The museums and cultural institutions in and around Los Angeles may not all be able to welcome families or school field trips in person right now. However, many museums do have digital, family-friendly offerings and Virtual Field Trips, including webcams, virtual tours, videos, and much more. Here is our list of 25+ Museums In and Around Los Angeles with Special Digital Offerings.
25+ Museums in Los Angeles with Virtual Field Trips + Special Digital Offerings
Aquarium of the Pacific – Webcams
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is open for families to explore its outdoor exhibits. If, however, you’re not comfortable venturing out just yet, be sure to check out the Aquarium’s Webcams. It’s a way for your family to visit the exhibits virtually, and get a good look at the Aquarium’s inhabitants without worrying about someone blocking your view. You can view Penguins above water and below water, enjoy the Moon Jellies, view Shark Lagoon, view Coral Predators, and more.
Automobile Driving Museum
610 Lairport St., El Segundo, CA 90245
If your family has visited the Automobile Driving Museum before, then you already know it’s a fun place to explore. And if you haven’t yet had the chance to visit, now’s a great time to take advantage of their virtual tour. It’ll get you excited about planning an in-person visit as soon as the museum re-opens.
Autry Museum of the American West
4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
“Autry Online” is the Autry Museum’s way of “bringing all the stories of the American West to you.” You’ll find videos, educational resources, films, collection spotlights, and much more.
Battleship IOWA Museum
250 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, CA 90731
Though Battleship IOWA is currently open for outdoor tours, you can also view this historic warship. Check the website to access the virtual tour, check out the artifact gallery, listen to oral history testimonies, and much more.
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
3720 Stephen M. White Dr., San Pedro, CA 90731
While the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium is closed, take advantage of the many virtual activities you’ll find online. You can access arts and crafts, videos, and a variety of learn-from-home activities all centered around different themes including “Whales,” “Earth Week,” “Animals of the Sandy Beach,” and more.
California Science Center
Exposition Park
700 Exposition Park Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90037
The California Science Center remains closed, but that doesn’t mean science learning has to stop. On the Science Center’s website, you’ll find many resources including “Stuck at Home” science experiments using common household items, a variety of videos including interviews with astronauts, a virtual tour of space shuttle Endeavour, and more.
Cayton Children’s Museum
Santa Monica Place
395 Santa Monica Pl., Santa Monica, CA 90401
During these stay-at-home times, the Cayton Children’s Museum has put together a special program called “Cayton Recess.” Families will find opportunities for “music, storytime, art making, reflection, and more.”
Children’s Museum at LaHabra
301 S. Euclid St., La Habra, CA 90631
The Children’s Museum is now sharing digital content for families. Have fun exploring the options with learning opportunities in science, engineering, art, storytelling, math, and more.
Descanso Gardens
1418 Descanso Dr., La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Descanso Gardens is open and welcoming families to visit. However, if you’d rather, families can still explore the Gardens from the comfort of home. Watch videos that make you feel as if you’re right there, strolling through the Gardens. You’ll also find access to coloring pages as well as suggestions for ways to explore your own backyard and neighborhood.
Discovery Cube Los Angeles
11800 Foothill Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 91342
The Discovery Cube may be closed, but you can enjoy Discovery Cube Connect at home! Families have access to “high quality, hands-on programs and activities to explore at home.” Content is organized by subject and grade level and is designed to bring the “best of Discovery Cube learning into the home.”
Related: The Importance of Field Trips
The Getty Center
1200 Getty Center Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90049
On The Getty Center’s website, you’ll find many resources and activities available to you. You can access The Getty’s podcasts, online collection, a virtual library (with hundreds of books), and much more.
GRAMMY Museum
800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90015
You’ll find lots to look at and listen to on the Grammy Museum’s website. Families can access the museum’s exhibitions, mini-lessons, conversations with recording artists, and much more.
Hammer Museum
10899 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90024
There is much to see and listen to on the Hammer Museum’s website. Families can watch and listen to interviews, conversations, performances, and more. Additionally, you can access the museum’s digital archives, learn about the artists, and more.
