BEST MUSEUMS in LA
Natural History Museum
900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
The National History Museum is a museum that showcases the natural and cultural history of Los Angeles and the world. It has exhibits on dinosaurs, mammals, gems, and the city’s transformation, among others. It is located in Exposition Park, a historic park that hosts other attractions. The main building is a Beaux-Arts style structure that was built in 1913 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The museum was founded in 1910 by a group of civic-minded citizens who donated their collections to the museum. The museum was founded in 1910 by a group of civic-minded citizens, the first of whom was Antonio F. Coronel, a Californio politician and historian who donated his extensive collection of artifacts and became the museum’s first director. The museum’s collections include nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts.
The Broad
221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
The Broad Museum is a contemporary art museum IS founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad. It showcases their collection of nearly 2,000 works of postwar and contemporary art by artists such as Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cindy Sherman, and Jeff Koons. The museum, designed by Diller Scofidio + Renfro, features a distinctive honeycomb-like structure that filters natural light into the galleries. The museum offers free general admission, as well as temporary exhibitions and public programs. The Broad Museum opened in September 2015 and has attracted more than 900,000 visitors per year.
Lacma
5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Founded in 1910 as part of the Los Angeles County Museum of History, Science, and Art, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) became independent in 1961 and moved to its current location in 1965. It is the largest art museum in the western United States, with exhibitions, programs, and collections that reflect diverse art histories, cultures, and perspectives. The museum is governed by a board of trustees, led by director Michael Govan, and is undergoing a major transformation with a new building for the permanent collection designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, expected to be completed in late 2024. Visitors can also enjoy various outdoor activities in the adjacent Hancock Park, such as art-making, live music, and dining.
Getty Villa
17985 E Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
The Getty Villa is a museum of ancient Greek, Roman, and Etruscan art and culture, located in Pacific Palisades. It is a reconstruction of a Roman villa, inspired by the Villa of the Papyri at Herculaneum, which was buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. The museum displays a collection of 44,000 antiquities, dating from 6,500 BC to 400 AD, in thematic galleries that explore various aspects of ancient life. The museum also features a 450-seat outdoor theater, a cafe, and a museum store. The Getty Villa was founded by oil tycoon J. Paul Getty, who never visited the museum himself. He admired Julius Caesar and wanted to create a classical setting for his art collection. The museum opened in 1974 and underwent a major renovation from 1997 to 2006. The Getty Villa is one of two campuses of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the other being the Getty Center in Brentwood. The Getty Villa is a must-see spot for anyone interested in the ancient world and its artistic legacy.
Huntington Library
1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
The Huntington is a cultural institution that combines a research library, an art museum, and botanical gardens in San Marino. It was founded in 1919 by Henry E. Huntington, a railroad and utilities magnate, and his wife Arabella Huntington, who collected rare books and art. The library has over 11 million items, including early editions of Shakespeare’s plays and letters by American founding fathers. The art museum has more than 42,000 pieces, with a focus on 18th and 19th century European and American art. The botanical gardens cover 120 acres and feature 16 themed gardens, such as the Japanese, Chinese, Desert, and Rose gardens. It is a public trust that welcomes visitors and scholars to explore its collections and enjoy its beauty.
Petersen Automotive Museum
6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
The Petersen Automotive Museum is a nonprofit organization that explores and celebrates the automobile and its influence on global life and culture. It was founded in 1994 by Robert E. Petersen, a magazine publisher and car enthusiast who launched titles such as Hot Rod and Motor Trend. The museum occupies a former department store building that was renovated in 2015 with a distinctive stainless-steel ribbon design. The Peterson displays more than 100 vehicles in its 25 galleries, covering various themes and eras of automotive history and artistry. It also has a vault that contains over 250 rare and valuable cars.
