Wingin' It...At The Natural History Museum

Now that my daughter Rosemary is five months old, my husband and I are starting to feel a little more confident heading out into the world with two children. We recently spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon at the Natural History Museum (right by USC) that was filled with dinosaurs and butterflies and bugs, and also memories that I will always treasure.

When you know the date you want to visit, buy your general admission tickets and butterfly pavilion tickets (the exhibit is on through September) ahead of time. You will choose a specific time for the butterflies, so definitely don't wait on your tickets, as the exhibit frequently sells out. Also, check the museum's website, or grab a paper schedule when you arrive so you can choose the events you want to attend.

Dinosaur Encounters is a must-see weekend show! We actually saw two shows, which featured a Triceratops and a T-Rex. I don't want to say too much about the show, because what happens is great fun and I want you to be as surprised as we were, but if you have little ones that love dinosaurs get there a little early and sit up front. And after the show, walk around the corner to see some cool "creatures" up close; what a fun way to learn about science and history! Btw, did you know that T-Rex may have been covered in...feathers?!

My son Dallas and I went to the Butterfly Pavilion for the first time last year, and couldn't wait to go again. A few minutes before your assigned time, you will line up outside the greenhouse (located just outside the museum building) to get your instructions, and then be let inside for about twenty minutes. Grab a guide with pictures of butterflies so you know what you are seeing, and hold very still if you would like one to land on you. One landed on the ground right next to my son, and we learned that if you want a butterfly to move, block the sun to make shade and they will fly away. On the way out you will be checked to make sure a Monarch is not trying to catch a ride home on your back!

Another favorite exhibit of ours is Becoming Los Angeles, which covers five centuries and shows how LA went from teensy pueblo to sprawling city. Don't miss the model of Downtown Los Angeles (circa 1938-1940), where you can see tiny versions of landmarks like City Hall, the Central Library, and Union Station. (Shameless Plug: If you love the twenties and thirties, check out my book: From the Corner of Hollywood and diVine: Your Guide to 30 Old Hollywood-Inspired Spots in Southern California.)

When it's time to fuel up with some grub, you can head downstairs to the NHM Grill, which offers a casual menu of burgers and sandwiches and salads and snacks, along with a kids menu. I was happy to see some vegetarian options, like the citrus and avocado salad that I got. You can sit indoors or outside, and there is a nice space right there next to the nature gardens for the kids to run around. Dallas was excited to see that, because all morning I had been shouting, "Walk! WALK!" as he tore off in search of the next cool thing to see inside.

Right next to the restaurant is the Nature Lab, where you can sharpen your observational skills and get an in-depth look at lots of critters. They also do a "Meet A Live Animal" program here, which is one of my son's favorite things to check out; on this visit he got to see a stinkbug and a Madagascar hissing cockroach. There is also a cool screen you can stand in front of that maps your body heat and shows you what you look like to a snake!


Contact Info:
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90007
213-763-DINO
www.nhm.org
www.twitter.com/nhmla

Prehistoric Fun at the Natural History Museum in Downtown Los Angeles

My son, who is four years old, absolutely loves dinosaurs, so he was thrilled to spend an afternoon this week at the Natural History Museum in Downtown Los Angeles. The buildings and grounds are just gorgeous, and this is a great place to take the kiddos to learn some history and facts about animals and also explore some great outdoor spaces. I highly recommend getting tickets to the Butterfly Pavilion (buy your tix online ahead of time), and checking out the museum's daily schedule, as they offer lots of free tours and programs. Where do YOU take the kids when school is out?

The dramatic entrance hall at the Natural History Museum.

It's fun to see how many different kinds of dinosaurs you can identify.

On a hot day, you can stick your feet in one of the fountains, and then walk around and look at all the plants. 

 

I am part Cherokee, and I really enjoyed the Native American section of the museum.

The Butterfly Pavilion is magical; you walk into a screened-in area where they fly freely around you...

...and sometimes ON you!

Scenes From A (Kid-Friendly) Downtown Los Angeles Day

I'm a little obsessed with Downtown LA right now. The sense of history that you feel as you walk the streets and see the beautiful old buildings, the excitement in the air from all of the new construction projects, and the mix of people and activities is electric! A great example of what I think the future of the area will be is Urban Outfitters moving into the historic Rialto Theatre on South Broadway, Art Deco marquee intact and interior filled with trendy shirts. There's a lot of fun to be had, so today I'm going to share two of my favorite DTLA places with you: Grand Hope Park and the Los Angeles Central Library.

1. Grand Hope Park 

When taking my four-year-old son anywhere, I like to start the day with letting him run around like crazy for about 30 minutes, which makes it easier for everyone later on when it's time to sit still. Grand Hope Park (at 9th and Grand) is a fun place to take your little ones, and there's lots of metered street parking around it. Plus, there's a Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf right across the street for your soy latte (no sugar added, please) needs.

Much of the equipment is shaded, and there are friendly ladybugs and snails for the kids to ride on.

Even on the playground there's a beautiful tile mural, which is a nice nod to the city's burgeoning arts scene. And have you heard about The Broad, a brand-new museum coming soon to Grand Avenue? Admission is going to be free! (And make sure you pronounce "Broad" so it rhymes with "Toad.")

Grand Hope Park is right next to FIDM (Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising), which I think is one reason why it is so clean and feels safe. If you have time, pop in and check out one of their exhibitions.

Right next to the play area, there are various pieces of exercise equipment, so if running around after your little one doesn't give you enough of a workout you can further work on your fitness.

Grand Hope Park
919 South Grand Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90015

2. Los Angeles Central Library

After your time at the park, you can walk right up Hope to the Los Angeles Central Library (Hope actually stops at the back of the building). If you parked on the street by Grand Hope Park, check your meter! You can also park in the lot on Flower Street right next door to the library, which is very reasonable with validation. Built in 1926 (and renovated in the 90s), the library is a beautiful mix of architectural styles and influences, like Art Deco, Egyptian, and Spanish.

Before going inside, take a stroll through the Maguire Gardens just outside the library, which are filled with stunning fountains and art.  The Central Library offers free tours of the building and the gardens--check their site for more info. Look closely at the above pic; that's agua flowing out of the eyes and nose of a HEAD, with the word "Clear" behind it.

In addition to the building itself being a work of art, there are art galleries inside the Central Library and gorgeous pictures and different decorative touches scattered throughout. I spotted this picture of a bustling South Broadway (probably taken in the twenties or thirties) on the first floor by the elevator.

The Central Library's theme is "The Light of Learning," which you will see represented by different forms of light all over the place. There are the giant suns on the pyramid atop the building, a hand holding a torch inside a case (which used to top the building), and suns all over the inside. How many different suns can you spot when you go?

The Central Library offers TONS of free programs for the community, and we love coming every Saturday at 2p for the family stuff. A typical story time for the kids includes songs, poetry, stories, and a puppet show in its own little theatre! (In Southern California, even the librarians are multi-talented entertainers.) There is also a tiny toddler amphitheatre.

The second-floor rotunda in the main wing might be my favorite part of the whole library. Sunlight streams through the windows and illuminates a mural depicting the history of the state of California, and during the holidays there is a giant Christmas tree to keep you company. In the midst of all the business and craziness of a major city, the Central Library is a cozy oasis that I wish I could visit every day of my life! And the fact that the programs have gotten my son interested in the arts (and away from the Ipad) has made it even dearer to my heart.

 Los Angeles Central Library
630 W. 5th Street
Los Angeles, CA 90071
www.lapl.org

What are some of your favorite spots in DTLA to take the kids to? Share in the comments, or email me!