Since our visit in 1998, they've updated the Air and Space Gallery. You walk outside the back door of the Science Center, hang a right, and follow the signs to the unusual, Frank O. Gehry designed building.

It's a beautiful display, with again, lots of natural light spilling in through skylights, but as Dianne murmered to me after a few minutes "Was this place designed by a bunch of boys, er what?" It definitely features a lot of gadgets, flying machines, parachutes, space capsules, satellites and aircraft - as it should.

But I can also see that it would have a more limited appeal than the Science Center. We spent just a few minutes here before heading back to the main building.

Back outside, it was fun to see this view of the old façade from one of the original exhibit halls that has been incorporated into the new Science Center.

According to the press releases, the expansion and re-invention of 1998 is considered phase one. The plan is to add on additional pavilions, exhibits and building space until it becomes the largest science museum in the Western United States.

Back in the main building we stopped by the museum shop, ExploraStore, which is an okay store.

With places like Discovery Channel store, The Nature Company, and Imaginarium in most regional shopping malls, it could use a bit more exclusive merchandise. We didn't buy anything.

The brochure that is handed out [Explorer's Guide] is very nicely done and is a fine souvenir by itself.. The museum offers some memberships too - with various numbers of parking passes, tickets to the IMAX theatre, and additional perks. California Science Center Memberships

I couldn't get the girls interested in seeing one of the IMAX movies. Here at the Science Center, they're rotating 8 different IMAX movies throughout the day. A single ticket runs $7.50, or if you're a real IMAX junkie, a $24.00 all day ticket is available. IMAX Information

Overall, I remembered why we came back. California Science Center is fun, relaxing and really enjoyable. Although it's sometimes referred to as a children's museum, it seems like there's plenty to hold everyone's interest. And because there is no admission charge, we didn't feel the need to squeeze every single part of the museum into one visit. Even though we didn't see everything, we didn't feel we missed out, if that makes any sense.

Walking back to the car, we passed back through Exposition Park and the Museum of Natural History, which we'll be visiting later in the month, sometime between soccer. They're currently running two exhibits.

One is Baseball as America, which debuted last month and features artifacts from National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The other opening October 13, 2002 is DOGS: Wolf, Myth, Hero & Friend.

Anyone want to guess which exhibit we'll be visiting?
 
 
California Science Center
700 State Drive
Los Angeles, CA 90037
http://www.casciencectr.org
 
This museum is really, really fun. I like it a lot. Seeing the chicks hatching out of their eggs was neat -- they're so cute. You can learn things too at this museum. If you're really strong, try the rock climbing. If you're not strong, don't try it, because it's hard.
I love this museum. In fact, We've visited 3 times in the past 4 years, and I still love it. This place feels less like a museum and more like a fun zone. Every exhibit had something to push, something to read, or look at - and was very interactive and involving. It gave me the feeling of being constantly in motion - without feeling completely worn out at the end. In fact, I'd say we felt a bit more energized when we were leaving than when we came in.
Overall, with no admission price, it's a terrific value. And one heck of a lot of fun. I was surprised at how good and fresh and clean the various spaces looked. They seem to like to update on a regular basis [the 'Speed' exhibit] and so I can see us coming back within the next two years. Not something I've thought at any other museum.
 

Continue with Museum Madness
Go to the Natural History Museum - DOGS exhibit - Arf!
 

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