Ideas for kids in LA Area

[WeLoveTheMouse]

We will have a small amount of time and a car before and after our Disneyland trip in January. My DD's are 10 & 7. Does anybody have any suggestions for things they would enjoy around LA? My DH and I visited LA about 11 years ago but it is different with kids. We are wondering if there is anything TV or movie related that kids are allowed to visit.

Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[LavenderPeach]

When I was little (probably about 8 or 9) we took the NBC studios tour. I thought it was pretty interesting. We saw the tonight show stage and I saw Chuck Woolery's dressing room door (this was back in the 80s). We also could have stayed for a taping of Wheel of Fortune but we didn't have that much time to spend there. I know a lot of the tv/movie studios stopped their tours after sept 11 but I think most are available again although I haven't researched it to know for sure.

 

[RuthieT]

we will be spending a day of our trip in LA area and we are planning on going to the Disney Soda Fountain, Mall, American Girl Doll Store and not sure where else

 

[HydroGuy]

La Brea Tarpits. Hollywood Blvd. Santa Monica Pier.

 

[PRINCESSplazola]

medevil times! not sure if i spelled that right but its really fun and im sure you'd have a great time!! the food is really good too

 

[Mugglemama]

the natural history museum is awesome.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

I agree with the Museum of Natural History. Right next to it is the Science Museum with hands-on exhibits and an IMAX theater. Also nearby (you'd drive past it) is the LA Coliseum, where the 1932 & 84 Olympics were held, and USC is also in this area. The area is called "Exposition Park." They might also like the Observatory, which sits in the Hollywood Hills, near the Hollywood sign. There are neat exhibits there and lazarium shows that are fun to watch.

Santa Monica Pier is fun to visit, also, and it is no too far from the La Brea Tarpits.

You could do the Observatory, La Brea Tarpits, & Hollywood (Graumann's Chinese Theater, etc) all in the same day.

 

[YellowMickeyPonchos]

Don't forget the Discovery Cube in Santa Ana - right off the 5 South of Disneyland about 5 exits or so. It's a fun science museum, as well. I also agree about the Exposition Park attractions.

Another museum - just a couple blocks from the Tar Pits - is the Petersen Auto Museum. I'm not into cars, and I thought it was one of the coolest museums I had been into. The exhibits are smartly designed, interesting, and the cars, amazing.

The Warner Bros Tour is arguably the best studio tours, but they have a minimum age limit of 8 years old - can the youngest pass for 8? http://www2.warnerbros.com/vipstudiotour/ You go on a golf cart, see the entire studio, the museum, go on a set, posibly see a bit of taping (if they are back from holiday) and maybe catch some stars!

 

[WeLoveTheMouse]

Thanks for all of the tips! I do think my youngest could pass for 8. She is very tall and acts a whole lot older.

My DH & I went on the NBC tour and enjoyed it but I think it would be boring for the girls. I love Days but of course I would never let them watch it at their age. I wondered about the WarnerBros. I read about it on TripAdvisor. They are facinated with TV and movie stars so it would be fun for them to see something like that.

Thanks to all of you for your help!

 

[bec_oakley]

I second the WB tour, hands down the best studio tour.

I wouldn't suggest things like the Walk of Fame or Chinese Theater at that age, looking at stars on the ground and handprints can get old real quick. Most of Hollywood is pretty grimy.

Since you've got the freedom of a car, I'd suggest making a list of real-life locations used in movies and TV and go on your own location scout (go to movie-locations dot com for a good starting point). It's really cool when you see something that's instantly recognizable from a movie. There are quite a few around the area close to WB studios so you could easily combine the two. Griffith Park is not too far either, the Observatory is great and it's one of the best places to get a fantastic view of the city plus the Hollywood sign in the one stop. Not to mention it's been used in loads of movies.

 

[RyanElizabethRussell]

take them to medieval times! Its in Buena Park which is just a stone throw away from disney! Great dinner theatre! Fun for the whole family!