October is National Dinosaur Month!
Being able to explore a city so rich in history and culture makes for some truly memorable moments. This particular time we were invited by friends to join them on a visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. I have been there several times (my personal favorite is the Butterfly Pavilion) but this marked Olivia’s first visit and to be quite honest, I wasn’t sure how much she would enjoy it being only 2 years old.
After building up some hype for a couple days, it was finally THE DAY! We packed a lunch then headed out for our adventure. Upon entering the museum, two colossal dinosaur skeletons stand, setting the stage for the visit: a menacing T-Rex and Triceratops frozen in an eternal battle.
Heading towards the Dinosaur Hall, Olivia was in awe of such gigantic displays of creatures, but quite unsure as to what exactly they were. Once she realized nothing was going to jump out, she warmed up a bit! Inside the hall is an impressive collection of fossils including a long-necked Mamenchissurus, various horned dino skulls, and an 85-million-year-old Mosasaur sea monster! Perhaps the most exciting display in the Hall is the Tyrannosaurus Growth Series showcasing 
three T-Rex specimens of various ages. The youngest was about 2 years old when it died making it one of the youngest T-Rex specimens ever found, the 13-year old juvenile was about 20 feet long and “Thomas” the adult T-Rex also happens to be one of the most complete specimens in the world!
We made a brief stop at the African Mammal Hall, which first opened in 1930. I personally find these dioramas slightly unsettling due to their realism, but I know that’s why they are so intriguing. Where else can you step into history without a DeLorean? Seriously though, the taxidermy of these creatures is an art unto itself, not to mention the painstakingly detailed habitats they reside in. If you plan on visiting it’s definitely worth a look!
For curious hands, the Museum has two areas that are on the “must visit” list. The Nature Lab downstairs is a hands-on experience where kids can learn more about the animals and plants native to Los Angeles. It houses both live and taxidermied animals, plants and interactive displays to support all kinds of learning. Upstairs features the Discovery Zone where kids can dig for dinos, check out local and exotic insects and have a tactile experience with fossils, furs, shells and minerals. This was definitely Olivia’s favorite zone!
After such a full morning, we were ready for lunch! This we enjoyed in the lovely Rose Garden with a view of the fountain. It didn’t provide for much shade, but it was a beautiful day and the kiddos didn’t seem to mind. We enjoyed a quick jaunt through the bushes before it was time to go. There is also the Nature Garden which can be easily accessed through the back exit of the gift shop. Just follow the meandering path to explore the nooks and crannies. We were able to find a lovely shaded spot next to a pond….just beware of ants!
As we were leaving, Olivia kept asking to go back to the dinosaur museum while making her velociraptor skeleton toy dance in the breeze. I think this formed a lovely little memory in her and I’m excited to take her back sometime soon! Maybe next time we’ll make it to the Butterfly Pavilion…
To plan your visit, check out https://www.nhm.org and mark your calendars for the Free Admission Dates/times:
Mon-Fri, 3pm-5pm – Los Angeles residents with valid ID
October-June – first Tuesday of every month
*ticket reservations highly recommended!
We recently got a new wing from the American Museum of Natural History in NYC at our COSI center in Columbus filled with dinosaurs. We love going there to explore. So grateful to have it for the kids.
October 16, 2018 at 7:10 pmWhat a fun adventure! I’m glad she warmed up to the “creatures” around her. I’m sure you at least will never forget that trip with her.
October 16, 2018 at 7:32 pmI would love to visit! I live in NYC so we adore the American Museum of Natural History regularly. Every time I get out to LA Im on business and never get to the LA version. I have to take a family trip out to LA!
October 16, 2018 at 10:53 pmThis museum is on my list to visit this school year with my kids. I love that they offer Free Admission Dates so everyone in the community can experience it!
October 16, 2018 at 11:19 pmThe Museum of Natural History in NYC is my favorite and looks very similar to your pictures in LA! Looks like you guys had a lot fun!
October 17, 2018 at 4:57 amThis is so fun! When we lived in St Louis, we went to the butterfly house there a lot. It was one of our favorite things to do!
October 18, 2018 at 1:19 pmWhat a fun outing. It’s so important to expose children to museums early on. My kids are bit older than yours and they now ask what the local museums are for every new place we visit (*parenting win*!). We’ve never been to L.A but will keep this in mind if we ever make it to the West Coast!
October 18, 2018 at 11:36 pm