
Los Angeles is known for its thriving cultural scene. Whatever your interests, LA has a museum to meet them. If you are looking for the best museums to visit in Los Angeles, you are in the right place. The following are some of the top museums you should consider visiting:
- Getty Center
The J. Paul Getty Trust’s substantial art collection was long housed in what is now known as the Getty Villa, a coastal mansion full of antiquities that is definitely worth a visit. However, the Getty Center debuted in 1997. The end result is an incredible complex of white metal and travertine-clad pavilions that houses recognizable Impressionist artwork, ornate French furniture, and changing exhibitions. Free admission and expansive views that stretch from the ocean and hills in the west all the way to downtown in the east more than make up for its relative accessibility. It’s closed on Mondays, but you won’t regret checking out this enormous body of work during the other days of the week.
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
Finally, the history of filmmaking has a permanent home in Los Angeles, and it is brimming with the kinds of cinematic treasures you would anticipate from those who organize the Oscars. The Big Lebowski’s Dude’s robe, R2-D2, E.T., Citizen Kane’s Rosebud sled, Midsommar’s flowery May Queen dress, and many more are among the items that are available for holding. But in addition, its three floors of exhibition space and slick, soap-bubble-like theater tell an unflinching and nonlinear history of cinema that allows for a variety of stories.
- Hammer Museum
Industrialist Armand Hammer established this museum just three weeks before his passing away in 1990, with the primary purpose of housing his own collection. With an emphasis on local artists, the free UCLA partner institution now presents fascinating exhibitions of contemporary art, design, and photography, most conspicuously with its “Made in L.A.” biennial. The Hammer’s public events calendar, which is arguably among the best in the city and is jam-packed with free lectures and screenings, complements the shows in addition to its small permanent collection.
- Norton Simon Museum
Frank Gehry oversaw the renovation of the Norton Simon Museum in the late 1990s, which increased the museum’s visibility while also giving it more space and a tranquil, uncomplicated atmosphere. The museum’s excellent collection of Old Masters, particularly works by Dutch painters from the 17th century like Rembrandt, Frans Hals, and Brueghel, continues to be its most well-known feature. Manet, Monet, and Renoir are just a few of the French impressionists that are represented. After viewing the temporary exhibits, visit the superb sculpture garden.
- California African American Museum
This attractive museum, one of three nearby establishments in Exposition Park, chronicles the historical accomplishments of African Americans. Despite having some works from the African diaspora in its collection, its main emphasis, especially in its temporary exhibitions, is on black artists from the American West and California.
You should be aware that Los Angeles is home to a number of attractions and shopping centers, including Sunset Plaza. Due to this, LA is a fantastic destination for shopping and entertainment. With many square feet of gross leasable space, Sunset Plaza is LA’s commercial center. You can go shopping here as well, which is fantastic!