Wed August I was getting ads for Imaginarium and couldn't…read moreget a handle on what exactly this was. I was looking for 4hours to keep my charges occupied. I'm glad I had the kids with me: they had a blast, I had an okay time- together we averaged 4 stars. The decorations reminded me simultaneously of the Rose parade floats and Meow Wolf. I thought: How do we make this last four hours so the kids will collapse into bed? I dragged my feet, forced myself to go through the rooms slowly, took lots of pictures of the children posing. When one child wanted to color the balloons/apples I let her do that for 5minutes. The 7:30pm circus show really kicked the experience into high gear for them. They were amazed by the death wheel, the fire dancer, and the globe of death. Then they discovered the ball pen, which was about 15minutes of fun. Then they discovered the bubble machine and I watched from afar as they got themselves covered in foam. There was a misting station to clean off. There was begging to do the slime lab and I finally acquiesced. Those $8 per slime were well worth the money to keep the girls occupied for hours. As it approached closing time the girls got a sudden burst of energy and wanted to go through all the games again, go to another show (this time with an aerialist) and take more photos. Overall, Imaginarium is a very photo op worthy place. But if you're not really into photo ops, it could be perplexing how you would spend your time here. The kids loved it, but I think the highlight for them was the slime lab. Anyway, worth the entry if you have young kids!

Had such a fun time at Imaginarium at Lakewood!…read more Loved the millions of LED lights, giant LEGO displays, and the lantern pool where you can drop your wishes. The live circus performances were also included with the ticket, which was such a fun surprise! Such a magical experience for both kids and adults! ‍ IG: socalhkfoodies

I've been exploring interesting places in the Los Angeles area for 35 years and finally stumbled…read moreonto this one. It is not your typical museum. It's more like a time warp. The docent, Dick, was a walking encyclopedia and very nice man. We were fascinated by everything we saw and learned and are planning a return trip to see what we couldn't cover in the first four hours. The family history is fascinating. So is the local history, which covers the rough and tumble early days of Los Angeles after 1905. If you like machines, this is nirvana. If you're not into machines, there is still plenty to pique your interest. There are 5 acres of interesting artifacts in various stages of preservation and decay. One gets a strong sense that the place has changed very little within those 5 acres and the fascinating stories of a family of interesting characters are enriched by the stuff that surrounded them. Who needs a curator when everything is exactly as they left it? Go early and make a day of it. Get the tour from a docent. Prepare to get muddy or dusty. Wear old shoes. It's an unforgettable place.

This was a very last minute visit as it wasn't planned but I was in the neighborhood visiting…read moreanother property. This ranch is hidden in plain sight. The area surrounding it is pretty urbanized with apartments across the street and an distribution center nearby. Don't miss the entrance! There is an abundance of things to see! Each building and each room has a lot to take in. If you are into history, antiques and such, this is the place!

I recently visited Los Cerritos Rancho and had such a meaningful experience. From the moment I…read morearrived, I was warmly welcomed by the staff, who took the time to share the rich history of the landmark, including stories about the Bixby family. Walking through the home and gardens truly felt like stepping back in time. There's something incredibly special about being able to see and feel how people lived in the past--it creates a deep sense of connection and nostalgia that's hard to put into words. For me, the visit was also a moment of reflection--appreciating the lives and efforts of those who came before us, and how their contributions shaped the world we live in today. In such a fast-paced, modern era, it felt especially powerful to immerse myself in a place that preserves history so beautifully. I even remembered visiting here as a child, and coming back as an adult gave me a whole new appreciation for it. It's more than just a historical site--it's an experience that invites you to reflect, learn, and reconnect. I highly recommend visiting. It's a beautiful reminder that Long Beach is full of incredible history and hidden gems worth exploring.

Rancho Los Cerritos is a slightly hidden national historic landmark within Long Beach with…read moreGabrielino-Tongva roots. It was once a sheep ranch, cattle ranch, and even serves as an extension of our public library archives for local history. Entrance is free. Parking is free (and close to the entrance). There are volunteer-lead tours as well as printed maps to help you navigate the property. If you're planning to visit I'd set aside a half hour for everything. Bonus tip: they host events.

