L.A. Post Cruise activity?

[Coral916]

Hi we are back from the Pride on 2/25 and have a car for the day. Our flight does not leave LAX ubtil 9:30 pm... Wanted to do something from around 11am till 6 pm, then head to the airport. Not enough time for disney, not thrilled with shopping, lunch won't take up enough time. Thought about looking for a museum, you know...with dino skeletons, science etc... we have a 4 yr old & a 14 yr old. Any suggestions?

[Curt Jerome Wild]

Lots of good options for you...

Check out the websites, and what the exhibits are that are open or closed, and if there are any special activites on the weekends...

I would check them all out, talk to your kids, and see what they'd be most interested in...

All are good for different ways...

Natural History Museum

http://www.nhm.org/

Dinosaurs and such, but I think they're remodeling, so check out the schedules of what is available...

La Brea Tarpits

http://www.tarpits.org/

Actual current active and being excavated Tar Pits.

Again, check the website for specifics...

California Science Center

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org/

They're having this cool Star Wars interactive exhibit coming up that I think is going to be up and running when you are here.

Again, check out the website for specifics...

Aquarium of The Pacific

http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/

Best place, if they're really into Marine Biology, sharks, etc.

Anyway, check them out, they're all good for both of your kids ages, as long as you make sure (especially the 14 year old) is actually interested in the specfic exhibits first.

The top three on this list are also probably close enough that you could do a few hours at two out of the three.

(They're about 20 minutes to 30 minutes apart, or less, especially on a Sunday - and they are probably about 30 to 40 minutes from the airport).

Hope this helps.

Please let us know what you decide, and please don't forget to give us a review when you get back...

CJW

Oh PS another option for you to check out is:

http://www.santamonicapier.org/

Just in case, there is a small but cool aquarium exhibit there...

[Cruisin' Chick]

Hi we are back from the Pride on 2/25 and have a car for the day. Our flight does not leave LAX ubtil 9:30 pm... Wanted to do something from around 11am till 6 pm, then head to the airport. Not enough time for disney, not thrilled with shopping, lunch won't take up enough time. Thought about looking for a museum, you know...with dino skeletons, science etc... we have a 4 yr old & a 14 yr old. Any suggestions?

 

If you don't mind the cost, try the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach (you can get a discount with an Auto Club card). We went with our 9 year old in August for the first time and we all enjoyed it. Just be aware that you need to allow time for the drive to LAX, car return, security lines, etc.

[mongo59r]

I really enjoyed the the aquarium on my last visit to Long Beach. Not far from there you also have the Long Beach Museum of Art (http://www.lbma.org/ )and the Museum of Latin American Art. (http://www.molaa.org/molaa_at_a_glance.html )

Additionally, if you would like try a real "locals" Diner for lunch there is the Long Beach Cafe at 615 E Ocean Blvd.

[Cuizer2]

CJW covered the museums for you. The Aquarium of the Pacific is also a good choice (see the photo below). However, I'm going to offer one more suggestion. The Top of Five at the Boniventure Hotel in downtown Los Angeles. My suggestion is to go there just before sunset for drinks (it is a family lounge, so you can bring the kids - I have several times). So, what is so great about it? The bar/lounge (which is just below the restaurant) turns. It turns a full 360 degrees about once per hour. It is very relaxing and the kids love it. All drinks can be ordered virgin. The price of the drink depends on the glass you order it in. You can request a souvenir glass that you can take home.

 

The Aquarium of the Pacific is in the photo below ...

 

[Cruisin' Chick]

One area to stay far away from on 2/25 is Hollywood. It will be limo (and hybrid car, hopefully) city because of the Oscar ceremonies at the Kodak.

[Coral916]

Thanks for all the replies....we are probably going to do the museums. We're from Monterey so the aquarium doesn't interest us too much, we've been to the Monterey Bay Aquarium soooo many times.

 

Especially thanks for the info on the oscars, we will definetly stay away from there!!!