Los Angeles City Guide: Unique Local Experiences

Zimmer Children's Museum
6505 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 761-8984
www.zimmermuseum.org
Hours:
Monday, Saturday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 10am-5pm
Sunday: 12:30pm-5pm
Price: Children (ages 1-17): $5, Adults (ages 18+): $8
Age range: Baby, Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary

Located on Museum Row, the Zimmer Exhibits, (some of which have Jewish themes), focus on what the Zimmer calls “Big Ideas” — Community, responsibility and global citizenship.  There you’ll find an actual boat used during Hurricane Katrina and the world’s largest pinball machine. This is about fun with a social-justice twist.

Noah’s Ark at the Skirball Cultural Center (pictured above)
270 North Sepulveda Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA
(310) 440-4500
www.skirball.org
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday-Friday: 12pm-5pm
Saturday-Sunday: 10am-5pm
Price: Children (ages 2-12): $5, Adults (ages 13-64): $10, Seniors (ages 65+): $7
Age Range: Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

This permanent, award-winning installation is unlike anything else.  For the past five years, designers, artists, educators, and architects have collaborated to bring this timeless story about building a future to audiences of all generations.  Play, climb and explore the Ark and the animals. Don’t miss the Rainbow Mist in the Noah’s Ark outdoor park, an uplifting and inspiring message brought to you in a unique setting.

Summer Sounds at the Hollywood Bowl
2301 North Highland Avenue, Los Angeles, CA
(323) 850-2000
www.hollywoodbowl.com/education/summersounds
Hours: Call ahead for show times
Price: $7 per person
Age Range: Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween

The kids probably won’t know that the Beatles played here in 1965, but no matter.  This annual festival of world music, dance and art is first-rate fun.  Help them appreciate diverse genres of reggae, mariachi, and Filipino music, to name a few.   Winner of Los Angeles magazine’s “Best of LA award” for “concerts for tots.”

Geffen Playhouse at UCLA
10920 Kinross Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 
(310) 208-2028
www.geffenplayhouse.com/about_us.php
Hours: Call ahead for show times
Price: $15 per person
Age Range: Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween

The Playhouse has moved to the forefront of regional theatre over the past 15 years.  Founded by legendary producer Gil Cates, the company consistently draws top-drawer playwrights, directors and actors.  This innovative troupe turns children into authors.  Here’s how it works: send in a short story and Story Pirates will turn it onto a full-length sketch comedy musical! The Geffen’s pitch is: “Monty Python meets Schoolhouse Rock.”

Martial Arts History Museum
2319 West Magnolia Boulevard, Burbank, CA
(818) 478-1722
www.martialartsmuseum.com
Hours: Monday-Wednesday: Closed, Thursday-Sunday: 11am-6pm
Price: By donation
Age Range: Toddler, Preschooler, Elementary, Tween, Teen

A very cool place, as well as a fascinating educational and cultural experience.  The Museum moved to LA from Santa Clarita in 2008, so it’s a relatively recent addition to the scene.  Befitting its new locale, the Museum was designed by artists from Disney and the Simpsons, so the space itself is sure to wow.  According to the website, the museum is less about “punch and kick” and “who’s who” then it is a celebration of the positive impact this ancient Asian art has had on the West.  Not to be missed!

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