Interested in a Fun and Inexpensive Day Trip with lots of cultural experiences to enjoy?? Head up to Los Angeles - Exposition Park!
Fun and Cheap DAY - Exposition Park
Exposition Park is really one of my favorite places in Southern California. It is located in Los Angeles (next to the Colliseum) and has enough to do to keep you, and your little ones, busy for entire day!
Attractions (please note that parking is $8)
• California African American Museum (Free - Donations appreciated) - http://www.caamuseum.org/
Our family really enjoyed the "How We Roll" exhibit at the African American museum. It was fun to see the black influence in the world of rollerskating and skateboarding.
They also, currently, have a beautiful exhibit from the artwork of John T Scott. Martin really enjoys art, and had plenty of questions about each piece on exhibit.
Their permanent exhibit does cover more mature subject matter, such as slavery. Martin and I walked through it and found it to be a very good conversation starter on the subject of right and wrong as well as how we treat other human beings. However, if you would like to avoid that subject matter, I suggest you still go to this museum, but avoid that particular exhibit. All of the exhibits are in separate rooms, so that is very easy to do.
The staff was incredibly friendly and interested in telling us more about the museum and upcoming events.
• California Science Center (Free - Donations appreciated) - http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/MainPage.php
The California Science Center puts any other science museum to shame. It is HUGE and is completely hands on! They even have two special play areas for crawlers and young children that are interactive and age appropriate.
There are a few things at the museum that you are charged for. Martin and I did the ride simulator which sent us on an underwater voyage to the black hole... it was expensive and a terrible waste of money!
Other than that, I have absolutely nothing but wonderful things to say about the museum.
Martin (4 yrs old) particularly enjoyed Tess, the Giant Robot. Malcolm (14 yrs old) enjoyed auto section where you get to see the inner workings of cars and find out how they use fuel.
We've been during the week and on the weekend and found that the museum, and Exposition Park, is so big that the crowd was very manageable.
• Exposition Park Rose Garden (Free - Closed from January to March for annual maintenance)
This is a fun place to take a few pictures (for professional photos, there is a licensing fee required). Martin and I went around and read all the fun names for the different types of roses (Hocus Pocus roses, anyone??)
• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (under $10 - children under 4 are free)
This museum is interactive, but probably best suited for children that are Elementary School age or older.
Don't have a lot of time, the Natural History Museum offers this great one hour guide to the museum on their website http://www.nhm.org/site/plan-your-visit/only-an-hour. Perfect if you are trying to get to everything at Exposition Park, in just one day.
• Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum (Admission only for events)
It's not free or cheap, but going to a USC Trojan game at the Coliseum is an experience that is not to be missed! Even if you are not a football fan, you will find something there to enjoy (please note that this is much more of an older teenager/adult event due to the college atmosphere).
Tailgaiting at it's finest, activities all around the Coliseum and my personal favorite, the USC Trojan Marching Band! I've never seen anything like it (outside of the movie Drumline) and it was well worth the price of admission!
• Los Angeles Sports Arena (under redevelopment)
Have your own tips for visiting Exposition Park in Los Angeles? Please comment below!
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