Things to Do Indoors in Los Angeles on a Rainy or Hot Day

Indoor Activities and Things to Do in Los Angeles

Los Angeles has some of the best indoor attractions in the country, so whether it's a rainy day or too hot outside to go to the beach, there are plenty of options for entertainment indoors. From world class museums, to aquariums, to shopping or theatres, here are some of the best indoor activities in Los Angeles for your next visit.
Tessmann Planetarium
Located on the campus of Santa Ana College, this dome theater seats 100 people and usually provides shows several times per month. Visitors here can learn about a variety of topics around astronomy in a fun, entertaining setting.
1530 W. 17th Street, Santa Ana, California, 92706
LAVC Planetarium
The Los Angeles Valley College provides affordable and educational shows for visitors several times per week. Guests learn about interesting topics, naturally centered around the stars, space, and other scientific topics. Kids and adults find the shows to be very educational and interesting.
5800 Fulton Ave, Valley Glen, California, 91401
Interested in more travel advice for Los Angeles? Check out The Most Instagrammable Spots in Los Angeles and The Best Day Trips Just Outside of Los Angeles.
Mt. SAC Randall Planetarium
Located in Walnut, the Mt. San Antonio College Planetarium and telescope puts on shows several times per week. Designed for both kids and adults, their goal is to educate and entertain everyone about the cosmos, stars, atronomy, and more. Tickets are very affordable and the dome theater is lots of fun for all ages.
Building 26C, 1100 Grand Ave, Walnut, California, 91789
Cayton Children’s Museum
The Cayton Children’s Museum educates kids on being global citizens of the world. It teaches about culture, self-expression, and art through interactive exhibits and hands on programming.
395 Santa Monica Pl Suite 374 Level 3, Santa Monica, CA, 90401
Pretend City Children's Museum
Pretend City pretty much sums up what this unique kid's museum offers. There are 17 interactive exhibits that let kids explore and learn about how the real world works. Popular areas include the art studio, a post office, a grocery store, and a cafe. This museum is sure to bring out any kid's imagination.
29 Hubble, Irvine, CA, 92618
UCLA Planetarium
The UCLA Planetarium is open to the public and plenty of fun for kids and adults. Providing a variety of shows, visitors can learn about astronomy combined with geology as well as history. Some of their shows are even in Spanish. It's a small venue with 49 seats and a large dome, so the shows here are intimate and educational. There's also a 14-inch telescope on the roof that is also open to the public.
UCLA Mathematical Sciences Building, Los Angeles, California
Drescher Planetarium at Santa Monica College
With live shows a few nights a week, visitors can learn about various topics in astrology while in the large dome theater that seats about 60 people. Other events are organized here too such as star watching evenings.
Drescher Hall, 2nd Floor, 1900 Pico Boulevard, Santa Monica, California, 90405
Discovery Cube Los Angeles
The Discovery Cube LA is a kids museum focused on STEM activities, environmental sciences, and healthy lifestyles. There are a number of kids activities that include a grocery store with a scavenger hunt and a simulated helicopter ride through California.
11800 Foothill Blvd, Sylmar, CA, 91342
Planning a trip to Los Angeles? You might also be interested in Best Places To Enjoy A Picnic In Los Angeles and The Best Beaches Near Los Angeles.
Kidspace Children’s Museum
The Kidspace Children’s Museum spans 3.5 acres and offers a number of kid-centric exhibits including the Robert and Mary Galvin Physics Forest, which is a fully outdoor play space that has hands-on exhibits and interactive area for kids of all ages.
480 N Arroyo Blvd, Brookside Park, Pasadena, CA, 91103
Skirball Cultural Center
This Jewish cultural center is also a combination of an art museum, culture museum, children's museum, and public events and educational space. Fostering a sense of welcoming and inclusion within the community, the center showcases a number of events and exhibitions throughout the year. Some of the exhibitions focus on history and religion, while others center on pop culture, children's education, food and cuisine, and more. Normally an admission is charged, but it's free on Thursdays.
2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, 90049
Museum of the American West
This museum, as the name implies, focuses on the history of the western United States. Their overall goal is to provide an inclusive view of this history, so many of the exhibits focus on Native Americans as well as minorities and their contributions to American history and culture. A large portion of the museum also focuses on the culture of cowboys and the idea of "the wild west" as a frontier which was tamed by explorers. Children and adults enjoy this museum, and it's located in Griffith Park. It's free on the 2nd Tuesday of every month.
Western Heritage Way, Griffith Park, LA, California, 91201
Hollywood Wax Museum
