Watch CBS News

Best Activities To Do On The Weekend With Kids In L.A.

kids 610 movie parents
(credit: Karramba Production/shutterstock)

With work and school put on hold for a couple of days, take the opportunistic weekend to spend quality time with your kids by venturing out on a date together. To be sure, all kinds of world-class experiences are waiting for your clan to discover in the City of Angels, so why not take advantage of sensational stuff to do that happens to be in your own front yard. That said, following are five of the best treats for families on the go.

aquarium
(credit: fischers/shutterstock)

Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90802
(562) 590-3100
www.aquariumofthepacific.org

Sea life is something every Los Angeles family is familiar with in one way or another, whether by literally running into a species or two while spending time at the ocean or by housing a school of fish in your own home aquarium. However, for the complete experience, set out for Long Beach where the Aquarium of the Pacific promises your clan waves of fun in every corner of this universe containing more than 11,000 ocean animals, from the nurturing Molina Animal Care Center to the ominous Shark Lagoon to the June Keyes Pengiun Habitat. Talk about fishy!

California Science Center
(Credit: Jane L. / Yelp)

California Science Center
700 Exposition Park Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
(323) 724-3623
californiasciencecenter.org

The California Science Center will keep your clan occupied for hours (and for free, too), but if you go, make sure you hit the highlights, especially if you rarely take time to visit this educational outpost that entertains with all kinds of imaginative offerings. From among the most popular, consider heading to the theater within where a seven-story IMAX screen runs a marvelous family movie called "A Beautiful Planet 3D," created in conjunction with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and which shows unprecedented video that came from the International Space Station. Follow that with a stop at the Samuel Oschin Pavilion for a close encounter with the Endeavour Space Shuttle, but don't do that unless you've made reservations, as this is one popular exhibit, and not surprisingly so since this particular craft is famous, having gone to space more than a dozen times.

griffith park
(credit: shutterstock)

Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory Road
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(213) 473-0800
griffithobservatory.org

Spending time with stars is a regular occurrence for Angelenos. That said, there's no place like the Griffith Observatory to share that experience as a family. Dubbed "Southern California's gateway to the cosmos," this legendary Art Deco location, looking down onto the city from Griffith Park, gives locals and visitors alike a vast opportunity to learn about and explore the endless world of astronomy while having fun in the process to boot. Note: Take along a picnic lunch and enjoy sharing that casual family meal at a table in the park before heading for your next destination and a lot of looking through a range of telescopes, big and small.

Related: Best Rainy Day Activities in Los Angeles

Travel Town
(credit: istock.com)

Travel Town
5200 Zoo Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90027
(323) 662-9678
www.traveltown.org

If you want to get in some train time with your crew, take a trip to Travel Town for the chance to ride a vintage version of this form of transportation that runs on tracks put down not far from the LA Zoo. Sure, the trip is only eight minutes long and doesn't take you anywhere but back to where you started, but chances are at least one member of the family will want to repeat that novel experience before the day is done.

Wildlife Learning Center zeus
(Credit: SIsily Calvert/Trekaroo)

The Wildlife Learning Center
16027 Yarnell St.
Sylmar, CA 91342
(818) 362-8711
www.wildlifelearningcenter.com

While the LA Zoo may be familiar to your family, especially if you've lived in Los Angeles for any length of time, add this other animal refuge to your family fun roster. More than 50 species hailing from the four corners of the earth call The Wildlife Learning Center home and can be found all over the premises, with a special reptile room reserved for slithery critters that belong to that specific category.

Related: Best Activities For Preschoolers In LA

Los Angeles Dodgers v Pittsburgh Pirates
PITTSBURGH, PA - AUGUST 23: Rich Hill #44 of the Los Angeles Dodgers pitches in the third inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on August 23, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)

Watch The Dodgers
1000 Vin Scully Ave
Los Angeles, CA 90012
www.dodgers.com

Most kids love to go to a good old baseball game with their parents. Head to Chavez Ravine during the summer and fall months and watch the Dodgers take on a variety of top-notch teams, including the Arizona Diamondbacks, the San Diego Padres, the Colorado Rockies and many more! And, if they make it to the playoffs, watch in excitement as they try on a quest to get to the World Series!

Related: Best Activities For Preschoolers In LA

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.