Five More Things to Do This Summer at The Huntington

Whether you’re exploring new paths in the Desert Garden, cooling off with lavender lemonade snow cones, or watching movies under the stars, there’s no shortage of ways to soak up the season. After sharing our first five must-do experiences, here are five more reasons to enjoy summer at The Huntington.

1. Discover Summer’s Botanical Treasures 

Starting Aug. 15, visitors can roam a newly opened half-acre of The Huntington’s iconic Desert Garden, featuring nearly 1,500 square feet of ADA-compliant pathways. These paths—part of the Desert Garden Improvement Project—offer a closer look at one of the world’s largest and oldest desert plant collections, home to more than 2,000 species of succulents, cacti, and other drought-adapted flora. Look for one of the garden’s star residents: a 100-year-old dragon tree (Dracaena draco) that has thrived here since the 1920s.  

The improvement project will culminate later this year with the opening of the Mary Alice Huntington Desert Conservatory, where rare and endangered specimens will be showcased. While the conservatory officially opens in the fall, guests can view the exterior and peek through a window starting Aug. 15.  

Can’t visit in person? Bring the Desert Garden home with a signature print from the Huntington Store or watch our virtual garden walking tour. 

Following the Blooming Trail Across Cultures 

Summer at The Huntington means water lilies and lotus flowers blooming in the most unexpected places. Chart your own course across the grounds to discover these aquatic treasures: water lilies floating in a 17th-century fountain in the North Vista, lotuses rising from the lake in the Chinese Garden, and other surprise aquatic displays tucked throughout the estate. Each location tells a different story, from baroque fountain design to the symbolic meaning of lotuses in Chinese culture. Check our calendar to time your visit with peak blooms, then let the flowers guide your wandering. 

2. Create Your Own Story Through Indoor Gallery Experiences

When the summer sun gets too warm, slip inside climate-controlled galleries, where you can craft your own narrative path through time. The Huntington’s newest exhibition series, Stories from the Library, features both notable and unexpected collection materials, many on view for the first time. Every six months, two distinct exhibitions unfold inside the Huntington Art Gallery, the former Beaux-Arts residence of founders Henry E. and Arabella Huntington. 

• On the first floor, “The Tales Through Time” presents The Huntington’s authoritative Ellesmere Chaucer, a manuscript of Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales created between 1400 and 1405, alongside later iterations of the work. The exhibition reveals how the tales changed textually and visually over five centuries of retellings.
• Upstairs, “Los Angeles, Revisited” examines the creative legacy of the city’s architectural pioneers through original drawings, photographs, and blueprints—including plans for LA’s first skyscraper, the Braly Block (now the Continental Building at 408 S. Spring Street). 

After exploring these library treasures, stroll through the mansion’s famed European art collection, featuring paintings ranging from Thomas Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy to J.M.W. Turner’s Grand Canal: Scene - A Street in Venice. Then, explore artwork from the 19th to the 21st century in the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries of American Art, home to works by Mary Cassatt, Betye Saar, and Frederic Edwin Church. 

3. Summer Movie Nights on the Library Lawn 

Settle in with a blanket as the sun dips behind the San Gabriel Mountains and watch beloved tales light up a giant screen during The Huntington’s Summer Movie Nights. This year’s lineup celebrates classic book-to-screen adaptations: 

• Robin Hood (animation, 1973)
• Paddington 2 (live-action/CGI, 2017)
• The Wild Robot (animation, 2024) 

Before each screening, families can enjoy hands-on activities exploring the art of storytelling and adaptation. Pack a picnic—this is one of the few times outside food is allowed on the grounds—or grab snacks, meals, and gourmet treats from food trucks and concession vendors. 

For dates, tickets, and full details, visit the Summer Movie Nights event page. 

4. Curate Your Perfect Huntington-Inspired Summer Collection 

Transform any outdoor gathering into a Huntington-worthy experience with carefully chosen items from the Huntington Store. Start with a floral water bottle and a parasol for daytime strolls, then add an embroidered basket and a botanical-print blanket for movie nights under the stars. For a sweet touch, add a jar of The Huntington’s signature marmalade, made with oranges from our historic grove. 

Create your ideal picnic basket with items from the Huntington Store’s Food & Beverage collection and style it with Summer Event Essentials and Summer Event Accessories.

5. Experience Summer Through Your Taste Buds 

Summer at The Huntington is a delight for the senses—from the vibrant flowers and chirping birds to the tastes and aromas of seasonal treats. Start your visit with a scoop of Fosselman’s ice cream, and coffee or tea, at Red Car Coffee Shop near Admissions.  

Beginning Aug. 1, try seasonal lunch specials at 1919 Cafe, including a beet salad, a peach and white corn salad, or a red curry turkey burger. On the weekends, cool off between the Huntington Art Gallery and the Virginia Steele Scott Galleries with a lavender lemonade snow cone, inspired by herbs grown in The Huntington’s gardens and available for a limited time. 

For more treats, stop by the Freshwater Pavilion in the Chinese Garden, where you can sip boba tea and enjoy pastries near where koi lazily swim in the reflective lake—a perfect way to slow down and take in the serene landscape. 

For menus and hours, visit the Dining page. 

Want to Experience The Huntington from Home?  

Bring the beauty of our gardens and galleries into your everyday life. Watch our walking tour videos and explore our series of explainer videos about how to grow roses, read Middle English, and appreciate decorative art. Transform your digital spaces with The Huntington’s collection of free desktop and mobile backgrounds, featuring breathtaking views.