The Discovery Science Place is presenting "Return of the Dinosaurs" through Sunday. (Courtesy) 

Call it the invasion of the dinosaurs. This summer no less than three Texas museums — including Tyler’s Discovery Science Place — are hosting exhibits featuring our favorite supersized creatures of yesteryear. 

Though long gone, these mysterious animals continue to capture our imaginations thanks in part to the popular heart-pounding “Jurassic Park” movies which feature people-chomping dinos as big as a building.

Dinosaurs — or at least their fossilized bones and preserved footprints — remain star attractions in museums and protected sites across the state. 

“If you want a sure winner, bring in a dinosaur exhibit,” says Chris Rasure, executive director of Discovery Science Place in Tyler. “I don’t think there ever will be a time when people will not be fascinated by dinosaurs and prehistoric creatures.” 

Tyler: Discovery Science Place

The Discovery Science Place in Tyler is presenting Return of the Dinosaurs through Aug. 19. in its annex, 308 N. Broadway Ave.

The exhibit features eight displays including the three-horned Triceratops, the meat-eating T-Rex, two Protoceratops guarding their nest and the long-necked Apatosaurus.

The museum also will be showing some dinosaur fossils on loan from the Naranjo Museum of Natural History in Lufkin. 

The exhibition also marks the 25th anniversary of Discovery Science Place. One of the museum’s first major shows was an exhibition featuring animatronic dinosaurs. 

Dallas: Perot Museum of Nature And Science

The Ultimate Dinosaurs exhibition at The Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas puts visitors eye to eye with 20 dinosaur species. The exhibit includes full-sized skeletons, life-sized video projections of the creatures, interactive games and augmented-reality attractions.

Based on scientific research, Ultimate Dinosaurs reveals exotic species from the other side of the world as it tells the story of the split of supercontinent Pangaea and the diversity of dinosaur species that evolved as a result.

San Antonio: Witte Museum

The Witte Museum in San Antonio is promising visitors the experience of “visiting Texas in the world of the dinosaurs” with its Predators vs. Prey: Dinosaurs on the Land Before Texas exhibit.

Billed as “a journey spanning millions of years,” Predators vs. Prey features life-sized animatronic dinosaurs.

Visitors can take advantage of augmented-reality technology and immersive interactive displays that bring to life the struggles of survival in the dinosaur world.

Glen Rose: Dinosaur Valley State Park

Glen Rose, south of Fort Worth, is the Dinosaur Capital of Texas. About 113 million years ago, dinosaurs trampling through the Paluxy Riverbed left footprints in thick mud that hardened over time.

Some of these tracks are visible at Dinosaur Valley State Park. Visitors can locate tracks using a map on the park’s website. 

Visitors to Dinosaur Valley State Park also can camp, picnic and hike or mountain bike along more than 20 miles of trails. 

Waco Mammoth National Monument

The Waco Mammoth National Monument preserves the site where the remains of mammoths and other animals were unearthed in 1978. 

So far, the remains of at least 61 mammoths have been identified.

Other remains excavated include a giant short-faced bear, camel, llama, prairie dog, wolf, fish and plant and invertebrate fossils.

The site is open for public viewing. 

Lufkin: Naranjo Museum of Natural History 

In 1960, Dr. Neal Naranjo began a lifelong quest to find and preserve dinosaur bones. Each fossil he collected laid the foundation for the Naranjo Museum of Natural History in Lufkin.

The museum’s attractions include fossils, life-size replicas of dinosaurs and what are believed to be unhatched dinosaur eggs that are 68 million years old.