La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is a unique and otherworldly destination located in the heart of Los Angeles. The museum is home to a collection of natural asphalt seeps, which have been bubbling up from the ground for tens of thousands of years and preserving the bones of animals that have become extinct.

Visitors to the museum can explore the various tar pits and watch ongoing excavation work uncovering more prehistoric fossils. The museum also houses an extensive collection of fossils and artifacts, including the skeletons of giant sloths, saber-toothed tigers, mammoths, and other prehistoric creatures.

Interactive exhibits and displays bring the prehistoric past to life, letting visitors see and touch real fossils and learn about the fascinating natural history of the area. The museum also offers guided tours and educational programs throughout the year. It is a great destination for families, school groups, and anyone interested in the wonders of the natural world.

Things to do at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum:

Visit the grounds of the La Brea Tar Pits:

The Lake Pit, featuring the iconic statues of a Mammoth family, is a must-see. Visitors can also explore current and former dig sites and the Pleistocene Garden, which showcases Ice Age plants.

The Lake Pit, the most renowned feature of the La Brea Tar Pits, shows the iconic Mammoth family statues standing on the brink of the pit. Kids will enjoy running up and down the giant hill built around the museum.

3D shows at the George C. Page Museum:

George C. Page Museum is focused on researching the La Brea Tar Pits and showcasing fossils of the animals that were trapped there. The tar pits themselves are a registered National Natural Landmark.

The Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits offers two shows, Ice Age Encounters and Titans of the Ice Age 3D, which delve into the history of the Tar Pits and the artifacts found within. Ice Age Encounters features film clips, live narration, and a life-size adult Saber-toothed Cat puppet, while Titans of the Ice Age 3D showcases the last ice age and the mammoths that roamed the area. These shows are available for an extra cost but are highly recommended.

Get blown away by the intricate work at Fossil Lab:

The Fossil Lab allows visitors to observe paleontologists as they clean and prepare Ice Age fossils for research and display. The lab is a windowed space that provides an opportunity for visitors to see how fossils are carefully handled and preserved.