Day At The Museum: One Day LA Museum Itineraries

December 14, 2023 by jordangassner

Day At The Museum:

One Day LA Museum Itineraries

Los Angeles is home to some world-renown museums hosting diverse exhibits that span just about everything from contemporary art to natural history. But with so many options, it can be overwhelming to decide which to see and when – especially if you’re limited on time. That’s where I come in.

As a Los Angeles local, I’ve put together a few itineraries that can help you decide on museums and make the most geographical-sense of your trip to LA. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and enjoy a Day At The Museum: One Day ay LA Museum Itineraries:

one day la museum itineraries

Itinerary One: The Getty Center and Villa

A mix of orange, yellow and violet flowers at the bottom of a hill looking up to one of the modern, cream buildings making up The Getty Center

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner walking toward the fountain in the center of the The Getty Villa gardens in Los Angeles, California

A mix of light purple and hot pink flowers at the bottom of a hill looking up to one of the modern, cream buildings making up The Getty Center

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner smiling to her side while standing next to the large garden fountain at The Getty Villa in LA, California

A cream, stone building inside The Getty Center as seen from under the tree of a canopy on a clear, blue day.

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner looking across the fountain in the garden at The Getty Villa in Los Angeles, California

Morning

Begin your day at the museum by visiting The Getty Villa. Known for its Greek, Roman and Etruscan art, the Villa itself is even modeled in the style of an ancient Roman villa,

Pretend you’ve been transported back in time by exploring its beautiful gardens and fountains first thing before the crowds and heat kick-in. Then head back inside to enjoy the full collection.

Lunch

After enjoying the Villa, drive over to Brentwood to dine at nearby restaurants like Farmshop, Joe & The Juice and Toscana. With a laid-back ambiance and great bites, these spots will keep you both relaxed and ready to continue your museum adventures into the afternoon.

Early Afternoon

Next up, make your way to the Getty Center and ride the tram up from the parking structure to the exhibits at the top of the hill. There’s plenty to discover in the museum’s pre-20th-century European art collection so take your time and enjoy the afternoon away.

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner standing with her arms out and smiling at The Getty Center in Los Angeles

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner wearing a purple dress under a colonnade in the garden of The Getty Villa in Los Angeles, California

If you need a break between exhibits, don’t be afraid to hit up the museum’s onsite restaurant for a glass of wine or to enjoy a mid-afternoon picnic on the grounds.

Late Afternoon

The Getty Center has a rather large complex. Although it closes before sunset most of the year, the late afternoon is the perfect time to wander its stunning gardens. An art display in itself, it’s easy to spend an hour walking around enjoying the maze-like greenery and complementary architecture.

Mini Guide

Neighborhoods: Pacific Palisades and Brentwood

Museums: Getty Villa, Getty Center

When To Visit: Wednesday – Sunday*

*At time of writing. Opening hours vary and museums may be closed on holidays. Advanced timed-entry reservations are required. Always check websites before visiting.

Restaurants: Farmshop, Joe & The Juice, Pizzana, Toscana, The Restaurant at The Getty Villa

Other Attractions Nearby: Brentwood Country Mart, Hammer Museum, The Crest Theatre, Westfield Century City

"Minerva" (1775) a marble statue by English sculptor, Joseph Nollekens inside The Getty Center in Los Angeles

"Self Portrait, Yawning" (1783), an oil on canvas painting by Joseph Ducreux, sitting on a grey-brown wall inside The Getty in Los Angeles

One Day Los Angeles Museum Itineraries: Two marble statues of Greek goddesses sitting inside The Getty Museum in Brentwood

The Portrait Bust with Inscription of a young boy from AD 100-115 inside the Getty Villa in Los Angeles, California

An ancient Egyptian lid from The Getty Villa's "The Egyptian Book of the Dead" exhibit in Los Angeles, California

A Roman sculpture from 83-85 of the Torso of a Man Wearing Armor at the Getty Villa in Los Angeles, California

one day la museum itineraries

Itinerary Two: The Academy Museum, The Petersen and LACMA

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner smiling in a green dress under a rainbow umbrella near the "Urban Light" installation outside of LACMA

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner and her sister standing and smiling in front of the North By Northwest Mount Rushmore backdrop at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, California

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner wearing a a mint green dress and driving scarf next to a matching car, a 1954 Plymouth Explorer, at Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California

Morning

Start your day at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. As a relatively new Hollywood-focused museum, it’s quite popular so visiting in the morning will help you beat the crowds.

