Things to do with kids in Los Angeles
80 family-friendly places in Los Angeles: zoos, aquariums, playgrounds and more.
Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first. Showing the top 40 of 80.
Things to do with kids in Los Angeles
SeeMuseumWilshirePage Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits
An excellent museum that displays fossils of animals – including saber-toothed cats, dire wolves and mammoths – that got stuck in tar pits during the Ice Age 10,000 to 40,000 years ago. Visitors can watch fossils being prepared and learn about the natural and human history of the tar pits. However, the real highlight is just outside the museum in Hancock Park, where you'll find a Pleistocene Garden and the tar pits themselves, with life-size replicas of extinct mammals and where you can witness the ongoing excavation of the pits.
Closed · opens 9:30 amAdults $12, youth (13-17)/seniors (62+)/college students (w/ ID) $9, children (3-12) $5, children under 3 free. Free general admission for everyone 1st Tu of the month, except July and August · Wheelchair accessible
SeeObservatoryNorthwestGriffith Observatory
A popular tourist attraction, this Art Deco landmark was built in the 1930s and has since appeared in many films, most notably Rebel Without a Cause, which is honored at the observatory with a statue of James Dean on the grounds. The outside offers a beautiful panorama of the city of Los Angeles, which is especially stunning at night, as well as some of the best views of the Hollywood Sign. Inside is an extensive array of space- and science-related displays, including a Foucault pendulum and a Tesla coil. The planetarium shows are entertaining, with a live narrator.
Closed · opens 10 amAdmission to grounds and building is free; planetarium shows $7 adults, $5 seniors/students, $3 children · Wheelchair accessible
SeeModern art museumWilshireLos Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA
This huge museum features a vast array of works on display from around the globe, with particularly strong collections of Asian, Latin American and American art. You'll want to devote the better part of a day to seeing this place, as the museum is spread out across several buildings. The collection is incredibly varied: iconic pieces of modern art sit a floor removed from artifacts of ancient Greece and Rome. Among the many highlights you'll find are a marvelous pavilion devoted to Japanese art, a remarkable collection of pre-Columbian art from Latin America, and the new Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) with its many large-scale and innovative installations. On the grounds (and viewable to all for free) are several massive installation pieces, including Chris Burden's photogenic Urban Light, a veritable forest of working street lamps arranged in front of the Wilshire Blvd entrance, and Michael Heizer's Levitated Mass, a huge boulder perched over a walkway behind the museum. LACMA also hosts many special exhibitions, the subjects of which are often just as varied as the museum's permanent collection.
Closed · opens 10 amAdults $15, students and seniors $10, children under 18 free. Free general admission for everyone on the second Tu of each month. Special exhibitions require extra fee · Built 1910
SeeHollywoodGrauman's Chinese Theatre
The most famous movie theater in the world, Grauman's Chinese Theatre opened in 1927 and is home to the cement footprints, handprints, and (in some cases) otherprints of many of history's most famous movie stars. The theater is also a former home of the Oscars, and today hosts many movie premieres. The forecourt that showcases the star's prints is free to all visitors. Half-hour guided tours of the theater are available.
Screenings $12-$16; tours $13.50 adults, $11.50 seniors, $6.50 children · Limited wheelchair access · Built 1926
SeeMuseumWilshirePetersen Automotive Museum
Has a great display of more than 150 rare and classic cars, trucks and motorcycles amidst its four floors and. The first floor traces the history of the automobile, the second floor has five rotating exhibits of cars, the third floor is a hands-on Discovery Center, and the top floor is an all-glass penthouse conference center that is used primarily for special events. The intersection outside is the site of the Biggie Smalls murder. The exterior of the building sports a striking array of steel ribbons that wrap around the structure.
Closed · opens 10 amAdults $15, seniors and students $12, children $7, children under 3, active duty military, personal care and educators free
SeeHistoric siteHollywoodHollywood Museum
Countless pieces of memorabilia from films and Hollywood stars of old, housed in a beautiful Art Deco building that was the home of the business of Max Factor, "the Make-up King" of Hollywood.