Took my mom and family to see this house. It was amazingly beautiful-preserved beautifully. If you…read morelove history, this is a great tour.

This is an old gorgeous house built in the 1890's and wonderfully preserved. It is open on the 1st…read moreand 3rd Saturdays of every month from 1-4 PM. They do tours of the insides and you're allowed to wander around the outside freely. It's free, but if you enjoy yourself you should donate--donations simply go to keeping the house clean. No photos are allowed of the inside, so you'll always be surprised by what you see. If you're interested in old houses and the way things used to be "back in the day" then you need to stop by if you get the chance. It is clear that the people who work here have a definite passion and either feel a sense of wonder for this bygone age or a real connection to something they lived through long ago. For some reason I feel a bit "different" since visiting. Unlike some museums that just show you a bunch of stuff, you really get a feel walking around this house for what it must have been like to live here across the 100+ years it's been here. Definitely something that you should check out.

This is a small museum but it's full of interesting displays of fire trucks and ambulances, each…read morewith their own unique history and perfectly preserved and polished and restored. We came here with my daughters and their family. The children were very entertained and learned so much about firemen and firehouses and fire engines and ambulances. This is a must visit museum. The veteran firefighters were very friendly and helpful. We thanked them for what they did to keep our community safe!

We had such a great time at the Los Angeles County Fire Museum in Bellflower! From the moment we…read morewalked in, we noticed how incredibly clean and well-kept everything was. The exhibits are organized beautifully, and you can tell they take a lot of pride in maintaining the space. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. They were happy to answer questions and shared interesting details that made the experience even more special. It didn't feel rushed at all, just a warm, inviting environment. It's also located right in the middle of a nice little downtown area, which makes it perfect to visit and then grab a bite or walk around after. Such a hidden gem! We'll definitely be back and highly recommend checking it out. $5 a person and children 12& under are free.

This museum is small but packed full of incredibly detailed and interesting displays. The quality…read moreis incredible for the price of admission: free! I was surprised how amazing this place is and how much fun I had exploring the history of Whittier. Although I knew that President Nixon was from Whittier, I still did not expect to see an entire display about his history in Whittier. It was also interesting and very well curated. I can't wait to come back one day for a Haunted Whittier Tour! Instead of donating money to the museum we loaded up on a couple souvenirs instead. This museum is definitely worth a few visits since the displays are constantly changing and evolving.

A lovely museum worth visiting…read more I felt like a kid in a candy store with all the different rooms to explore. My friend and I had a great time and spent about an hour and a half here. Museum is free and there is parking in the back.

Wow, being here brought back so much childhood memories in the 80s & 90s. See how simple and cheap…read moreit was and how little things bring so much joy in my life. The foam containers, the prizes, and the foods...how it changes from decade to decade. Plus the resolution of the foods....i brought my kid to see how it looks like back in the day and I am sure that he wouldn't understand or care at the moment on how thing started and continues changing as year goes on but he appreciate and enjoy the foods a lot, especially in Europe and Asia more then here at home in the US.

It brings the child back into me, as I go down memory lane and remember my first Big Mac. in the…read moresixties and seventies, McDonald's was one of the best known restaurant by kids and probably still is in some cases. Having a museum of its history is symbolic of a kinder and and simpler time in life as we appreciate what we had and hoping our children have the same appreciation.

The adobe and grounds are a really great place to visit and understand living in the period. Area…read morehistory is interesting and informative. The docents are full of information and friendly. Entry requires visitors to call the office once at the entrance and someone drives down to activate the opening of the entry gate and then they turn around and follow you back in. Since it is an active senior residence security is important.

I booked the Sunday tour as a Father's Day gift for my dad, and it turned out to be the perfect…read morechoice. The ranch is a hidden gem between Compton & Dominguez Hills. The ground & adobe are beautiful & well maintained. Professor Tony was absolutely incredible--patient, engaging, and deeply knowledgeable. Although we had a minor accident that delayed the start of the tour, she was incredibly understanding and accommodating. Despite the unexpected hiccup, my dad had an amazing time and even said this Adobe Ranch tour was his favorite out of all the ones he's experienced. We're truly grateful for such a memorable day!