Just by walking down a crowded street, it is very easy to see the history of mankind. Each face that walks by is a product of many generations and each building tells a story of a time that has passed. But natural history is something that goes back much further and is arguably more fascinating, and the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles County is a great place to go to learn more about the topic.

Some of the highlights of the permanent exhibit include three world-famous habitat halls that show African and North American mammals in their native environments. You can also see a Megamouth, an ultra-rare species of shark of which only 17 have been found since the species was discovered in 1976. If you like rocks, you will love the Gem and Mineral hall, with one of the largest gold exhibits in the world.

There are also many interesting special exhibits that change from time to time. Right now, there are two special exhibits, one of which is a photographic survey of the Natural History Museum's building in 1913. The other is a biography of Joshua White, a Los Angeles based photographer who specializes in documenting fine art and architecture.

A fun event to experience at least once is First Friday. Every Friday, the Natural History Museum stays open late, and by participating in First Friday, you gain access to many exclusive events. Guided tours and scientist-led discussions are interesting for those who are looking for a more scholastic evening, while the First Fridays lounge has spinning DJs and musical performances for those who want a more active night out.

All in all, the Natural History Museum is a great place to visit if you are in the area. The museum is located at Exposition Park at 900 Exposition Blvd. General admission is $9.00 for adults, $6.50 for students, seniors, and teenagers, and $2.00 for children. Special exhibit admission is included with the admission fee.