When it’s hot enough to fry an egg and get an instant suntan (like, um, NOW), it’s time to head inside to cool off, and I don’t mean to go stand in front of an open freezer. This week, we’re sharing some fun, educational (and mostly indoor) places to go, plus some admission specials they have.
First stop on the tour: The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles at Exposition Park. This place is huge. It would take a couple days to really see everything in detail, but as a day trip it’s quite satisfying. You can explore many aspects of life on earth, with exhibits featuring dinosaurs (in the brand-new Dino Hall, complete with a Dino Lab), mammals, reptiles, birds, an insect zoo, California history, gems and minerals, and much, much more.
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The second level houses the Discovery Center, where your little homo sapiens sapiens can get some practice in as amateur paleontologists or touch hands-on collections.
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Level One hosts kids story times and live animal presentations. Get in that visit before the little people head back to school. Most first Tuesdays of the month are FREE, and the program has been expanded for September.
FREE upcoming Tuesdays:
• September 4, 2012
• September 11, 2012
• September 18, 2012
• September 25, 2012
• October 2, 2012
Check the website for details and ensure that dates have not changed.
The Natural History Museum is located in Exposition Park at 900 Exposition Boulevard between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street.
Our second stop is a place most people have heard of, but haven’t visited - the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum. Outside, you’ll see the famous (and odorous) La Brea Tar Pits, complete with replica Ice Age mammals.
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My son was quite happy with just those and we probably could have sat out there all day. The Page Museum features exhibits of the prehistoric specimens recovered from the Tar Pits (really, they should be called crude oil pits).
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You can also observe at the Fishbowl, a paleontological laboratory within the museum. It gives visitors an opportunity to watch how Ice Age fossils are cleaned, studied, and prepared for exhibit.
FYI: there are no dinosaurs here. If the little ones want dinos, see our first stop above. The Page can easily be seen in a couple of hours. In addition to the indoor museum, an outdoor area with several excavation pits is open for public observation.
FREE general admission on the first Tuesday of every month except July and August.
The museum is located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Both of the above Museums have paid parking, cash only. Be sure to get your parking validated, and to cut down on expenses, carpool- find a friend with a big car, cram everyone in that will fit, and then split the cost.
Our third stop for today is a little closer to home for us- The Bowers Museum and Bowers Kidseum. The Bowers main museum has cultural exhibits for the whole family. They change often, and showcase traveling exhibits- last year I was lucky enough to see Chinas Terra Cotta Warriors hosted here. Current exhibits include “The Ancient Arts of China”, “Faberge” (yes, the “egg” guy), “California Gold”, “Spirits and Headhunters”, and many more. The Kidseum, across the parking lot from the main museum, is a place where kids CAN touch the exhibits- in fact, they are encouraged to use their imagination while doing activities that incorporate cultural art and play.
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After so much horrified “DON’T TOUCH” emanating from mommy at most places, my now-4-year-old son looked at me like “you mean, I CAN touch this stuff?” the first time we visited here. The Kidseum has arts and crafts hours, special programs, and story times as well- please see the website for more details.
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Both the Bowers Museum and Bowers Kidseum participate in Target Free First Sundays. Admission is FREE to both museums on the first Sunday of every month. It’s always crowded, so try to arrive early.
Also, on Tuesdays, Santa Ana residents get in FREE with proof of residency.
Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N.Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92706
Kidseum is located at 1802 N. Main St., Santa Ana, Ca. 92706
Our final stop on the museum tour today is Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. What a great hands-on scientific environment for kids. Regular ongoing exhibits in the museum include an earthquake simulator (rather apropos after the last couple days here), wave machine, light microscopes, a rocket lab, the Dino Quest adventure, and much more.
The traveling exhibits are always awesome- we saw the “Star Wars” exhibit a few months back, and upcoming events like “Bob the Builder Project : Build It” (opening September 15th) and “Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology” should be amazing. “Indiana” is coming October 12th- - and of course I’ll be taking my little junior archaeologist.
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Almost everything is interactive, so the kids (and adults) are learning while they play. On the first Saturday of every month, if you have a valid Bank of America credit card and ID, and show it at the ticket window, guess what? You’re FREE! Free admission limited to the cardholder only. Also, the first Tuesday of every month, Santa Ana residents can receive up to 4 free admissions per address with valid ID, and credentialed teachers that are members of the Teacher Education Network program get in free every day. Parking is in a paid lot, but it’s cheap. There are other nearby parking areas (like *ahem* the mall) but be aware of any posted regulations. See detailed admission specials and regular pricing here.
Discovery Science Center is at 2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
And remember, with all these museum visits, you and the kiddos are getting not only an education, but free air-conditioning!
Stay cool, museum goers!
