Need advice? What to do for 3 hours before flight near LAX?

[lkohawaii]

Next summer I'm planning on disembarking the Disney cruise ship and driving up to LAX and checking in. I'm thinking this can be done by 9 in the morning. My flight doesn't leave until 2 so I want to find something for us to do for about 3 hours. Is there anything close to LAX that my kids would enjoy they are DD 8 and DS 2. I won't return the car until I'm ready to go board the plane. Anyone who lives in L.A. have any ideas? Someone said the children's museum is kind of far from LAX.

 

[dletz]

You could always go to Hollywood and Vine. Near there is the theater they do the Oscars from, Mann's chineese theater with all the foot and hand prints, the Hollywood walk of stars. It's about 15 miles north of LAX and shouldn't take more than half an hour to get there.

As far as I know the LA children's museum is still closed, they're building a new one.

Donna

 

[challada]

From what we've seen, LAX is in "town", therefore, it is not the most kid-friendly place around. Hollywood is boring for my kids (and somewhat seedy) and definitely not close by to LAX. There are hotels right by the airport so maybe you could find a good brunch at one of them and relax there.

What cruise are you on? We are on the first one!!!! Maybe we'll see ya!

 

[dcfromva]

How about The Getty?
There is no charge for admission (although parking costs $5.00 per car)

Link to map from The Getty to LAX

There are many aspects of this museum to enjoy. Besides the obvious art, the architecture is very interesting. The paintings are on the second floor illuminated with natural light. There are "decorative arts" (entire rooms of fantastic furniture and furnishings). There are several gardens (a cactus garden and a formal garden), there are interesting fountains and neat vistas. And, there is a cool tram ride up the mountain which is entertaining to kids.

My DS was never one to enjoy art museums, but he loved this one and even asked to go back. When he was younger, we let him set the pace looking at the type of artwork that interested him and we didn't stay too long.

-DC

 

[jlmarr]

The California Science Center at Exposition Park (next to USC) might be a good option. Lots of kid friendly exhibits and an Imax theater.

http://www.californiasciencecenter.org

 

[lkohawaii]

challada- We're on the June 11 cruise. So far I haven't seen anyone on here going on that one. I'm sure there must be because it looks like our cruise is almost sold out.

Thanks everybody else for your ideas. I have a lot to look into now. I didn't know that the town of L.A. was that close to the airport. Everytime we've gone we fly into LAX and drive down towards DL.

 

[WebmasterMaryJo]

You should probably return the car no later than 11:30. If everything goes smoothly, you just check in the car and take the shuttle to the airport. They recommend you be there two hours before departure. That would mean that you have 2.5 hours to kick around and relax, and should head to LAX by 11am.

Am I right in thinking that the ships are docking at Long Beach? You can take advantage and see the Long Beach Aquarium at that time, or drive over the St. Vincent Thomas Bridge, and go to the Cabrillo Beach Museum - also interesting. From there, it would be easy to get the 110 freeway north to the 105, or 405 and go to the airport. I live about 15 minutes from LAX, so I'm thinking of the things you can do in the area that are not going to take a lot of driving time for you.

* Long Beach Aquarium
* Cabrillo Beach Museum
* Redondo Beach Pier & have lunch there
* Santa Monica Pier/Promenade

 

[lkohawaii]

I was thinking of doing curbside check in at LAX then going someplace and then returning the car. Your idea of doing something down in Long Beach sounds even better. Thanks. Is the Long Beach aquarium worth going to?

 

[dcfromva]

lkohawaii,
In regards to the logistics, you might want to check with your airline as to how far in advance you can check your bags. We were flying on United Airlines--our flight had been moved from midday to the afternoon due to a mechanical problem, so our plan was to check our bags. go do something and then drop off the car.
We were not permitted to drop off our bags more than 4 hours prior to departure.



-DC

 

[lkohawaii]

thanks dcfromva. I'lll check....I'm also flying United. I guess I would check their website. Now, I think I'll just stay down in Long Beach and then drive up do curbside check in go return the car and catch the shuttle back to the airport. I just can't see lugging those suitcases onto that shuttle with my two little ones in tow.

 

[ksjayhawks]

In florida, the airlines have trucks at the terminals to check in baggage for flights. You might check to see if that will be available for the california cruises as well. Then all you would have to worry about would be your carryons!