Exploring The Fascinating Prehistoric World: 5 Must-Do Activities Around La Brea Tar Pits

Step back in time and explore the captivating prehistoric world at the LA Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles. This one-of-a-kind destination offers visitors a unique glimpse into the past, with its rich collection of fossils and artifacts dating back thousands of years. From excavations to interactive exhibits, there are plenty of must-do activities that will leave you in awe of the incredible history preserved within these tar pits. Whether you're a history buff or just looking for a fascinating day out, join us as we uncover the top five activities to experience at the LA Brea Tar Pits.

Visit the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum

Characteristic	Description
Name	La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Type	Tar pit in California
Website	Go to website
Rating / Review count	4.6 / 12,261
Address	5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Phone	(213) 763-3499
Hours	Wednesday - opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5 PM Thursday - opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5 PM Friday - opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5 PM Saturday - opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5 PM Sunday - opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5 PM Monday - opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5 PM Tuesday - opens at 9:30 AM and closes at 5 PM
Profiles

If you find yourself in Los Angeles and are looking for a unique and educational experience, a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum should definitely be on your list of things to do. Located in the heart of Los Angeles, the La Brea Tar Pits are one of the world's most famous fossil localities and offer a fascinating glimpse into the prehistoric past.

The La Brea Tar Pits are a cluster of natural asphalt pits where tar has been seeping to the surface for thousands of years. This natural phenomenon has trapped and preserved countless animals and plants from the Ice Age, providing scientists with a wealth of information about what life was like in ancient Los Angeles.

One of the highlights of a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits is the opportunity to see the ongoing excavation work. Archaeologists and paleontologists are constantly uncovering new fossils, and visitors can witness firsthand the painstaking process of extracting and preserving these ancient remains. The site also features a number of life-sized models of Ice Age animals, allowing visitors to imagine what these creatures would have looked like in their natural habitat.

In addition to the tar pits themselves, the site is home to the George C. Page Museum. The museum houses an extensive collection of fossils and artifacts from the La Brea Tar Pits, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves. Visitors can explore the museum's exhibits to learn about the different species that inhabited the area thousands of years ago and the processes through which the fossils are preserved.

The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum also offer a range of educational programs and activities for visitors of all ages. Guided tours are available where knowledgeable staff members provide in-depth information about the fossil discoveries and the scientific methods used to study them. There are also interactive exhibits and hands-on activities that allow visitors to dig for fossils and learn about the scientific process.

When you visit the La Brea Tar Pits, don't forget to explore the surrounding park area. The park features beautiful gardens, picnic areas, and walking paths, as well as a lake where visitors can observe local wildlife. It's the perfect place to relax and enjoy the natural beauty of Los Angeles after your visit to the tar pits.

In conclusion, a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is a truly unique experience that offers visitors a glimpse into the prehistoric world. Whether you are a history buff, a science enthusiast, or simply looking for something different to do in Los Angeles, the La Brea Tar Pits are a must-see attraction. So make sure to add it to your list of things to do when you're in the area.

Take a guided tour to learn about the Tar Pits' rich history and see excavated fossils

If you're looking for a unique and educational experience in the heart of Los Angeles, then a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits is a must. Located in Hancock Park, this site is one of the world's most famous fossil localities. Here, you can learn about the rich history of the Tar Pits and see excavated fossils from thousands of years ago.

One of the best ways to explore the La Brea Tar Pits is by taking a guided tour. These tours are led by knowledgeable guides who will provide you with fascinating insights into the formation of the Tar Pits and the prehistoric creatures that once roamed the area. You'll get to see firsthand the important role that the Tar Pits played in preserving the remains of these ancient animals.

During the tour, you'll also have the opportunity to see the ongoing excavation work at the Tar Pits. Scientists and researchers are constantly uncovering new fossils, and you might even witness a new discovery being made. This is a unique chance to see paleontologists in action and learn about the meticulous process of extracting and preserving these ancient remains.

As you explore the Tar Pits, you'll come across various displays and exhibits that showcase the fossils found at the site. From giant mastodons to saber-toothed cats, you'll see a wide variety of species that once roamed the area. The fossils are incredibly well-preserved, thanks to the asphalt that acted as a natural "tar trap," capturing and preserving the bones over thousands of years.

In addition to the guided tour, the La Brea Tar Pits also offer a number of other activities and attractions. You can visit the on-site museum, the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, which showcases even more fossils and provides in-depth information about the Tar Pits' history. The museum also features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what life was like during the Ice Age.

After exploring the Tar Pits, you can take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Hancock Park. This park is home to lush greenery, ponds, and gardens, providing a peaceful oasis in the middle of the city. It's the perfect place to relax and reflect on your visit to the Tar Pits.

Overall, a visit to the La Brea Tar Pits is a truly unique and educational experience. By taking a guided tour, you'll learn about the Tar Pits' rich history and witness firsthand the ongoing excavation work. The fossils and exhibits provide a fascinating insight into the prehistoric world, making this a must-visit attraction in Los Angeles.

Explore the surrounding Hancock Park for a picnic or leisurely stroll

If you find yourself near the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, you'll have plenty of things to do in the surrounding area. One excellent option is to explore the beautiful Hancock Park, which is right next to the tar pits.

Hancock Park is a large urban park that offers a peaceful and scenic setting for a picnic or leisurely stroll. The park is home to lush green lawns, towering trees, and well-maintained gardens, providing the perfect backdrop for a relaxing outing.

