There are few memberships that we get a better use out of than our family’s museum membership with the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. That’s because not only is their membership partnered with the La Brea Tar Pits, but NHMLA also regularly offers up some very special members-only perks, such as last spring’s Butterfly Pavilion preview and this past weekend’s preview for their seasonal Spider Pavilion.

Along with going to see the Blue Moon Diamond last Saturday at NHMLA, we got a members-only preview of the Spider Pavilion. The white tent outside of NHMLA will be crawling with eek-filled educational opportunities at every turn and is open to the public now through Sunday November 2. No, really, I’m serious. You need to turn each web-covered corner with care while inside the Spider Pavilion so as not to disturb any of the more than 300 golden silk spiders, spiky orb-weavers, and orchard spiders who will call this home sweet (spooky?) home for the next six weeks.

Don’t worry though. NHMLA staff are on the trail regularly to keep them clear so that the spiders won’t catch human visitors in the webs they weave.  They’re also happy to answer any questions you might have about the eight-legged residents-in-spinning.

There are also a few different tarantulas and eight-eyed jumping spiders housed in cages and terrariums in the exhibit for close-up but protected viewing upon entry and exit.

T gets to work at The Squirrel King’s craft station during NHMLA’s members-only Spider Pavilion preview weekend last Saturday.

Another wonderful perk about being a member at NHMLA is that during preview weekends like this one, there’s usually a craft offered as part of the festivities, and this event was no exception. The fun folks from The Squirrel King were back in the garden with a spider-ific craft station. This time, crafters created their own pipe cleaner spider as a take-away and thank you for visiting during preview weekend.

There’s something in your hair, C.

Hope you can creep and crawl your way over to the Spider Pavilion this fall. Spider hats are optional.

Entry to NHMLA’s Spider Pavilion requires a timed-ticket, which are sold in half-hour intervals throughout the day and are available for an additional charge with a purchased General Admission ticket ($5 additional for adults, youth, and seniors; $3 additional for children ages 3-12). Members may enter for free but still require a timed-ticket, which are available at the box office or online (online reservations are recommended in advance to guarantee a better choice of times). Same-day tickets at the door are first-come, first-served at any NHM admissions desk or at the Spider Pavilion itself. As this is an outdoor special exhibit at NHMLA, it is subject to closure at any time due to inclement weather. Weather permitting, the Spider Pavilion is open daily from 10 a.m.-to-5 p.m. with the last ticket sold at and for 4:30 p.m. entry. Regular museum hours (with exception of a few holiday closures) are daily, Monday-through-Sunday, from 9:30 a.m.-to-5 p.m.