Location: 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007-4057
Phone: (213) 763-3558
http://www.nhm.org/
Hours: The Natural History Museum is located at 900 Exposition Blvd. The museum is open Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:00pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 10:00am-5:00pm.
Fees: Check website for current ticket prices, discount offers and combination packages.
Comments: The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a crown jewel of Los Angeles' museums. It is the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States, safe guarding more than 33 million spectacular, diverse specimens and artifacts.
Three floors of permanent exhibits enthrall the entire family with minds-on exploration. The towering "Dueling Dinosaurs," complete skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops in battle, greet visitors in the majestic Grand Foyer. In addition to special exhibitions, the Museum boasts magnificent permanent halls that feature grand dioramas of African and American mammals, rare dinosaurs and fossils, marine animals, Native American and Pre-Columbian cultures, and historical artifacts from California and Southwest history, as well as early Hollywood memorabilia. The exquisite Gem & Mineral Hall features the largest collection of gold in the United States. The kid-friendly Discovery Center welcomes children and families with hands-on, interactive education. Children can make fossil rubbings, dig for fossils, observe live animals such as snakes, fish and lizards and touch animal pelts. The accompanying Insect Zoo, the largest in the West, presents live insects from around the world.
The Museum is also an active research center. The Research & Collections Department spans the areas of living and fossil invertebrates (echinoderms, crustacea, worms, entomology, and mollusks), vertebrates (birds, mammals, reptiles, fishes), mineralogy, anthropology (Native American, Pre-Columbian and Pacific) and history (California and Southwestern).
Among special exhibits, the "Pavilion of Wings" opened 16 April, 2006. It features over 30 species of live butterflies from around the U.S. Folks on the CalPhoto list often visit to practice their skills in butterfly photography. It runs from 16 April 16 to 4 September, 2006.
Directions: The Natural History Museum is located across from the University of Southern California (USC) between Vermont and Figueroa. Parking in patrolled lots near the museum in Exposition Park is always available off of Menlo Avenue.
From the I-405 or the I-5 heading toward Los Angeles, Merge onto I-110 N toward LOS ANGELES. Take the 37TH STREET exit toward EXPOSITION BLVD. <0.1 miles, Turn SLIGHT RIGHT onto S HOPE ST. 0.2 miles, Turn SLIGHT LEFT onto EXPOSITION BLVD. 0.5 miles, Turn LEFT onto WATT WAY. <0.1 miles, End at 900 Exposition Blvd Los Angeles.