A Day of Wonder and Dinosaurs at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles

Our family had the incredible opportunity to spend the day at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, and I can confidently say: we barely scratched the surface, and we can’t wait to go back! From the moment we arrived, it was one “wow” after another, and my boys were completely enthralled from start to finish. There’s truly something for every age and interest, and it was so fun watching my kids get curious, ask questions, and just light up with every new discovery.

Here’s what we explored, what we loved most, and a few tips if you’re planning your own visit!

Don’t Miss Gnatalie—The Green Dinosaur Celebrity!

Our visit started with a selfie in front of the newest (and greenest!) fossil on the West Coast: Gnatalie, a 75-foot-long sauropod now proudly displayed in the brand-new NHM Commons wing. She’s the only green fossil on the planet, and she’s free to visit without a ticket. If you’re swinging by the museum, you have to stop and meet her! Her bones turned green due to the rare mineral celadonite that replaced her bone material during fossilization—how cool is that?

The Dinosaur Hall Was a Family Favorite

As a family of dino fans, the Jane G. Pisano Dinosaur Hall was easily the highlight of our day. We got up close to a towering triceratops, stared down a mosasaur, and were blown away by the museum’s T. rex growth series—the only display in the world showing a baby, juvenile, and sub-adult T. rex together. It was like walking through a real-life “Land Before Time” (and yes, I was that mom quietly narrating it all for my kids as we explored).

T. rex 3D Show: A Must-See Experience

We did get to catch the T. rex 3D show, and wow—what an amazing presentation! It’s an educational, awe-inspiring journey through the world of tyrannosaurs, featuring jaw-dropping visuals and up-to-date paleontological discoveries. The 3D effects were immersive but not overwhelming, so it was a great fit for younger kids too (nothing too scary!). I didn’t film it for YouTube because it’s something you really have to see in person—but it’s an absolute must if you’re visiting.

Butterfly Pavilion: Magical and Mesmerizing

Another standout experience was the seasonal Butterfly Pavilion—an open-air exhibit where butterflies fly freely all around you. My boys were fascinated watching them land on flowers (and occasionally us!), and we even got to see all the life cycle stages up close—from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis. There are museum educators on hand to share fun facts, and the space is so peaceful and bright. Definitely reserve your spot in advance—this one sells out fast!

Ocean Encounters: Prehistoric Puppetry at Its Finest

We also loved Ocean Encounters, a live show featuring giant prehistoric sea creatures brought to life through puppetry. The boys were amazed by the life-sized ammonites and plotosaur swimming through time! The show is about 20 minutes long and full of educational moments in a fun, theatrical setting.

We shared the full performance in our YouTube video, so be sure to check it out!

Gems, Minerals, and… Wait, There Was Gold?!

We were completely hypnotized by the Gem and Mineral Hall—it was like walking through a treasure chest. My kids were obsessed with the meteorites and glowing minerals. We learned later that we totally missed the gold exhibit, including California’s famous Mojave Nugget. That’s how captivating the rest of it was—we’re already planning a second trip to see what we missed.

Accessibility at NHM: What Families Should Know

As a mom to a child with special needs, accessibility is a big part of how we plan our adventures—and I’m happy to share that the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles really impressed us in this area.

The museum offers ramps, elevators, and wide walkways that made it easy to navigate with a stroller or mobility device. There are ADA accommodations for shows like Ocean Encounters, and staff are happy to assist when you arrive—just ask at the entrance or at any exhibit.

They also offer noise-canceling headphones, sensory bags, and other supports for guests who may need them. While we didn’t get a chance to explore all the sensory-friendly options on this visit, we appreciated how welcoming and understanding the staff were throughout our day.

You can check out their detailed accessibility info at nhm.org/access, including free admission options for families who qualify (such as EBT, WIC, military, and teacher discounts).

This museum really makes an effort to be inclusive, engaging, and accessible to all families—and that makes a huge difference for us.

Planning Your Visit: Tips from a Mom Who Just Went

• Make Reservations: Especially for the Butterfly Pavilion and any special shows. They can and do sell out!

• Wear Comfy Shoes: This museum is big and full of amazing things to see. There’s a lot of walking, so dress accordingly—especially with kids!

• Take the Metro: There’s a Metro stop right outside the museum, making public transit a super easy option.

• Accessibility: The museum is very accessible, with ramps, elevators, and other accommodations for mobility and sensory needs. We always appreciate spaces that consider all kinds of families!

• So Much More Than the Website: We went in thinking we had a solid game plan—but there were so many beautiful surprises and extra exhibits along the way. It truly is a place where curiosity leads the way.

We’ll be sharing more from our day—including our full walkthrough and highlights—in our latest YouTube video.

You can also visit the official NHM site for current events, new exhibits, and updates.  Don’t forget: they’ve got amazing programming all year long, from special screenings to the always-awesome First Fridays series. Head to NHM.org to plan your own day of discovery.

If you’ve been or are planning to go, let me know what you’re most excited to see! For us, this visit was just the beginning, we can’t wait to come back and keep learning alongside our kids.