Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Location: 900 Exposition Blvd., L.A. 90007; across the street from USC
Website: http://www.nhm.org/
Type of Activity: Museum
Hours: M-F 9:30a-5:00p, Sa-Su 10:00a-5:00p
Cost: Adults $9, Kids (5-12) $2; FREE on the 1st Tuesday of each Month; Parking $6


We also call this "the Dinosaur Museum" because they have a lot of dinosaur skeletons and huge dinosaur statues in front. They also have many skeletons of other animals, as well as replicas of various mammals in their 2 huge "habitat halls" -- it's almost better than the zoo because you get to see all the animals and they look so real! Another favorite is the Discovery Center for kids, where "children of all ages take fossil rubbings from a realistic-looking rock wall; look at water drops under a microscope; check out "discovery boxes" full of educational activities; observe live animals such as snakes, fish and lizards; or get a closer look at a stuffed lion, tiger and bear" -- lots of hands-on fun, and there's an Insect Zoo upstairs. There's lots to see and do here, not to mention gaze at the incredible architecture of the building. There's also a playground to the west of the building and a rose garden east of the building. And you can also check out the Science Center next door -- always free, though they do accept donations. It's a full day of fun!

Indoors_, Nature_, Toddlers_, Kids_, Museums_