What do you do in Los Angeles after you’ve spotted the stars, seen THE Sign, and brushed off the sand? How about a museum! With over 100 museums to choose from, you’ll get a dose of culture while giving yourself a break from all that sun.
The Broad Museum
Whatever your interests, art, architecture, entertainment, libraries, gardens, automobiles, or history I guarantee there is a museum in LA for you. I’m nowhere near making a dent, but I’ve checked off a few…
Table of Contents
You might also be interested in: 50 Things to do In Los Angeles
The Peterson Automotive Museum
Museum Mile
LA is a large city and many of it’s museums are spread out, but the area known as Museum Row on Wilshire Boulevard’s Miracle Mile has five wonderful museums all within steps of one another. If you were motivated it would be entirely possible to get a taste of all of them within one day.
LA County Museum of Art (LACMA)
They are: The LA County Museum of Art (LACMA), the Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM), The Labrea Tar Pits, The Peterson Automotive Museum, and the Wende Museum exhibition of the Berlin Wall.
LACMA
It would take multiple visits to see everything the largest art museum on the West Coast has to offer, but if you’re short on time you can enjoy some of LACMA’s outdoor exhibits, like Chris Burden’s Urban Lights, Levitating Mass, or choose just one of the Museum’s many buildings and focus on that.
There is definitely something magical about Urban lights. The solar powered installation is made from 202 restored cast iron street lamps from 1920s and 30s Los Angeles. This is an incredibly popular place to take photos and hang out, so expect crowds.
The boys loved Penetrable by artist Jesús Rafael Soto, an interactive art installation just outside the entrance to the Ahmanson Building. Made of simple yellow tubing hanging from a steel grid, this installation was meant to be touched!
My older son and I visited the temporary Guillermo del Toro exhibition last year and loved it. You’ll want to check the Museum’s website for information on current and upcoming exhibitions.
We loved the Guillermo del Toro exhibition.
The Peterson Automotive Museum
Los Angeles is famous for many things, but one of them is not waking! In fact, “Nobody walks in LA”, or at least that’s how the song goes, so it makes perfect sense that there would be an automotive museum in the heart of Museum Row!
At the Peterson Automotive Museum, you’ll find cars and motorcycles representing the history of the automobile, including racecars, concept cars, movie cars and custom built cars. My favorite part was viewing the movie cars including, the bat cycle, Stephen King’s Christine, lightening McQueen and Herbie the Love Bug!
La Brea Tar Pits
Can you believe that at one time the bustling area that is now Museum Row was once the home of dire wolves, saber-tooth cats, and mammoths? It’s true! Of course that was 50,000 years ago, give or take a few thousand years…
The La Brea Tar Pits and the George C. Page Museum offer a glimpse into what life was like in the LA basin long before people came along. A few things to keep in mind: There is an entrance fee to the museum, but viewing the outside exhibits is free. You won’t see dinosaurs here, as they’d already been extinct for 65 million years when animals started becoming entrapped in the tar pits.
You might also be interested in: One Amazing Day in LA
Craft & Folk Art Museum (CAFAM)
The Craft and Folk Art Museum is housed in an adorable little building just opposite the Labrea Tar Pits. You can’t miss its cheerful black and yellow design. The exhibitions are revolving and feature current day artists with a unique twist or smaller exposure.
The museum offers crafting opportunities and we had the good fortune to visit during a Japanese paper making demonstration.
CAFAM is special because it is a place to both see art and make art.
The Berlin Wall
Did you know you can view part of the Berlin Wall in LA? The largest remaining stretch of the original Berlin Wall is located just across from LACMA on Wilshire Blvd.
The Wall is part of the Wende Museum collection. Street artists from around the world were invited to paint blank segments of the Wall to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Wall coming down.
Paley Center for Media
Located in the heart of Beverly Hills, just one block off of Rodeo Drive, the Paley Center for Media exhibits explore the connections between media and society.
During our visit we saw the Cartoon Network exhibition: 25 Years of Drawing On Creativity. We loved learning about the creation of some of our favorite cartoons! A visit to the Paley Center will give you access to their collection of over 160,000 programs covering almost 100 years of television and radio from around the world. The museum’s exhibits are revolving, so you’ll want to check the website to see what’s on.
The Broad
The Broad Museum located in DTLA is easily one of my favorite museums. Entry to the museum is free, and the collection of contemporary art is top notch! Not only that, the building itself is a work of art.
Advance reservations are required, however if you don’t have them there is a stand by line. Check the website for instructions on how best to visit and for information on current exhibitions.
