The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a large complex containing millions of specimens and artifacts that help tell the story of the region. Tucked in the corner of Exposition Park, the museum also has scenic gardens. Learn about everything from dinosaurs and spiders to oceans and minerals.
Enter the building and reach the majestic Haaga Family Rotunda. Take a guided tour with a gallery interpreter for a better understanding of the exhibits.
Bring your kids to learn through dioramas, play zones and the Insect Zoo in the Discovery Center. From the elegant Otis Booth Pavilion, you can see a genuine fin whale skeleton, while the Age of Mammals exhibit spans 65 million years.
Visit some of the temporary displays, which have previously included such themes as bugs, the development of Los Angeles, and the relationship between art and nature. Go on one of the docent-led nature walks. As you pass along a wooden walkway, you’ll get a glimpse of the local plants and animals.
The site has links to the La Brea Tar Pits and the William S. Hart Ranch and Museum. It opens daily from morning until late afternoon, almost every day of the year. There is a fee to enter ask for discounts for seniors, students and children. Check the schedule for occasional free days.
Find the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County in the northwestern corner of Exposition Park in the southwestern part of Downtown Los Angeles. It lies between the South Figueroa Corridor and the Adams-Normandie districts. While you’re in the area, visit nearby sights such as the Californian African American Museum, the California Science Center and the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
