La Brea Tar Pits: Ice Age Fossils and Excavation Tour

Uncover Ice Age mysteries at the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Watch paleontologists excavate fossils and explore an active dig site. Discover saber-toothed cats, mammoths, dire wolves, and more!

Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • La Brea Tar Pits and Museum - Use your general admission ticket for entry to the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum. Here, Ice Age fossils are being excavated right in the middle of L.A.
    Enjoy this truly unique attraction by experiencing all that it has to offer. Marvel at its outdoor Lake Pit, oozing with bubbling tar; travel back in time among the…
What's Included
  • Excavator Tour
  • Pit 91 Access
  • Atrium Access
  • Pleistocene Gardens
What's Not Included
  • Souvenir photos (available for purchase on-site)
  • Ice Age Encounters show and 3D Film (tickets are available on site when you arrive)
Additional Information

Uncover the mysteries of one of the most peculiar places in L.A., the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, with this entry pass. The location provides a distinctive experience illuminating the local enigmas of the Ice Age. Witness an operational Ice Age excavation location and observe paleontologists uncovering millions of fossils right before your eyes. From…

Location
La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.5
(159 Ratings)
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Brian_l
Jan 12, 2025
Cool way to spend a day. - Lovely grounds, interesting museum. Very reasonable price for LA. Really enjoyed the active dig exhibit. We had a great time.
Review provided by Viator
Brianle7825tp
Jan 3, 2025
Enjoyable day - Really enjoyable inside and out. My son loved the active excavation site and I found the information provided inside the museum to be thoughtfully presented and not too overwhelming. The grounds are free and the museum was only $18. Great value!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Pamela_r
Jan 1, 2025
Fun break in LA - Low key experience exceeded my expectations. Don’t miss the movie. It was much more engaging than most science museum movies.
Review provided by Viator
I6521epchristiner
Dec 21, 2024
Unearthing history was never so entertaining - Nestled right in the city of Los Angeles, definitely a trip to take. Start with the museum, and there's a movie that talks about the natural history and science of the tar pits. The movie is entertaining and informative and useful knowledge gained in the movie that makes the museum and tar pits much more meaningful. This is a shorter tour/destination, and can be accomplished in a couple hours because it's a short walk around the tar pit in a park-like setting.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Alana_p
Nov 25, 2024
Take the tour <3 - The tour at 1pm given by Becca the day I attended was so informational and lovely. As fun as it is walking at your own pace and reading information on your own can be, getting the inside scoop is even more exciting. Couldn't stay for the 3:30pm talk about their findings but I sure wish I could have. Cant wait to come back in the future.
Review provided by Viator
Wen_s
Nov 15, 2024
it's not a big museum,... - it's not a big museum, however my kids still spend 2.5hours in it. We watched 3D movie about ice age in La brea. There are volunteers tell cool stories. My husband can walk the dog outside to see the excavation site.
Review provided by Viator
Ceejayaswas
Sep 18, 2024
Really don't miss LaBrea - When you see top 10 things to do in LA, LaBrea usually isn't listed.....why? Fabulous museum with dire wolf, mammoth, giant Sloth and other fossils still being unearthed from the target pits. Plus the bubbling tar/tar smell - place is unique and fascinating. Plus as an added advantage you are next to LACMA...modern art, which even if you don't want to go in has great outdoor display. No tat, no dusty stars... kids will love it too.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Fred_b
Sep 16, 2024
A Great Experience In A Unique Setting - The Tar Pits (which are really asphalt seeps) were very fun and informative to visit. The history and geology is fascinating. Our guide (Emily) was very personable and knowledgeable. She was awesome and fun. The museum is a treasure trove of artifacts/history. You can spend half a day enjoying yourself on the beautiful grounds.
Review provided by Viator
Melvinpusfinger
Nov 10, 2024
Not spectacular but good for young and older kids - We went here on a Sunday where they were holding a science and art festival. That was a little disappointing because of the very long lines and wait times. The museum is an enjoyable experience. Free if you have an EBT card or a WIC card. Otherwise, there are plenty of bones and artifacts from times past. Few things are interactive, so young kids may quickly become bored. Probably best enjoyed by slightly older kids. But the staff were very friendly and professional. And the bathrooms are clean and well-maintained. There is a nice gift shop, well stocked with stuffed animals for the kids. There is museum parking across the street. Reportedly it can cost up to $20. But there is free parking on the street if you’re willing to walk one or two blocks to the entrance.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Michael
Dec 23, 2024
Dirty puddle - More like dirty pool of water. If you have seen a filthy puddle on the side of the road you have seen the Tar Pits! Honestly, a total waste of money.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
January 2025
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