The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (Los Angeles)

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is a crown jewel of Los Angeles' museums. A national leader in exhibitions, education and research, the Museum was L.A.'s first cultural institution to open its doors to the public in 1913. It is the largest natural and historical museum in the Western United States, safe guarding more than 33 million spectacular, diverse specimens and artifacts.

Three floors of permanent exhibits enthrall the entire family with minds-on exploration. The towering "Dueling Dinosaurs," complete skeletons of a Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops in battle, greet visitors in the majestic Grand Foyer. In addition to special exhibitions, the Museum boasts magnificent permanent halls that feature grand dioramas of African and American mammals, rare dinosaurs and fossils, marine animals, Pre-Columbian culture, and historical artifacts from California and Southwest history, as well as early Hollywood memorabilia. The exquisite Gem & Mineral Hall features the largest collection of gold in the United States. The kid-friendly Discovery Center, set to re-open in its new home on the Ground Floor of the Museum this spring, will welcome children and families with hands-on, interactive education. Children can make fossil rubbings, dig for fossils, observe live animals such as snakes, fish and lizards and touch animal pelts. The accompanying Insect Zoo, the largest in the West, presents live insects from around the world.

The Museum is also an active research center. The Research & Collections Department spans the areas of living and fossil invertebrates (echinoderms, crustacea, worms, entomology, and mollusks), vertebrates (birds, mammals, reptiles, fishes), mineralogy, anthropology (Native American, Pre-Columbian and Pacific) and history (California and Southwestern).

The Museum offers free admission to Los Angeles Unified schools, and offers monthly lectures and classes. Children's educational programs and hands-on science programs such as "Adventures in Nature" are offered each winter/summer.

The Natural History Museum is located at 900 Exposition Blvd. The Museum is open Monday-Friday 9:30am-5:00pm, Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays 10:00am-5:00pm.

Admission is $9 for adults, $2 for children 5 - 12 and $6.50 for students/seniors. Children under 5 are free. Groups of 10 or more can receive discounted rates by calling (213) 763-3218. For 24-hour Museum information please call (213) 763-DINO or visit the Museum's website at www.nhm.org.

The Natural History Museum Family includes the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits and the William S. Hart Museum.