There are a lot of great things to do in Los Angeles, but Griffith Observatory is one of those places that really should be on everyone’s list. We first visited back in 2015 and decided it was time for another look. It turned out to be a great way to spend our first morning back in LA.
Sitting high above the city in Griffith Park, the Observatory is worth visiting for the views alone. But there’s a lot more to enjoy once you get inside.
We spent a couple of hours wandering through the exhibits, checking out the Foucault Pendulum, watching the Tesla Coil in action, and exploring the telescope and astronomy displays. There’s a lot to see, and the Observatory does a great job of making science interesting without making it feel like a science lesson. Tanner had a great time, and honestly, so did we.
The building itself is pretty incredible, too. Opened in 1935, Griffith Observatory has been helping people explore the universe for more than 90 years. And one of the best parts? Admission to the building and exhibits is free. That’s a pretty impressive deal for one of LA’s most recognizable landmarks.
Of course, you can’t visit without spending some time outside. The views of the Hollywood Sign are fantastic, and looking out over Downtown Los Angeles gives you a great sense of just how enormous the city really is. It’s also a great place to take pictures, which we definitely did.
It had been more than a decade since our last visit, but Griffith Observatory was every bit as enjoyable as we remembered. There’s something great about returning to a place you loved and getting to experience it again with your kid.
Griffith Observatory is absolutely worth making time for when you’re in Los Angeles. Great exhibits, incredible views, a little science, and a lot of fun. Not bad for a free attraction in one of the biggest cities in the country.