Closed · opens 10 am$15 adults, $12 seniors/students, $5 children ages 5 and under · Built 1916 · Built 1913
DoNorthwestDodger Stadium
Who wouldn't want to grab a Dodger Dog and enjoy watching a game of baseball? Built by evicting and displacing an entire neighborhood of Chavez Ravine, this venerable stadium, in the hills north of Downtown near Echo Park, opened in 1962 and is home to Major League Baseball's 6 time world champion Los Angeles Dodgers. For $35 you can get all-you-can-eat hot dogs, sodas, and nachos at the Right Field Pavilion. Behind-the-scenes tours of the ballpark are available at 10AM, 11:30AM, and 1PM on days when there isn't an afternoon Dodgers game.
Tickets $15-$100, depending on game and section; ballpark tours $20 adults, $15 seniors/children/military
SeeHistory museumDowntownJapanese American National Museum
A museum devoted to the Japanese-American experience, with a particular emphasis on the Japanese internment camps of World War II, including numerous artifacts and historic photographs. Besides the permanent collection, the museum also holds changing exhibits on Japanese-American art and history.
Closed · opens 11 am$12 adults, $6 students/seniors/youth 6-17, free for children 5 and under; free admission Th evenings 5-8PM
SeeNorthwestLos Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
A classic zoo at the northern end of Griffith Park. Popular exhibits include a chimpanzee complex, a gorilla area, a large elephant complex, a newly built rainforest exhibit, a reptile house, and a children's zoo. There's also a few animal shows, including a bird show, elephant training, and a rhino feeding; check the website for times.
Closed · opens 10 am$20 adults/teens, $17 seniors, $15 children, children under 2 free
SeeArt museumHollywoodMadame Tussauds Hollywood
The Hollywood location of the popular chain of wax figure museums, with numerous wax replicas of Hollywood celebrities.
Opens daily at 10AM; closing times vary by season, check website$29.95 adults, $22.95 children (discount if purchased online)
SeeMuseumHollywoodHollywood Wax Museum
The Hollywood Wax Museum is the longest running wax museum in the United States, with more than 45 years of continuous operation by the same owners since 1965 and featuring over 180 figures of celebrities.
Closed · opens 10 am$16.99 adults, $14.99 seniors 55+, $9.99 children 5-12, children 5 and under free; discount if purchased online
SeeSouthNatural History Museum of Los Angeles County
A crown jewel of Los Angeles' museums and a national leader in exhibitions, education and research, this museum dates back to 1913 and was L.A.'s first cultural institution to open its doors to the public. It's the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States, safeguarding more than 35 million spectacular, diverse specimens and artifacts. Exhibits on display include lots of dinosaur and ancient mammal skeletons, taxidermy figures, a gallery on the history of Los Angeles, a gem and mineral hall, interactive exhibits for children, and an outdoor nature garden.
Closed · opens 9:30 am$18 adults, $14 teens (13-17)/college students/seniors (62+), $7 children (3-12), free for children under 3; special exhibitions require extra fee
SeeSouthWatts Towers of Simon Rodia
A notable example of non-traditional vernacular architecture and naïve art, the Watts Towers are a series of 17 interconnected structures, two of which reach heights of over 99 feet (30 m). All of the structures were built using salvaged materials and embedded with found objects, such as glass, ceramic tiles, and seashells, often arranged in elaborate displays. Next to the towers is a small museum and a cultural center. Guided tours are available for a fee and at limited hours, but you can always view the towers from the outside for free.
Tours available Thu-Fri 11AM-3PM, Sat 10:30AM-3PM, Sun noon-3PMGuided tours $7 adults, $3 seniors/teens (13-17), free for children 12 and under
SeeHistory museumHollywoodHollywood Heritage Museum
Housed in the Lasky-DeMille Barn, which was built in 1901 and served as one of Hollywood's first film studios (Cecil B. DeMille had an office in this building) before being moved to its current site, this museum has a collection of photographs and memorabilia from old Hollywood.
