The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the largest natural and cultural history museum in the western United States. Its vast collection includes nearly 35 million artifacts and spans an impressive 4.5 billion years of history! This extensive collection not only features exhibits open to the public but also encompasses vast research collections housed both on-site and off-site.

This Los Angeles museum is associated with two other significant institutions located in Greater Los Angeles: the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits in Hancock Park and the William S. Hart Ranch and Museum in Newhall. The three museums collaborate to achieve their shared mission: "to inspire wonder, discovery, and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds".

History of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

The museum’s origins date back to 1913, when a first collection was established in Exposition Park under the name Museum of History, Science, and Art. The driving force behind its foundation was a museum association formed earlier in 1910. The magnificent main building, characterized by its inlaid marble walls and a colonnaded rotunda crowned by a classical-style dome, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Additional architectural features were inaugurated in 1925, 1930, 1960, and 1976.

Later, in 1961, the museum was split into two distinct entities: the Los Angeles County Museum of History and Science and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). In 1965, LACMA moved to new premises on Wilshire Boulevard, and the Museum of History and Science was renamed the Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History. Eventually, the museum adopted its current name: the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

In 2003, the institution embarked on a series of transformations to completely reclassify its exhibits and enhance the visitor experience. In 2010, the 1913 rotunda was reopened after seismic retrofitting, along with the new "Age of Mammals" exhibit. The Dinosaur Hall opened in July 2011, and a new exhibit on Los Angeles history, "Becoming Los Angeles," was inaugurated in 2013. Also in 2013, the Nature Gardens and Nature Lab were opened, exploring the wildlife of the Los Angeles area and its surroundings.

In 2024, this grand Los Angeles museum plans to open a new wing called NHM Commons. This approximately 60,000-square-foot space will include renovations, new construction, and landscaping, located on the southwest side of the museum. The commons aims to be a community space with a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences, including a welcome area, lobby with a shop, theater, café, and plaza.

The Collection of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

A visit to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is highly recommended for anyone in the area: it hosts a vast collection with millions of artifacts and specimens covering billions of years of history. The museum spans three floors containing permanent exhibitions, along with a rotating selection of temporary exhibits.

Various study areas are represented within this museum, including studies on different types of animals, with a particular focus on marine life and dinosaurs. There are also exhibits on Native American human cultures, as the museum showcases significant anthropological and archaeological discoveries.

Highlights of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Although there are millions of artifacts on display (each one worthy of admiration), some of the exhibits stand out in particular. For example, the dinosaur fossil exhibits, like the triceratops, are especially popular, but also noteworthy is what turns out to be one of the world’s largest collections of marine mammal remains.

Temporary exhibits hosted here always have something special to offer visitors, whether it’s ancient animals or historical human civilizations buried in time. Some of the most popular temporary exhibits in recent years have included a display focused on mummies and another showcasing the mythical pterosaurs. During spring and summer, there is also a large butterfly pavilion, sure to delight the little ones.

Tickets and Location

Here is all the visitor information and advice on managing tickets and reservations.
Reservations for the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

• Advance reservations are highly recommended.
• For assistance with reservations, it is advisable to call 213.763.3466 or email info@nhm.org.
• For information on ticket prices and special group packages, please refer to the institution’s official website.

Parking at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

Those with a rental car can park on-site for a flat fee of $18 (payable by credit card only) at the parking lot located at 3724 Bill Robertson Ln.

The parking lot is open from 9:15 AM to 6:00 PM and is located just south of Exposition Boulevard. Note: there is no multiple-entry parking available. There are also dedicated disabled parking spaces, as well as 40 new electric vehicle charging stations.

How to Reach the Museum by Public Transportation

The nearest stations to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles are Expo/USC and Expo/Vermont stations (trains run daily from 5:00 AM to 12:30 AM).

Good to know: the museum encourages visitors who arrive by metro by offering a $2 discount; all you need to do is show your TAP card at the entrance. This great museum is one of Los Angeles' premier cultural attractions; visiting it guarantees an educational and fascinating experience for visitors of all ages, including the little ones.

Highly recommended for all lovers of natural history, ancient civilizations, or simply for those looking for an interesting and different activity to do in the city.