Dinosaurs and gems in Exposition Park
The best Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County tickets
The Dinosaur Hall, the Gem and Mineral Hall, Becoming Los Angeles, the Nature Gardens and parking: here is how to book the Natural History Museum, with honest advice on what the ticket leaves out, when entry is free, and what parking costs.
See our pick
Short answer Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County tickets cost $18 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, and $7 for kids 3 to 12. Kids 2 and under are free. On GetYourGuide, the museum's own entry ticket starts from €16.
The museum is open daily from 9:30 am to 5 pm, except the first Tuesday of each month. LA County residents get in free on weekdays from 3 to 5 pm. Special exhibits cost extra.
Our pick for the Natural History Museum
GetYourGuide sells one ticket here, and the museum itself is the seller. We list it alone rather than pad the page with tours that do not go inside.
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from €16 per person Our top pick 4.6 (538) reviews on GetYourGuide
Natural History Museum general admission
Entry on your chosen date to the Dinosaur Hall with its T. rex growth series, the Gem and Mineral Hall, Becoming Los Angeles and the Nature Gardens. Special exhibits are not included.
Best for Families with kids, and anyone who loves dinosaurs
Check availability: Natural History Museum general admission on GetYourGuide
The Natural History Museum ticket at a glance
| Tour | From | Duration | Group size | Pickup | Free cancellation | Who it suits | Why we picked it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural History Museum general admission | €16 per person | Not stated | Not stated | Meet on site | Yes, up to 24 hours in advance | Families with kids, and anyone who loves dinosaurs | Sold by the museum itself and rated 4.6 from 538 reviews; enter any time during opening hours. |
Prices and ratings as shown on GetYourGuide on 22 October 2026. Prices are "from" prices in euros and can change; the booking page shows the live price.
Natural History Museum Los Angeles tickets: what they cost
General admission costs $18 for adults on the museum's site. Seniors 62 and up pay $14. Students with a college ID and teens 13 to 17 pay $14. Children 3 to 12 pay $7.
Your ticket covers the main halls. Special exhibitions, the Butterfly and Spider Pavilion and the 3D Theater need add-on tickets. Parking is not included either.
Natural History Museum Los Angeles discount code and free entry
We found no public discount code on the museum's site. But many people can get in free. The museum lists these groups:
Anyone who shows a TAP card at check-in gets $2 off.
- LA County residents, Monday to Friday from 3 to 5 pm (onsite only).
- EBT cardholders with ID, for up to 2 adults and 4 children.
- Active or retired US military with ID.
- California PreK-12 teachers and school staff with ID.
- Children 2 and under, and museum members.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles hours
The museum is open every day from 9:30 am to 5 pm. It closes on the first Tuesday of every month and on some holidays.
Free hours for county residents start at 3 pm, so you get two hours. That is enough for the dinosaurs and gems, but not much more.
Parking at the Natural History Museum Los Angeles
Parking costs $20 at the NHM Car Park, at 3724 Bill Robertson Lane. That lot takes credit cards only.
The Blue Structure at 550 Exposition Park Drive costs $20 before 5 pm and $24 after. It takes exact cash, Mastercard or Visa.
Without a car, take the Metro to Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont station. The museum names both as its closest stops.
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County photos and reviews
The best photos come from the Dinosaur Hall, with its T. rex growth series, and the Gem and Mineral Hall. The GetYourGuide listing also highlights Becoming Los Angeles and the Nature Gardens outside.
On GetYourGuide, the entry ticket is rated 4.6 from 538 reviews.
Is the Natural History Museum LA worth it?
Yes, especially with kids. The dinosaurs and gems can fill a morning. The adult price is also lower than at LACMA, the Academy Museum or the Petersen.
If you love fossils, the La Brea Tar Pits add Ice Age finds. Its museum is closed for rebuilding now, but many outdoor areas stay open. Our Museum Row guide also covers LACMA tickets next door.
Things to do near the Natural History Museum Los Angeles
The museum sits in Exposition Park, next to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The Coliseum hosts USC football games in fall and winter, so check the game schedule before you drive. Parking nearby can be harder on game days.
Tips for the Natural History Museum
Skip the first Tuesday
The museum is closed on the first Tuesday of every month.
Use the free hours if you live here
LA County residents get in free on weekdays from 3 to 5 pm. Bring ID; it is onsite only.
Check what is extra
Special shows, the Butterfly and Spider Pavilion and the 3D Theater cost extra. Add them when you book if you want them.
Bring your TAP card
Showing a TAP card at check-in takes $2 off. The Metro also saves the $20 parking fee.
Watch for game days
USC games at the Coliseum next door can make roads and parking busier. Check the schedule first.
Natural History Museum FAQ
Is the natural history museum los angeles free?
Not for everyone. It is free for LA County residents on weekdays from 3 to 5 pm, and for EBT cardholders, US military, California teachers, kids 2 and under and members. Others pay $18 for an adult.
How much does it cost to go to the natural history museum?
$18 for adults, $14 for seniors and students, $7 for children 3 to 12. Add $20 for parking if you drive. On GetYourGuide, entry starts from €16.
Is Natural History Museum LA worth it?
Yes, for families and fossil fans. The Dinosaur Hall and the Gem and Mineral Hall are the highlights, and the GetYourGuide ticket is rated 4.6 from 538 reviews.
Is Natural History Museum LA free?
Only at certain times or for certain groups. LA County residents get two free hours every weekday, from 3 to 5 pm.
Are museums free for seniors?
Not here: seniors 62 and up pay $14 at the Natural History Museum. They get in free only if they fit a free group, such as LA County residents during free hours.
How to get into LA Zoo for free?
The zoo's Discover & Go program lets Los Angeles Public Library cardholders reserve a free pass for up to four people. Only one pass is offered per City Council district per day, so reserve early.
What's going on in Los Angeles today for free?
We can't list today's events, but some free options run all year. The Natural History Museum is free for LA County residents on weekdays from 3 to 5 pm. LACMA is free for everyone on the second Tuesday of the month. The outdoor tar pits in Hancock Park are free to walk.
More Los Angeles museum tickets with live availability
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Facts checked on 22 October 2026 against: Natural History Museum: plan your visit and prices · Natural History Museum: free hours and admission · Natural History Museum: parking and directions · Natural History Museum: visitor information · Los Angeles Zoo: deals and discounts · LACMA: tickets · La Brea Tar Pits: closure notice.
Written by the Things to Do in Los Angeles editorial team.