Closed · opens noon$7 adults, free for children under 12
SeeNorthwestBarnsdall Art Park
Metro: Vermont/Sunset
A small hill in East Hollywood with sweeping views of the neighborhood as well as an arts complex on top that serves the local community, with an art center that offers classes to adults and children, a community theater, the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery, which holds changing exhibits of art from local artists, and Hollyhock House, which was designed by Frank Lloyd Wright and is open to the public. Hollyhock House is one of eight buildings by Wright to be listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Daily 5AM-10PM; Municipal Art Gallery Thu-Sun noon-5PM; Hollyhock House Thu-Sun 11AM-4PMFree; Hollyhock House tours $7 adults, $3 students/seniors (tickets sold online only)
SeeWestMuseum of Tolerance
Focusing on the history of the Holocaust, this museum contains many interactive exhibits designed to challenge visitors to assess their own levels of tolerance. Many of the exhibits are meant to engage kids (about 10 and older), and you may find your kids asking you about things such as racial and economic tensions. A highlight of the museum is live testimonies by Holocaust survivors who serve as museum volunteers.
Sun-Fri 10AM-5PM (closes at 3:30PM Fri in winter), Thu 10AM-9:30PM; last ticket sold an hour and a half before closingAdults $15:50, seniors $12.50, students/youth (ages 5-18) $11.50
SeeSouthCalifornia Science Center
A huge science museum with lots of interactive science exhibits and a rather impressive air and spacecraft collection. The museum's large exhibit galleries cover technology and biology, with highlights including a high wire bicycle, a surgery simulator, an aquarium with a kelp forest and a touch tank, and fighter jets and other aircraft on display. The highlight of the museum's spacecraft collection is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, one of only three remaining craft from the retired American space shuttle fleet (free timed reservations are required). The museum also holds an IMAX theater and travelling exhibitions. Best times to visit are weekdays after 1:30PM or weekends, since weekdays before 1:30PM are often busy with school groups.
Closed · opens 10 amPermanent exhibition galleries free; separate fee for IMAX theater
SeeNorthwestAutry Museum of the American West
A combination art/history museum, with continuing and changing exhibitions of art from the American West, a major collection of Native American art, and historical artifacts of the West, including a permanent firearms gallery. A unique highlight of the museum is an exhibit on cowboys in popular culture, with many costumes and film props from popular Westerns and their Hollywood stars.
Closed · opens 10 am$10 adults, $6 seniors/students, $4 children, free for active military personnel, veterans, peace officers and park rangers
SeeWilshireCraft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM)
Hosts exhibitions of traditional folk art and contemporary craft. Also offers classes and workshops where participants can create their own works of art.
Tue-Fri 11AM-5PM, Sat Sun noon-6PM, first Thu of every month 6:30PM-9:30PMGeneral admission $7, students and seniors (65+) $5, veterans, active military and children under 10 free. Su pay what you want
SeeEastsideHeritage Square
A collection of historic houses and buildings from the late 19th century moved from other parts of Los Angeles to a museum on the Arroyo Seco. Features guided tours of those buildings, often by people in Victorian dress.
Fri-Sun and Mon holidays 11:30AM-4:30PM$10 Adults (13-64), $8 seniors (65+), $5 children (6-12)
SeeWestSkirball Cultural Center
In the hills above Sepulveda Pass is this expansive contemporary facility devoted to Jewish heritage. Among its libraries, classrooms, conference rooms and gardens is a museum with a permanent collection of historical artifacts, artwork, and interactive exhibits on Jewish history and culture, with an emphasis on the Jewish-American experience. A highlight of the museum is a large children's area modeled after Noah's Ark, with animal puppets and figurines that kids can play with.
Closed · opens 10 am$12 adults, $9 seniors/students/teens, $7 children, children under age 2 free
SeeMuseumHollywoodRipley's Believe it or Not
A museum that focuses on the odd, the unusual and the unbelievable. Features interactive illusions and a gallery.
Closed · opens 10 am$17.99 adults, $11.99 children; discount if purchased online
SeeNorthwestTravel Town Museum
A free exhibition of historic trains from Southern California, including locomotives, cabooses, passenger cars, and streetcars, as well as model trains and an exhibit hall with old automobiles. Train rides for children on a miniature railroad are also available.
Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, Sat Sun 10AM-5PM (open until 6PM on summer weekends)Free; train rides $2.75
SeeMuseumHollywoodGuinness World Records Museum
Held in the historic Hollywood Theater building, this museum showcases various world records.
Closed · opens 10 am$16.99 adults, $14.99 seniors ages 55+, $9.99 children ages 5-12
- SeeWilshire
Pan Pacific Park
Has a gym, senior center, baseball fields, picnic benches, and children's play areas. Right next to the Fairfax branch of the Los Angeles Public Library.
