Being the second-largest city in the United States, Los Angeles has plenty of hustle and bustle to keep your kids entertained, regardless of their age. From sea lion shows to planetariums, Los Angeles offers a variety of fun and interesting outings for families.
With so many activities available for the younger crowd, you can easily tailor your itinerary to include activities geared toward your child's interests. The Aquarium of the Pacific is one destination that is sure to please no mater what sparks your child. The aquarium is not enormous, but offers high-quality displays of a good variety of sea life. Favorite exhibits normally include the sea lion show and the shark tank. If you have a train lover, then the Travel Town Transportation Museum is the spot for you. Here children can rummage through train cars and catch a ride on a pint-sized train. If your kids are dinosaur fans, try La Brea Tar Pits and Page Museum. Fossils of many prehistoric creatures have been found in the tar pits and are on display at the museum. Kids also get to see scientists work in the on-site laboratory through a glass viewing room. For kids with inquiring minds, try Kidspace Children's Museum. The museum is highly recommended for toddlers through school-aged children, and contains dozens of hands-on indoor and outdoor activities. A word of caution: Come prepared to get a little wet, as a lot of the outdoor activities involve water.
While the older kids are sure to be bored at the transportation museum, there are still many attractions in Los Angeles to keep them happy. Ripley's Believe It or Not is sure to be a hit with this crowd, as it's full of bizarre exhibits and oddities from around the globe. Expect to have a good time because Ripley's is all about having fun. Older kids and teens also are likely to recognize and enjoy Mann's Chinese Theater. This historic landmark in the filmmaking industry has guided tours, but if a movie sounds good, it continues to operate as a theater. Don't forget to take some time and walk down the walk of fame outside. Once night falls head to Griffith Observatory where you can view an impressive planetarium, and after dark you can take in the night sky through several telescopes. If you are traveling with a teen girl, don't forget a stop at Rodeo Drive. She may be able to afford only a pair of socks, but it will be a shopping experience to remember.
Most families enjoy going to amusement parks together, and Los Angeles has plenty of them to keep any family amused. At the top of the list is Santa Monica Pier and Pacific Park. The park has rides and games for all ages. If you still have any energy after all the rides, head down to the pier and rent some bicycles or rollerskates and enjoy a ride or skate on the boardwalk. We all know about Disneyland, but just adjacent to the legendary theme park is a new Disney attraction--Disney's California Adventure. This park features rides and attractions in three themed areas--the beach, movie making and natural wonders. The white-water rafting experience is usually a favorite of older kids here. Finally, a short drive from the city is the legendary Legoland. Legoland has recently added many new attractions, including a dune-buggy adventure complete with laser guns.
