Introduce Kids to Maya Culture Without Leaving the Country

From ancient gods and mysterious pyramids to tales of fierce warriors and myths of creation, Maya culture is enthralling. The ancient civilization mastered science and engineering to build massive cities and thriving societies that existed in the midst of unforgiving rain forests throughout Mexico, Guatemala, Belize, Honduras and El Salvador. Thanks to a new exhibit at California Science Center in Los Angeles, family travelers can see more 250 rare Maya artifacts without having to leave the country.

While Maya civilization survives through living descendants who continue the traditions of Maya customs and language, ancient relics and artifacts from incredible Maya sites are seldom seen outside of Central America.

Maya: The Exhibit is a great opportunity for children to discover this ancient civilization by viewing some of its most cherished artifacts up close and in person, many of which have never left their home countries. Visitors can also enjoy several interactive exhibits, letting you touch 3-D replicas of the items on display, play with a Maya calendar and decipher hieroglyphics.

The exhibit is also accompanied by an IMAX film, Mystery of the Maya, a documentary taking viewers to remote locations across Mexico and Guatemala to see sites like Temple of the Inscriptions in Palenque and Temple of the Magician in Uxmal.

The exhibit, open through Jan. 15, 2024, costs $21.95 for adults and $14.95 for children. Students and seniors get special pricing at $19.95, and the IMAX presentation runs from $7.59 for children to $9.79 for adults. Combo tickets for both the exhibit and the IMAX presentation are also available. Admission includes admission to all the center’s permanent exhibits, including the Space Shuttle Endeavor. The center’s fun and interactive attractions, like Ecosystems, let kids learn and play while they discover the world they live in, making a day at California Science Center the perfect way for families to spend a day in Los Angeles.