Why visit
The Natural History Museum packs world-class dinosaur fossils, dazzling gems, living butterflies, and rich cultural collections into one historic building with lovely outdoor gardens. It is a reliable, deeply engaging choice for families, science lovers, and anyone exploring the museums of Exposition Park.
Anchoring Exposition Park, the Natural History Museum houses tens of millions of specimens and artifacts spanning 4.5 billion years of history. Star attractions include the Dinosaur Hall, where mounted Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops skeletons loom over visitors, alongside galleries devoted to mammals, gems and minerals, and the human cultures of the Americas. Seasonal experiences such as the Butterfly Pavilion and Spider Pavilion bring living creatures into the mix, while interactive areas invite hands-on exploration.
The museum occupies a beautiful 1913 Beaux-Arts building topped by a rotunda, expanded over the years with modern wings and the 3.5-acre Nature Gardens outdoors. Those gardens, along with the Nature Lab, highlight the surprising biodiversity of urban Los Angeles. Combined with frequent special exhibitions and its place within the museum-rich Exposition Park, the Natural History Museum is a flexible, all-ages destination that easily fills half a day or more.
History
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County opened in 1913 as the Museum of History, Science, and Art, housed in a grand Beaux-Arts building in Exposition Park. Over the following century it grew into the largest natural and cultural history museum in the western United States, adding new wings, the outdoor Nature Gardens, and the modern Dinosaur Hall while amassing a collection of tens of millions of objects.
Insider Tips
- ✦See the Dinosaur Hall early before it gets busy.
- ✦Step outside to the free-with-admission Nature Gardens.
- ✦Bundle your visit with the nearby California Science Center.
Photo Tips
- 📸Frame the dueling T. rex and Triceratops mounts in the Dinosaur Hall.
- 📸Shoot up into the historic 1913 rotunda for its ornate dome.
- 📸Capture close-ups in the seasonal Butterfly Pavilion when it is open.
Before You Go
- ✓Check whether the seasonal Butterfly or Spider Pavilion is open and ticketed.
- ✓Buy tickets online to save time at the entrance.
- ✓Plan to combine your trip with other Exposition Park museums.
Visiting with family
This is one of LA's most family-friendly museums, with a Discovery Center, hands-on Nature Lab, and seasonal live-animal pavilions kids love.
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Natural History Museum of LA County FAQ
Is the Natural History Museum good for kids?
Yes, with dinosaur skeletons, a Discovery Center, a Nature Lab, and seasonal live-animal pavilions, it is highly family-friendly.
Are the butterfly and spider pavilions always open?
No, those are seasonal experiences with separate tickets, so check the schedule before visiting.
Can I visit other museums nearby?
Yes, it sits in Exposition Park alongside the California Science Center and other attractions, ideal for a full day.
More Museums in LA
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