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Griffith Park Observatory

If you haven't visited recently, check out the changes made during the observatory's recent renovation!

The Griffith Park Observatory is a Los Angeles "favorite" for visitors and locals, alike! This long-time landmark may have the same "look" as ever...but unless you've visited since November 3, 2006, you won't have seen the Griffith Park Observatory's new look (a completely expanded and re-designed interior that took 4 years and $93 MILLION dollars to achieve! The observatory has doubled its exhibit space...and many parts of the interior appear shiny and new. On the other hand, the exterior of the building retains its original 1935 appearance...just all shined and spit-polished; and many spots on the building's interior retain their original appearance, as well.

The pictures of Griffith Park Observatory's exterior (which you're viewing in the picture slide show to your left,) give you a good idea how the remodeling project has kept the same, traditional appearance of the Observatory, while adding a classy and modern dining and observation terrace.

Picture: Griffith Park Observatory entrance, 2008

Here's a run-down on what pictures you're viewing in the slide show above:

*Pictures of Griffith Park Observatory's front lawn area

*Picture of James Dean Memorial (he starred in the movie "Rebel Without a Cause" which was filmed here)

*Photo of a bus which shuttles visitors from the LA Zoo's parking lot...plus a picture of the Griffith Park reservations bungalow (where you'll park & depart)

*Pics of the views from Griffith Park Observatory

*Photos of the dome in which the observation telescope resides

Griffith Park Observatory's Great New Features

Photo of the famous Hollywood sign, taken from the Griffith Park Observatory

You'll be glad to know that the all-new, completely renovated and expanded Griffith Park Observatory is not only shiny & sparkling clean, it offers many new features, as well.

First and foremost on this list of "great new items" is the fact that the Griffith Park Observatory's exhibit area has doubled in size! The list of exhibits that the Griffith Park Observatory display areas now contain makes for exciting reading! First of all, I recommend that you study the Griffith Park Observatory's map of exhibits before you go...because there WILL be crowds, and knowing where you want to head will make getting around a whole lot easier for you. Please use the following link to view a PDF downloadable map of the Griffith Park Observatory's new exhibits.

Note: the PDF version of the exhibit map takes a minute to download onto your screen. But, it's worth the wait. The Griffith Park Observatory's website ALSO has a non-PDF version of the map available, but it's harder to read than its PDF counterpart.

Next, once you've seen the map, read the names of what exhibits are available, and learned where to find them in the Observatory building...you will want to learn a bit more of the details about your favorite exhibits. For that, you can use the following link to see the "exhibit details" page of the Griffith Park Observatory official website.

Pictures of Griffith Observatory's Exhibits: In the photo slide show to your right, you'll see some of the beautiful and modern exhibits from both the new and the remodeled exhibit halls. Don't think that these are nearly all of the exhibits you'll find, though! The Griffith Park Observatory pictures to your right are meant to be "teasers;" you'll find many more interesting exhibits when you actually make your visit!

After you've seen the exhibits, you're still not done with things to do at the newly remodeled Griffith Park Observatory!

Do you love to shop? The remodeled Griffith Park Observatory has a cute new gift shop! Expect to find all sorts of astronomy & science-themed souvenirs, home decor, apparel, books and toys for sale in the gift shop. Some of the interesting & educational merchandise sold in this shop is hard to find elsewhere...and turns the gift shop into nearly as interesting an "exhibit" as the exhibit area itself!

Want to grab a snack while you're at the observatory? The all-new cafeteria is shiny & gleaming...PLUS, it's run by the renowned Wolfgang Puck restaurants!

The all-new Griffith Park Planetarium!

Exciting changes have taken place in the Griffith Park Observatory Planetarium, as well. The planetarium has re-opened with an all-new state-of-the-art "star projector." The view you'll have of the planetarium's "stars" will be sharper and clearer than ever before. Plus, the new projector will be able to project even MORE STARS than it did before! This will be a full-sky, laser projection system that you'll certainly not want to miss.

You'll also notice that you not only SEE more clearly, but you'll HEAR more clearly, as well, because the planetarium's sound system has been upgraded for peak performance. And the new planetarium's seats? Plush and comfy! Check 'em out in the picture of the Griffith Observatory's new seats (to your right.)

The show playing at the new Samuel Oschin Planetarium is called "Centered in the Universe." The Griffith Park planetarium is as follows: Saturday and Sunday, the planetarium's busiest days of the week, there will be 11 show times. The schedule of showtimes for the weekends will be: 10:45 pm, 11:45 am, 12:45 pm, 1:45 pm, 2:45 pm, 3:45 pm, 4:45 pm, 5:45 pm, 6:45 pm, 7:45 pm and 8:45 pm. Mondays, the Griffith Park Observatory and Planetarium are closed. Tuesdays through Fridays, the planetarim show schedule will be the SAME as on the weekends EXCEPT that there will be no 10:45 am nor 11:45 am shows given.

Picture of Griffith Park Planetarium's seating...plush, comfy chairs!

GRIFFITH PLANETARIUM TICKET PRICES: What are the ticket prices for a show at the Griffith Park Planetarium? Adult ticket prices are $7 per show. Seniors (age 60+) cost $5. And kids' tickets (ages 5 through 12) cost only $3. Children age 4 and under get free admission to the Samuel Oschin Planetarium BUT...there are a few rules to observe. For one thing, young children must be seated on their parents' laps. And, most showtimes do NOT admit preschoolers age 4 and under, nor babies. The showtimes which accept very young children are the first shows of the day. (On weekdays, Tuesday through Friday, that's the 12:45 pm showtime. On weekends, Saturday and Sunday, that is the 10:45 am show time.)

You may NOT make advance reservations for a planetarium show (unless you're a member of Friends of the Observatory, that is.) Therefore, if you'd like to enjoy the planetarium, buy your tickets for a planetarium show as soon as you arrive at the Griffith Park Observatory! That way, if the next several showtimes are already "sold out," no problem! You will have time to enjoy the exhibits and the gift shop while you're waiting for your show to start!

SEE OTHER GRIFFITH PARK ATTRACTIONS! --->

Use the button above to see the "Griffith Park Attractions" page of this website...and learn about still MORE fun you can have after visiting the Observatory Follow the woodsy brown button above!

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