Things to Do in Griffith Park

Free. Open until 10pm. Free telescope viewing every evening. Best city views in LA.

Free admission. Interactive space exhibits, free public telescope viewing every evening (7-9:30pm, weather permitting), and the best panoramic views of the city and Hollywood Sign. Planetarium shows $10 adults, $8 kids. Open until 10pm -- one of the few family outings that works after dinner.

2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue–Fri 12–10pm, Sat–Sun 10am–10pm. Closed Mon. · Ages 0+

Animals start going inside at 4pm. Arrive early. Pair with a Griffith Park hike.

133 acres in Griffith Park, 1,400+ animals, 270 species. Rainforest of the Americas and LAIR (reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates) are the standouts. Animals head inside around 4pm, so arrive early. Pair with a Griffith Park hike or Train Ride for a full day. Online reservation required.

5333 Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 10am–5pm. Last entry 3:45pm. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas. · outdoor · Ages 0+

$3 carousel, $5 pony rides. Griffith Park tradition since 1926 and 1948.

1926 Spillman carousel with 68 hand-carved horses. $3 per ride. Adjacent pony rides ($5) have been running since 1948. Combine with the nearby Train Rides and a picnic at the park tables for a $15 afternoon.

4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Weekends & holidays 11am–5pm. Summer: daily 11am–5pm. · outdoor · Ages 0+

Free Tuesdays and Wednesdays 1-4pm. Cowboys, Native art, California history.

Stories of the American West told through art, history, and Native perspectives. Interactive exhibits for kids, a family discovery gallery, and rotating exhibitions. Free admission Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 1-4pm. Located in Griffith Park -- pair with the zoo or a hike.

4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Tue-Sun 10am-4pm. Closed Mon. · indoor · Ages 0+

$3.50 per ride. Miniature train through a mile of Griffith Park. Since 1948.

Miniature train rides through a mile of Griffith Park, operating since 1948. $3.50 per ride for adults and kids (under 18 months free). The train passes through a dark tunnel that toddlers either love or hate. Near the merry-go-round and pony rides -- easy to combine all three.

4400 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Mon-Fri 10am-4:30pm, Sat-Sun 10am-5pm · outdoor · Ages 0+

Eight free public courts on a hillside in Griffith Park. No lighting, so play ends at sunset. First-come first-served, no reservations. Hiking trails nearby.

2715 Vermont Canyon Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Dawn to dusk daily · outdoor

4,210 acres of urban wilderness with over 70 miles of hiking and equestrian trails. Routes range from flat, paved paths to strenuous climbs to the Hollywood Sign. The Fern Dell trail is stroller-friendly, the Griffith Observatory hike is a solid workout with panoramic views. Free, no reservation needed, open dawn to dusk.

4730 Crystal Springs Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Daily 5am-10:30pm · outdoor

Fenced off-leash park inside 4,000-acre Griffith Park. Then leash up and hike 50+ miles of trails with Hollywood Sign views.

Fenced off-leash dog park inside Griffith Park near the merry-go-round. Separate areas for large and small dogs. The park itself has 50+ miles of on-leash hiking trails through canyons and ridgelines with views of the Hollywood Sign and downtown LA. The dog park is the off-leash option; trails require a leash.

N Zoo Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · 5am-10:30pm daily · outdoor

Easy 3-mile hike with the best views in Griffith Park. Dogs on leash. Start at Charlie Turner trailhead to skip the Observatory crowds.

Easy 3-mile round trip in Griffith Park with views of the Hollywood Sign, downtown LA, and the Pacific on clear days. Dogs on leash required. Starts near the Observatory (start from the Charlie Turner trailhead to avoid the crowds). Good for dogs of all fitness levels.

Griffith Observatory parking, Los Angeles, CA 90027 · Sunrise to sunset · outdoor