With a large number of was replicas of famous movie stars and characters, kids and adults alike will enjoy visiting this fun museum and experience where they can see all of their favorite movies and TV shows come to life before their eyes. Located in Hollywood along the walk of fame, it's fun for the whole family.
6767 Hollywood Blvd, Hollywood, LA, California, 90028
Hammer Museum
With an emphasis on local artists, the Hammer Museum is partnered with UCLA to showcase modern art, design, photography, and works from Armand Hammer's collection before he died. Admission is free. Lectures, film screenings, and concerts are also on their calendar of events, which are quite popular.
10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Westwood Village, LA, California, 90024
Japanese American National Museum
With a goal to preserve and showcase the culture and history of Japanese Americans, this museum is located near downtown L.A. in Little Tokyo. Many of the exhibits are dedicated to Japanese immigration, the internment during WW2, and various artwork from historical and current artists in the community. An admission is normally charged, but it's free on Thursdays.
369 East 1st Street, Little Tokyo, LA, California, 90013
If you're looking for more information about Los Angeles, read An Art Lover's Guide to Los Angeles and Educational Places and Activities in Los Angeles.
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
This free museum features contemporary art from 1940 to the present by artists such as Jackson Pollock as well as plenty of lesser known names. In addition to the main location, the museum actually has two other locations in L.A., so don't miss those, either.
250 South Grand Avenue, Bunker Hill, LA, California, 90012
California African American Museum (CAAM)
The California African American Museum (CAAM), found in Exposition Park, has a focus on the history, heritage, and cultural of African Americans. Specifically, it covers topics related to African Americans in California and the western region of the United States. Visitors will find a variety of art exhibits as well as events for adults and children. Public educational programs, rotating exhibits, and concerts and film screenings are all part of this museum's programming.
600 State Drive, Adams Normandie Historic District, LA, California, 90037
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Boasting a huge collection that is second only to the Smithsonian, the Natural History Museum of LA Country will take you quite some time to explore every level. From dinosaurs to gems to animal skeletons to an outdoor natural area, kids and adults will love spending the day here learning about a variety of topics. Even the building itself is a bit of a masterpiece.
Adams Normandie Historic District, LA, California
California Science Center
This is one of the largest science museums on the west coast, and it has an impressively large list of exhibits, many of which feature fun, hands-on experiences which are great for kids and adults alike. Visitors can also see an aquarium, various ecosystems featuring a variety of animals, plenty of air and space vehicles (some are outside), and even more rotating exhibits about biology, chemistry, physics, and more. On site is also an IMAX theater.
700 Exposition Park Drive, Adams Normandie Historic District, LA, California, 90037
The Hollywood Museum
Located in the historic Max Factor building, this amazing museum is one of the most visited in L.A. Visitors can see a variety of memorabilia, props, costumes, and other paraphernalia from their favorite movies and TV shows. The collection has more than 10,000 items such as Marilyn Monroe's famous dress to costumes from Star Trek, I love Lucy, Glee, and more. Part of the museum also includes makeup rooms where movies stars were prepped for their shows and films.
1660 Highland Avenue, Hollywood, LA, California, 90028
The Broad Museum
The Broad Museum
This free museum is full of contemporary art. It's most famous for the immersive mirror rooms in which you will see yourself multiplied in Yayoi Kusama's modern art installations. If the line is long, don't worry, plenty of other modern exhibits are on display, including some from Andy Warhol and other famous artists. Also, relax in the beautiful courtyard or dine at Otium, the on-site restaurant.
221 South Grand Avenue, Bunker Hill, LA, California, 90012
Interested in more travel advice for Los Angeles? Check out How to Spend One Day in Los Angeles and The Best Art Museums in Los Angeles.
Museum of Neon Art
MONA, the Museum of Neon Art, showcases a variety of artwork and signs made of neon lights and other electric lights. It describes artwork made with neon lights as part science and part artwork. Some of the exhibits are modern sculptures created in neon, while others focus on historical neon signage.
Glendale, California, 91210
How much does it cost?

Prices for activities, things to do, and tours range from $7 to $150. The average cost for a tour or tickets is $46. A few of the best options are below.

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If you're looking for more information about Los Angeles, read The Best Children's Museums in Los Angeles and The Best History Museums in Los Angeles.
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