The Getty Villa
Located on the Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu, the Getty Villa is dedicated to the antiquities, and features 7000 years of ancient art. Even if antiquities aren’t your thing, The Villa itself is a site to see.
Built in the early 1970s it was modeled after the Villa dei Papiri, a roman country home that was located in Herculaneum, Italy. Herculaneum, along with Pompeii, was buried in the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD.
The Getty Center
If you’ve been to LA you might have noticed the Getty Center, a large white building perched on the hillside above the 405.
While the Getty Villa features antiquities through the fall of the Roman Empire, the Getty Center features American and European art from medieval times to the present. Not only is it considered an architectural masterpiece, but it’s surrounded by beautiful gardens and on a clear day the view of Downtown Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean are spectacular.
You might also be interested in: The J. Paul Getty Museums
Huntington Gardens
The Huntington Botanical Gardens has something for everyone! Museums, a library and acres of beautiful and unique gardens, including a fabulous children’s garden!
Entrance tickets are all inclusive, but because the Huntington has so much to offer it would be tough to see everything in one visit.
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The Neutra VDL House
Architecture lovers won’t want to miss a visit to the Neutra VDL House located on Silver Lake Boulevard.
Built by the famed Modernist architect Richard Neutra 75 years ago, the VDL house was named a National Historic Landmark in 2017. Tours of the home and garden are available, and are given by architecture students.
You might also be interested in: The Hidden Staircases of Silver Lake
Tips & Advice:
- Try to time your visit to LACMA for sundown and you’ll see Urban Lights in action.
- The Peterson Automotive Museum has a dedicated children’s area and parking lot.
- If you’re short on time skip the George C. Page Museum at the Tar Pits and just view the outdoor exhibitions.
- Be sure to check out CFAM’S calendar of crafting events for both children and adults.
- Walk all the way around the Berlin Wall, so you don’t miss the fabulous art painted on the backside.
- Entrance to The Paley Center for Media is free, as is parking in the building below.
- Visiting the Broad? Consider eating lunch at Otium. Easily one of the best lunches I’ve had in LA.
- Entry to both the Getty Villa and the Getty Center is free, but both charge a $15 parking fee. Entry to the Villa requires an advance reservation.
- The Huntington Gardens aren’t technically in LA, but it’s worth the trek!
- Admission to the Neutra House is $15 and tours are available on Saturdays from 11 am -3 pm.
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Take me with you!
Would you like directions to all these fabulous places? Why not take me with you! You can download this and other fun hilarystyle articles using the GPSmyCity app!
Missgitravel
Great selection! Thanks for sharing. I’ll try to hit some of them up next time I go south.
Hilary
Thanks! You definitely should!! If you decide on the Broad, keep in mind you need a reservation, but it’s free!
joylovestravel
You’re so lucky Hilary having all these wonderful museums. My problem if I was on holiday in LA would be which ones to choose… they all sound great. I love that you can see everything from contemporary art to the Berlin Wall.
Hilary
We are very lucky! We try to go whenever there’s a fun exhibit or if friends come to town… there are still so many to see…
Are We Adults Yet
This is such a great roundup! I love all of these museums (that I’ve been to, definitely adding CAFAM to my list to try out next!), and there’s a fair amount of overlap in my two recent posts on “parent friendly LA attractions”! I profiled the east side (http://bit.ly/AWAYeastLA) and the west (http://bit.ly/AWAYwestLA), but still feel like I could write two more for each side! We’re definitely lucky to be in such a culturally-rich area!
Hilary
We are so lucky! I’ll check out your posts! Make sure to look for a fun craft at CFAM the museum is tiny.
California Globetrotter
I am not a museum person but several of these look like a lot of fun! I’ve only been to the Getty Museum many many years ago! I didn’t know the lamps were restored lamps! That makes them even more awesome! #CityTripping
Hilary
Everyone’s a museum person if they find the right one! You just have to find the one that’s fits you! Xx
Katherine
I so wanted to go to The Broad when I visited LA, but I didn’t realise that it was so popular. There was a line out the door, round the corner and down the street. #CityTripping
Hilary
Yes, you need advanced reservations. They’re free, and available on the 1st of the month…
katherinefenech2017
I know for next time! What a massive oversight on my part.
Hilary
I’m sure you saw some pretty neat stuff! I love here and even I have a tough time fitting it all in.
