Winter Break is upon us, and for busy parents, that can mean wide open days and empty schedules (or, in other words, endless TV watching)… That is, unless you decide to do something about it!
We’re here to arm you with lots of ideas for family adventuring in the city throughout the holiday season. By pairing our TFS Savvy Sojourn chapters with suggestions for museum exhibits in the area, we’ve given everyone a reason to explore something new.
Get antiquated in Malibu…
The Getty Villa is our pick for Malibu’s Greatest Hit. (credit: Richard Ross courtesy of the Getty Trust)
Malibu has views and lengthy beaches, making it a great place for a sunset walk or a scenic PCH drive. But, if you’re more interested in a cultural visit, the Getty Villa is a great place to start. With Roman-inspired architecture and gardens, strolling around the exterior of the Villa is beautiful in itself. The addition of great exhibits, like the Villa’s The Last Days of Pompeii exhibit (which closes on January 7), or their gallery of glassmaking in antiquity, makes the Villa a very laid-back choice for the holidays.
Want more Malibu? Check out our whole article about Things to Do with Kids in LA: Malibu.
Get state-of-the-art on the Westside
The open and exploratory space at SMMoA
The Santa Monica Museum of Art (SMMoA) is a smaller museum, so doesn’t collect art, but displays groundbreaking contemporary exhibitions that are unique and thought-provoking. We urge you to spend an a span of time exploring the small museum, and prowling around Bergamot Station. Expand your Westside knowledge by heading to Venice: you’ll find our tips for a visit to this fast-changing area in Things To Do With Kids in LA: Venice & Abbot Kinney.
Go crazy in Culver City…
One of the many weird and wonderful things on display at the museum of Jurassic Technology.
In the up-and-coming neighborhood of downtown Culver City, The Museum of Jurassic Technology is definitely worth a visit. With exhibits that border on strange and surreal, we’re not sure what will your kids make of this place, but it’s an unforgettable way to spend an hour, or two. Afterwards, we recommend treating yourself to a meal in food-happy Culver City.
For food and shopping tips, read Things to Do with Kids in LA: Culver City.
Go old school Downtown…
Investigating at the Natural History Museum.
Since 1913, the Natural History Museum has been both an L.A. landmark and an educational destination and with lots of programming available for families, you’ll find reasons to return again and again. When was the last time you checked out the darkened Halls? We never tire of them. Check out the Space Shuttle Endeavor next door at The California Science Museum and then, if you’ve got more time on your hands…
Delve into Things to Do with Kids in LA: Downtown LA in our article!
Make an impression in Pasadena…
Van Gogh to Pasadena. All lame jokes aside, it really is worth it.
The Norton Simon Museum’s diverse collection of art provides great pleasure any time of the year but is particularly worthy of your family time right now, when one of Van Gogh’s self portraits is on loan from the National Gallery in D.C. With food, shopping and other remarkable LA institutions — and that little thing called the Rose Bowl Parade — you’re crazy not to head East.
Make the sojourn to Pasadena this Winter, and read our Things to Do with Kids in LA: Pasadena.
