Ferris: The place is like a museum. It's very beautiful and very cold, and you're not allowed to touch anything.

I love museums and now that it's summer there's a lot more time to go. Luckily we are members of several musuems in the city which not only brings the cost down, but you get invited to special events and you're never bored on the weekend!

The Baby's favorite museum is The Natural History Museum in South Los Angeles across from USC. He loves animals - but here...the animals are no longer living. Oh well, there's still lots to learn...
I went here SO often as a kid on many a school field trip. While the main part of the museum hasn't changed a bit, same old dark hall o' taxidermied animals. Very reminiscent of Night at the Museum. I swear these things come to life at night.

Also still there - the huuuge bird exhibit. UGH. "Mommy hates birds" is the first sentence I taught my kids yet they still find it hilarious to drag me in there. Gross.

The museum recently underwent a huge renovation and I was pretty shocked. Perhaps it's showing my old age but man, it was amazing! Now the exhibits are interactive, with touch screens like iPads and on the spot answers. It was crazy.

Back in the day you weren't allowed to touch anything at a museum but now it's encouraged since they've obviously realized that kids learn more by being involved. Now the exhibits are bright and open and so much more inviting.

There's a whole touchable children's section with animal parts and dinosaur bones. The Baby LOVED this because for once I wasn't yelling at him to not touch stuff.

The museum is still undergoing changes, one of the big ones being the cafe downstairs. It was ok, but now that they've closed up completely it's just awful. Sad, dimly lit - it reminds me of the worst office lunchroom ever. Not to mention the incredibly unhealthy snacks at exorbitant prices.

Since I'm broke - I MEAN prefer healthier options, I packed our own lunches. Meat for the Baby, cheese for the Kid and whatever was left for me. Typical Mom lunch.

The sad lunch area worked out fine, since we were just eating quickly but I can't wait for the new Cafe to reopen.

Also coming soon is the new Dinosaur Exhibit which is supposed to be AMAZING. I can't wait and the kids are already asking to go back.

This bear doesn't stand a chance:

Natural History Museum
900 Exposition Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90007
Phone: (213) 763-DINO