About Justine
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Justine is a biological anthropologist, deal seeker, and stay-at-home
parent to a
rambunctious 4-year-old boy. She digs bones. And donuts. You can follow
Justine for more frugal fun and other anthropology tidbits on Twitter: @JustineBurgess1.
This is not a sponsored post.![]()
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The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
First stop on the tour: The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles at Exposition Park. This place is huge. It would take a couple days to really see everything in detail, but as a day trip it’s quite satisfying. You can explore many aspects of life on earth, with exhibits featuring dinosaurs (in the brand-new Dino Hall, complete with a Dino Lab), mammals, reptiles, birds, an insect zoo, California history, gems and minerals, and much, much more.
The second level houses the Discovery Center, where your little homo sapiens sapiens can get some practice in as amateur paleontologists or touch hands-on collections.
FREE upcoming Tuesdays:
• September 4, 2012
• September 11, 2012
• September 18, 2012
• September 25, 2012
• October 2, 2012
Check the website for details and ensure that dates have not changed.
The Natural History Museum is located in Exposition Park at 900 Exposition Boulevard between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street.
La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum
Our second stop is a place most people have heard of, but haven’t visited - the La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum. Outside, you’ll see the famous (and odorous) La Brea Tar Pits, complete with replica Ice Age mammals.
My son was quite happy with just those and we probably could have sat out there all day. The Page Museum features exhibits of the prehistoric specimens recovered from the Tar Pits (really, they should be called crude oil pits).
You can also observe at the Fishbowl, a paleontological laboratory within the museum. It gives visitors an opportunity to watch how Ice Age fossils are cleaned, studied, and prepared for exhibit.
FYI: there are no dinosaurs here. If the little ones want dinos, see our first stop above. The Page can easily be seen in a couple of hours. In addition to the indoor museum, an outdoor area with several excavation pits is open for public observation.
FREE general admission on the first Tuesday of every month except July and August.
The museum is located at 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036.
Both of the above Museums have paid parking, cash only. Be sure to get your parking validated, and to cut down on expenses, carpool- find a friend with a big car, cram everyone in that will fit, and then split the cost.
The Bowers Museum and Kidseum
Our third stop for today is a little closer to home for us- The Bowers Museum and Bowers Kidseum. The Bowers main museum has cultural exhibits for the whole family. They change often, and showcase traveling exhibits- last year I was lucky enough to see Chinas Terra Cotta Warriors hosted here. Current exhibits include “The Ancient Arts of China”, “Faberge” (yes, the “egg” guy), “California Gold”, “Spirits and Headhunters”, and many more. The Kidseum, across the parking lot from the main museum, is a place where kids CAN touch the exhibits- in fact, they are encouraged to use their imagination while doing activities that incorporate cultural art and play.
After so much horrified “DON’T TOUCH” emanating from mommy at most places, my now-4-year-old son looked at me like “you mean, I CAN touch this stuff?” the first time we visited here. The Kidseum has arts and crafts hours, special programs, and story times as well- please see the website for more details.
Also, on Tuesdays, Santa Ana residents get in FREE with proof of residency.
Bowers Museum is located at 2002 N.Main St. Santa Ana, CA 92706
Kidseum is located at 1802 N. Main St., Santa Ana, Ca. 92706
Discovery Science Center
Our final stop on the museum tour today is Discovery Science Center in Santa Ana. What a great hands-on scientific environment for kids. Regular ongoing exhibits in the museum include an earthquake simulator (rather apropos after the last couple days here), wave machine, light microscopes, a rocket lab, the Dino Quest adventure, and much more.
The traveling exhibits are always awesome- we saw the “Star Wars” exhibit a few months back, and upcoming events like “Bob the Builder Project : Build It” (opening September 15th) and “Indiana Jones and the Adventure of Archaeology” should be amazing. “Indiana” is coming October 12th- - and of course I’ll be taking my little junior archaeologist.
Almost everything is interactive, so the kids (and adults) are learning while they play. On the first Saturday of every month, if you have a valid Bank of America credit card and ID, and show it at the ticket window, guess what? You’re FREE! Free admission limited to the cardholder only. Also, the first Tuesday of every month, Santa Ana residents can receive up to 4 free admissions per address with valid ID, and credentialed teachers that are members of the Teacher Education Network program get in free every day. Parking is in a paid lot, but it’s cheap. There are other nearby parking areas (like *ahem* the mall) but be aware of any posted regulations. See detailed admission specials and regular pricing here.
Discovery Science Center is at 2500 North Main Street, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
And remember, with all these museum visits, you and the kiddos are getting not only an education, but free air-conditioning!
Stay cool, museum goers!
About Justine
This is not a sponsored post.