The Academy Museum is dedicated to the history and art of movies and features exhibits on everything from the evolution of movie technology to the magic of filmmaking. I loved seeing the museum’s Mount Rushmore backdrop from North by Northwest and their Orc Mask from The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King!

Lunch

Enjoy the Academy Museum’s restaurant, Fanny’s, or grab food across the street at Meyers Manx Cafe, which is located inside your next stop of the day: The Petersen Automotive Museum.

Early Afternoon

In the early afternoon, the Petersen holds more than 300 vehicles, including classic cars, hot rods, and race cars. I’m not the biggest car enthusiast, but absolutely love this museum! It’s fun, colorful, nostalgic and truly helped me view automobiles as pieces of art.

The interior of a burgundy 1947 Cisitalia 202 Coupe inside the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California

Julia Robert's Evil Queen Red Dress in Mirror, Mirror at the Academy Museum in Los Angeles, California

Late Afternoon

In the late afternoon, head back across the street to LACMA to peruse the museum’s impressive collection of artwork from the Americas, Asia, and Middle East.

Sunset

At sunset, don’t forget to stop by our city’s famous Urban Light installation just outside LACMA. If you time your day just right you can enjoy this art installation just as the lights are coming on and the sky is turning a pink-purple La La Land-esque color.

Mini Guide

Neighborhood: Mid-City

Museums: The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, Petersen Automotive Museum, LACMA

When To Visit: Thursday – Monday*

*At time of writing. Opening hours vary and museums may be closed on holidays. Advanced timed-entry tickets are required. Always check websites before visiting.

Restaurants: Meyers Manx Cafe, Ray’s and Stark Bar, Fanny’s, Met Her At A Bar, République, Tom Bergins

Other Attractions Nearby: La Brea Tar Pits, The Grove, El Rey Theatre

One Day Los Angeles Museum Itineraries: A pastel piece of art inside of LACMA

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner standing in front of Thelma and Louise's car at the Petersen Automotive Museum in Los Angeles, California

A wall of photographs from French New Wave Director Agnes Varda inside The Academy Museum in Los Angeles, California

one day la museum itineraries

Itinerary Three: The Broad and MOCA

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner standing next to a sculpture of a giant blue ballon-dog at The Broad in Los Angeles, California

Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner inside the Keith Haring exhibit at The Broad in Los Angeles, California

One Day Los Angeles Museum Itineraries: Travel Blogger Jordan Gassner stand inside the MOCA Grand Avenue in LA, California

Morning

Known for a contemporary collection by artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, and Jeff Koons, The Broad is a fun and somewhat quirky museum, a great way to set the tone for the rest of your day.

My favorite work here is Roy Lichtenstein’s “Still Life with Green Vase”, but they also have amazing limited-time exhibits and two of Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms.

Brunch or Lunch

Take the nearby Angel’s Flight Railway down to Grand Central Market and enjoy brunch or lunch at one of them many stalls inside. My favorite picks? Eggslut, Ghost Sando Shop and Ramen Hood.

Early Afternoon

Take in more artwork at the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) Grand Avenue. MOCA Grand Avenue is the museum’s flagship location, with a stunning space designed by architect Arata Isozaki. It has pieces from Jackson Pollock and other famous contemporary artists.

One Day Los Angeles Museum Itineraries: Travel Blogger Jordan Gassnersmiling in front of agiant red piece of art inside The Broad

Jackson Pollock's "Number 1 (Lavender Mist)" inside MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) in Los Angeles, California

Late Afternoon

Enjoy tapas and a cocktail at Agua Viva, The Beaudry Room, or Golden Road Brewery.

And if you’re looking for something a little more low-key, visit Blue Ribbon Garden for a beautiful urban garden and views over Downtown LA.

Evening

Dress up and eat an upscale dinner at the nearby Otium or San Laurel restaurants. Afterward, enjoy an orchestral concert by the LA Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall – (just remember to view their calendar and book your tickets in advance!).

Mini Guide

Neighborhood: Downtown

Museums: The Broad, MOCA Grand Avenue

When To Visit: Tuesday – Sunday*

*At time of writing. Opening hours vary and museums may be closed on holidays. Advanced timed-entry tickets are required. Always check websites before visiting.

Restaurants: Agua Viva, The Beaudry Room, Eggslut, Ghost Sando Shop, Golden Road Brewery Otium, San Laurel and Ramen Hood

Other Attractions Nearby: Angel’s Flight, Grand Central Market, Blue Ribbon Garden, Walt Disney Concert Hall