This place is huge and has so much to do. I'd plan for it to be an all day event. It's also clean…read moreand has multiples of each activities so that it eliminates or shortens the wait. There is a cool little touch the marine animal spot. The Scooby Doo exhibit is temporary but also super cool. We also enjoyed the ocean exhibit on the top floor. There is also a cafeteria area if you need a break and something for the belly. Everyone I encountered was friendly and helpful. My only issue was that this place was probably more suitable for older kids (my kids are 1 and 4), but that just means we're not their targeted audience. Not fault of theirs.

My family and I had a great time at the Discovery Cube. We did not get to explore the entire place,…read morewe mainly went for the Mickey Mouse The Exhibit. My son loved all the play areas. The exhibit was so much fun all the stations were so fun and unique. Crowd: The crowd was not so big, so it was perfect for my son to enjoy all the stations. Transportation: The parking is free so that is a plus.

Train fan through marriage (!), lifelong Disney nut…read more Finally made it here. Beautifully laid out with wonderful volunteers whose love of Walt and his trains shine through. Bonus: got to meet artist Gavin Freitas as he was on site and we bought one of his pieces!!!

Calling all #Disney fans this is a hidden gem in #griffithpark #LA…read more Parking - 5/5 free lot Cost - free +$4 trainride Time spent - 30 min to 1.5 hrs depending on how into Disney history or mini trains you are. Plan ahead - only open 3rd Sunday of the month. I loved being in the Barn and imagining the energy and inspiration that led to the magical Disney parks today.

My daughter had a blast at Cayton Children's museum!!! We have been here many times and each time…read moreis better than the last. We will definitely be back in the future.

I rarely leave reviews, but this experience left our family extremely disappointed…read more We were visiting the children's museum, when my husband, who is a Santa Monica police officer and assigned to the area, stopped by to say hello while actively on duty and in full uniform. He entered the museum without issue, and staff allowed him inside. At no point was any "no weapons" policy explained to him. While there, the interaction between my husband and the children was honestly so heartwarming. Kids flocked to him, excited to meet a real police officer. He handed out stickers, took photos with children who asked, and created such a positive, sweet moment for families and kids. It was one of those genuinely special interactions that helps children feel safe and build positive relationships with law enforcement. Unfortunately, that moment was completely ruined when a manager approached and told him he had to leave because he was carrying his service weapon, despite being an on-duty officer in full uniform. Had this policy been clearly communicated at entry, that would have been one thing. Instead, he was allowed in, warmly engaging with families and children, only to be asked to leave afterward in a way that felt unnecessary and upsetting. I respect that businesses can have policies, but the inconsistency and lack of communication were disappointing. More than anything, it was sad to see such a positive interaction for children abruptly cut short. Experiences like these matter because children benefit from positive relationships with the people who serve their communities, whether that's police officers, firefighters, mail carriers, or other public servants. Those everyday interactions help kids feel connected, safe, and familiar with the people they see in their neighborhoods. What should have been a lovely memory and a meaningful community moment for my kids turned into an uncomfortable and disappointing experience for our family.

Wonderful! And it's FREE! Honestly, there is so much to do here that I don't understand how they…read moremanage to offer all of this without an admission fee. There are tons of interactive exhibits, so this isn't one of those museums where you just walk around reading plaques. You can actually touch things, experiment, play, and learn as you go. Even before you enter, there's an outdoor truck you can lift using a rope and a top-down handle that lets you test torque and mechanical advantage. It's such a simple way to demonstrate the physics behind lifting something that heavy, and obviously I had to try it. One of my favorite parts was the sea life area. They have an interactive exhibit where you can actually touch some of the animals, and there was a surprising diversity of species. I also loved that they have waves running through the habitats. You can tell they put real thought into the animals' wellbeing too. There are signs reminding visitors to let the animals rest, which I really appreciated. There's also a really interesting section about California's different environments and ecosystems, plus a whole wildfire section on the top floor. Lots of focus on biodiversity, with smaller interactive tables throughout where you can learn by actually doing things. The staff were incredibly kind and friendly too, which made the whole experience even better. The location is beautiful. The bottom floor has a cafeteria where you can eat your packed lunch, and you're right next to the Rose Garden. There's also a parking lot nearby, so it's pretty convenient. Honestly, this is such a fun museum whether you're bringing kids or you're just a giant child like me who wants to test the physics of lifting a truck. FREE, interactive, educational, beautiful, and genuinely fun. Absolutely a must-see in LA.

