La Brea Tar Pits Museum Is The Most Unique Museum In Los Angeles

La Brea Tar Pits Museum: Where Prehistoric Excitement Come to Life

On a 2023 trip to Los Angeles, I set aside time to visit the La Brea Tar Pits Museum. This is the most interesting museum I’ve ever visited and is an LA landmark. There are fossils of ancient creatures bubbling up through the asphalt in the ground. In fact, there are random areas on the property that are marked with cones or small fences. Inside the building are numerous beautiful fossils and exhibits.

Walking through the museum’s doors, visitors are instantly immersed in a time when mammoths roamed the earth and saber-toothed cats prowled the lands. The museum’s exhibits bring to life the stories of prehistoric creatures trapped in the tar pits, perfectly preserved for millennia. The smell of this tar, or asphalt, permeates the museum grounds.

Highlights Of La Brea Tar Pits

One of the highlights of the La Brea Tar Pits is its interactive displays that allow visitors like me to engage with the science and history. The centerpiece of the museum is the incredible Fossil Lab, where scientists clean and examine the recovered specimens. Although no one was working, visitors had a unique opportunity to witness these professionals at work, gaining an in-depth understanding of the painstaking techniques used to unlock the secrets of our ancient past. It also dives into the rich tapestry of the Ice Age, a period that forever shaped the landscape of Los Angeles.

I really enjoyed walking around the property and seeing the actual tar pits that were being excavated.  I stood there knowing that ancient creatures stood exactly where I was standing.  It was hard to believe

Education

In addition to the exhibits, the museum hosts educational programs, lectures, and workshops. I didn’t have any time to do the educational stuff this time. No visit to the museum is complete without exploring the surrounding park, my favorite part. The Miracle Mile is dotted with life-sized replicas of prehistoric creatures, giving visitors a taste of what it felt like to live alongside these magnificent beasts. The weird thing is that surrounding the museum is nothing but buildings and businesses.

For another cool attraction in downtown L.A., check out the observation deck at L.A. City Hall. For a more sports attraction, check out SoFi Stadium in Inglewood.