in New York once. While the MNH has some important exhibits, and Glen Rose has tracks which are important artifacts, the Royal Tyrrell and the dinosaur beds in the Red Deer Valley are second to none on this continent. I’ve had the museum described to me by a paleontologist as “Mecca” for him and his colleagues.
Drumheller is by far the Dinosaur Capital of the World for all the reasons I’ve seen stated and more. This is a place where everywhere you go you will see a childs eyes light up as he gazes in wonder around him (and lets admit a lot of us adults to
Our incredible T-Rex, the Tyrell Museum and their amazing staff the abundance of hoodoos and dinosaur statues that grace peoples yards. Our menus reflect the honor we feel at being the center of such an amazing site. The mammoth burger, megasaurous pizza, T-Rex steak, dino buddies and more. This is the place to visit if you have a passion for dinosaurs!
Now dinosaur tracks are incredible for sure yet to me tracks indicate moving through an area…here in Drumheller and the surrounding valleys we have absolute proof in the abundance of fossils that even the Dinosaurs knew this was the place to be.
I grew up in Drumheller until I was 18, and as a child we had shoe boxes full of dinosaur bones, crystalized rock and petrified wood. It was so common. Back then, the Drumheller museums didn’t even want to buy them from us kids for a little candy cash. However, that all changed once the Royal Tyrell Museum was built. The whole town now is a tourist becon, truly the Dinosaur Capital of the World. Had I known this, I would have kept all those boxes of paleontological finds, and I’d be a millionaire by selling them on Ebay!!!! You can still walk the hills and find numerous areas of Dinosaur skeletons that haven’t even been found, although now it is against the law to disturb the scene and a hefty fine too, but it is really a treat to see for yourself even for a home girl like myself. I still have kept a few treasures though, ha, ha. Go see for yourself you will not be disappointed.
If you grew up in Alberta, you have at least once, made a family trip to Drumheller to visit the dinosaur’s. Walk down the streets of Drumheller during tourist high season & you will meet people from the 4 corners of the planet. They are here for one reason….dinosaur’s.
The dinosaur capital of the world should be based on the quality and quantity of dinosaur fossils recovered in that area, on the work done in that area to further scientific knowledge of dinosaurs and on the visitor experience in learning about dinosaurs. Based on this criteria Drumheller is the undisputed dinosaur capital of the world today.
Drumheller has been my home for the last 20 some years and I love it here. Drumheller is the “Dinosaur Capital of the World”. The town has embrased the theme and the Tyrrell has made it world famous. China may have us beat, but I have never been there but have known palaentologists who have. If the Chinese started voting, we may be in trouble. lol
I bet most of you didn’t that most of the fossils at the tyrrell came from dinosaur provincial park near patrisha, AB.It’s in the same river valley but 150 miles away
I’ve lived in the Red Deer River valley just outside Drumheller for over 15 years. I take my grandson fossil hunting a couple times a year, and we have never been disappointed. There is such an abundance of fossils, dinosaur bone fragments, old ocean shells, etc, just laying on the ground in some areas, it is truly amazing. I have found countless bone fragments, vertebrae, turtle shell pieces, and endless petrified wood hunks, I also have 2 huge bone pieces weighing about 40 lb each. You can surface collect fossils but you aren’t allowed to dig for them or sell them. Drumheller is the World’s Dinosaur capital for sure.
It’s a no-brainer!
A lot has been missed here, even still. How about the new Animatronic T-Rex that is completely lifelike? Or the fact our T-Rex skeleton was used in “Night at the Museum”? That is on top of the aforementioned museum(s), statues (and World’s Largest Dino), and the breathtaking site.
It should be Drumheller, Alberta (Canada)!
“Drumheller” Without a doubt.
I have not been there myself but because I live in Alberta why would I go any place else. I have seen the Bedrock ones but was not too impressed.Someday I hope that I can bring my grandsons to see them as well, they live in Ontario Canada
So lets keep it moving and take first place Drumheller
I live in Alberta and am proud to declare my support for Drumheller, AB.
I Live in Drumheller and will definetly vote for Drumheller
As far as fossil deposits, the two richest sites in the world are the Drumheller Valley/Badlands (The Royal Tyrrell has over 120,000 fossils) and the Gobi Desert in China. That fact alone shows how rich Drumheller is in Dinosaur resources supporting its claim of “Capital of the World.”
I’m proud to support Drumheller, it’s a truly great museum. Also – and completely unconnected – listening to the radio in the car driving from Drumheller back to Calgary, I suddenly realized what the point of country and western music was.
I LOVE Drumheller and so does my family. WE are ALL very PROUD Albertains and very excited to have such an Amazing place to learn about Dinosaurs and to welcome all the tourists that are interested as well. Way to go Alberta.
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I have been to Drumheller several times. There is really no other place like it on the planet. Both the town of Drumheller and the Royal Tyrell Museum are fanastic.
I strongly recommend anyone to visit.
Drumheller has a wonderful museum in the Tyrell and an abundance of fossils in many locations. We love to go there, by ourselves or with our family. Hard to imagine a location that deserves the title more
it has the most interesting real and surreal dinosaurs anywhere hands down!
Drumheller is the absolute “Taj Mahal” for the paleo world.
Beyond the dinosaur presence, the ‘museum’ has extremely friendly (and patient) staff, exquisite exhibits (with easily-understoood information) as well as a commitment to quality standard to the best museums in the world.
One more point – Drumheller has a long-standing commitment to public outreach and programs that attract folks who would never imagine they could get excited about old rocks and bones.
Drumheller is the most unusual and beautiful valley in the world. As you enter the valley you see the formations of the hills also the vegatation it is very different. Also this is the home of the dinosaurs. Many years ago there were many coal mines here which was the living for many families. Many great people were born and raised in Drumheller. It is a place everyone should try to visit.
Comment by Joyce – September 8, 2009
Has anybody been to Vernal UT. This is a plae that has a huge wall with the largest collection of dinosaus that have been publictly excavated. I have not seen nor heard any other large naturaly displayed setting for dinosaurs in the world.
Have any of you had the privilege to see the Dinosaur Museum in Thermopolis Wyoming. The sheer volume of bones that they have found and are waiting to be unearthed is just part of the excitemenet. The actual dinos in this fairly large museum, are worth the trip.
[...] week kicked off the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, Canada, and as we all know Canada has some really fantastic dinosaur deposits. In fact, one of my favorite dinosaurs, the [...]
I was born and raised in Drumheller..when we were kids,we played in the hills,there were dinosaur bones everywhere..Drumheller should be known as the “Dinosaur capital of the World”..i just had the good fortune to move back to Drum…thank the lord.The largest dinosaur in the world also calls Drumheller home !!! lol
When I think of Dinosaurs I always think of Drumheller. If you haven’t been, I recommend you go.. and see the WORLD’S LARGEST DINOSAUR! it’s neat! .. also, go for a hike,and you may even find some petrified wood, or a fossil.
DRUMHELLER definately.
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