This place has changed so much the last time I came more than a decade ago!…read more I wanted to bring my son to experience the wonders of science and since o only had to pay for parking, that's not a bad deal. However, I forgot it's next to a stadium so there's cars going into the parking lots and it's confusing when you see a $60 parking sign but luckily museum parking is not the same. The place definitely changed, it seems so much darker, simplistic, and less colorful than I remembered. We didn't purchase any of the specific exhibits so we only went to the free pertinent exhibits which we went through within an hour! I had to slow my son down and because it's so crowded he didn't want to wait in line to look or try anything. I was able to get him to watch some videos playing around the life cycle exhibit, and then he got hungry so we went to the first floor food court. I know it says no food or drinks in the exhibits but I saw a lot of people snacking and drinking in the area, I don't think staff realized because it was so crowded. At the food court, they had a variety of stalls and we went straight to the burgers and pizza, we ordered a pizza and chili fries which my son ate mostly pizza and the snacks i brought. Thy also had a mini market convenience stall which sold snacks as well and a cafe which had ice cream and coffee. I think this place is decent, I can see some of the old things left behind like condiments station and furniture set to the side, so I think they are always revamping the pla

For those who may not know, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, is free from 3 to 5 p.m…read more maybe only on weekdays but maybe weekends too. I am not sure, but most of the information is right, if one is compelled they can fact-broaden my statement. I went to take advantage of this offer but it was June 19th and in honor of the holiday everyone got in for free on this day. But apparently it was a last minute decision. So poor reporting seems to be more like offering information as it comes, not in a malicious way, or incompetent way, more in like the town crier gives what he knows in excitement and it is the responsibility of hearers to know what to do with the information, including vetting it responsibly or accepting it as a gift when given by surprise, even though it could have come in handy earlier. So I entered and I made a beeline to the Butterfly Pavillion. I think it was 12 dollars and worth every single cent. And I write that as a full-blown understatement because exaggeration did not seem the way to go. Like saying this place was worth more than 12 dollars, it was worth the weight of a camel's back in gold. The experience was beautiful. And that statement can be easily understood. I mean butterfly garden + momentary visit= beautiful. But more than that it was a type of beautiful that I had not experience before. It was a new facet of nature's beauty that I experienced. Mostly because I had never interacted with butterflies in this way. For instance, there was a butterfly with wings that were a strong bold blue, almost neon, and for sure, vibrant. Like a royal blue not because it was that shade but because amongst blues it would have palatial lineage in its shade. We were warned that butterflies might be on the ground. And on two experiences two were. The first I encountered was not flying. And the younger members of the experience made sure to announce the butterflies presence and its vulnerability. I feel like sometime in this place's history a butterfly did get stepped on. And for no other reason, than the natural happens. In the second occasion, a butterfly was trying to fly or stand still and could not because the winds made it topple. During that moment a butterfly apparently landed on my back. Man people, if not all, wonder if a butterfly will land on them? And what it would mean? I mean, it could be good news. Saying that a butterfly landing on a person is an omen of disaster does quite fit the visual of the insect and what horror brings. A butterfly did land on my wrist and of course one can't help but feel special. Like, the butterfly chose me and its trying to communicate something. Something important that the universe wants me to hear. What exactly that is? I am not sure. I need to reflect on that later or I will know when the butterfly effects comes clearer in time.

We had a pretty fun experience at the Natural History Museum with our 3 year old toddlers! We only…read morewent through the lower ground and first floor because we didn't think the second floor would be as appealing for them. Overall, it was a fun experience and a nice place to explore with little ones. I'd definitely recommend it if you're looking for something different to do with young kids. I would avoid the dinosaur show at all cost. It was not worth it not one bit! I also don't think a membership is worth it. This was kind of like a one year kind of experience in my opinion.

Oh my goodness... there is SO much to say about this place! First off, every single person who…read moreworks here is incredibly hardworking and truly curates such an amazing experience to make it so special--not only for the kids, but for us parents, too! I definitely wasn't expecting a slime museum to be as incredible of experience as it was for both my son and me! We had the BEST time, and I honestly couldn't believe we were able to spend over two hours there. It was absolutely worth the money and such a fun time! And I have to give a special shoutout to Bailee, who is truly a walking ray of sunshine! She went above and beyond and made our experience even more special. I HIGHLY recommend this place--you will not be disappointed! We will absolutely be back!

The staff were fun, friendly, and enthusiastic, which made the experience enjoyable. The location…read morewas easy to get to, and there was a great variety of slime options to choose from. The highlight was creating your own slime by selecting the color, fragrance, and charms. My only concern was the value for the price. I wish there had been more rooms or activity stations, as the entire visit can be completed in about an hour, which felt a bit too short for what we paid. The slime dump was an additional cost.

What an amazing space! Free parking and free admission on Thursdays. I can only speak on behalf of…read morethe kid areas since I brought a 3 yo and she loved the Noah's Ark, outdoor garden, and story time. Noah's Ark is so unique, safe and has a variety of fun toys and very interactive space for little ones. You can do walk ins if you arrive early but rsvp for a time slot is recommended. Lots of very nice and involved people who worked there. 10/10 stars for the customer service! We arrived like 5 minutes prior to opening and the parking garage was almost full. There is parking available on the lot across the street.

