The 10 Ultimate LA Museums That All First Time Visitors Should Consider
The 10 Ultimate LA Museums That All First Time Visitors Should Consider
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 – especially if you’re limited on time. That’s where my guide comes in.
As a Los Angeles local, I’m not only familiar with the city’s museum scene, but can also help you prioritize which spots you might want to put on your itinerary for your first visit to LA. So pack your bags, grab your camera, and get ready to explore The 10 Ultimate LA Museums That All First Time Visitors Should Consider:
la museums – first time visitors
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
A relatively new addition to LA’s museum scene and my favorite on the list is the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, If there’s one museum I recommend to anyone and everyone for your first visit to the motion picture capital of the world, this is it!
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.
The museum’s collection holds more than 12 million photos, 190,000 film and video assets, 80,000 screenplays, and 61,000 posters making it one of the most comprehensive movie-related collections in the world.
So no matter what types of films, genres or eras you like, you’re sure to find a movie exhibit that speaks to you here. For me, my favorite item on display was undoubtedly the museum’s Orc Mask from The Return of the King, though, I’m a bit biased because of my love of all things The Lord of the Rings!
Type: History
General Admission: $25*.
Timed entry to the Academy Museum must be reserved online in advance.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: Yes
Neighborhood: Mid-City
la museums – first time visitors
The Getty Center
Located atop a hillside in Brentwood, the Getty Center is certainly a first time visitor must-see.
Its collection focuses on pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts, as well as photographs and modern and contemporary art. Although the museum has only been around since 1997, the Getty Center has the largest acquisition budget of any museum in the world, meaning that if great a piece of art goes on the market and the Getty wants it, no one can outbid them.
The museum’s interesting architecture and blooming gardens are also worth exploring. Grab food and drinks from the onsite restaurant and cafe or bring your own picnic and enjoy the stunning views of the city and the Pacific Ocean from its grassy outdoor areas. There’s plenty to see and enjoy at The Getty Center!
Type: Art
General Admission: Free*
Even with free general admission, timed entry to The Getty Center must be reserved online in advance.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: N/A
Neighborhood: Brentwood
la museums – first time visitors
The Broad
If you’ve started looking for things to do in LA, chances are you’ve heard of The Broad, a contemporary art museum in downtown LA with a collection of more than 2,000 works of art from the 1950s to the present.
The museum’s collection includes paintings, sculptures, photographs, and installations from artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, and Jeff Koons. Perhaps The Broad’s most famous piece, however, is its Infinity Room, an immersive installation by Yayoi Kusama where guests can enter an almost completely mirrored room full of colorful lights that creates the illusion of an infinite and universal space.
My favorite works were Roy Lichtenstein’s “Still Life with Green Vase” and Andy Warhol’s “The Kiss (Bela Lugosi)“. After all, I’m a classic horror movie fan and it doesn’t get any better than seeing a work of art featuring the original movie Dracula.
The Broad’s building is a work of art in itself, with a striking honeycomb-like exterior designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro. And inside, the museum has a large, bright space, providing the perfect canvas for the museum’s collection.
Type: Art
General Admission: Free* though exhibit pricing varies.
Even with free general admission, timed entry to The Broad must be reserved online in advance.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: N/A
Neighborhood: Downtown
la museums – first time visitors
The Japanese American National Museum
The Japanese American National Museum is dedicated to preserving and sharing the history and culture of Japanese Americans. The museum’s collection includes artifacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of Japanese Americans from their arrival in the United States to the present day.
The Japanese American National Museum is housed inside a former Buddhist temple in Little Tokyo, a historic neighborhood in Downtown LA that was once home to a thriving Japanese American community.
Type: History
Type: Art
General Admission: $16*
Timed entry to the Japanese American National Museum must be reserved online in advance.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: Yes
Neighborhood: Downtown
la museums – first time visitors
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
The first museum I ever visited in LA was the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). It’s the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection that includes more than 150,000 works of art from around the world. LACMA’s Americas, Asia, and Middle East-focused collection has everything from ancient artifacts to contemporary art.
