Family-Friendly Activities

Cool off with time at our rooftop pool, a shady oasis for relaxing all afternoon long — stay awhile and relax, order poolside snacks from our restaurant Cara Cara, and soak in the sky-high, stunning views of the LA skyline.

Explore rare ecosystems, peer into a microscope, and step into the West’s only space shuttle at the world-class Science Center, which offers a hands-on, education-rich plunge into the exciting world of science. Located in the heart of LA in historic Exposition Park, the Science Center is open seven days a week with free general admission.

Home to nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts spanning 4.5 billion years of history, LA’s Natural History Museum is one of the city’s oldest cultural institutions and the largest natural and historical museum in the western United States. With both rotating and permanent exhibitions (including a legendary Dino Hall!), there’s something for everyone at this ever-expanding museum.

Head to nearby Echo Park Lake for an immersive excursion — originally used as a drinking water reservoir and later as a recreational park, today Echo Park Lake is home to rentable pedal boats (including a swan boat!), a walking path, and views of the Downtown skyline tucked between fountains and blooming lotus flowers.

Plan an outdoor adventure to Griffith Park, a diverse, sprawling East LA park offering a mix of native chaparral, winding trails, and wilderness caves that will make you forget you’re in the heart of the city. While you’re there, look out from the iconic Griffith Observatory; relax with a picnic in the shady Fern Dell; catch a performance at the Greek Theatre; or visit Walt’s Barn, a transplanted barn where Walt Disney once built model trains.

Discover 12 acres of public green space in the center of Downtown LA at Grand Park, which offers plenty of space to picnic, people-watch, cool off in a fountain-lined splash pad, or catch a performance as part of their ongoing calendar of free community programming.

Experience a gem in LA’s history while taking in unparalleled views of the city at this century-old “rollercoaster,” a two-tiered, slow railway ride that takes you from Grand Street up to the Water Court (and back down again) for $1 each way.

One of the most popular tourist destinations in LA, take a wander around Olvera Street’s colorful Mexican marketplace, which since 1930 has been home to a range of endless shops, eateries, toy and souvenir stands, and as well as hosting numerous traditional events through the year, including lively festivals for Cinco de Mayo, Dia de los Muertos, and Fiestas Patrias.