Pack a picnic basket with your favorite snacks and find a comfortable spot on the grass to enjoy a meal surrounded by nature. You can choose a shady spot under a canopy of trees or find a sunny patch to soak up some vitamin D. Either way, Hancock Park provides a serene atmosphere away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

After your picnic, take a leisurely stroll around the park and explore its many attractions. The park features several walking paths, allowing you to discover its beauty at your own pace. You can also spot various statues, fountains, and sculptures as you wander around.

One of the highlights of Hancock Park is the tranquil Rose Garden. This well-maintained garden is a riot of colors, with hundreds of different varieties of roses on display. Take a moment to stop and smell the fragrant blooms or simply admire their stunning beauty.

If you're a history enthusiast, you'll be interested to know that Hancock Park is also home to the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, which offers a fascinating look into the prehistoric past. The museum showcases a collection of fossils, including those of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and dire wolves, which were all discovered at the tar pits. It provides a unique opportunity to learn about the animals that roamed the area thousands of years ago.

In conclusion, if you're looking for things to do around the La Brea Tar Pits, exploring Hancock Park is an excellent choice. Whether you're planning a picnic or simply want to take a leisurely stroll, the park offers a peaceful and picturesque setting. Don't forget to visit the Rose Garden and the Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits for a complete experience.

Attend a fossil lab demonstration to witness the ongoing process of fossil excavation and preservation

If you find yourself near the La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California, you are in for a treat. Not only can you explore the fascinating tar pits where prehistoric animals became trapped thousands of years ago, but you can also attend a fossil lab demonstration to witness the ongoing process of fossil excavation and preservation.

The La Brea Tar Pits are one of the world's most famous fossil sites, known for their rich deposits of ice age vertebrates. As you walk through the park, you can see bubbling tar pits and life-sized sculptures of mammoths, sabertooth cats, and dire wolves that once roamed the area. The tar pits themselves are a window into the past, preserving the remains of countless animals that fell victim to the sticky asphalt.

But the excitement doesn't stop there. The Page Museum, located adjacent to the tar pits, offers visitors the unique opportunity to observe scientists in action at their fossil lab. Here, trained staff members conduct ongoing research and study the fossils recovered from the tar pits.

During the fossil lab demonstration, you can watch as paleontologists carefully remove fossils from blocks of tar, clean them, and catalog their findings. It's a rare chance to see real scientific work taking place in real-time. You'll gain a deeper understanding of the meticulous process involved in unearthing and preserving these ancient remains.

Not only is the fossil lab demonstration educational, but it is also highly interactive. Visitors are encouraged to ask questions and get hands-on with some of the fossils. You might even have the opportunity to touch a real fossil or have your burning paleontological questions answered by the experts.

Attending a fossil lab demonstration at the La Brea Tar Pits is a unique experience that allows you to witness the ongoing work in paleontology. You'll gain a new appreciation for the science of fossils and the dedicated scientists who help us understand the ancient world. So if you're looking for something to do around the La Brea Tar Pits, make sure to schedule some time to attend a fascinating fossil lab demonstration. You won't be disappointed.

Check out the nearby Page Museum for more exhibits and artifacts from the prehistoric world

If you find yourself near the famous La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California, there are plenty of fascinating activities and attractions to explore in the area. One of the must-visit places is the nearby Page Museum, which offers even more exhibits and artifacts from the prehistoric world.

The Page Museum, formally known as the George C. Page Museum of La Brea Discoveries, is located adjacent to the La Brea Tar Pits. This museum is dedicated to showcasing the discoveries made at the tar pits and educating visitors about the fascinating prehistoric world.

Upon entering the museum, visitors are greeted with a vast collection of fossils, including preserved ice age animals like saber-toothed cats, mammoths, and dire wolves. These fossils were excavated from the tar pits themselves, providing a unique glimpse into the animals that roamed the area thousands of years ago.

The museum not only displays fossils but also features interactive exhibits that allow visitors to learn more about the excavation process and the science behind it. Visitors can watch paleontologists in action as they carefully extract and clean fossils, giving them a behind-the-scenes look at the scientific process.

One of the highlights of the Page Museum is the Observation Pit, where visitors can get a close-up view of the tar pits and the ongoing excavation work. This allows visitors to witness firsthand the tar seeping up from the ground, engulfing various objects and trapping them for preservation.

In addition to the main exhibits, the Page Museum also offers special temporary exhibits that further explore different aspects of prehistoric life and the tar pits' history. These exhibits rotate periodically, ensuring that there is always something new and exciting to discover.

For those interested in delving deeper into the history and science of the La Brea Tar Pits, the museum also features an in-house research library. This library houses an extensive collection of books, papers, and other resources related to paleontology and the tar pits, making it a valuable resource for both researchers and enthusiasts.

After exploring the exhibits at the Page Museum, visitors can take a stroll around the park surrounding the La Brea Tar Pits. The park offers beautiful outdoor spaces where visitors can relax, have a picnic, or simply enjoy the natural beauty of the tar pits' surroundings.

Overall, a visit to the Page Museum near the La Brea Tar Pits is a must for anyone interested in the prehistoric world. With its impressive collection of fossils, interactive exhibits, and ongoing excavation work, the museum offers a comprehensive and educational experience for visitors of all ages. So, don't miss the opportunity to check out this treasure trove of prehistoric wonders when you're in the area!

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