Museum · Los Angeles
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County: free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official NHM website. Official links are under Sources.
NHM is free for some visitors, not for everyone.
- Free for: L.A. County residents on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm; active or retired U.S. military; EBT cardholders (up to 2 adults and 4 children); children 2 and under; and more below.
- Otherwise: adult general admission — $18.
Calendar
Free days at NHM
For L.A. County residents
- FRI23OCTFriday, 23 October 2026 · today · 15:00–17:00
- MON26OCTMonday, 26 October 2026 · in 3 days · 15:00–17:00
- TUE27OCTTuesday, 27 October 2026 · in 4 days · 15:00–17:00
- WED28OCTWednesday, 28 October 2026 · in 5 days · 15:00–17:00
- THU29OCTThursday, 29 October 2026 · in 6 days · 15:00–17:00
- FRI30OCTFriday, 30 October 2026 · in 7 days · 15:00–17:00
Closures and public holidays are already taken out. Group-only days need proof of eligibility.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- The L.A. County free window is only 3-5pm on weekdays, so arrive right at 3pm.
- The museum is closed on the first Tuesday of the month from September to May.
- Take the Metro E Line to Expo/USC or Expo/Vermont and show your TAP card for $2 off a paid ticket.
- The California Science Center (free core galleries) is next door in Exposition Park.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free hoursFree for L.A. County residents on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm · 15:00–17:00 | L.A. County residents | L.A. County residents only, with ID. The museum closes at 5pm, so this is a 2-hour window. Not on the first Tuesday of the month (Sep-May) or closure holidays. Parking and add-on exhibitions are not included. | No |
| Free forFree for active or retired U.S. military | military members and families | Military ID required. Can be reserved online with ID upload or claimed at a ticket desk. | No |
| Free forFree for EBT cardholders (up to 2 adults and 4 children) | EBT cardholders (Museums for All) | Show the EBT card and ID at a museum ticket desk on arrival. | No |
| Free forFree for children 2 and under | children under 3 | — | No |
| Free forFree for California PreK-12 teachers and school staff | California teachers | Teacher or school-staff ID required. | No |
| Free forFree for personal care attendants accompanying a visitor with a disability | carers of visitors with disabilities | — | No |
Official prices
NHM ticket prices
| Adult general admission — Seniors 62+ and students/teens 13-17 $14; children 3-12 $7; 2 and under free. $2 off with a TAP card at check-in. Add-on exhibitions require general admission too. | $18 |
| Orcas: Our Shared Future exhibition, adult (weekday) — $15 on weekends and holidays; children 3-12 $6/$8. Requires general admission. | $12 |
| Spider Pavilion | $10 |
| 3D film (T. Rex 3D or Oceans 3D) | $10 |
| NHM Car Park parking — Card only, no in-and-out. The nearby Blue structure is $20 before 5pm and $24 after. | $20 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Worth timing your visit?
What a free day saves
Based on the official price (adult general admission). Free days are busier — if your dates don't line up, a timed ticket is the trade-off.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: NHM
All tickets and tours on GetYourGuide
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
Open daily 9:30am-5pm. Closed the first Tuesday of every month except June-August, and on Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.
900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA
FAQ
NHM: common questions
Is NHM free?
NHM has no free entry for everyone. Also free: L.A. County residents on weekdays from 3pm to 5pm; active or retired U.S. military; EBT cardholders (up to 2 adults and 4 children); children 2 and under; and more below. Otherwise the official ticket costs $18.
When are the free days at NHM for L.A. County residents?
Upcoming free dates for L.A. County residents: Fri 23 Oct (15:00–17:00), Mon 26 Oct (15:00–17:00), Tue 27 Oct (15:00–17:00) and Wed 28 Oct (15:00–17:00). Bring proof of eligibility; booking rules are listed above.
Who gets free entry to NHM?
Military members and families — military ID required. Can be reserved online with ID upload or claimed at a ticket desk.. EBT cardholders (Museums for All) — show the EBT card and ID at a museum ticket desk on arrival.. Children under 3. California teachers — teacher or school-staff ID required.. Carers of visitors with disabilities.
How much is a ticket to NHM?
Adult general admission costs $18 on the official site.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about NHM
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
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Sources
Where this comes from
- nhm.org/free-hours-and-admission · checked Friday, 23 October 2026
- nhm.org/plan-your-visit
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.