Type: Art
General Admission: $21-25* depending on if you’re an LA County Resident
Advance timed-entry tickets are highly recommended.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: Yes
Neighborhood: Mid-City
More than likely, you’ll have heard of LACMA because of its recognizable Urban Light installation by Chris Burden. Dubbed a forest of lamps, this Instagram-famous display features restored 1920s-1930s street lights in grid-like pattern. When I first moved to LA, I watched almost every night as the Urban Light exhibit turned on, the lamps lighting up brightly at sunset. My gym was located just across the street from the installation, the cardio machines set up with the perfect view for what became my nightly ritual. So, as someone who’s experienced it more times than I can remember, I can confirm that the best time to visit is the few minutes each day during sunrise and sunset when the sky turns a pinkish-purple hue.
la museums – first time visitors
Museum of Neon Art
If you’re into retro vibes and neon lights, check out the Museum of Neon Art in Glendale, California. This must-see museum offers immersive exhibits and classic signage that transports you into LA’s past.
And in case you want a more hands-on experience, the museum also offers neon art classes and tours to classic signposts throughout the LA area.
Type: Art
General Admission: $10* for non-members
Advance timed-entry tickets are highly recommended.
Discounts Available?: Yes, for Seniors, Glendale Residents (with ID), Children under 12 and Veterans (with ID)
Neighborhood: Glendale
la museums – first time visitors
The Petersen Automotive Museum
As someone who inherently doesn’t consider herself a car person, I can happily say The Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the most fun museums in town! Its collection includes more than 300 vehicles, including classic cars, hot rods, and race cars. The museum also features exhibitions on the history of the automobile, as well as interactive exhibits that allow visitors to experience what it’s like to drive a car.
Type: Automotive
General Admission: $21* but does not include Vault Access (additional $28)
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: Yes
Neighborhood: Mid-City
In what would surprise no one, I highly recommend visiting for the Cars of Film and Television section alone. Seeing the DeLorean from The Back to the Future is always the best treat!
The Petersen Automotive Museum is located near LACMA inside an iconic, red futuristic building covered in stainless steel ribbons.
Secret Tip:
Museum visits start on the top floor and end back at ground level. If you’re planning to eat at the Meyers Manx Cafe, The Petersen’s onsite restaurant, put your name in for a reservation once you get down to ground level and before you finish viewing your last exhibit for the fastest service.
la museums – first time visitors
The Getty Villa
The Getty Villa is another must-visit destination for anyone interested in ancient art and history. Located in Pacific Palisades, the museum boasts a collection of more than 44,000 objects from ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
I felt as though I had transported back to Italy the last time I visited The Getty Villa. The museum itself stands as a stunning replica of an ancient Roman villa, with beautiful gardens and fountains that absolutely shine in the Spring and Summer. But the works of art throughout truly make the Villa an amazing visit year round.
Type: Art
General Admission: Free*
Even with free general admission, timed entry to The Getty Villa must be reserved online in advance.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: N/A
Neighborhood: Pacific Palisades
la museums – first time visitors
The California Science Center
The California Science Center is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in science and technology. The museum’s collection boasts more than 100 interactive exhibits on topics including space exploration, ecosystems, and human physiology. The California Science Center is also home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour, which can be explored up close!
And despite its scientific focus, The California Science Center creates magic as well, through its special exhibits in particular. In fact, the most spellbinding museum display I’d ever laid eyes on in LA was here: the King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibit. Seeing this exhibit even reignited my Mummy and Egypt-focused wonder from childhood, thereby inspiring me to travel to Egypt in 2021.
The museum is located in Expo Park in between the National History Museum and California Science Center’s very own IMAX Theater. The theater typically has 2-3 short immersive films playing at any given time, typically related to their current special exhibits.
Type: Science
General Admission: Free*
Advance timed-entry tickets are only required for the IMAX Theater + Special Exhibits.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: N/A
Neighborhood: Exposition Park
*Prices at time of writing.
la museums – first time visitors
La Brea Tar Pits
Type: Science
General Admission: $18*
Advance online tickets for the Museum and Special Ticketed Experiences are highly recommended.
Seniors/Students/Children Discount?: Yes
Neighborhood: Mid-City
One of the most unique city museums I’ve been to and one I recommend to any first timer in the area is the La Brea Tar Pits. These iconic tar pits are an active paleontological site where scientists have uncovered fossils dating back thousands of years. Not only can visitors see the tar pits from a close, but safe distance, but they can also view the museum’s impressive collection of fossils, including saber-toothed cats, wooly mammoths, and dire wolves, that have been found around the area.
*Prices at time of writing.
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