Exploring Nature in Hancock Park: The George C. Page Museum & the La Brea Tar Pits

For a day of family fun, try exploring nature in Hancock Park at the George C. Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits. We didn’t head there with the intention of exploring Hancock Park, but that’s what happened. In fact, I visited the museum countless times as a kid, but never knew the outdoor play space was even there.

Our visit started with a look-see around the George C. Page Museum, which houses the largest and most diverse array of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world.

The Big Explorer and his friends spent about an hour checking out bones, watching a short film (which, by the way, might be a bit too scary for young kids), testing their strength at the tar pull and trying to spot turtles and fish in the pond in the museum’s outdoor atrium.

When were finished inside the museum, we ate a picnic lunch atop of one of the many grassy hills beside the main entrance. The kids loved running and rolling down the hills.

After lunch, we thought we’d check out the iconic La Brea Tar Pits before heading home.

We wound up spending at least another hour meandering through the paths and outdoor tar pits that I didn’t even know were there!

From the lake pit, we followed the paths past the museum and soon discovered all kinds of outdoor treasures. There are trees begging to be climbed, a pleistocene garden, tar pits still bubbling up with activity – even a viewing station of a pit being excavated. The museum offers a free Excavator Tour if your kids are interested.

I have since discovered that Hancock Park isn’t just any park – it’s a 23-acre expanse whose highlights include not just the George C. Page Museum and the La Brea Tar Pits, but the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), too.

Tips for Visiting With Kids

• Don’t promise any dinosaur fossils. Many people mistakenly think the Page Museum has dinosaur fossils, when in fact it does not. For dinos, you’ll need to visit the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County.

• Be prepared for some potentially scary exhibits. Not only might the film be a little much for younger kids, but some of the displays are, too (think animals gnawing on each other). Keep a watchful eye and steer accordingly.

• Explore the area outside the museum. There’s a lot to explore, so leave enough time for the kids to roam around to their hearts’ content.

• Bring along a picnic. There are so many great places to sit and take in the view here that you’ve gotta try it!

Planning Essentials

• The museum is open 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day; closed Independence Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day & New Year’s Day
• Museum admission is $12 for adults, $9 for kids 13-17, $5 for kids 3-12; kids under 2 are free; museum admission is free on the first Tuesday of each month, except July and August
• The Museum is free for members – and membership also includes free entrance to the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and the William S. Hart Park and Museum.
• Admission to the Tar Pits is free, Excavator tours are also available with admission
• Museum and park map
• Parking in the museum’s lot is $10 (The Museum’s parking lot is located at the corner of Curson Ave. and 6th St., directly behind the museum. Enter from the western side of Curson Ave.)
• Street parking is also available, but read all posted signs to avoid being ticketed or towed!
• Restrooms available within the Museum, and near the front entrance in the picnic area as well
• Plenty of open, grassy space surrounds the museum, plus there are picnic tables in front of the main entrance
• Museum and surrounding area is stroller friendly

More Helpful Info

• The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits website has information to plan your visit as well as details about current research & collections

• The Page Museum & the La Brea Tar Pits are part of L.A.’s Museum Row, which also includes kid favorites like the Petersen Automotive Museum

• The historic Los Angeles Farmers Market is also close by & a big hit with kids

Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits is located at:
5801 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90036