What a lovely museum! We came here to play at the Noah's Ark area with our toddler and he had an…read moreabsolute blast! The entry is timed and you get a sticker denoting your 90 minute slot! There's a ton of interactive toys to play with. And plenty of hand sanitizer, wipes, and a bathroom nearby. we visited the comic book exhibit afterwards and had a wonderful time. We spent about 2-2.5 hours here with our toddler. Parking is free! It was easy to access the museum from their lots.

Came here for 818 day. It was my first time here…read more Really cool bands playing. They had some food vendors and some really cool booths. The museum itself is really cool. Lots of neon signs and memorabilia. It's a cool place to visit.

Once a valley girl, now a valley relic, I feel like I fit right in! It was fun to wander through…read morethe museum looking at the old photographs, neon signs and memorabilia all related to the SF Valley. Many of the displays brought back memories, but I learned some things, too.

This is probably the most unique place I've ever visited in Southern California. Three of our…read moredocents were actual workers on the castle, so we got an inside view of its origins. I'll never forget the experience and highly recommend that you make it a priority to visit. When a person has a vision and spends 25 years fulfilling it with hundreds of friends and neighbors, you have a masterpiece! Go as soon as you can!

I cannot say enough wonderful things about our experience here at Rubel Castle. Our host, guide,…read moreand local "Rubelligent" volunteer, Ms. Kathleen had all the intel about this historical property. She was so knowledgeable and helped set the stage for us to slip into a forgotten era and get a glimpse of how imagination met inventiveness with a DIY charm. ~ A LITTLE BACKSTORY FOR YOU ~ It's not pronounced Rubel as Barney from Flintstones. Rather, it's like Target is to Targét when we are trying to be fancy. So that's Rubel as in "Roo-bell." Unlike modern-day construction, Rubel Castle wasn't built overnight. It was made of collected recyclables and construction rubble that spanned many decades and took several friends and volunteers to build it. For Michael, however, the lifetime inspiration was first sparked at the age of 9. His love for canons was where it started and the rest is history you can hear about on the tour. But don't just show up like we did randomly one day. To book, visit RubelTours.org and make a reservation. ~ OUR TOUR EXPERIENCE ~ It's as if Michael Rubel, the creator and mastermind of this enchanted dominion had intended it to be--magical. Built in the castle period of wood and tin, every corner captured our interests, from antique cars to the 1890's Seth Thomas Tower Clock with a unique backstory (and only six in existence today). There were old vending machines, tools, trinkets, and machinery that time had long forgotten. Did I mention there was a drawbridge? Yes, and a dungeon too. I was just waiting for a dragon to come swoop down on us next. Walk in the footsteps of famous visitors like Alfred Hitchcock, Dwight Eisenhower, Jack Benny, and Bob Hope. It's a feast for the eyes no matter where you glance. I particularly enjoyed the bottle house that Michael built in 1968 as his "home" as a kid. That independent spirit was quite charming to see. ~ WATERCOLOR NATURESCAPE ~ We were fortunate to have our gracious host lead us on a tour and organize a special art crafting experience outdoors. It was absolutely lovely beneath the trees and between rusted vintage cars from the turn of the century. We each got a small canvas to paint our flowers in watercolor. (This particular experience takes place in the Spring and Fall, weather permitting.) We heard the squirrels rattling in the leaves and birds chirped and sang in the trees above. We discovered that peacocks apparently originated from this property, compliments of Michael Rubel. And did I mention that on the far side of the property, a custom garden was in full bloom? BOOK A TOUR Help support the Glendora Historical Society and keep this magnificently unique city-castle maintained. It's worth it.

Needed a last minute outing to keep the kids busy so naturally, I googled my options. This…read morelocation was pretty convenient so off we went. Tickets were pretty easy to purchase online. I thought it was a timed entry but it is not...or it wasn't when we went. I followed the parking sign on the wall which led me to a lot just a little north of the museum. It was $20 to park there. Had I had more time to plan, I may have parked somewhere else as I felt that was a bit steep. I'm assuming metered parking would be hard to find in that location as it is in the heart of Hollywood. I thought it would be similar to the Museum of Illusions in New York, but rather than a museum feel, this was purely just photo ops. You can rent tripods at the front for $10. They also provide free lockers for your bags and stuff- which I would highly recommend. I didn't take up the offer in the beginning but soon realized that was a better option. I would also like to highly recommend and thank Tim! He showed us the ropes of how to take photos and he took some photos for us. He was friendly, professional and patient with my two young kids. He definitely knows his way around an iPhone camera and showed me some tricks I didn't even know. Tim's photos came out a lot better than mine as you need to find the perfect angle for the pictures to have that illusion effect. The tickets I purchased online also allowed us to go to the giant house next door and the upside down house. Tim came to the rescue again and took some amazing photos for us in the upside down house. It was a fun experience for all of us and I would definitely recommend visiting this location. If you see Tim, ask him for some pointers! Thank you, Tim!

This was just a fun little stop we made while walking Hollywood Blvd…read more The museum of illusions tickets cost $35, and a tripod rental is $10. They also offer many other packages. A good time was had by all!