Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Cerritos Library
It's hard to even describe this amazing space, with its 15,000-gallon saltwater aquarium at the entrance. Kids are enthralled by the special section, which includes a 40-foottall replica Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, a walk-in lighthouse, rainforest and more. The entire place is like an ode to books and learning. There's even a 2,500-square-foot Teen Studio just for them — no adults allowed. Entry and parking are free, but you must have a Cerritos library card to get free Wi-Fi. Anyone can visit the library, but only Cerritos residents or people who work or go to school there can get a free borrowing card. Open daily except holidays.
The largest art museum complex on the West Coast is on the Miracle Mile of Wilshire Boulevard and has something for everyone. Want to get in for free? L.A. County residents can every day after 3 p.m., and everyone pays nothing for admission on the second Tuesday of the month. Also, note that children 17 or younger can sign up for the NexGen program, enabling them to get in free and bring one person along. Paid parking is nearby. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. lacma.org.
Museum of Contemporary Art
MOCA is free to visit, with advance tickets available online. Perhaps the highlight is the striking sandstone
See an early movie
Get out of the house and into a theater for a cheap matinee showing. Daytime shows are nearly always cheaper, especially Tuesdays, when many chains offer deals. At this writing, AMC Theatres are offering $5 tickets for all regular showings Tuesdays if you're a Stubs loyalty member (free to join). And Regency Theatres offer $7.50 tickets Tuesdays. The Starlight Theatres Lakewood Center offers $5 movies Tuesdays and Thursdays all day, plus Sundays before 6 p.m. It also shows $5 vintage classics like “Bonnie and Clyde” and “Gone With the Wind.” The Terra Vista in Rancho Cucamonga offers the same deal. The Dos Lagos Luxury Theatre in Corona offers the same classics for $7. Oh, and did I mention that some Regal Theaters offer $2 kids movies on Saturday mornings? No, you don't have to be a kid to see them. Hey, I like “Shrek” and “Harry Potter,” too.