I love historic buildings and one of them is the Los Angeles Natural History Museum in Exposition Park near downtown Los Angeles.
Find things to do and where to stay in Exposition Park, here.
It was constructed in 1913 by architects Frank Hudson and William A.D. Munsell in a combination of Spanish Renaissance, Romanesque, and Beaux-Arts styles. I particularly love the rotunda which is Italian marble.
In the center of the floor is mosaic tile with Julia Bracken Wendt’s “Three Muses” statue.
The gorgeous skylight was designed by Walter Horace Judson.
For all things natural
My kids, and especially my son, couldn’t get enough of the bugs, fish, animals, and birds that can be seen throughout the museum. There are two large rooms filled with native as well as exotic “stuffed” animals. I will spare you the taxidermy in my photos as that could upset some people.
During my last visit, there was a section dedicated to the history of Los Angeles, from the Native Americans that inhabited the area through the present day.
Another exhibition was filled with bug art. It is truly stunning when you see the detail that goes into drawing a wasp.
Exposition Park
The Museum Complex consists of the National History Museum, the California Science Center, and the California African American Museum.
Roses and roses for days
Connecting all of them is the vast Exposition Park Rose Garden which was on full display when I visited in April.
From 1871 – to 1911, the Rose Garden was a part of the city’s Agricultural Park and was used for camel, horse, dog, and automobile racing. It also hosted the city’s longest bar and a hotsy-totsy brothel.
The land was finally turned into a rose garden in 1927 and now has over 20,000 bushes and 200 rose varieties. When I say it’s vast, it isn’t an exaggeration. I felt like I was in a fairyland walking around it. The garden is a favorite photo spot for wedding photography, and I saw many social media influencers frolicking through the bushes.
Visiting the Natural History Museum
Admission to the Natural History Museum is $15 but seniors can get tickets at $12. This gets you into the main part of the museum. There are additional fees to see specific traveling exhibits. While I was there, they had a Jane Goodall exhibition and a walk through a butterfly garden.
If you are coming from downtown you can take the L.A. Metro “E” Expo Line so you won’t have to worry about parking. It stops directly across from the museums.
There is also parking available at 700 Exposition Blvd, LA 90037 which is $15 from 8 am to 5 pm so it is a bit expensive. Additional parking is at Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd and South Hoover Street.
USC (The University of Southern California) is across the street from the Museum and the Los Angeles Memorial Colosseum, Banc of California Stadium, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and the Expo Center, which is a recreational facility are nearby.
Where to eat when you are there
There are two dining facilities located in Exposition Park as well as many near USC. There are also street vendors selling their infamous “street dogs” (which are yummy) and other goodies inside the park.
If you have a hankering for burgers or snacks, the NHM Grill is located inside the Natural History Museum and has a shaded patio. Another eatery at the California Science Center is Trimana which features Mexican food, burgers, and pizza.
If you are looking for something higher-end, McKay’s is located near the USC Hotel on the USC campus. It was created to honor football’s John McCay and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
The Natural History Museum Los Angeles is located at 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 9000 | Visit the Website
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