Los Angeles, like New York, Chicago, and New Orleans, is full of rich history. From its earliest founding in the late 18th century to Hollywood’s Golden Age of the 1940s and 1950s, Los Angeles has earned an indelible reputation as America’s center of history, culture, and art. . What better way to introduce yourself to the city of LA than by planning a visit to one of the city’s many museums?
Art museums you should visit at least once in Los Angeles
Entertainment abounds in the City of Angels. There’s so much to do in Los Angeles, from movie theaters to sports arenas to theme parks, and not enough time to enjoy it all. The next time you visit Los Angeles, make sure to include the Los Angeles Museum of Art on your itinerary. We recommend these 14 great spots around the city.
getty museum
The beautiful and luxurious Getty Center is home to the world-famous Getty Museum. With stunning views of LA from the outside and thousands of paintings on display inside, guests could spend hours at the Getty Museum and still not see everything there is to see. In particular, the museum’s most famous work, Van Gogh’s “Iris,” is a must-see.
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Los Angeles is synonymous with the film industry, and its history dates back to the early 20th century. Given the City of Angels’ close ties to the industry, it’s only natural to expect a museum or two dedicated to film history. The same goes for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Inside, guests can see famous props from the industry’s past, including Bela Lugosi’s cape from the film. Dracula Or Dorothy’s ruby slippers Wizard of Oz.
Los Angeles County Natural History Museum
Like the New York Museum of Natural History on the East Coast, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County houses numerous historical artifacts dating back 4.5 million years. Natural History Museums house literally millions of items, including everything from fossilized remains of marine mammals to ancient artifacts from pre-Columbian civilizations.
Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Garden
Between a library, a museum, and a wonderful botanical garden, there’s something intriguing about the Huntington Library. A collection-based research library, the Huntington is home to a variety of literary, artistic, and natural wonders on-site. For example, bookworms and history buffs can access his more than 7 million manuscripts from the 11th century, including early drafts of Shakespeare, Chaucer, and Twain.
Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum
Given Los Angeles’ proximity to the Pacific Ocean, you’d expect the city to have deep ties to the sport of surfing. Learn more about the city’s famous relationship with the sport at the Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, including exhibits based on influential surfing legends. Although somewhat niche, he is definitely one of the best museums in LA.
The Broad
Perhaps the most famous art museum in La La Land, The Broad has to be seen to be believed. Most of the collection is free to access, but some exhibits require additional admission fees. Known for its unusual architecture, the museum’s catalog includes nearly 2,000 works of art, including works by Jeff Koons and Andy Warhol.
neon museum
One of LA’s best museums, the Neon Art Museum specializes solely in neon art. Although it may seem incredibly niche at first, the neon-lit museum collection is awe-inspiring. Specific exhibits worth seeing include the neon sign from the Brown Derby (dating to 1929) and the original Dragon sign from Grauman’s Chinese Theater.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The largest art museum on the West Coast, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art houses more than 150,000 works of art. Located directly across from the iconic La Brea Tar his pit, his LACMA exhibits works based on impressionism, modern art, surrealist and ancient art. In the past, LACMA has featured exhibits centered around prominent Hollywood directors, including Stanley Kubrick and Tim Burton.
walt disney carolwood burn
In addition to pioneering animation in the film industry and building one of the world’s largest theme parks, Walt Disney was also an avid train fan. Walt’s love of trains is referenced throughout Disneyland, but fans can learn more about his fascination with trains at Walt’s Disney’s Carolwood Barn. Here, you can see a private collection of Disney railroad memorabilia, right down to the animation giant’s former barn.
grammy museum
Los Angeles is known as the home of the Oscars and the first Grammy Awards, dating back to 1959. grammy museum, visitors can learn more about the prestigious history of the Grammy Awards, with an in-depth look at some of the organization’s most treasured winners. One of LA’s best museums, the Grammy Museum also features ever-changing exhibits, including past attractions themed around Michael Jackson, the Beatles, and Shakira.
hammer museum
Unlike most other museums in Los Angeles, the Hammer Museum is dedicated to highlighting overlooked and emerging voices in the art world. In addition, the museum also houses lesser-known works by internationally renowned artists of the past, such as Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh.Not only is it a great place, but it’s completely free to visit.
Autry Museum of the American West
One of the best museums overall in Los Angeles is the fascinating Autry Museum of the American West. Detailing the checkered history of the American West, the Autry Museum also showcases the diverse voices that accompanied westward expansion, analyzing the perspectives of both American settlers and Native Americans. More than just a history museum, the museum sifts fact from grander-than-life fiction and analyzes how modern society’s understanding of the Wild West has changed over the years.
Japanese American National Museum
The Japanese American National Museum is not only dedicated to the perseverance of Japanese Americans in the United States, but also a lasting testament to the hopes and sacrifices of Japanese immigrants who came to America to make a new start. Within the museum’s hallowed halls, visitors will encounter moving exhibits documenting the initial settlement of Japanese Americans in America in the late 19th century.
Hollywood Bowl Museum
Another niche museum in the City of Angels, Hollywood Bowl Museum One of the best museums in LA. At this venue, you can learn more about the detailed history behind the Hollywood Bowl, a world-famous concert hall that opened in 1922. Touring the museum grounds, visitors learn about the construction of the amphitheater and its parts. Celebrities who appeared on stage.
Richard Chachowski is an entertainment and travel writer who has contributed to publications such as Wealth of Geeks, Looper, Screen Rant, Fangoria, and Sportskeeda. He received his bachelor’s degree from the College of New Jersey and has been working as a professional writer since 2020. His geeky interests include Star Wars, travel writing, horror, video, his games, comic books, literature, and animation.
Richard has been an avid consumer of movies, television, books, and pop culture since he was four years old. Growing up on an eclectic mix of Clint Eastwood Westerns, Star Wars, science fiction, horror movies, Alan Moore comics, and Stephen King novels, he eventually combined his various passions into a creative outlet. I’ve turned it into an outlet, publishing movies, television, literature, comics, and games in my high school and college newspapers. A travel enthusiast, Richard has also successfully built a career in international travel, adventuring to awe-inspiring locations such as the Sonoran Desert of Mexico, the rainforests of Costa Rica, and the beautiful coastline of Haiti. Upon graduating from TCNJ, Richard pursued a career in journalism and wrote extensively about his medium of travel arts and entertainment for various online publications. When he’s not busy browsing the Criterion collection, he can be found somewhere (preferably somewhere with a scenic hiking trail) reading or planning a trip.