- SeeNorthwest
Griffith Park & Southern Railroad
A 1/3-scale miniature railroad that offers rides along a mile-long track and that's very popular with kids.
Mon-Fri 10AM-4:15PM, Sat-Sun 10AM-4:30PM (closes a half hour later in summer)$2.75 per ride
- EatKorean restaurantWilshire
The Corner Place
Good Korean BBQ at a really great price (around $20 is enough to stuff two people). The decor isn't as fancy as more expensive places, but it has charm. The menu is family style, so one order is enough to feed two people. Like most Korean BBQ places, servers bring the meat out for you to cook at your table (but that doesn't mean you shouldn't tip!) With your meal comes a variety of traditional Korean side dishes and a plate of julienned scallions to enjoy with your freshly grilled meat. For finicky eaters or those new to Korean food, the bulgoki (marinated beef) is always a good choice. On warmer days, or whenever you want a lighter meal, try their cold noodle soup (white somen noodles in a cold soup of clear, mild kimchi) with your meal instead of rice.
Closed · opens 11 am
- SeeNorthwest
Los Angeles Live Steamers Railroad Museum
Run by a local group of railroad enthusiasts, this museum is essentially a large scale model railroad, with miniature train rides for children and a few historic train cars. Most notable among the historic exhibits is the actual workshop owned by Walt Disney that he used to make his backyard model railroad (only open on the third Sunday of each month, when volunteers from a local historical society are available).
Sundays only, 11AM-3PMFree, donations accepted
- EatMexican restaurantWilshire
El Coyote Cafe
Known for its margaritas, fun atmosphere, and cute/tacky decor, this Mexican restaurant opened in 1931 at 1st and La Brea, and in 1951 moved to its present location on Beverly Blvd. It is the restaurant where Sharon Tate and her friends ate their last meal before being murdered by the Charles Manson family in 1969.
Closed · opens 11:30 amBuilt 1931
.jpg?width=240 "Photo: Burton Frasher, Public domain")
SeeNorthwestOld Los Angeles Zoo
Before the current zoo was built in 1966, this spot a couple of miles to the south had served as Los Angeles' zoo since 1912, built at a time when small iron bar cages were common in zoos. Today, the rusting cages and stone grotto enclosures are still standing and are open for exploration alongside a picnic area, making this a popular spot for urban explorers. However, the cages are now closed off with iron bars.
- DrinkEastside
Galco's Old World Grocery
Galco's Soda Pop Stop
Stocks more than 700 different kinds of soda, and 600 types of craft beer and hard-to-find wine and spirits. The sodas come from all over the world, especially from old-fashioned, small-batch, family-owned businesses. If you've ever wondered what a cucumber soda would taste like, whether your childhood favorite still exists, or what to get for a homesick visitor, then stop by and look around. And don't miss the create-your-own-soda station in the back. Also has a sandwich counter.
Closed · opens 9 am
- SeeNorthwest
Griffith Park Merry-Go-Round
An antique carousel dating back to 1926 with a large band organ. A large children's playground sits nearby.
Weekends throughout the year and daily during summer, 11AM-5PM
- SeeEastside
Los Angeles Police Museum
Located in the former Highland Park Police Station, it displays the history of the LAPD from its 1869 beginnings
Mon-Fri 10AM-4PM, third Sat of the month 9AM-3PMGeneral (13-61) $8, seniors (62+) $7, children (under 13) free
- SeeNorthwest
Vista Hermosa Natural Park
10.5-acre urban natural park developed by the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority, LAUSD and the City of LA. Walking trails, streams, meadows, oak savannahs, picnic grounds, and a nature-themed playground nestled between Downtown LA and some of LA's most densely-populated neighborhoods.
- DoDowntown Not mapped
LA Sparks
LA's women's basketball team - they especially need your support! A good, inexpensive family outing and a chance to be shown that women are just as capable of dazzling the crowd with their athletic prowess as men!!
- DoArcade
EightyTwo
707 E 4th Pl
- DoAmusement park
Griffith Park Train Rides
4400 Crystal Springs Dr
- DoArcade
Spring Arcade Building
541 S Spring St
- DoArcade
Blipsy Bar
369 N Western Ave
- SeeChildrens museum
Imaginology Kids
2501 Sunset Blvd C
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