Ruth
I have to visit revisit some of these! It has been years since I have visited some of these places. My problem is that my husband doesn’t like museums that much. But, this are not your typical museums! I still need to go to the Broad. And, thanks for introducing me to the Neutra House. #citytripping
Hilary
The Broad is wonderful I hope you make it there… maybe go with a friend?! Xx
passion fruit, paws and peonies
Ooooo the Berlin Wall, Huntington Gardens and The Villa has been added to my list – great insight, thanks! x #FarawayFiles
Hilary
All great choices!! I hope you enjoy! Don’t forget you’ll need reservations for the Villa, but jt is free!
connie
I definitely did not explore LA properly when I visited – it was my first trip so wanted to do the main touristy sights but ended up not loving it… but I do love museums so will add these to my list when I return! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Ooh! I do hope you’ll return and give it another chance! LA is such a big city it can be hard to know what and how, but it’s definitely got a lot to offer!
Allison
My husband would love the auto museum. He’s obsessed with cars. I think my kids would enjoy seeing Lightning McQueen, too. I love the look of the Getty Villa and the Huntington Gardens. They both look so beautiful and I’m a big fan of fancy architecture and old estate homes. #farawayfiles
Hilary
My husband loves cars too! Surprisingly , I also enjoyed that one! The Huntington has the most amazing children’s garden!
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays
Wow I had no idea that LA had s many museums and galleries, now I want visit!
Amanda Afield
Looks like LA has quite the choice of museums and art! I especially like the Urban lights! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It sure does! I love that one too!! I love when we have visitors because they always want to see it!
Ladies What Travel (@LadiesWTravel)
I had no idea LA had so many museums! I have visited the tar pits a good few years ago though – I wanted to go after seeing it in some cheesy disaster movie lol #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Ha ha! Yes, it’s been featured in a few, but I remember Volcano being one, right? Lots to choose from in LA!
Clare Thomson
Wow, there are so many great museums in LA, aren’t there? I love the sound of most of these. I reckon I could even get my father into the automobile museum (and we have a tough job getting him to visit any city) but he’s a veteran car fanatic so would love the ones there. The Broad particularly appeals to me – it looks so gloriously colourful. #farawayfiles
Hilary
Oh! If your dad is a car fanatic he’d love the Peterson!! They even have a vault with extra special cars in their basement… kids aren’t allowed tho, so we haven’t seen it yet. Yes, the Broad is wonderful!
Jacki L
Wow, I honestly didn’t know there were so many museums in LA. I love the Urban Lights, have seen so many stunning pictures from there. I also didn’t know that fact about the Berlin Wall, so interesting!
Hilary
LA isn’t known as much for its museums as it is for its sandy beaches and celebrities, but we definitely have some good ones!!
Purple John - Shelley Jarvis
Both Getty locations and the Huntington Gardens are little oases in LA. I am missing California right now.
fifi + hop
I love this post because it shows jut how much art there is to see in L.A. (and like you said, just scratching the surface), which still to this day many people don’t realize about L.A. I love the Getty, but have never been to the Getty Villa! Making a note of it for what I hope will be a visit soon…fingers crossed! #farawayfiles
Hilary
Oh! I would love it if you came for a visit! I’m thinking I need a trip to your neck of the woods as well! xx
Nicky @ GoLiveYoung
I’m afraid we just did the sign, stars and sand while we were in LA earlier this year! These museums look great though. It’s good to see a different side to LA #FarawayFiles
Hilary
I guess you will just have to come back!!
MummyTravels
Soooo many things to do! My husband adores cars so the automotive museum would have to be on our list – fortunately there’s Lightning McQueen for my daughter as well. And I have always been quite fascinated by the tar pits. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Hilary
Believe it of not the automotive museum appealed to all of us, even though we aren’t all as car crazy as my husband! The tar pits are pretty neat… they’re just across the street from the Peterson!
Leona
My hubby went to the tar pits lSt week! He loved it
Hilary
Next time you’ll have to go with him!
pigeonpairandme
I’m a huge Guillermo del Toro fan so I’d have LOVED to see that exhibition. Sounds as though there’s years’ worth of cultural excitement to be had in LA. #FarawayFiles
Hilary
It was pretty neat! There definitely is, but I’m doing my best to see as much of it as I can!
pigeonpairandme
Urban Lights looks like something I need to see. Is it permanent, do you know? Thanks so much for linking up. Lovely to revisit this fantastic post via #CulturedKids!
Hilary
It’s magical and yes it’s permanent!
thewsmblog
Fabulous post, and once again, awesome pictures. Thanks for sharing!
Hilary
So glad you enjoyed!
Shelley @Travel-Stained
Wow! I had no idea there were so many museums in LA. I’d totally be into The Broad, and the introvert in me loves that you have to have a reservation to go there. 😉 It’s also great that so many of the museums have outdoor exhibits that you can access for free. This is a great resource, if I ever make it back there! #farawayfiles
Hilary
LA has so much to offer, but it’s such a big city things can easily get overlooked. I hope you’ll make it back one day!