Kidspace Children’s Museum
480 N. Arroyo Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91103
Kidspace Children’s Museum invites families to take advantage of Kidspace-at-Home. You’ll find “Kidspace curated programming and resources” and hands-on learning experiences to keep your children curious, engaged, and learning.
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Both the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum and the Natural History Museum is ready to welcome families virtually through NHMLAC Connects Program. “Think physically distancing with dinosaurs and mammoths, and connecting with nature and community science right outside your own door.” Find things to do at home, opportunities to connect with scientists, and much more.
Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden
301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia, CA 91007
While families may now visit the Los Angeles County Arboretum in person, virtual visits are also a possibility. “From Our Garden to Your Home” allows you to browse The Arboretum’s e-books and online art exhibits, engage with fun at-home nature adventures, and explore The Arboretum’s beauty through a variety of videos.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
Los Angeles County Museum of Art’s website offers families lots of resources to explore while the museum is closed. Families can watch short films, documentaries, and exhibition walkthroughs; access lectures, online courses, and teaching resources; listen to live recordings; and browse pieces from the permanent collection.
Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust
Pan Pacific Park
100 S. Grove Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust offers “Museum@Home.” Families can access the museum’s digital archive, videos of live-streamed programs, listen and watch Holocaust survivor testimonies and films, and more.
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach, CA 90802
The Museum of Latin American Art invites families to its explore its online offerings, MOLAA En Casa. View online exhibitions, enjoy a walkthrough of the Museum’s grounds, listen to specially-curated playlists, and much more.
Natural History Museum
Exposition Park
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007
Both the LaBrea Tar Pits and Museum and the Natural History Museum is ready to welcome families virtually through NHMLAC Connects Program. “Think physically distancing with dinosaurs and mammoths, and connecting with nature and community science right outside your own door.” Find things to do at home, opportunities to connect with scientists, and much more.
Norton Simon Museum
411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105
The Norton Simon Museum encourages families to “Museum from Home.” Among the Museum’s online resources, you’ll find art-making activities, educational resources, Meditative Moments (short mindfulness exercises), and much more.
Pacific Asia Museum
46 N. Los Robles Ave., Pasadena, CA 91101
“PAM@Home” is the Pacific Asia Museum’s digital offerings program. Each day of the week has a different theme, such as Mindfulness on Wednesdays and Kids on Fridays. You’ll find a variety of events and programs available on this “free and accessible virtual museum care package specially curated by USC PAM staff to help you, our community, navigate these uncertain times and provide reprieve for us all.”
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Petersen Automotive Museum is all set up for families to explore digitally. This family-favorite car museum offers many resources on its website. Find fun building activities, coloring pages, online programs, live-streamed vault tours, and more.
Pretend City Children’s Museum
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA 92618
Pretend City Children’s Museum has a special program for these digital times, called “Play@Home.” These videos allow families to “continue supporting healthy child development at home.” Videos include story times, art activities, science experiments, and more.
Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum
18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
If you haven’t yet been to the Richard Nixon Presidential Library and Museum, take this chance to enjoy a virtual museum tour. Families can view the Oval Office, Nixon’s birthplace, the gardens, and more. And then make plans to visit once the museum re-opens.
Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum
40 Presidential Dr., Simi Valley, CA 93065
While an in-person visit to the Reagan Library and Museum isn’t possible, virtual ones are! Find videos online highlighting the Museum’s collection including one video narrated by actor Gary Sinise.
Skirball Cultural Center
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90049
Head over to the Skirball Cultural Center’s website to check out the offerings on their “Skirball at Home” page, “a virtual place of meeting where we can continue to stay in community while the Skirball campus remains closed.” Enjoy virtual talks, art activities, artist question and answer sessions, online classes, and more.
Wendy Kennar is a mother, writer, and former teacher who has lived her entire life in the same Los Angeles zip code. You can read more from Wendy at her website WendyKennar.com where she writes about books, boys, and bodies (living with an invisible disability).
