Glowing lights, festive décor, and…dinosaurs?!?! You might think the three have nothing in common, but that’s not entirely true. Dino Lites combines all three. This amazing dinosaur-themed wonderland is the best Christmas light display in Arkansas and it’s as magical as you’d expect!
This adventure begins at the Mid-America Science Museum.
Arkansas Tourism/Google The museum is located in Hot Springs, and is home to over 100 exhibits, including Dino Trek.
Dino Trek was the state’s first exhibit of its kind.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook You’ll really feel as if you’re embarking upon a stand-alone hiking trail, because Dino Trek winds through 21 beautiful wooded acres surrounding the museum.
Dino Trek is a great place to visit all year long.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook But it’s even better during the Christmas season in Arkansas, though, when it’s set aglow for the museum’s yearly light show, Dino Lites.
The display made its debut in 2018.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook Ever since then t’s quickly growing into a favorite place to spend Christmas in Arkansas, which isn’t surprising. It really is a truly unique event!
Folks come from all around the region and further afield to enjoy this magical light display.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook Its easy to get here too. Hot Springs is only about an hour away from Little Rock, the state capitol.
Putting a spin on classic Christmas displays, Dino Lites is centered around decked-out dinosaurs.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook Once here, you’ll see why it is arguably one of the, if not THE best Christmas light display in Arkansas!
Local groups, clubs, and business owners do all the decorating.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook For locals, it is a favorite annual community activity that really brings people closer together.
Participants here start by “adopting” a dinosaur.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook Then they use lights and festive décor to create glowing yuletide scenes.
This is such a great place for a special date night or fun with friends.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook Many people prefer drive-through holiday light displays, but here its worth braving the chilly weather to get up-close-and-personal with these amazing creatures.
For a special treat, visit Dino Lites on opening night for the Grand Lighting Ceremony.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook Who can think of a better little family getaway in Arkansas?
So, how much is it to attend Dino Lites?
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook Well, that’s one of the best parts. It’s included with general museum admission, so you can explore both the display AND museum for one price. (Side note: overall it is one of the best museums in the state).
Its no exaggeration when we say Dino Lites is Jurassic Park meets Christmas Vacation!
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook As far as holiday traditions in Arkansas go, this one is widely known and much loved.
So, did you know about this holiday event? Have you ever been to see the dinosaurs at the Mid-America Science Museum at any time of the year? If so, when? And how was it? We’d love for your to share your experiences and your prehistoric photos with us!
Arkansas Tourism/Google
The museum is located in Hot Springs, and is home to over 100 exhibits, including Dino Trek.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook
You’ll really feel as if you’re embarking upon a stand-alone hiking trail, because Dino Trek winds through 21 beautiful wooded acres surrounding the museum.
Mid-America Science Museum/Facebook
But it’s even better during the Christmas season in Arkansas, though, when it’s set aglow for the museum’s yearly light show, Dino Lites.
Ever since then t’s quickly growing into a favorite place to spend Christmas in Arkansas, which isn’t surprising. It really is a truly unique event!
Its easy to get here too. Hot Springs is only about an hour away from Little Rock, the state capitol.
Once here, you’ll see why it is arguably one of the, if not THE best Christmas light display in Arkansas!
For locals, it is a favorite annual community activity that really brings people closer together.
Then they use lights and festive décor to create glowing yuletide scenes.
Many people prefer drive-through holiday light displays, but here its worth braving the chilly weather to get up-close-and-personal with these amazing creatures.
Who can think of a better little family getaway in Arkansas?
Well, that’s one of the best parts. It’s included with general museum admission, so you can explore both the display AND museum for one price. (Side note: overall it is one of the best museums in the state).
As far as holiday traditions in Arkansas go, this one is widely known and much loved.
If you want to know more about Dino Lites, you can visit the museum’s website or Facebook page.
This isn’t the only fun thing to do in the state. Check out some of these haunted spots that are enticing year-round!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: Mid-America Science Museum, 500 Mid America Blvd, Hot Springs, AR 71913, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Holiday Time in Arkansas October 29, 2022 Lysa Allman-Baldwin I’m looking for some Christmas towns in Arkansas. Enchanting Christmas towns in Arkansas are plentiful, and each one offers its own unique flavor and flair of the holiday season. Think of places like Benton (a suburb of Little Rock), Fayetteville in the Ozarks region, and Downtown Blytheville in the Delta region of the state. Where are some good places to go hiking in Arkansas in the winter? Arkansas is such a beautiful state and you’ll find many fantastic places to go hiking in the winter, as well as any other time of the year. Although you’ll probably have to bundle up a bit, you can enjoy the great outdoors along the North Rim Trail at Mount Magazine State Park, the Little Blakely Trail in Lake Ouachita, and the Lost Valley Trail near Ponca. Are there really a lot of Hot Springs in Arkansas? You bet your bottom dollar there are a lot of hot springs in Arkansas! Besides the one city by that name, this is one of the main reasons why people flock here year, after year, after year. You can find them literally dotted all over the state. But you’ll find a very large, to say the least, concentration of them at Hot Springs National Park. Let the hot soaking adventures begin!
The OIYS Visitor Center
Holiday Time in Arkansas
October 29, 2022
Lysa Allman-Baldwin
I’m looking for some Christmas towns in Arkansas. Enchanting Christmas towns in Arkansas are plentiful, and each one offers its own unique flavor and flair of the holiday season. Think of places like Benton (a suburb of Little Rock), Fayetteville in the Ozarks region, and Downtown Blytheville in the Delta region of the state. Where are some good places to go hiking in Arkansas in the winter? Arkansas is such a beautiful state and you’ll find many fantastic places to go hiking in the winter, as well as any other time of the year. Although you’ll probably have to bundle up a bit, you can enjoy the great outdoors along the North Rim Trail at Mount Magazine State Park, the Little Blakely Trail in Lake Ouachita, and the Lost Valley Trail near Ponca. Are there really a lot of Hot Springs in Arkansas? You bet your bottom dollar there are a lot of hot springs in Arkansas! Besides the one city by that name, this is one of the main reasons why people flock here year, after year, after year. You can find them literally dotted all over the state. But you’ll find a very large, to say the least, concentration of them at Hot Springs National Park. Let the hot soaking adventures begin!
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
Enchanting Christmas towns in Arkansas are plentiful, and each one offers its own unique flavor and flair of the holiday season. Think of places like Benton (a suburb of Little Rock), Fayetteville in the Ozarks region, and Downtown Blytheville in the Delta region of the state.
Where are some good places to go hiking in Arkansas in the winter?
Arkansas is such a beautiful state and you’ll find many fantastic places to go hiking in the winter, as well as any other time of the year. Although you’ll probably have to bundle up a bit, you can enjoy the great outdoors along the North Rim Trail at Mount Magazine State Park, the Little Blakely Trail in Lake Ouachita, and the Lost Valley Trail near Ponca.
Are there really a lot of Hot Springs in Arkansas?
You bet your bottom dollar there are a lot of hot springs in Arkansas! Besides the one city by that name, this is one of the main reasons why people flock here year, after year, after year. You can find them literally dotted all over the state. But you’ll find a very large, to say the least, concentration of them at Hot Springs National Park. Let the hot soaking adventures begin!
