Plan Your Visit | Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

Address and Phone Number

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: (213) 763-DINO

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Museum Hours 

We are open seven days a week, 9:30 am - 5 pm, all year, except for the following holidays.  

We are closed: 

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• Independence Day (July 4)
• Thanksgiving Day (fourth Thursday of November)
• Christmas Day (December 25)

Admission

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Butterfly & Spider Pavilion
Our seasonal Butterfly Pavilion (mid-April through Labor Day) and Spider Pavilion (mid-September through early November) are very popular! To ensure the best guest experience for all, every visit to the Butterfly or Spider Pavilion requires a timed ticket for an additional fee, which is available only when purchased with a general admission museum ticket or membership. To guarantee your spot, we highly recommend purchasing tickets in advance here. Members are admitted for free and can reserve tickets online here. Patron Family level members and higher can pick up a free Monarch Pass when they arrive, which allows anytime access to the Pavilion. Timed-tickets will also be available to all at any ticketing desk at the Museum on a first-come, first-served basis. The Pavilion is an outdoor special exhibit. As such, it is subject to closure at any time due to inclement weather. Weather permitting; the Butterfly Pavilion is open daily from 10 am-5 pm.

Members FREE with timed ticket or Monarch Pass
Children 2 and under FREE with timed ticket
Children 3-12 $6
Youth 13-17 $11
College Students w/ID $11
Seniors 62+ $11
Adults $15

Daily Tours

Every day we offer our award-winning Gallery Exploration Tour. Gallery Interpreters focus on a range of topics, from paleontology to gems to our new Nature Gardens. Check the calendar for tour times.

Visiting with a Group

Discounted group rates are available to groups of 10 or more with a reservation booked at least 72 hours in advance of your visit.
Learn More

Who gets to visit for free?

• Museum Members, School Visits, California teachers with ID, and active military.
• USC students, except on USC game days. Must present a photo ID.
• First Fridays are FREE for Museum Members. Admission to First Fridays is the same as regular admission.
  Learn More About Membership

Free Tuesdays

In July and August, we will not offer Free Tuesdays so that we can avoid overcrowding and maintain a quality visitor experience. In their place, we have expanded the program in the month of September, and now offer 13 Free Tuesdays a year.

Future dates are:

• September 18, 2012
• September 25, 2012
• October 2, 2012
• November 6, 2012
• December 4, 2012
• January 8, 2013 (We're honoring Free Tuesday on January 8, because the Museum is closed January 1.) 
• February 5, 2013
• March 5, 2013
• April 2, 2013
• May 7, 2013
• June 4, 2013
• September 3, 10, 17, 24, 2013
• October 1, 2013
• November 5, 2013
• December 3, 2013
   

Directions

The Natural History Museum is located in Exposition Park at 900 Exposition Boulevard between Vermont Avenue and Figueroa Street.

Due to our own construction on the front side of the Museum, our directions avoid Exposition Blvd. east of Vermont.

From the Westside
10 East, exit Vermont Ave., turn right. Left onto Exposition Blvd. Museum is on the right.

From the South
110 North, exit Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., turn left. Right on Bill Robertson Lane (formerly Menlo Ave.). Parking lot is on the left; Museum is on the right.

From Pasadena, Downtown
110 South, exit Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., turn right. Right on Bill Robertson Lane (formerly Menlo Ave.). Parking lot is on the left; Museum is on the left.

Get directions to the Natural History Museum >

Parking

Parking is available for $8 in the Museum’s Car Park on Exposition Blvd. and Bill Robertson Lane. If the Car Park is full, patrolled lots are also available directly across from the Museum on Bill Robertson Lane for $10 (cash only), as well as in lots throughout Exposition Park. Parking rates and availability may vary during special events in Exposition Park. NHM has designated parking during USC games. 
 

Wheelchair Access

All exhibits are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers. Wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-serve basis and can be checked out at the South Entrance by leaving a driver's license or other form of valid identification.

Beat the Crowds!

The Natural History Museum is most crowded on the weekends, on holidays, on school breaks, and during the summer.  

• Weekday mornings (especially Wednesday-Friday) in April, May and June are also very busy with school field trips. These groups typically leave by 1:30 pm. 
• If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, you can beat the crowds by coming earlier (before 10:30 am).
   

Visitor Tips

• Bring an extra layer; it can get chilly in some of the Museum’s big galleries.
• Be prepared: the Museum’s parking lot accepts cash only.
• Outside food is not allowed in the Museum, but prepared meals are available in the NHM Grill on the Ground Level. Picnickers can enjoy the outdoor tables located near the scenic Rose Garden in Exposition Park.
• The Museum’s a big place! Pick up a Visitor’s Guide when you arrive, and you’ll be able to find the exhibits that appeal to you and your family most.
• Only have an hour? Here’s a cheat sheet on what to take in.

Now Open

The Expo Rail Line is open now, running daily from 5 am to 12:30 am and will provide service between the 7th/Metro station downtown and La Cienega/Jefferson Blvds. The future expansion of this line to Culver City will be announced at a later date. Visit the Metro website for more information.