Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Tickets & Info

Wheelchair Access: All exhibits are accessible for wheelchairs and strollers, with the exception of strollers inside the Butterfly and Spider Pavilion.

Wheelchair Availability: Complimentary wheelchairs are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To borrow one, please leave a valid ID with Guest Relations upon arrival.

Accessible Parking: Limited accessible parking is available in the NHM Car Park.

Restrooms & Family Lounges: Wheelchair-accessible and all-gender restrooms are located throughout the museum. Family Care Lounges are available on Level 1 near the Welcome Center and on Level 2 in the Bird Hall.

Service Animals: Service animals, as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act, on a leash and under the owner’s control, are welcome at the Museum.

Sensory Sensitivity Kits: Free sensory kits, including noise-canceling headphones, a fossil stress ball, a sensory guide, and a fidget cube, are available on a first-come, first-served basis. To borrow a kit, please leave a valid ID with Guest Relations.

Deaf or Hard of Hearing Services: All exhibits (except the Gem and Mineral Hall and Bird Hall) feature videos with open captioning. American Sign Language interpretation or Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) services are provided at no fee for all theater programs, public programs, lectures, and tours; requests should be made at least two weeks before your visit.

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County spans a vast collection of nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts, making it the largest natural and cultural history museum in the Western United States.

Visitors can admire the iconic 1913 rotunda, renowned for its grand Beaux-Arts architecture, marble walls, and the historic Three Muses statue, the first piece of public art funded by Los Angeles County.

Established in 1913 as The Museum of History, Science, and Art, the museum has played a central role in preserving and showcasing the natural and cultural heritage of the region for over a century.

The museum’s domed, colonnaded rotunda serves as a stunning architectural centerpiece, combining classical design with rich historical significance, reflecting early 20th-century artistic trends.

Significant renovations include the reopening of the restored 1913 rotunda in 2010 and the 2011 unveiling of the state-of-the-art Dinosaur Hall, enhancing visitor engagement with cutting-edge exhibits.

Visitors can explore distinct areas like the Nature Gardens and Nature Lab, offering immersive outdoor experiences that feature urban wildlife and native plant habitats unique to Los Angeles.

Interactive exhibits such as the Ralph M. Parsons Discovery Center and the Insect Zoo provide hands-on learning opportunities that allow guests to connect closely with various aspects of natural history.

To enhance visitor comfort and convenience, the museum features amenities including café services, gift shops, and seating areas, and the NHM Commons, which opened in November 2024, added a 400-seat theater, community spaces, and a public plaza.

Seasonal attractions like the Butterfly Pavilion in spring and summer, as well as the Spider Pavilion in the fall, offer dynamic live displays that delight visitors through much of the year. Each pavilion requires a separate ticket in addition to general admission.

The museum honors local wildlife through special exhibits, including a dedicated display for P-22, the famous mountain lion from nearby Griffith Park, celebrating Los Angeles’ unique natural environment.