"Through their collections, exhibitions, and educational programs, museums play a critical role in preserving cultural heritage, fostering creativity and innovation, and inspiring a deeper understanding of the world around us."

- ICOM (International Council of Museums)

Los Angeles is home to a variety of prestigious museums that have an impressive collection of art, science and cultural artifacts. Try to hit at least one on your visit. Here's your list of museums - from modern to contemporary art to history and Hollywood, with descriptions and links. Ticket prices are listed as of March 2023. Museums are closed on specific days, please check day and timing before going.

Seven Big Museums in Los Angeles to Visit

The Getty Center

Located at: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049

Cost of tickets: Admission is free, requires timed entry reservation

Located in the hills of Brentwood, the Getty Center is a world-class art museum that features a vast collection of European paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts, as well as stunning architecture and gardens.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Located at: 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90036

Cost of tickets: Free for LA residents, all youth and teens. Others $16-20

LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States and is home to over 150,000 works of art, ranging from ancient times to contemporary art.

The Broad

Located at: 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Cost of tickets: Same-day tickets are released daily in addition to monthly ticket releases, which are on the last Wednesday at 10 a.m. PT for admission the following month.

The Broad is a contemporary art museum located in downtown Los Angeles that features works by some of the world's most renowned contemporary artists, including Jeff Koons, Cindy Sherman, and Roy Lichtenstein.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

Located at: 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90007

Cost of tickets: $7-$15

The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is one of the largest natural history museums in the world and features a collection of over 35 million specimens and artifacts.

California Science Center

Located at: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037

Cost of tickets: Permanent galleries are free, pay for specific attractions

The California Science Center is a state-of-the-art science museum that features interactive exhibits, live demonstrations, and hands-on activities that make science and technology fun and accessible for all ages

Petersen Automotive Museum

Located at: 6060 WILSHIRE BOULEVARD, LOS ANGELES, CA, 90036

Cost of tickets: $10-$20, pay extra for the VAULT

The Petersen Automotive Museum is a must-visit for car enthusiasts, featuring an impressive collection of classic and modern cars, interactive exhibits, and historical artifacts that showcase the history of the automobile.

Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)

Located at: Two venues -

MOCA Grand Avenue: 250 South Grande Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA: 152 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Cost of tickets: General admission is free, special exhibits ($10-18)

MOCA is a contemporary art museum located in downtown Los Angeles that features works by both established and emerging artists from around the world.

If you are looking for smaller museums instead, you will find them too.

Ten Smaller Los Angeles Museums to Consider

The Hammer Museum

Located at: 10899 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90024

Cost of tickets: Admission is free

The Hammer Museum, which is affiliated with the University of California, Los Angeles, is an art museum and cultural center known for its artist-centric and progressive array of exhibitions and public programs

The Grammy Museum

Located at: 800 W OLYMPIC BLVD, LOS ANGELES, CA 90015

Cost of tickets: $12-$18

This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of music, and features interactive exhibits, workshops, and performances.

The Museum of Tolerance

Located at: 9786 West Pico Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90035

Cost of tickets: $12-$16

This museum explores the history of prejudice and discrimination, and offers exhibits and programs that promote tolerance and understanding.

The Autry Museum of the American West

Located at: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027-1462 (near LA Zoo)

Cost of tickets: $8-$16

This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of the American West, and features exhibits on art, history, and Native American culture.

The Getty Villa

Located at: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, USA

Cost of tickets: Admission is free, requires timed entry reservation

This museum is dedicated to the art and culture of ancient Greece and Rome, and features a collection of antiquities and artifacts.

The Japanese American National Museum

Located at: 100 North Central Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90012

Cost of tickets: $9-$16

This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of Japanese Americans, and features exhibits on Japanese American art, history, and culture.

The California African American Museum

Located at: 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, Los Angeles, CA 90037.

Cost of tickets: Admission is free, many exhibitions are closed for facility upgrades

This museum is dedicated to the history and culture of African Americans in California, and features exhibits on art, history, and culture.

The Skirball Cultural Center

Located at: 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049

Cost of tickets: $7-$12, free on Thursdays, special ticketed exhibitions require timed entry

This cultural center features exhibits and programs on Jewish history, culture, and identity, as well as exhibits on other cultures and traditions.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology

Located at: 9341 Venice Blvd., Culver City, CA 90232

Cost of tickets: $10-$12

This unique museum is dedicated to the intersection of art and science, and features exhibits that blur the line between fact and fiction. Visit to learn about the advancement of knowledge and public appreciation of the Lower Jurassic (began 201.3 million years ago, and ended at 174.1 million years ago.).

Discovery Cube, Los Angeles (there is also an Orange County location)

Located at: 11800 Foothill Blvd, Sylmar, CA

Cost of tickets: $14-$16

Opening in 1998 in Orange County, Discovery Cube has delighted the lives of children, educators, and caregivers for decades and instilled a passion for the sciences on millions of lives. In a world that has accelerated and grown from technological and scientific advancements left and right, we have created high-quality science learning experiences to propel young scientists forward as the innovators of the future.

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