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California's Exposition Park is a 160-acre urban park and educational center that's home to some of the world's finest museums, sports facilities, and entertainment venues. Math, technology, culture, and art are all on full display in this unique spot that serves as one of the defining features of Los Angeles. However, showing up without a plan for what you want to see first can make the trip feel a little overwhelming. Use this quick guide to Exposition Park museums to plan your visit!
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Founded in 1983, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is one of the country's largest natural and historical museums. Its world-class collections boast nearly 35 million artifacts and pieces spanning 4.5 billion years of natural history. The most notable feature of the museum is a three-floor section of permanent exhibits devoted to dinosaurs, animal habitats, and ancient cultures. The museum also has celebrated mineralogy and paleontology areas. There's also a strong local connection. Specimens found in the museum's paleontology section were retrieved from the nearby La Brea Tar Pits.
California Science Center
Known for being the largest interactive science center on the West Coast, the California Science Center offers the ultimate high-tech experience that unites innovation's past, present, and future. Most people know this museum for being the home of NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour. Guests will also find other spacecraft, motion simulators, a climbing wall, and an IMAX theater. Rotating exhibits cover exciting topics that include things like the science behind fear, the world of fire safety, and the legacy of Leonardo Da Vinci.
California African American Museum
Since 1981, the California African American Museum (CAAM) has focused on spotlighting African Americans' cultural heritage and history with an emphasis on California. This is one of the only free Exposition Park museums. While exploring this 44,000-square-foot museum, guests can browse three exhibition galleries, a massive sculpture court, archives, a theater gallery, and a research library. CAAM’s permanent collection includes more than 5,000 paintings, photographs, films, documents, sculptures, artifacts, and other objects dating from the 1800s to today.
Lucas Museum of Narrative Art
If you've ever wished walls could talk, this museum is for you! With a highly anticipated grand opening set for 2025, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art will be home to visual storytelling in the forms of painting, illustrations, photography, sculpture, comic books, and performance. As you may have guessed by the name, the museum is the passion project of filmmaker George Lucas.
Other Activities
While the anchor Exposition Park museums could easily take up a full day, there are also some other gems to visit. The good news is that most are free to visit. Here's a look at four bonus places to see when you come to Exposition Park.
Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum
The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is a beloved stadium in the Exposition Park neighborhood. Built-in 1923 to honor the city's World War I veterans, it is best known today as the home of the University of Southern California football team.
Expo Center
This is where L.A. works out! The Los Angeles Expo Center contains a professional pool, a recreation pool, and a recreation center with two gyms. The center's exterior features a world-class sports field.
Rose Garden
The Exposition Park Rose Garden, located at 701 State Drive in Los Angeles, is a 7-acre garden nestled inside Exposition Park. Even some locals don't know this gorgeous space exists! The park is open to the public daily from 8:30 a.m. to dusk.
BMO Stadium
Formerly known as Banc of California Stadium, BMO Stadium is the official Major League Soccer stadium of Los Angeles. In addition to holding matches, BMO is also a major concert venue. Check for any big-world tours while you're in town!
Experience Worlds Within Worlds at Exposition Park in Los Angeles
Exposition Park is a place that gives you a quintessential education in "all things Los Angeles." If you want your L.A. education to go a little deeper, you have to hang out at the spot where all Angelenos go for leisure, shopping, dining, and entertainment. Of course, that can only mean the Grove Hollywood.
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