Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County?
What makes it 97% Kids-Friendly: Kids up to 12 love T. rex skeletons, touch-table labs, scavenger hunts, and seasonal butterfly house; family restrooms and cafés ease breaks, though weekend lines get long.
Positives:
- Interactive exhibits: Hands-on labs and scavenger hunts keep kids engaged.
- Family facilities: Stroller access, nursing rooms, and family restrooms on every level.
- Diverse exhibits: Dinosaurs, gems, live animals, and regional history in one place.
Challenges:
- Extra fees: Butterfly/Spider pavilions and 3D shows cost extra per person.
- Weekend crowds: Popular halls fill quickly on weekends and school holidays.
- Noise levels: Some theaters and labs can be loud for sensitive children.
What is Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County?
- Founded in 1913, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County preserves and studies Earth’s biological and cultural heritage from its Exposition Park campus.
- The museum houses over 35 million specimens and artifacts spanning 4.5 billion years, with major collections in paleontology, anthropology, entomology, and mineralogy.
- As the largest natural history museum in the western United States, it blends a historic Beaux-Arts structure with contemporary research and exhibition facilities.
What is so special about Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County for with kids?
- Explore two levels of T. rex skeletons and over 300 fossils.
- Touch real fossils and watch paleontologists in the Dinosaur Lab.
- See live butterflies in spring–summer and live spiders in fall.
- Interactive L.A. history exhibit with full-scale Red Car.
- Family-friendly facilities like nursing rooms and stroller access.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Families can cover key halls and activities at a relaxed pace.
Kids-Friendly Activities in Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Jane G. Pisano Dinosaur Hall:
See two levels of T. rex skeletons from baby to adult and over 300 real fossils.
Tip: Visit early to avoid lines at the interactive dig station.
Dinosaur Lab:
Watch paleontologists work and touch real fossils.
Tip: Check the daily schedule at Guest Services for live demo times.
Butterfly and Spider Pavilions:
From March to September see live butterflies; from October to December view 500+ spiders.
Tip: Buy timed-entry tickets at the main entrance to secure your slot.
Becoming Los Angeles:
Interactive exhibit on L.A. history with a full-scale Red Car and hands-on stations.
Tip: Pick up the activity booklet at the exhibit entrance for a guided experience.
Nature Gardens and Daily Nature Walks:
Outdoor paths featuring native plants and a staff-led 20-min tour at 3:30 pm.
Tip: Arrive a few minutes early at the garden entrance to join the free tour.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
- Buy tickets online: Reserve admission and pavilion timed entries in advance to skip lines.
- Start at Dinosaur Hall: Head there first to avoid peak crowds after 11 am.
- Use scavenger sheets: Pick up free family activity sheets at Guest Services for guided fun.
Reviews of Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Matt Shirley
My wife and I went for the Cat exhibit. It was great! We were the second family in the Museum and the first in the Cat exhibit. We walked in right at opening at 930 AM. When it starts to get crowded many people/kids crowd the interactive components of most of the exhibits so we always try to go when it opens.
Shannon Lee
A very enjoyable musuem. The exhibits are really good, especially the dinosaur fossils. Admission is $18 dollars for an adult. They had a special cat exhibit I was looking forward to see, but it was an EXTRA $12 on top of regular admission. The special exhibit was small and the extra fee seemed exorbitant.
D. de Silva
Amazing place! And such a great experience. Shout out the kind young Black security guard at the entrance; his warmth and welcome set the tone for the whole visit! The dinosaur skeletons (T. Rex’s, Triceratops, Stegosaurus, and many others were the main event, and did not disappoint. So wild to stand in their presence. Amazing collection, and well displayed. The staff gave fun and interesting fac...
Saramay Benavides
The Natural History Museum is absolutely incredible truly a must-visit in Los Angeles! The building is massive, with endless exhibits that could easily take 3–4 hours to explore. From fascinating dinosaur fossils to sparkling gems and interactive displays, there’s something for all ages. My younger grandchildren were captivated from start to finish. Admission is $18, but teachers, military personn...
Melissa Ng
Great children friendly activity! We got tickets same day for general admission and the butterfly pavilion experience. Children under 3 come in complimentary with adults. At this time, the general admission is $18 per person and the butterfly experience was $10 per person (no cost for children under 3 as well). We were there for about 2.5 hours and covered the first floor with our toddler wande...
When is the best time to visit Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (Los Angeles, United States)?
March–September: visit the Butterfly Pavilion for live butterflies. October–December: swap to the Spider Pavilion to see over 500 spiders. Both require extra tickets.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Adult admission (2x) | USD 36 |
| Child admission (2x) | USD 36 |
| Parking | USD 12 |
| Snacks/lunch | USD 15 |
| Total Estimated | USD 99 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Content Notice: This content combines editorial expertise with AI assistance to ensure comprehensive and up-to-date information. Our team regularly curates and reviews all content for accuracy and relevance. Help Us Improve
Map of Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Address: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
Map will load when you scroll here
Scroll down to view the interactive map
Looking for other Things to Do besides Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (Los Angeles)?
About Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+1 213-763-3466Average price
Explore Popular Things to Do
How You Can Support Us
If our website helps you, please support us by booking your travel needs through this link: Book Flights, Hotels, Activities on Trip.com - New App User Promo up to 10% OFF. We may earn a small affiliate commission - at no extra cost to you!
It's a simple way to help us keep the site running and improving for everyone. Thanks for your support!
Average price