Plan an unforgettable fossil collecting party at Penn Dixie! Birthday parties can be booked for all ages, but we recommend them for children ages 5 & up. Parties include: A guided fossil collecting expedition led by a Penn Dixie educator We provide everything needed to collect and take home fossil finds. Guests take home any fossils they collect! Gift for the birthday child Adults are welcome to participate at no additional cost Pricing: Tier 1 birthday parties (includes up to 15 children) – $250 (plus our booking software’s 6% processing fee) Tier 2 birthday parties (includes up to 30 children) – $350 (plus our booking software’s 6% processing fee) Optional add-ons include party pizzas, juice boxes, and party favors. Add-ons can be selected during checkout. Penn Dixie members save 15% on birthday parties! For your discount, please email  robin@penndixie.org  or call our office at 716-627-4560 before booking. There is 1 birthday party time slot available per weekend day, Saturday 1:30 pm – 3:30 pm and Sunday 10:30 am – 12:30 pm. Parties must be booked at least 1 week in advance. You’re welcome to bring food, drinks (barring alcohol, we do not allow alcohol consumption on-site), and decorations for your party, however balloons are not allowed on-site. Please note if there is no bookable option for a specific date or time, that means that the timeslot is already booked or is otherwise unavailable.

Unearth the Unexpected in Hamburg, NY! Rates Adults (Ages 18-61): $25 Adult - Erie County Resident: $20 Children (Ages 3-17): $15 Members: FREE Seniors (Ages 62+): $17 Military (Must Bring I.D): $17 Students (Must Bring I.D): $17 As a thank-you for Erie County’s support of Penn Dixie, Erie County residents receive discounted adult admission. Valid proof of Erie County residency is required at check-in. Nonmembers and members enjoy unlimited time at the park during normal business hours. Retain your wristband -- you are welcome to leave and return to the park on the same day. All first-time visitors must attend a safety briefing followed by an introductory tour.

Unearth the Unexpected in Hamburg, NY! Rates Adults (Ages 18-61): $25 Adult - Erie County Resident: $20 Children (Ages 3-17): $15 Members: FREE Seniors (Ages 62+): $17 Military (Must Bring I.D): $17 Students (Must Bring I.D): $17 Nonmembers and members enjoy unlimited time at the park during normal business hours. Retain your wristband -- you are welcome to leave and return to the park on the same day. All first-time visitors must attend a safety briefing followed by an introductory tour.

Modeled after our popular Private Expeditions, Junior Geologist Expeditions are geared specifically for young rockhounds and paleontologists! Your small group (2 – 10 people) can book a private, 2 hour long expedition in the style of field geology. Your guide — a knowledgeable and experienced member of our staff — will take you on a journey through our 54-acre park to explore Penn Dixie’s unique geology and collect 380 million year old fossils. On days when we are open to the public, you can remain on site to continue collecting after your tour. Included: Two-hour professionally guided tour Use of our fossil collecting tools (trowel, bucket, small cloth collecting bag) One iron on patch for each member of your expedition All of the fossils and geological specimens that you can collect! Junior Geologist Expeditions are recommended for explorers ages 5 through 12 years old. Please note that children over age 12 may prefer the style and content of  Private Expeditions . It’s up to you and your explorer to pick the expedition that’s right for your group – but we are happy to discuss your options and the differences between the tours! Contact our Science Program Coordinator Robin ( robin@penndixie.org ) with questions. Each tour can accommodate up to 10 participants. One (1) adult is required to remain with the child(ren) throughout the duration of the tour. We require at least 1 adult present for every 4 children. Contact the office prior to booking to receive your discount code. Please note that Junior Geologist Expeditions are geared towards children and your group must have at least 1 child participant.

Want a more personalized fossil hunting experience? Your small group (2 – 10 people) can book a private collecting expedition in the true style of field paleontology. Your guide — a knowledgeable and experienced member of our staff — will take you on a journey through our 54-acre park in search of a range of fossils. During the two-hour guided tour, you’ll visit our most prolific spots where you’re guaranteed to find fossils — all of which you can keep for your collection. Your guide will also take you to some unexpected places, off the beaten path, to search for trilobites, brachiopods, corals, crinoids, and maybe some of our more elusive species. After the guided portion, you can remain on site to continue collecting at your leisure on days we are open to the public. Included: Two-hour professionally guided expedition Tool and bucket rental for collecting* One complimentary copy of ‘Field Guide to the Devonian Paleontology of New York’ by Karl A. Wilson for the group Private Expeditions are available for all ages but recommended for fossil hunters ages 13 & up. For safety reasons, tools are not available for groups with children under 13; garden trowels will be provided instead. We can schedule an expedition for any day of the week, even when Penn Dixie is closed to the public. Advance booking is essential, but timing is flexible. Please book your tour as early as possible as availability can fill up quickly. Private Expeditions should be booked a minimum of two weeks before your visit, and there may be a 20% additional charge for tours reserved fewer than than two weeks from the desired date. Since expeditions are outdoors, we recommend appropriate footwear (e.g., sturdy boots), seasonal dress in layers, sunscreen, shade hats (e.g., wide brim hats or pith helmets), and sunglasses. Adverse weather conditions affect our ability to provide private expeditions, especially during the winter months. If we must cancel your expedition due to weather, you will receive a full refund. Contact us if you have concerns about accessibility. We will work with you to plan an expedition best suited to your needs.