Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, often called NHM Los Angeles, is one of the most rewarding stops in Exposition Park. You can move from giant dinosaur skeletons to glittering gems and the story of modern Los Angeles in one easy museum loop.

Start with a timed mobile-entry ticket so you lock your preferred slot and avoid last-minute stress on busy weekends.

Select a date to find available tickets, tours & activities:

Timed entry tickets

Prebook a timed entry ticket for NHM Los Angeles so you can enter smoothly and focus on Dinosaur Hall, gems, and the gardens right away. Book now.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Admission

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Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: Entry Ticket

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Current exhibitions

Butterfly Pavilion

Visitors walk through a seasonal pavilion filled with hundreds of butterflies, colorful native plants, and life-cycle displays. Museum educators and animal care staff help interpret the species and their habitats along the route.

Mar 22, 2026 – Aug 23, 2026

Reframing Dioramas: The Art of Preserving Wilderness

This special exhibition reopens a long-closed diorama hall with new artist installations that examine dioramas as a blend of art and science. The presentation looks at biodiversity, ecology, conservation, colonialism, and changing museum display practices.

Sep 15, 2024 – Sep 14, 2026

Unearthed: Raw Beauty

This special exhibition brings together rare and exceptionally large mineral specimens, many shown in their natural uncut state. It pairs the visual drama of crystals, gems, and rocks with explanations of the science behind them.

Dec 14, 2025 – Apr 18, 2027

Orcas: Our Shared Future

Life-size orca replicas, interactive installations, and Indigenous artworks from the Pacific Northwest Coast explore how orcas live, communicate, and shape human relationships with the ocean.

Apr 26, 2026 – Apr 25, 2027

Top tips

Start with Dinosaur Hall

If this is your first visit, head to Dinosaur Hall first while your energy is high and the route still feels open. Then continue to Age of Mammals and Becoming Los Angeles in one loop. That way you cover the signature exhibits without backtracking.

Book your slot early

On weekends and school-break days in Los Angeles, entry windows can fill faster than expected. Reserve a timed ticket before you travel to Exposition Park, and keep it on your phone at check-in. This saves time at the entrance and lowers stress.

Use Metro on game days

USC game days can slow roads around Exposition Park, especially before kickoff. If your priority is a calm arrival, use the Metro E Line to Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont. You avoid parking lines and keep more time for the museum.

Plan 2 to 3 hours

Most first-time visitors need around 2 to 3 hours for dinosaurs, gems, and the core galleries. If you add temporary exhibitions or a film, give yourself extra time. This keeps your pace relaxed, so you can actually enjoy the details.

Take a sensory reset break

If you start to feel museum fatigue, pause in the gardens or ask Guest Relations for sensory resources. The museum offers free sensory kits, including noise-canceling headphones. A short reset helps you enjoy the second half of your visit.

Pair one nearby stop

After NHM Los Angeles, add one nearby stop: Grammy Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum, or Griffith Observatory. If you choose one add-on instead of three, your day stays fun and focused. That way you finish with energy, not museum overload.

How to plan your NHM Los Angeles visit

This museum rewards a simple plan: timed entry, a clear gallery route, and one nearby add-on. Keep your day focused, and the experience feels richer.

Choose the right ticket format

If your priority is smooth entry, a timed mobile ticket is usually the best first choice at NHM Los Angeles. It helps you secure your preferred window and keeps arrival in Exposition Park straightforward on busy days. Book now.

Build a smart 3-hour route

Start with Dinosaur Hall, continue to gems and core natural-history galleries, and leave flexible time for a final stop at NHM Commons areas or the gardens. This sequence matches how most visitors naturally move through the building and avoids unnecessary backtracking.

Time your arrival around local traffic

Roads near USC and Exposition Park can feel slower on game days, so transit timing matters. If you want less friction, use the Metro E Line and arrive with your ticket already ready on your phone. That way you spend your time inside the museum, not in approach queues.

Add one nearby stop

After the museum, one add-on is usually the sweet spot: Grammy Museum if you want music culture, Petersen Automotive Museum for design and engineering, or Griffith Observatory for evening skyline views. Pick one clear direction, and your day feels curated instead of rushed.

What makes this museum special

This is not only a dinosaur stop. It is also a long-running Los Angeles institution where city history, science, and community programming meet in one campus.

From 1913 origins to a modern campus

The museum opened to the public in 1913 and evolved into today's Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County after major institutional changes in the 20th century. Restoration milestones and new campus development in the 21st century turned it into a place where heritage architecture and contemporary visitor spaces work side by side.

Highlights that work for first-timers

First-time visitors usually connect best with the sequence of dinosaurs, gemstone collections, and the Becoming Los Angeles narrative. It gives you scale, beauty, and local context in one visit, which is why this museum works so well as an anchor stop in Exposition Park.

NHM Commons changed the arrival experience

The opening of NHM Commons added new community-focused spaces and refreshed how visitors enter and start their day. In practice, that means the museum now feels more like a full civic hub than a single traditional gallery building.

A strong fit for different travel styles

Families can build a dinosaur-first route, couples can keep a slower art-and-architecture pace, and solo travelers can move fast between headline rooms. If your group cannot agree, let the dinosaur fans choose the first stop and promise coffee after, it works surprisingly often.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much time should I plan for the museum?

For most first-time visits, 2 to 3 hours is a practical range. If you add temporary exhibitions, films, or long breaks, plan extra time so your visit still feels relaxed.

Do I need to book tickets in advance?

Advance timed tickets are strongly recommended, especially for weekends and school-break periods in Los Angeles. Booking ahead helps you secure your preferred slot and reduces entry friction.

What is included in general admission?

General admission covers the core museum experience, including major permanent galleries. Some special exhibitions and premium add-ons can be priced separately, so check the day-specific ticket options before you arrive.

How do I get there by public transit?

Take the Metro E Line to Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont and walk through Exposition Park. This is usually easier than driving on busy days around USC events.

Is parking available at the museum?

Yes. The NHM Car Park on Bill Robertson Lane is the closest option and typically operates during museum hours, with a flat parking rate. On USC game days in fall and winter, plan additional travel time because nearby roads can be busy.

Is the museum wheelchair accessible?

Yes. The museum reports wheelchair access across all exhibits, accessible restrooms, and on-site wheelchair loans on a first-come basis. Service animals are welcome when leashed and under control.

What can I combine with NHM on the same day?

A realistic same-day pairing is one nearby stop, not a long checklist. Good options are Grammy Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum, or evening views at Griffith Observatory, depending on your pace.

General information

opening hours

Open Monday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 5 pm. The museum closes on the first Tuesday of each month except June through August, as well as on Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.

tickets

General admission costs:
- Adults: $18
- Seniors 62 and over: $14
- Students with college ID and youth ages 13-17: $14
- Children ages 3-12: $7
- Children 2 and under: free

Members and qualifying guests with ID or a benefits card can enter free; L.A. County residents have a free weekday window from 3 pm to 5 pm onsite only. Advance online tickets are recommended, and parking, special exhibitions, films, and other add-ons cost extra.

website

Official site: https://nhm.org/

address

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
United States

how to get there

The easiest transit option is the Metro E Line to Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont, then a short walk through Exposition Park. If you drive, the NHM Car Park on Bill Robertson Lane is usually open from 9:15 am to 6 pm and charges a flat rate from $20 for cars before 5 pm.

accessibility

All exhibits are wheelchair accessible, and wheelchairs are available on a first-come basis at Guest Relations. Service animals on leash are welcome, and free sensory kits can be borrowed. Strollers are generally allowed, except inside the Butterfly and Spider Pavilion.

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