La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

Step back 40,000 years at this world-famous fossil site where kids can watch real paleontologists excavate Ice Age animals from bubbling tar pits right in the middle of Los Angeles. The hands-on museum features life-size reconstructions of mammoths, dire wolves, and saber-toothed cats, plus observation windows into the active fossil lab where scientists clean and study actual bones.

• ✓The outdoor observation pit where you can see actual tar bubbling up and smell the asphalt
• ✓Wall of dire wolf skulls featuring over 400 real fossils from a single species
• ✓Live Fossil Lab with working paleontologists visible through glass windows
• ✓Life-size mammoth family statues in the Lake Pit,the most photographed spot
• ✓Hands-on excavation area where kids can dig for replica fossils

1. 1.Start outside at the actual tar pits before entering the museum,the bubbling asphalt and life-size mammoth statues stuck in the pit make the exhibits inside much more meaningful for kids
2. 2.Visit the Fossil Lab viewing area where kids can watch real scientists preparing fossils through large glass windows,go on weekdays when more researchers are working
3. 3.The museum is located in Hancock Park, so bring a picnic and plan playground time on the grounds before or after your visit
4. 4.Download the free museum app before you go,it has kid-friendly audio tours and interactive games that enhance the experience
5. 5.Parking can be tricky; arrive right when they open at 9:30 AM for easiest street parking or use the paid lot at LACMA next door

Weekday mornings (9:30-11:00 AM) are ideal for smaller crowds and active fossil lab work. Avoid weekend afternoons when school groups and tourists pack the galleries. Summer and spring offer the best weather for exploring the outdoor tar pits and surrounding park.

General admission is $15 for adults, $7 for youth (ages 3-12), and children under 3 are free. Limited paid parking is available on-site or use metered street parking. The museum café offers basic snacks but no full meals, so plan lunch elsewhere or pack your own.

The museum is open year-round with consistent hours. The outdoor tar pits are accessible in all weather, though summer can be hot with minimal shade. The museum hosts special Halloween and holiday programs, and 'Dig Pit' summer camps for kids. Check their website for rotating special exhibits.

The Original Farmers Market (3rd & Fairfax, just 1 mile away) offers dozens of kid-friendly food stalls from tacos to crepes in a casual atmosphere. For sit-down dining, Mel's Drive-In on Highland Avenue serves classic burgers, shakes, and chicken fingers in a fun 1950s diner setting.