Los Angeles is a sprawling metropolis filled with attractions that make it one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations. For school groups, it’s a high-priority destination with many world-class educational opportunities. Here are the top 10 destinations in LA for school trips and educational visits.
1. The California Science Center
Located in Exposition Park, the California Science Center is a world-class science museum that offers interactive exhibits, displays, and live demonstrations on various science topics such as space exploration, ecology, and human anatomy. The museum’s most famous exhibit is the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which is displayed in a vertical position.
The California Science Center is a top ten destination for classes interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. The museum provides a high-quality, hands-on learning experience that encourages students to explore and ask questions about the natural world. The exhibits are designed to be both entertaining and informative, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
2. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is an educational destination that is dedicated to exploring the natural world. Located in Exposition Park, it features exhibits about life on earth, human origins, and California’s natural history. The museum has a collection of over 35 million specimens, including dinosaurs, fossils, and minerals.
The Natural History Museum is a top destination for field trips about natural history, biology, and geology. The museum provides an immersive experience that allows students to explore and learn about the natural world in a hands-on way. The high quality exhibits are both educational and engaging, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
3. The Getty Center
The Getty Center is a world-renowned art museum located in the Brentwood neighborhood of Los Angeles. This museum features an extensive collection of European paintings, drawings, sculpture, and decorative arts from the Middle Ages to the present. The Getty Center’s architecture and gardens are as impressive as the art inside, making it a top 10 destination for field trips.
The Getty Center is a great destination for high school groups interested in art and art history. The museum provides an opportunity for students to learn about different art styles and periods in history, as well as the artists who created them. The museum’s collection is both extensive and diverse, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
4. World of Illusions
The World of Illusions is an extraordinary museum located in Hollywood that has four exhibits, including the Museum of Illusions, the Upside Down House, the Giant’s House, and Smash It. The Museum of Illusions has many 3D illusions and paintings on the walls that will trick your mind and leave you wondering how it was done. The Upside Down House consists of seven upside-down rooms that offer an opportunity for visitors to see the world from a different perspective. The Giant’s House exhibit showcases an oversized furniture and everyday objects that make you feel like you’re in the shoes of a giant. Finally, Smash It allows visitors to release their anger and frustrations by smashing objects in a controlled environment.
The World of Illusions is a top destination for field trips due to its high quality hands-on learning about art, science, and psychology. The museum provides an interactive and engaging experience that challenges students to think creatively and critically about how their brains perceive the world. The exhibits are both fun and educational, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
5. The Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory is an iconic top 10 landmark in Los Angeles that is famous for its stunning views of the city and its exhibits about astronomy and space exploration. The observatory has a planetarium, interactive displays, and telescopes that allow visitors to observe the night sky. It’s a great destination for field trips, with a chance to learn about science, space, and astronomy.
The Griffith Observatory is a top 10 destination for classes interested in astronomy, physics, and space exploration. The observatory provides a hands-on learning experience that allows students to learn about the mysteries of the universe and the technology used to explore it. The exhibits are designed to be both educational and entertaining, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
6. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is a unique attraction located in the heart of Los Angeles. The museum features exhibits that showcase the Ice Age and the animals that roamed the area during that time. The tar pits themselves are natural asphalt deposits that have trapped animals for tens of thousands of years, providing researchers with a wealth of fossils and other artifacts.
The La Brea Tar Pits is a top 10 destination for school classes interested in history, paleontology, and geology. The museum provides an opportunity for students to learn about the prehistoric world and the animals that lived during that time. The exhibits are both informative and engaging, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
7. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is a theme park and movie studio located in the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles. The park offers thrill rides, live shows, and attractions based on popular movies and TV shows such as The Simpsons, Harry Potter, and Transformers. It may not seem like a traditional field trip destination, but it’s the perfect place to learn about film, entertainment, and technology.
Universal Studios Hollywood is an excellent destination for school class trips about film, television, and entertainment. The park provides an opportunity for students to learn about the technology and techniques used to create movies and TV shows. The attractions are both exciting and educational, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
8. The Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum showcases the history and evolution of the automobile. It features exhibits about classic cars, hot rods, and motorcycles from various eras, including the 1920s, 30s, and 40s. The museum also features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience the thrill of driving.
The Petersen Automotive Museum is a top ten destination for school groups interested in engineering, technology, and transportation. The museum provides an opportunity for students to learn about the history and evolution of the automobile and the technology used to design and build cars. The exhibits are both informative and engaging, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
9. The Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
The Museum of Contemporary Art is a museum that showcases contemporary art from around the world. The museum features exhibits of paintings, sculpture, and mixed media art from various artists, including Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, and Jeff Koons.
The Museum of Contemporary Art is a great destination for high school classes interested in art and art history. The museum provides an opportunity for students to learn about contemporary art and the artists who create it. The exhibits are both informative and engaging, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
10. The Battleship USS Iowa Museum
The Battleship USS Iowa is a historic museum located in San Pedro that features the USS Iowa, a battleship that served in the United States Navy during World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. The museum offers guided tours of the ship, as well as exhibits about its history and the people who served on it.
The Battleship USS Iowa Museum is a top destination for school groups interested in history, military history, and naval engineering. The museum provides an opportunity for students to learn about the role of battleships in the United States Navy and the technology used to design and build them. The exhibits are both informative and engaging, making it a great destination for students of all ages.
FAQs
How much time should schools allocate for a visit to the World of Illusions?
As one of the top destinations for field trips in LA, schools should allocate at least two hours for a visit to the World of Illusions to ensure that students have enough time to explore all four exhibits, including the Museum of Illusions, the Upside Down House, the Giant’s House, and Smash It. Each exhibit offers a unique experience that is both entertaining and educational, and students may need more time to fully engage with the exhibits.
What exhibits can students expect to see at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County?
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County has many exhibits that showcase the natural world, including a dinosaur hall, a hall of birds, and a hall of mammals. The museum also has exhibits about human origins and California’s natural history. In addition to the exhibits, the museum also has a collection of over 35 million specimens, making it a must-visit destination for natural history enthusiasts.
Is the Griffith Observatory suitable for younger students?
The Griffith Observatory is suitable for students of all ages, but some of the exhibits may be more suitable for older students due to their complexity and subject matter. The planetarium shows, for example, may be more appropriate for high school students as they cover advanced astronomy topics. However, the observatory also has interactive displays and telescopes that are suitable for younger students. Schools should consult the Griffith Observatory website or contact the observatory directly to ensure that all students can safely and fully participate in the exhibits.
