Los Angeles averages about 15 inches of rain a year, and when it falls, families often wonder where to go. The answer is better than you expect: LA has world-class museums, hands-on science centers, indoor markets, and interactive play spaces that turn a rainy day into the highlight of your trip. This guide covers the best indoor options for families, grouped by neighborhood so you spend less time driving and more time doing.
Family Friendly
Indoor
Budget Options
Exposition Park: Two Top Museums in One Stop
Exposition Park puts two of LA’s best family museums side by side, which makes it the smartest rainy-day move you can make. The California Science Center offers free general admission and keeps kids busy for hours. You’ll find interactive exhibits where children can touch, build, and experiment, including a simulated earthquake, a rock wall, and a kelp forest exhibit with a walk-through tunnel. The IMAX theater has a seven-story screen that shows spacewalks and nature documentaries. On site is the Space Shuttle Endeavour Pavilion, which alone is worth the trip. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County sits right next door and charges $18 for adults and $7 for children. Its Dinosaur Hall holds towering T. rex and triceratops skeletons, and the Gem and Mineral Hall displays glittering crystals and gold nuggets. Interactive “please touch” exhibits keep younger kids engaged. Together, these two museums can fill a full day, and the walk between them is short, so bring an umbrella for the few minutes outdoors. The park’s official site has maps and visitor details.
Free Museums That Welcome Families
Several of LA’s best museums charge nothing for general admission, which matters when you’re buying for four or five people. The Broad in downtown LA features Jeff Koons balloon sculptures and Yayoi Kusama’s infinity rooms. General admission is free, but you need to reserve timed-entry tickets online in advance to guarantee a spot. The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday, closed Monday. A few blocks away, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MoCA) offers free admission, though hours differ from The Broad’s, so check before you go. The Getty Center sits on a hilltop above West LA and charges only for parking ($25 per car). Galleries hold European paintings by Monet and Rembrandt, and the gardens and terraces stay accessible if the rain eases. The tram ride up the hillside is part of the experience even in misty weather. The Hammer Museum in Westwood is affiliated with UCLA and offers free admission year-round, with contemporary exhibitions and a central courtyard that’s pleasant once the rain lets up.
Hands-On Fun for Active Kids
Some kids need to touch, climb, and move, not just look. The Discovery Cube Los Angeles in Sylmar offers educational interactive experiences with live performances, and it has a restaurant on site. Travel Town in Griffith Park is a hit with younger children who love trains. It has a miniature train ride and real train engines and cars to climb on, though it’s mostly outdoors, so save it for a dry break in the weather. The Sloomoo Institute combines science with sensory play, offering slime, Kinetic Sand, and a hands-on DIY Bar. Admission starts at $50, and the experience runs about 90 minutes. For families willing to drive a bit, Kidspace Children’s Museum in Pasadena has indoor exhibits, but much of the museum is outdoors, so it works best on a drizzly day rather than a downpour.
Covered Markets and Indoor Spaces
When you need a break from museums, LA’s covered markets and indoor spaces offer food and wandering without getting soaked. Grand Central Market in downtown LA has been operating since 1917 under big neon signs and vintage lamps. You’ll find tacos, ramen, pupusas, deli sandwiches, and craft beer at communal tables, and the rain on the roof makes a soothing soundtrack. The Original Farmers Market at Fairfax and Third has covered walkways connecting dozens of stalls and tiny kitchens serving French croissants, gumbo, fried chicken, and hot donuts. Indoor tables keep you dry while you sample global flavors. The Last Bookstore, housed in a former bank building downtown, has towering shelves, a famous book tunnel made entirely of novels, and cozy nooks where you can read while the storm passes. Check the store’s site for current hours.
- The Broad: reserve free timed-entry tickets online before you go; limited same-day tickets are released early morning.
- Natural History Museum: $18 adults, $7 children; pair with the free California Science Center next door for a full day.
- Grand Central Market: arrive before or after the lunch rush to snag a seat at popular vendors.
- Getty Center: free admission, $25 parking; bring a light jacket because the hilltop gets breezy and cool on wet days.
When Kids Need to Burn Serious Energy
Universal Studios Hollywood runs well in wet weather, and rainy days often bring smaller crowds and shorter lines. Many top attractions are indoors, including the Studio Tour (which is largely covered) and Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey. Tickets start around $109. Thunder and lightning may prompt ride closures, but the park generally operates smoothly in rain. To skip the traffic, take the Metro B Line to Universal City/Studio City and ride the free shuttle up to the entrance. For older kids and teens, iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Hollywood offers flights adjusted to each flier’s size, with professional monitoring and pre-flight instruction for children. Several indoor trampoline parks and bowling alleys around the city also work well for burning off energy on a rainy afternoon.
Plan Your Day Around One Area
LA traffic slows significantly in rain, so the best strategy is to pick one neighborhood and stay there. A downtown LA cluster works well: start at The Broad in the morning, walk to Grand Central Market for lunch, then spend the afternoon at the Los Angeles Central Library or The Last Bookstore. For families, the Exposition Park pair (California Science Center and Natural History Museum) gives you two museums within a short walk, with a café on site and plenty of stroller access. If you’re based on the west side, the Getty Center and the Hammer Museum are about 15 minutes apart. Use Metro rail or rideshare to avoid parking headaches. Dress in light waterproof layers and comfortable water-resistant shoes. Many museums offer free or timed entry, but reserve popular exhibits in advance because crowds shift indoors when it rains.
Sources
The Broad official site. The Broad, 2026.
Getty Center official site. Getty Trust, 2026.
Grand Central Market official site. Grand Central Market, 2026.
The Last Bookstore official site. The Last Bookstore, 2026.
Exposition Park official site. State of California, 2026.
Universal Studios Hollywood official site. Universal Studios, 2026.
Museum of Contemporary Art official site. MOCA, 2026.
LA Metro service information. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority, 2026.
Sloomoo Institute official site. Sloomoo Institute, 2026.
