Exposition Park

A Piece of LA History

What started in 1872 as a simple agricultural fairground has grown into a 160-acre urban park that's an important cultural center in Los Angeles.

Museums That Will Make Your Inner Nerd Rejoice

The park is home to several notable institutions. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is home to the jaw-dropping Dinosaur Hall where you'll come across over 300 fossils and 20 complete dinosaur skeletons. The butterfly enclosure is beautiful, and the gem vault room is quite impressive.

Just a short walk away, the California Science Center offers hands-on exhibits about science. It's also where you'll discover the Space Shuttle Endeavour - yes, a real space shuttle! They're currently building a new home for this massive spacecraft (complete with booster rockets) set to open in 2026. Don't worry though - even with the construction, there's still plenty to explore about space, aviation, and ocean life.

Don't miss the California African American Museum, which offers powerful, thought-provoking galleries that illuminate African American history and culture from unique perspectives.

For the Sports Enthusiasts

The historic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum is one of the park's major landmarks. This isn't just any stadium - it's hosted two Olympic Games (1932 and 1984) and is gearing up for the 2028 Olympics too. You can visit the front portion typically between 9am and 4pm, or take a guided tour for the full experience.

Soccer fans will recognize the BMO Stadium (previously called the Sports Arena) as the home turf of Los Angeles FC.

Green Spaces to Breathe

Need a moment of calm? The Exposition Park Rose Garden is a seven-acre sunken garden dating back to 1927. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it showcases over 200 varieties of roses. It's fantastic for photos, picnics, or just sitting with a good book. If you can, visit in spring when the roses are showing off in full bloom.

Beyond the rose garden, you'll discover plenty of grassy areas, shady trees, and walking paths within the park. It's a patch of nature in the urban landscape - and leashed dogs are welcome too.

What's Coming Next

As if all that weren't enough, the park is expanding its cultural footprint with the upcoming George Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, which will stand alongside the new home being built for the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

Getting There

Getting to Exposition Park is a breeze. You can hop on various bus lines or take the Metro E Line (Expo) right to the park. If you're driving, there are several parking options including underground facilities, but it can get busy during events. Fair warning: on event days, the area gets pretty congested, so public transit might be your best bet.