US Airways - June 2013 - (Page 89)

Clockwise from top left: The Age of Mammals exhibit tells a 65-million-year-old story of evolution; visitors discover wildlife in the Nature Gardens; a large-scale T. rex puppet. But the Natural History Museum’s transformation isn’t just about new construction. Many of the exhibits have been completely redesigned. The new 14,000-square-foot Dinosaur Hall is twice as big as the museum’s old dinosaur gallery and houses 300 fossils and 20 completely mounted specimens. The exhibit’s highlight is a T. rex growth series, comprised of three extraordinary Tyrannosaurus fossils: the youngest known baby; a rare juvenile; and a recently discovered young adult, Thomas the T. rex. The hall’s multi-media stations provide an in-depth look at the fossils. “I would argue that we have the best fossil halls in the world right now,” Wise says. “It’s a seminal collection and it tells a really important story. Our best, most scientifically important pieces are out there on display.” The Age of Mammals installation is based on a deceptively simple concept: continents move, climates change, and mammals evolve. Thoughtful and theatrical, the exhibit’s focal points include a 20,000-year-old mastodon, a saber-toothed cat, and the first known paleoparadoxiid (literally, “mystery mammal”), which looks a bit like a cross between an elephant and a manatee. Age of Mammals benefits greatly from the fact that the Natural History Museum also runs the Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits, home to many skeletonpreserving tar seeps. And there’s much more to explore here. The museum is home to the largest gem and mineral exhibit west of the Mississippi and the only active diorama program in the U.S. For visitors from out of town, it’s an important introduction to one of the world’s great cities. “It’s a great place to start your journey,” Pisano says. “It’s a great place to get to know Los Angeles — and the planet.” 900 exposition boulevard los angeles, ca 213.763.Dino nhm.org nhm is the official downtown los angeles tourism visitor information center. exit metro expo line at the expo/vermont or expo park/usc station. see map on page 169; more information at metro.net. usairwaysmag.com June 2013 89 http://www.nhm.org http://www.nhm.org http://www.metro.net http://www.usairwaysmag.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of US Airways - June 2013

US Airways - June 2013
Table of Contents
CEO Letter
From the Editor
Did You Know?
Making It Happen
Hot Spots: Best Outdoor Music Venues
Hub Crawl: Los Angeles International Airport
Wine & Dine: Infused Spirits
Great Tastes: B.B. King's Blues Clubs
Diversions: Beer Gardens
Great Escapes: Hard Rock Hotels
Great Escapes: Universal Orlando Resort
Diversions: Seven Super Spas
Adventure: Sebasco Harbor Resort, Maine
Golf: Billy Casper
Gear Up: Family Games
Travel Feature: The Lure of the Lake
US Airways: All in the Family
Chefs Tell: Sea Fire Grill
Charlotte, NC
Special Section: Los Angeles Arts
Must Read: Color Blind
Great Dates
Puzzles
Readers Resource Index
Your US Airways Guide
Video Entertainment
Audio Entertainment
U.S. and Caribbean Service Map
International Service Map
Airport Terminal Maps
US Airways Fleet/Customs & Immigration
Passenger Info/Contact US Airways
US Airways MarketPlace®
Window or Aisle?

US Airways - June 2013