The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has just opened two new exhibitions, Orcas: Our Shared Future and Unearthed: Raw Beauty. Several third-party ticket listings, including some affiliate booking pages, still describe Fierce! The Story of Cats as the current special exhibition, even though that show closed on 18 February 2026. You can book through Viator to make sure you’re booking the right exhibition for your visit.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, California 90007 |
| Hours | Daily 9:30am–5pm; closed the first Tuesday of each month |
| Adult admission | $18 |
| Seniors (62+) / students | $14 |
| Children (3–12) | $8 |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| Nearest transit | Expo/USC Metro E Line station, short walk |
| Typical visit | 2.5–3 hours |
Why book Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County tickets?
- 🏛️ One of the largest natural history museums in the western US: with collections spanning dinosaurs to deep space.
- 🎟️ Free for L.A. County residents: every weekday afternoon from 3 to 5pm.
- 🌿 Face-to-face with a T. rex: the Dinosaur Hall has more than 300 fossils and 20 mounted skeletons.
- 📜 Two new exhibitions: Orcas: Our Shared Future and Unearthed: Raw Beauty have both just opened.
- 💰 Free for children under 3: the youngest visitors don’t need a ticket.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County opening hours
The museum opens at 9:30am and closes at 5pm, every day of the week. It’s closed on the first Tuesday of every month, rather than every Tuesday, which trips up some first-time visitors. The museum also closes for a handful of public holidays each year.
5 Los Angeles experiences worth booking
- 🎬 See how the movie magic works on the Warner Bros Studio tour.
- 🎢 Take on the rides and enjoy the shows at Universal Studios Hollywood.
- 🚌 Ogle celebrity homes in Hollywood and Beverly Hills from an open air bus.
- 🥾 Hike up to the Hollywood Sign, guided by comedians and their dogs.
- 🚲 Pedal along the coast on a Santa Monica and Venice guided e-bike tour.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County ticket prices
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | $18 |
| Seniors (62+) / students | $14 |
| Children (3–12) | $8 |
| Children under 3 | Free |
| L.A. County residents (Mon–Fri, 3–5pm) | Free |
These are the standard admission prices in US dollars for non-resident visitors. Los Angeles County residents can visit free between 3pm and 5pm, Monday to Friday, with proof of address shown at the door. Booking in advance through Viator helps you avoid the ticket desk, though it’s worth double-checking which special exhibitions are actually open on the official website. Children under 3 always enter free, and members never pay.
Why book the Go City Los Angeles All-Inclusive Pass?
- 🎬 Universal Studios Hollywood: Get 1-day general admission to this world-famous theme park and working film studio (included with all 3, 5, or 7-day passes).
- 🎟️ 40+ Top Attractions: Gain entry to the best of LA, including Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood, Madame Tussauds, Knott’s Berry Farm, and the Pacific Park on the Santa Monica Pier.
- 💰 Substantial Savings: Save up to 50% on total admission prices compared to purchasing individual tickets at the gate for each site.
- 📱 Instant Digital Pass: No need for paper vouchers; simply download the pass to your smartphone and scan it for easy, contactless entry at every stop.
- ⏱️ Explore at Your Own Pace: Choose a pass duration (1, 2, 3, 5, or 7 days) and visit as many attractions as you like within that timeframe for ultimate flexibility.
Getting to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
By Metro: Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont stations on the E Line both run trains from 5am to 12:30am.
By car: The museum’s own car park, on Bill Robertson Lane, charges a $20 flat rate; the Blue Structure lot nearby is a short walk away.
On game days: Allow extra travel time, since USC football games at the neighbouring Coliseum bring heavy traffic in fall and winter.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County parking
The museum’s own car park, on Bill Robertson Lane, charges a $20 flat rate and takes card payment only. The Blue Structure parking lot nearby costs $20 before 5pm and $24 after, payable by cash or card. Neither lot allows you to leave and return on the same ticket.
How long to spend at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Most visitors spend two and a half to three hours covering the Dinosaur Hall, the Nature Gardens and at least one special exhibition. Add more time if you’re visiting with children who want to linger in the Nature Lab.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County accessibility
The museum is wheelchair accessible throughout, with ADA caregivers admitted free when accompanying a guest. The NHM Commons entrance plaza, now open, provides a step-free route into the main building. Visitors needing further accommodation can contact the museum directly before their visit.
What to see at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Dinosaur Hall: More than 300 fossils and 20 mounted skeletons fill this hall, including a growth series of three T. rex skeletons at different life stages.
Orcas: Our Shared Future: This new exhibition explores the connections between orcas, people and the oceans, running as the museum’s current headline show.
Unearthed: Raw Beauty: Also newly opened, this exhibition descends into a world of rare minerals and crystals, some displayed for the first time.
Gem and Mineral Hall: Diamonds, rubies, sapphires and gold sit alongside other specimens in this permanent gallery of cut and uncut stones.
Nature Gardens: This three-and-a-half-acre outdoor space lets visitors explore real Los Angeles habitats, from a pond to a wildlife garden.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County practical visitor tips
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Check which special exhibitions are actually open | Some third-party listings still describe shows that have already closed; check the museum’s own exhibitions page. |
| Visit on a weekday afternoon if you’re an L.A. County resident | Admission is free from 3 to 5pm, Monday to Friday, with proof of address. |
| Bring a card for parking | The museum’s own car park takes card payment only, at a $20 flat rate. |
| Allow extra time on USC game days | Coliseum traffic builds quickly in the surrounding streets during football season. |
| Use your TAP card on Metro | Showing a TAP card at check-in gets you $2 off admission. |
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the museum closed every Tuesday? | No, only the first Tuesday of each month, not every week. |
| How much does admission cost? | $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and around $8 for children aged 3 to 12. |
| What’s the current special exhibition? | Orcas: Our Shared Future and Unearthed: Raw Beauty are both currently on view. |
| Is the museum wheelchair accessible? | Yes, throughout, including the new step-free NHM Commons entrance. |
| Can I park and come back later the same day? | No, neither the NHM car park nor the Blue Structure lot allows re-entry on the same ticket. |
Things to do near the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
California Science Center: Right next door, this free-to-enter museum displays the retired space shuttle Endeavour.
California African American Museum: Also in Exposition Park, this free museum covers African American art, history and culture.
Exposition Park Rose Garden: A short walk away, this formal rose garden makes a pleasant break between museums.
La Brea Tar Pits: A short drive away, these active fossil excavation pits are due to close for a two-year revitalisation project from July 2026, so check before visiting.
University of Southern California campus: Adjacent to the museum, USC’s campus is worth a wander for its architecture and student atmosphere.
What to visit tomorrow near the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
A handful of other natural history museums make a good day trip from Los Angeles.
San Diego Natural History Museum: About two hours’ drive away, with strong regional paleontology and biodiversity collections.
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History: About 1 hour 45 minutes’ drive away, known for its planetarium and Channel Islands exhibits.
San Bernardino County Museum: About an hour’s drive away, with a strong regional natural history and anthropology collection.
More Los Angeles travel
Other Los Angeles travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Joining the runners at Runyon Canyon.
- What to expect at Griffith Observatory in the Hollywood Hills.
- The best way to visit the Autry Museum of the American West and the Travel Town Museum.
- Plan your visit to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Petersen Automotive Museum, La Brea Tar Pits and Museum of Tolerance.
- Why Descanso Gardens is an easy escape from LA.
