Los Angeles is famous for lost of things, Hollywood, celebrities, the Lakers and some of the most beautiful beaches in the USA but also the coolest museums to visit you can think of.
If you are also a culture vulture, you can spend endless amounts of time in this city exploring the highlights.
Museums come in all sorts of shapes and forms and in Los Angeles, diversity reigns so you’re bound to find a cool museum to visit.
Here we rally the ones we recommend checking out, there are options for all interests.
For Art Lovers
Established in 1979, the Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is the only artist-founded museum in Los Angeles. See amazing collections of contemporary art.
Address: 250 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, Ca 90012
Hours:
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11am – 5pm
Wednesday: 11am – 5pm
Thursday: 11am – 8pm
Friday: 11am – 5pm
Saturday: 11am – 6pm
Sunday: 11am – 6pm
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Hours:
Sunday: 10 am–7 pm
Monday: 11 am–6 pm
Tuesday: 11 am–6 pm
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: 11 am–6 pm
Friday: 11 am–8 pm
Saturday: 10 am–7 pm
The Los Angeles Country Museum of Art (LACMA) is one of the coolest features of this imposing museum is the lamp post exhibit that sits just beside it. An excellent photo opportunity for a classic LA moment; it is also home of almost all of the travelling exhibits that hit LA. The impressive and varied collections can make for a long, peaceful afternoon to counteract your wild Hollywood nights.
For Architecture Fans
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Hours:
Sunday: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10am – 5:30 pm
Wednesday: 10 am–5:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Friday: 10 am – 5:30 pm
Saturday: 10 am – 8 pm
The Getty Center houses the Conservation Institute, Research Institute, Foundation, and the Museum’s collections of European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, drawings and manuscripts from the middle ages to the early 20th century, and photographs.
The building itself is truly breathtaking. It sits atop the Malibu hills, giving visitors an amazing view of the ocean and the LA area. You can bring your own picnic lunch if you like, and if the sun comes out, there’s not a better place in town to watch the sunset.
For History Buffs
Address: 9786 W Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035
Hours:
Sunday: Closed
Monday: 10 am–3:30 pm
Tuesday: 10 am–3:30 pm
Wednesday: 10 am–3:30 pm
Thursday: 10 am–3:30 pm
Friday: Closed
Saturday: Closed
Located in the center founded by Nazi-hunter Simon Wiesenthal, this museum can be an intense and emotional experience. Showcasing humanity at its best and worst, a visit here is powerful and memorable.
For Hollywood Lore
Address: 2100 N Highland Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90068
Hours:
Sunday: 11 am–3 pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: Closed
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 11 am–3 pm
A very simple museum, but located just around the corner from the hostel. Contains lots of information about old Hollywood and how the magic got started. The building is the original location of the film company that would later become Paramount Studios.
For Natural History Fans
Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Hours:
Sunday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Monday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Tuesday:9:30 am–5 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Friday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Located right by the LACMA, this museum pays homage to many of our furry friends that are no longer with us. Woolly mammoths and sabre tooth tigers have all met their end in the giant tar pit the building sits beside. The strangest city attractions are these bubbling tar pits that line one of our busiest city streets.
Address: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
Hours:
Sunday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Monday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Tuesday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Wednesday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Thursday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Friday: 9:30 am–5 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am–5 pm
A much larger version of the museum above, including a new dinosaur hall and the seasonal butterfly pavilion! A great place for science and history lovers as well as those who simply appreciate beauty. Open every day! Check the website for special traveling exhibits.
For Scientists
Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Hours:
Sunday: 10 am–5 pm
Monday: 10 am–5 pm
Tuesday: 10 am–5 pm
Wednesday: 10 am–5 pm
Thursday: 10 am–5 pm
Friday: 10 am–5 pm
Saturday: 10 am–5 pm
The California Science Center is one of the West’s best science museums. Loads of interactive exhibits, easily able to fill a day visit. A little bit of a trek to get here, but worth it. And if the sun comes out the rose garden is fantastic.
For those who love all things Odd
The Museum of Jurassic Technology
Address: 9341 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232
Hours:
Sunday: 12–6 pm
Monday:Closed
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday:Closed
Thursday: 2–8 pm
Friday: 2–8 pm
Saturday: 12–6 pm
This place is in a word strange. So hard to describe. If you like odd things, you will have a good time here.
For Music Lover
Address: 800 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90015
Hours:
Sunday: 11 am–5 pm
Monday: 11 am–5 pm
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11 am–5 pm
Thursday: 11 am–5 pm
Friday: 11 am–5 pm
Saturday: 10 am–6 pm
One of kind museum that gives guests the opportunity to interact with the displays. Permanent exhibitions include the Beatles and Michael Jackson. However, be sure to check their website for special live seminars featuring some of the greatest musicians of our days discussing their influences and methods.
For Space Geeks
Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Hours:
Sunday: 10 am–10 pm
Monday: Closed
Tuesday:12–10 pm
Wednesday: 12–10 pm
Thursday: 12–10 pm
Friday: 12–10 pm
Saturday: 10 am–10 pm
One of the best views of LA, and the only place to get a night time glimpse of the city. This beautiful building houses a telescope with excellent views of the dark skies or clear nights as well as lots of exhibits about outer space. A great option for a romantic night.
There really are museums in Los Angeles for all interests, and hopefully our list has given you some ideas for where to go. Do you have any favourite museums in LA? Let us know!
