I live a stone's throw from the Botanic Gardens, so come spring, as the Gardens kick off its summer concerts and other festivities, I'm likely to see rockers step off their stretch buses or enthusiastic gardeners walk by carrying leafy plants. But a couple weeks ago, I witnessed something more unusual. Zipping into the side entrance of the Gardens was a golf cart hauling a giant dinosaur. Whatever was going on inside the gates didn't have anything to do with a plant sale. That dinosaur, I found out, is part of the summer Jurassic Gardens show. Until the end of September, Denver's plant epicenter will showcase life-size, scaly creatures from the Cretaceous and Jurassic periods. Which means the kids can simultaneously learn about daisies and T-Rex while exploring the Gardens. But the ancient reptile replicas aren't for everyone, and if you prefer an experience that's more akin to the art museum, not the Museum of Nature and Science, head directly to Extinction: Artists Respond. There, 17 Colorado artists address dinosaurs, death, and the end of a species. The painting, mixed-media, and structural works (one of which is pictured here) will be on display until July 26. Through Sept. 30. Mon-Tue 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Wed-Fri 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Denver Botanic Gardens, 1005 York St., 720-865-3585 Free with paid admission.