Things to do in Orange County- Top 5 Museums to Visit in The Los Angeles Area

As businesses are slowly starting to open back up again, we’re probably all excited to get together a list of things to do in Orange County to celebrate! However, one thing you should definitely add to your agenda is to check out all of Los Angeles’ amazing museums. Don’t know where to start? Here’s a list of 5 of the most popular museums the Orange County area has to offer, ranging from art, science, history, and more!

Also, it’s important to note that during these times, museums are operating differently. In order to prioritize safety, some parts of the following museums may be closed until further notice and require guests to reserve time slots for entry. For more information about how COVID precautions are affecting your favorite museum, make sure you check out their website before grabbing your tickets!  

1) Petersen Automotive Museum 

This Los Angeles automotive history museum is an amazing spot for all car fans. With over 200 different cars on display, you’ll get lost in a glamorous world full of fascinating vintage cars, high-tech supercars, speedy race cars, and famous vehicles you’ll probably recognize from some of Hollywood’s most notable celebrities, films, and shows, and much more. Not to mention, this museum also offers tons of educational and interesting automotive history and car production through self-guided tours and activities. Tickets can be purchased here. 

2) Natural History Museum 

If science is your favorite subject, the Natural History Museum is perfect for you! Los Angeles’ NHM holds massive collections over several interesting permanent and seasonal exhibits. Among their ongoing exhibits includes Age of Mammals, the Nature Gardens, Gem and Mineral Hall, Dinosaur Hall, and more. However, if you visit now, you’ll also get to experience their special temporary exhibits, such as the Butterfly Pavilion, Rise Up L.A.: A Century of Votes For Women, and Spiky, Hairy, Shiny: Insects of L.A. To read more about their exhibits and ticket prices, check out their website. 

3) Los Angeles County Museum of Art 

Looking for a classic art museum? LACMA is the way to go! From traditional works of art to more modern styles, LACMA is famous for hosting an impressive collection that ranges in style, mediums, and time periods. Before you visit, you should know that some of LACMA’s buildings are closed for redesigning and won’t open back up until 2024. However, you’ll still be able to enjoy plenty of beautiful works of art, including a photography section by various artists and an exhibit dedicated to Yoshitomo Nara, one of Japan’s most notable artists. You can get a full view of their current exhibits open to the public here. 

4) California Science Center

This Los Angeles science museum is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with your family, especially because it has many aspects to it that are specially geared towards children. All sorts of interesting permanent exhibits call CSC home, like ecosystem exhibits that showcase tons of live animals and fun activities, and a look into NASA’s greatest achievements with air and space exhibits. There’s even an IMAX theatre that shows different educational science movies every day! Like most museums, CSC also has special temporary exhibits. Right now, you can catch a special display of the world’s largest collection of Lego sculptures, an informational exhibit all about COVID-19, and a look at the gigantic space shuttle Endeavour. Make your reservations for this exciting museum here. 

5) The Huntington Library, Art Museum, And Botanical Gardens 

While most of the indoor spaces of this Huntington museum are still closed, the botanical gardens have officially opened back up! These gardens are nothing short of breathtaking as they encompass 130 acres with thousands of different plants. Here, you’ll get lost among their dozen of beautifully themed gardens, including a lily pond, a rose garden, a Japanese garden, a jungle garden, and much more. It truly is a beautiful spot to enjoy a warm spring afternoon with your family, especially if you prefer to do things in Orange County that are out in nature compared to a day indoors. Head over to their website to learn about their reservation and ticket policy. 

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