Artist Aaron Byrd spins among the elephants at a Natural History Museum of Los Angeles “First Friday” event. Photo by Peach Impediment via Flickr/CC.

This weekend, break the routine with Metro and one or more of our fun, transit-accessible events across Los Angeles…

Friday

If you’re into nature, science, indie music or all three, we hope you’ve already purchased tickets to First Friday at the Natural History Museum. Explore the museum after dark as it stays open late from 5 p.m. until 10 p.m. Participate in talks, tours and other science-related programs planned specially for the evening (pssst, one features Sandra Tsing Loh!). Enjoy live performances by L.A.-based bands Salt Petal and Kinky at 8 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Then wind down with chill beats provided by KCRW. Tickets are $18. (Metro Expo Line to Expo/Vermont or Expo Park/USC Station.)

The Aquarium of the Pacific is also joining in the First Friday fun with Shark Lagoon Night! Those wishing to get up-close-and-personal with the ocean’s ultimate predators can do so for free from 6 to 9 p.m. Pet bamboo sharks and rays and stare into the cold, primordial eyes of the sand tiger and other large sharks… then warm up with hot cocoa. (Metro Blue Line to Downtown Long Beach Station, then walk approximately 10 minutes or take the free Passport Shuttle to the Aquarium of the Pacific.)

Saturday

The Big Parade is a two-day, 35-mile walk of Los Angeles  split into smaller, neighborhood loops that seeks to bring people together to reclaim the streets of L.A. for pedestrians. Participation is free, and on Saturday the walking begins at Grand Park at 8:30 a.m. Not an early bird on the weekends? You can join the group at a more reasonable hour anywhere along the planned route. (Metro Red/Purple Line to Civic Center/Grand Park Station.)

The Wall is the Downtown L.A. Flower District’s weekly farmer’s market, and if you’ve never paid a visit to this bustling, historic area of the city, may we suggest you check it out this Saturday? The market is located on Wall Street between 7th and 8th Street, and features fresh produce and perishables from California farmers as well as the district’s regular florists. Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Go Metro and receive free admission (normally $2) with your valid TAP card. (Metro Blue or Expo Line to Pico Station.)

Basketball fans have the opportunity to watch a very interesting game this Saturday as LAPD takes on LAFD at the 6th-annual Safe Summer Tip-Off community event. The teams square off at 1 p.m. at the USC Galen Center, but there’s lots of fun to be had beforehand as well, including a free BBQ lunch! (Metro Expo Line to Jefferson/USC Station, Metro Silver Line to 37th St/USC, or Bus 81 to Figueroa/USC.)

Sunday

Image from the Amoeba Hollywood Facebook page.

Get ready for Bike Week LA, May 10 – 16, with Amoeba Records and L.A. County Bicycle Coalition this Sunday at the Ride On! Bike Day party. This free event will feature DJs, food and drinks, bicycle-related workshops, a prize wheel and raffle tickets for prizes from Sole Bicycle, Bern Helmets, Converse, Amoeba and more! It’s all happening between noon and 4 p.m. in the Ivar Street parking lot just a half-block from the store. And yes, there will be plenty of places to safely park your ride. (Metro Red Line to Hollywood/Vine Station)

Any Angeleno with even a casual interest in flea market shopping knows the Melrose Trading Post, held every Sunday at Fairfax High School between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. This is just a small reminder that you can go Metro to the deals via our plethora of buses serving Melrose/Fairfax. That includes lines 780, 218, 217, and 10/48. Don’t forget $3 for admission to the market!

All Weekend

Paris Photo LA is the U.S. edition of a global art fair dedicated to how artists have been and are using photography and film from the 20th century to now. Located at the Paramount Pictures Studio back lot, the fair will run Friday and Saturday from noon to 7 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 6 p.m. Tickets range from $20-$46. (Metro Bus 10/48 to Melrose/Bronson.)

Before the sign off, some links to help you navigate Metro:

• Metro trip planner
• Google Maps transit directions
• All Metro bus and rail maps and timetables
• Metro system map
• Metro Rail and transitway interactive map
• Fares and TAP card info
• How to Ride
• Nextrip real-time bus and train arrival