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Best Attractions and Things To Do in Los Angeles

LA Zoo photo by Kylie Williams
LA Zoo photo by Kylie Williams
8/18/24 - By Toby B

Whether you're a first time visitor to LA or a lifetime Southland veteran, your question remains the same: what can I do with my kid today? Our daily calendar is filled with special and seasonal events, many of them found on our list of 100 things to do with your kids. But LA is also home to awe-inspiring museums and bucket list destinations for outings that are available year round.

Below you'll find some of our favorite must-see destinations for families in Los Angeles.

Noah's Ark at the Skirball Center. Photo by Mercie Ghimire
Noah's Ark at the Skirball Center. Photo by Mercie Ghimire

Year Round Attractions for Kids in Los Angeles

Los Angeles Zoo

Griffith Park
LA Zoo is home to more than 1,700 mammals, birds, amphibians, fish, and reptiles representing more than 270 different species, of which more than 60 are endangered.  Favorite spots for kids include the LAIR, a steamy indoor habitat for snakes, amphibians, and reptiles, Rainforests of the Americas, where playful giant otters swim and slide down a waterway, and the Elephants of Asia, a three-acre outdoor space with multiple viewing areas to watch the majestic animals. READ MORE

Aquarium of the Pacific

Long Beach
The Aquarium of the Pacific is Southern California's largest Aquarium, focusing on the planet’s largest and most diverse body of water, the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium has more than 100 exhibits, including habitats for penguins and otters, sea jelly tanks, the Tropical Pacific Gallery, and the Southern California Gallery.   READ MORE

Natural History Museum

Exposition Park
The wonders of the natural world are on display at the Natural History Museum of LA County. Perhaps best known for its Dino Hall, the museum also has galleries and exhibitions devoted to mammals, birds, local legend P-22, gems and minerals, and Los Angeles itself. READ MORE

Skirball Cultural Center

Bel Air/ Brentwood
The Skirball Center's programming is informed by Jewish traditions and democratic ideals. The museum has a track record of hosting crowd-pleasing and often child-friendly limited-run exhibits, exploring subjects such as Star Trek, Ruth Bader Ginsberg, and Maurice Sendak. Its current special exhibit looks at fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg. READ MORE

California Science Center

Exposition Park
The California Science Center is a favorite field trip destination for Los Angeles schools. Museum visitors can discover the delicate balance and interconnectedness of the planet's Ecosystems, visit the World of Life for a new perspective on the living world, and let imagination take flight through Air & Space displays. READ MORE

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Mid-Wilshire
Lights, camera, Academy Museum! Where else would you find the ultimate museum devoted to the art of making movies but in the moviemaking capital of the world? Galleries and exhibitions reveal the artistry, technological wonders, and sheer magic that contribute to bringing movies to life on the big screen. READ MORE

Madame Tussauds Hollywood

Hollywood
Step into a world of glamour at Madame Tussands Hollywood, home to over 130 meticulously crafted wax figures representing classic Hollywood icons, contemporary A-List stars, and music stars. READ MORE

Ripley's Believe It or Not! Odditorium Hollywood

Hollywood
You've got to see it to believe it! Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Hollywood is home to hundreds of rare and unusual artifacts, movie memorabilia, hands-on interactives, and unbelievable oddities. READ MORE

A Faery Hunt Los Angeles

Multiple parks and venues in Southern California
Faery folke have been spotted in parks (and occasionally libraries) throughout Southern California.  Kids can join a fun and gentle immersive quest for the fairy royalty at A Faery Hunt's interactive, musical performances.   READ MORE

The Escape Game LA

Century City
In The Escape Game, players are immersed in interactive rooms to follow clues, solve puzzles, and complete missions in under 60 minutes. Each escape game provides a unique hands-on experience, designed for families, friends, or anyone looking for an elevated unplugged adventure. READ MORE

The Getty Center and Getty Villa

West LA/ Brentwood and Pacific Palisades
It's a thing of beauty: both the Getty Center and the Getty Villa are once again open to the public. Please note: at this time, the Getty Villa is only open on a limited schedule of Friday to Mondays, (closed Tuesday through Thursday). The Getty Center is open Tuesday through Sunday (closed Mondays). Both museum have free admission and require advance online reservations. READ MORE

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