Die-hard Dino fans celebrate grand opening of Raleigh's 'Dueling Dinosaurs' exhibit

A groundbreaking exhibit has debuted at the Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh. It showcases two dinosaurs entombed together 67 million years ago.

The "Dueling Dinosaurs" exhibit opened Saturday, drawing over 184 visitors in the first hour alone.

Surpassing all expectations, the exhibit attracts hundreds more, captivating both seasoned paleontologists and young dinosaur enthusiasts alike.

In this excavation, paleontologists uncover not just bones but a wealth of knowledge about our prehistoric past.

It's an exhibit worth waiting for Dino fans like Bryn Merrit and Christoper Leathers.

"We're big dinosaur nerds," Merrit said.

They were first in line when the dueling Dinos opened to the general public, waiting nearly two hours outside the museum.

"I've heard it was coming for years and I'm glad it's finally here," she said.

Others, like the Stevens family, drove all the way from out from South Carolina

"190 miles, three and a half hours," Stevens family said.

The journey to this lab has been long for these bones, too.

After 67 million years buried in Montana soil, they were discovered in 2006 before eventually making their way to the Museum of Natural Sciences and this custom lab.

The lab alone - designed to bring the public as close as possible to the real research - took nearly four years to build

"We wanted to create an experience where we could take down the barrier between scientists and the community," Dr. Lindsay Zanno said.

Zanno is the head of Paleontology at the Museum of Natural Sciences.

She says the reaction has been exceptional.

"It's so unbelievable, people don't think it's real," Zanno said.

It is an unbelievable fossil and an unbelievable story, finally close enough to touch.

No tickets were required today, but it'll be a different story tomorrow.

You can book your tickets at DuelingDinosaurs.org.