Step into LA’s Natural History Museum to meet towering dinosaurs, inspect a world-class gem vault, and stroll native plantings in the Nature Gardens. Plan 2–3 hours to see the highlights and leave room for rotating exhibitions.
More ways to explore the area's outdoor wonders
A late-morning light pours across Exposition Park, catching the curve of limestone and brick outside the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. Inside, skeletons rise like slow-moving stories and glass cases hold mineral veins that glitter like found constellations. The Dino Hall greets visitors with immense bones and a rare T. rex growth series; the Gem and Mineral Hall holds more than 2,000 specimens that map Earth’s deep chemistry.
Difficulty
easy
Duration
2–3 hours
Fitness Level
Suitable for all fitness levels; expect moderate walking and standing.
Wildlife
History
The museum traces Southern California’s transformation from Indigenous landscapes and pueblo-era settlements to a dense metropolis, using fossils and artifacts to link natural and human histories.
Conservation
NHM runs active conservation of specimens and native-plant garden programs; visitors help by following no-touch rules in sensitive displays and disposing of waste properly.
Reserve your spot on the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Admission today and enjoy a trusted, highly rated experience designed to help you make the most of your adventure.
Buy mobile tickets in advance
Mobile tickets provide direct entry and reduce standby time—especially on weekends and summer afternoons.
Start at Dino Hall
Begin with the Dinosaur Hall when galleries are emptier, then move to Gem & Mineral to escape midday crowds and heat.
Pack a refillable water bottle
Galleries are extensive—use a water bottle to stay hydrated; there are water stations in public areas.
Accessibility and strollers
Wheelchair routes and stroller access are available; elevators connect major floors and exhibit halls.
Comfortable walking shoes
Hard floors and long galleries reward supportive, low-profile footwear.
Reusable water bottle
Keeps you hydrated between exhibits; water refill stations are available.
summer
Light layer or jacket
Gallery temperatures can be cool year-round—bring a light layer for comfort.
winter
Camera or phone with extra battery
Photography is allowed in most exhibits—extra battery preserves memories.