What to KnowSpider Pavilion 2026Natural History Museum of Los Angeles CountySept. 20-Dec. 6, 2026; Sept. 18 and 19 are the member preview days$10 pavilion tickets; admission to the museum is also requiredButterfly Pavilion is open at the Exposition Park museum through Aug. 23

A Monarch spied hovering near a bright flower or a Mourning Cloak alighting atop a fence post is a sight to be enjoyed in the moment, for neither insect is going to hang around for too long.

The same thing might be said, of course, for the Butterfly Pavilion at the Natural History Museum in Exposition Park. It’s true that the airy enclosure does boast a pretty presence outside the science institution over several months, starting in the spring, but, eventually, way must be made for new tenants.

A colorful caboodle of eight-legged visitors is on wonderful web-spinning approach: It’s Spider Pavilion, the fall-themed follow-up to the butterfly-centered splendor.

You do have a little more time to “(c)ount up to 30 different species” in the Butterfly Pavilion, which will remain open through Aug. 23, 2026.

But starting a month or so later, on Sept. 20, hundreds of busy orbweavers will be in fascinating focus.

And if you’re a museum member? You’ll get a chance to behold the Bold Jumping Spider, Green Lynx Spider, and Spinybacked orbweaver on Sept. 18 and 19.

An adult ticket to Spider Pavilion is $10 and do keep in mind that you’ll need to purchase museum admission, too.

Once you’ve roamed the snug and spider-packed space, make your way to the spider den for a closer look at some spider habitats; tarantulas have been past stars of this part of the pavilion, and a docent or staff member is always on hand to answer questions.

Spider Pavilion will be spinning through Dec. 6, 2026, so if your Halloween commitments are multiplying, look to the week of Thanksgiving, when relatives will be visiting.

Shouldn’t you show family members something memorable, full of mystery, and highly hairy but not scary?

It’s a trip they’ll talk about for years.

Do note that Thanksgiving Day is closed at the pavilion, but tickets are available on Halloween, which is a Saturday. The full calendar, with a few other closed dates and details, can be viewed by following the Buy Tickets link.

As for the number of spiders due to be on view at Spider Pavilion? Talk about inspiring a shiver of delight: Visitors can expect “approximately 300 spiders” to hold web-creating court inside the educational attraction.