Museums in the Greater LA Area?

[bisous]

We’re somewhat local and have been to lots of great museums in the LA area. But I’m wondering if there are any other gems out there? DS1 will essentially have a week off of school because almost his entire grade is going to DC. I figured we could have a bunch of fun day trips around our area.

So we can already do the zoo and Disney with our passes. We love the California Science center. Our passes to the Natural History Museum just lapsed. My Dad loves the Peterson museum so he might bring him there. My MIL has a pass to the Reagan library.

Local folks what other gems are out there?

TIA!

[California]

Have you been to both the Getty museums? They are free, you just have to pay for parking (and reserve a spot in advance) for the Villa. Are these outings mainly for your older DS? The Villa isn’t as little-kid friendly.

Huntington Gardens and Descanso Gardens are lovely to roam around. It’s pricey though for a family outing and I know you are being careful with your budget.

[bisous]

Have you been to both the Getty museums? They are free, you just have to pay for parking (and reserve a spot in advance) for the Villa. Are these outings mainly for your older DS? The Villa isn’t as little-kid friendly.

Huntington Gardens and Descanso Gardens are lovely to roam around. It’s pricey though for a family outing and I know you are being careful with your budget.

Ooh yeah! Well, I’m enlisting grandparents to see if they’d like to escort him. Love both Getty’s but you’re right—not totally little kid friendly. We visit the Huntington at least twice a year—usually on the Free Day but that doesn’t come up this particular week. I’ve actually never been to Descanso but I’ve always wanted to. I’ll check that out. And that reminds me of the arboretum. I used to take DS1 there all the time as a toddler. I wonder if it’s still cheap?

Great ideas!

[PZMommy]

What age?? The Noah’s Ark exhibit at the Skirbal Center is great for young kids. Lots of hands on and climbing, and exploring. I don’t find the museum all that entertaining for older kids though.

[georgiegirl]

Santa Barbara Natural History Museum (is that what you are talking about that has lapsed, or LA?). Anyway, that museum is the best with kids. I especially love their backyard/outdoor area. My sister said they were redoing it (not sure if it’s finished yet.).

I think my sister likes the sea life museum, with might be related to the SB natural history museum.

I know those are not LA, but they aren’t any farther.

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[bisous]

What age?? The Noah’s Ark exhibit at the Skirbal Center is great for young kids. Lots of hands on and climbing, and exploring. I don’t find the museum all that entertaining for older kids though.

I really want to take my 4 and 6 yos there. They’d love it. DS2 might like it to. Funny thing, DS1 would probably still like it BUT he’s almost 6 feet tall—I think he’s too big. But I was seriously just thinking about that place. I am going to try to budget for my littles!

[bisous]

Santa Barbara Natural History Museum (is that what you are talking about that has lapsed, or LA?). Anyway, that museum is the best with kids. I especially love their backyard/outdoor area. My sister said they were redoing it (not sure if it’s finished yet.).

I think my sister likes the sea life museum, with might be related to the SB natural history museum.

I know those are not LA, but they aren’t any farther.

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We actually had a membership to LA (fun fact—SB will accept LA through the reciprocal agreement but not the other way around!

We love the sea center and the natural history museum. It isn’t super cheap but a membership there might be highly used....SB excursions tend to be smaller, faster and easier which tends to be better for DS3 especially (DD is a champ on long days!) so... considering...

[PZMommy]

I really want to take my 4 and 6 yos there. They’d love it. DS2 might like it to. Funny thing, DS1 would probably still like it BUT he’s almost 6 feet tall—I think he’s too big. But I was seriously just thinking about that place. I am going to try to budget for my littles!

I may still have some free family passes. My class went there for a field trip and we were each given a family pass to go return at a later date. I won’t be using mine. I will see if I can find where I put mine.

[bisous]

I may still have some free family passes. My class went there for a field trip and we were each given a family pass to go return at a later date. I won’t be using mine. I will see if I can find where I put mine.

Wow! Well if you’re sure you aren’t going, wed use them! Let me know. I love field trip family passes.

[TwinFoxes]

I've never been, but when I lived there I had friends who always took their out of town visitors to Melody Ranch. It's a movie set and Gene Autry's former home. It has Wild West movie memorabilia etc, and it's supposed to be scenic. Do research first, I haven't lived in LA in a long time now, so things may have changed.