Sally
That’s amazing! I’ve never been to LA. Now I can see that when I get there I’ll have to get a bit fitter so that I can WALK up and down Wilshire Blvd. (I’ve pinned it in case I’ve got the street name wrong 😉 ), and do the museums justice. I am a big architecture fan so would love to see the houses as well. Heaps of information in this post, thanks 🙂
Hilary
So glad you enjoyed the post! Lucky for you, the Wilshire museums are all on the same block!
Sharon
What a fun collection and photos! My daughter lives in LA so I’ve been to some of these but I have yet to visit others. The Getty Villa is one of my favorites. Not overwhelming, but more like you are visiting someone’s elegant home. I’ll be putting some of your suggestions on my list for future visits to LA!
Hilary
The first time I lived in LA the Villa was closed for six years, and reopened just after I moved away… I was pretty excited when I finally got a chance to visit. It’s such a lovely place!
Born Explorer
I had no idea there were so many museums in L.A! I’ve never been to L.A. before and TBH, didn’t really have the desire as it just seems a bit too over the top to me, but thanks for showing us another side of the city! Might even have to add it to the list now! 🙂
Hilary
Over the top? What ever Gabe you that idea?! LOL! seriously though… there is truly something here for everyone it’s a city of 4 million people, so it’s easy to steer clear of crazy if that one desired.
Anisa
I haven’t visited any LA museums since I was a kid. I have been wanting to go to the Broad for awhile but just haven’t had time. Hopefully next time I go to LA I will stay longer and get to go to the Broad and other museums! Thanks for sharing on #TheWeeklyPostcard.
Hilary
You definitely have to get to The Broad, it’s wonderful and so close to many other fun LA places. Sounds like you have a whole new part of the world to explore these days, but hopefully LA will be on your list at some point.
Anda
Your post reminded me that it’s been a while since I’ve been in any of these places. However, with the holiday season approaching, I think I’m going to head down to Disney Hall for some Christmas concerts. That’s another great place to get your culture fixed in L.A. #TheWeeklyPostcard
Hilary
Yes it is, and what a fun idea!
Four Acorns / Quatre graines de chêne
I’m not one for museums usually, but I could definitely check out those Urban Lights and the one and only Lighting McQueen!
#FarawayFiles
oregongirlaroundtheworld
I’ve only been to the Peterson Automotive Museum! And my husband grew up ACROSS the street from the Huntington Library – his mother was a docent there for years. We have a replica of “Blue Boy” hanging in our home! So much I need to see in LA. Great list of super fabulous offerings! Happy to have you on board as co-host of #FarawayFiles. Cheers, Erin
Hilary
So happy to be on board! Sounds like a return trip is in order! There’s so much to do here you might need a few…
Courtney @ Adelante
Totally bookmarking this! I moved to LA six months ago, and I’ve only been to the Getty. (That is, if photo shoots at LACMA don’t count, hehe #bloggerproblems.) Thanks for sharing your tips! #FarawayFiles
Hilary
Welcome to LA! There are SO many things to see and do here!! Let me know if you want any suggestions!
Tara Mallam
I am so glad I found this post! It’s a perfect resource for when I land in LA today for a wedding trip. Not much time to sightsee but I like the little snippets on the museums. 🙂👍
Hilary
Oh! I’m so glad you find it useful! Depending on your timing you might be able to visit the outdoor exhibitions on Museum Row!
Catherine’s Cultural Wednesdays
The Getty and the Tar Pits are top of my list but they all sound fabulous. Thank you for linking up to #CulturedKids
Hilary
Both are pretty neat! Thanks for including me in this fun link up!
The Family Voyage
Great list! I’m embarrassed to say that I lived just a few miles from Beverly Hills for the last decade and didn’t realize what the Paley Center was! When was the CN exhibit going on? I think I would have noticed that.
Hilary
CN was on in October. Don’t be embarrassed it’s somewhat under the radar, but worth a visit!
The Family Voyage
Ahhh that makes sense! We left at the beginning of September for a trip around the world 🙂
Annabel Kirk
The car museum looks perfect for my boys, they love Herbie! I’ll bear that in mind when we eventually head over to California. And the craft museum sounds great too with the demonstrations. Such a useful post, I hadn’t given Los Angeles a lot of thought when it comes to museums! #culturedkids
Hilary
I know LA isn’t exactly known for its museums… they’re overshadowed by the beach and Hollywood, but we have some amazing ones!!