La Brea Tar Pits

05/13/2008 Posted by ivanova

Very interesting to see, kid friendly, but kind of small. I took my 3 yr old daughter there and we both enjoyed it especially after the exhibit we got to walk around the grounds and she was running up and down the hills around the museum. Overall a fun and educational experience.

Pros: educational, fun, nice grounds

Cons: small

10/31/2007 Posted by netter1

As a child growing up in LA during the 60's-70's, the tar pits were fascinating...a glimpse into the wonderful world of imagination. Through the eyes of a cynical, fatalistic teenager, they were simply a ridiculous representation of having the wool pulled over my eyes...especially when you saw fast food garbage sinking into the ooze. As an adult...and now that they've been cleaned up quite a bit...I think I can appreciate the fact that they represent a historical look into how our planet once existed. For me, the tar pits are simply another exhibit on Museum Row. It's interesting for about 5 minutes...and then I move on to the great museums within walking distance.

05/02/2006 Posted by csqamary

Hancock park is beautiful and the sites are something you'll never see elsewhere. Sloths, mastodons, dire wolfs, saber tooth cats, etc are exhibited which are creatures I've never seen before. The tar pit (where they uncover the bones) is only open during the summer (make sure you go then) so you can actually see how the process works! And, there's a cool "fishbowl" in the museum that allows you to see the cleaning of the bones. The museum isn't too big so it's not tiring. The gift shop is exceptionally large and nice with many affordable items even if you're on a budget. Especially good for kids because they can run around outside before or after if they need to burn off energy. Overall, a really nice experience.

Pros: Educational & Unique, Beautiful park, FishBowl/Pit/GiftShop

08/09/2002 Posted by izelmorena

I can see where this place can get a bit boring after 2 or more visits. But if you've never been, it's definitely a bit of L.A. history that different from the rest. If you're on a budget, make a picnic basket and people watch on the lawn outside. Parking is free if you can find it. If not, you can park in a lot close by for $5.

Pros: Learning Value, Cheap, Exhibits

Cons: parking can be a pain

07/25/2002 Posted by eheibel

The La Brea Tar Pits are a must see, can you really live in LA and not check them out. Go after 4:30 then the museum is free!

06/18/2002 Posted by stacy23

Went to the Tar Pits a few months back and I was kind of disspointed. The tar itself is an amazing thing, how they still keep finding fossils and bones in it, but the museum left me kind of empty. The video was outdated, I think it was the same one I saw when I was 5 years old! The decor seemed a bit drab considering it shares the same grounds as LACMA! It seemed so much better when I was 5. The observation window where you can see people sifting through rubble and cleaning fossils are the same people who were doing it back in the 70's, I swear it! You have to go once, just to say you've seen "La Brea", but I think once just may be enough.

Cons: a little outdated

05/20/2002 Posted by wijgalt

First things first.. If you're not from Los Angeles, you may have only heard about the Tar Pits from movies. The reality is absolutely nothing like what you might expect! The tar pits are set in the middle of the city, and you'd never notice them except by accident. The biggest excavation site is now under one of the museums, and the rest of the park is very carefully manicured.. manufactured, almost. There is tar.. there are pits. There are NO dinosaur bones.. the pits are only around 40,000 years old. The museum itself is interesting, and they have found bones from all sorts of interesting things that aren't around any more (native camels, giant sloths, etc). But once again.. no dinosaurs! Don't believe me? It's the first sign you see when you enter the museum. Go, look for yourself. It's still worth the trip.

Pros: interesting, convenient

Cons: no dinosaurs