Discovery Center | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
Hop, Slither and Stalk!
Move, think and behave like an animal in our interactive giant puppet shows. Learn more >
Who's in the Puppets?
What does it take to be a dinosaur? Meet our Performance Artist Staff. Learn more >
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The Discovery Center
The Ralph M. Parsons Discovery Center has moved! Join us in our beautiful new home overlooking the Butterfly Pavilion and Exposition Park for a family-friendly, hands-on experience.
Get Your Hands on Discovery!
Touchable minerals, furs, and fossils are highlights in the Discovery Center as you explore the diversity of Earth's natural history. Saunter up to a sloth, stampede with a herd of African antelope, or pose next to our iconic polar bear – it’s up to you.
Magnify Your World
Microscopes and magnifying glasses allow you to investigate anything in the Discover Center up close. Binoculars let you get a birds-eye view of what’s going on outside, whether at our bird feeders or in the skies.
Encounter Adventure
Discover a selection of real fossils from around the world and re-assemble a fossil replica of a saber-toothed cat from the La Brea Tar Pits. But watch out that a fossil doesn’t find you instead…the stars from Dinosaur Encounters and Ice Age Encounters also call the Discovery Center home.
Ralph M. Parsons Insect Zoo
The Insect Zoo has moved to Level 1. It still houses more than 30 species of insects, spiders, and other bugs. Find out about the amazing lives of these creatures and how the Museum's staff cares for them. Learn more >