The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens?
What makes it 85% Kids-Friendly: Children 4-12 can splash in the interactive Children’s Garden, join free weekend craft carts, and use family restrooms and picnic spots, keeping the visit active yet manageable for parents.
Positives:
- Family restrooms and nursing room: Multiple family restrooms and a nursing room are spread across the grounds.
- Free shuttle service: A stroller-accessible shuttle runs 10 a.m.–5 p.m. to reduce walking between gardens.
Challenges:
- Hilly terrain: Some garden paths have steep inclines; use a lightweight stroller.
- Weekend crowds: Gardens can fill up on weekends; arrive early to avoid waits at art carts.
What is The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens?
- An extensive research library housing over nine million items, including rare manuscripts, early printed works and significant historical documents
- An art museum showcasing European and American paintings, sculptures and decorative arts spanning from the 15th to the 20th century
- A 120-acre botanical complex of themed gardens—from Chinese and Japanese landscapes to desert and rose collections—designed for scientific study and display
What is so special about The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens for with kids?
- Engaging play areas like the Children’s Garden
- Hands-on art carts for creative weekend fun
- Scenic world gardens including authentic Suzhou tiles
- Interactive indoor exhibits in the Conservatory
- Convenient restrooms, nursing room, and shuttle for families
Recommended visit duration: 2-4 hours
Why 2-4 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Allows time to explore the Children’s Garden, a themed garden, and a quick visit to an art gallery without rushing younger children.
Kids-Friendly Activities in The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Children’s Garden:
A play-scale garden with water features, topiary animals, and a fog grotto designed for ages 2–7.
Tip: Bring a change of clothes and water shoes for splashing in the streams.
Weekend Discovery Art Carts:
Free drop-in craft stations in the Japanese and Chinese gardens on Saturdays and Sundays.
Tip: Arrive at 11 a.m. to secure a spot at the most popular art cart stations.
Chinese Suzhou Garden:
Liufang Garden with stones and tiles shipped from Jiangnan, China.
Tip: Tell older kids the story of how each tile was hand-crafted in Suzhou.
Rose Hills Foundation Conservatory:
Indoor greenhouse with interactive plant-science exhibits.
Tip: Visit during midday heat for a cool, educational break.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
- Buy tickets online: Reserve timed-entry tickets in advance to skip the line at admission.
- Pack a picnic: Use the picnic tables in Barth Family Grove for a budget-friendly lunch.
- Check event calendar: Visit on Second Sundays for themed family drop-in events, free with admission.
Reviews of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Renaissance Marie Austin
I can not wait to visit the museum and gardens again. I attended later in the day so I did not have enough time to spend in every garden but the taste I got on my first visit was a dream. There is nature everywhere. So many beautiful varieties of plants and flowers. Some of which I have never seen before. I spent most of my time in the gift shop and really had to hold back not spending too much ...
David T
Loved visiting. We went to the Chinese garden, Japanese garden, Rose garden, and European art exhibit. My favorite was the Chinese garden and European art. If you want to take aesthetic photos or like traditional architecture, I recommend the Chinese garden. And if you want a more museum-like experience and western art, the European art exhibit is a relaxing experience (especially in the summer he...
Mamie Zembal
I have been wanting to come here for a long time! Had to buy tickets online as it was a holiday and guess they are needed for Friday's, Saturday's and Sundays. Went right away in the morning and spent over 4.5 hours here! At over 100 plus acres and 16 themed gardens there is a lot of walking involved. Galleries to enjoy, gift shop ,tea house, cafés and more. Gardens included desert, Japanese, Au...
Tim Long
Absolutely breathtaking. Immaculately maintained gardens and facilities. So many diverse settings all in one place! We did Japanese, Chinese and Desert gardens (and bonsai collection) and also had a bit of time at the mansion/art museum. Will need to come back another time to see the rest, in particular the rose gardens, which I hear are best in March through November. Overall, the best botanical ...
McKenna Bessette
We only did the botanical gardens, on a Saturday at 11. It was super busy but the line to get in wasn’t crazy. We bought tickets a few weeks in advance and I was glad since they were sold out for the day when we got there. Parking is easy, there’s a big lot available. The gardens themselves… well the signage here sucks. I go to a botanical garden in pretty much every city I go to and I think this ...
When is the best time to visit The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens (Los Angeles, United States)?
In spring, witness the Rose Garden’s peak bloom in April and May. In summer, head inside the Conservatory to escape heat. Cooler months highlight desert garden succulents.
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Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Adult admission (13+), 3 tickets | USD 87 |
| Youth admission (4–11), 1 ticket | USD 13 |
| Total Estimated | USD 100 |
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 The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108, USA
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About The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
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+1 626-405-210010 BEST nearby Activities
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