Skirball Cultural Center555

This lively cultural center in the Santa Monica Mountains celebrates 4,000 years of Jewish tradition and history.

The Museum has some 30,000 items representing the richness and diversity of Jewish life in this country and abroad. Gallery exhibits give visitors an opportunity to study and learn, and the landscaped grounds offer an opportunity for sunshine and fresh air in beautiful surroundings.

One of the biggest draws to families, the permanent Noah's Ark exhibit, features a floor-to-ceiling wooden ark play area filled with whimsical animals created mostly from recycled materials. There is space to play, build, climb, explore, and collaborate, with impromptu "happenings" and drop-in craft and storytelling activities. Advance, timed tickets are strongly recommended - particularly for free Thursdays and on weekends.

The Ziffren Discovery Center has been set up to make history exciting for the younger museum visitors; families can view Near Eastern antiquities and enjoy interactive multimedia presentations and environmental exhibits that bring ancient civilizations to life.

The Center has a busy schedule of art and archeology workshops, concerts, and family events; getting on the Skirball mailing list is a great way to stay informed. Toddler Time gives two and a half and three-year-olds a special way to explore the Museum, play, tell stories, and eat a snack.

The Skirball Cultural Center offers dynamic arts and archaeology day camps each summer.

Archaeology Summer Camp should dazzle Indiana Jones wanna-bes, offering kids a chance to spend time in a simulated dig, learning what archaeologists do and how they do it.

The Ark-ventures Art Camp lets kids create art in fun and interesting ways, drawing upon the Noah's Ark exhibition.

Membership offers many benefits to families; $80/year will give two adults and two children free admission, advance notice of events, and discounts at the Center's gallery shop and on special activities.

Zeidler's Cafe, open during Museum hours, offers fantastic views and moderately-priced, healthy fare the whole family can enjoy, including pizza, salads, soups, and pasta - all of it kosher.

All exhibitions are free to the public on Thursdays.