14 Free Museums in Los Angeles You Must Explore
1. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Image Source: Joe Wolf/flickr.com
Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the Western United States holding over 150,000 works of art dating from the antiquity to the present. Humongous in size with continuously changing exhibits, Los Angeles County Museum of Art is eclectic with art, culture, and music. LACMA attracts nearly million visitors annually and is best visited during the night time.
2. Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Image Source: Wikimedia Commons
Born out of the association of three Los Angeles-area museums, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County covers over 4.5 billion years of history with its tremendous collection of nearly 35 million specimens and artifacts. As you walk through the largest natural and historical Natural History Museum, the varied exhibits of dinosaur, mummy, and fossils come to life offering an interesting experience to families and kids.
3. California Science Center
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Take pleasure in getting to know science better through the dynamic experience on offer at the California Science Center. Boasting of interactive exhibits, inspiring films, and live demonstrations, California Science Center is for the curious visitors. The main highlights of California Science Center include Space Shuttle Endeavour, motion-simulator, climbing wall, IMAX theater, and a high-wire bicycle.
4. The Broad
Image Source: Sharon VanderKaay/flickr.com
Named after the philanthropist Eli Broad, the distinctively designed contemporary museum of The Broad is a monumental destination in the history of Los Angeles. Start with watching the movie on the Broad family to learn about their interest in art and continue touring around the floors of the museum. Ironically though the Broad is not too big in size, it carries some of the best pieces of art and the collections here are quite vast.
5. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
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La Brea Tar Pits and Museum is a national natural landmark which is a group of tar pits formed over tens of thousands of years right after all the big dinosaurs went extinct. Trapped in the tar are bones of a varied range of animals, preserved over the years. Examining the tar pits is a fascinating experience as it offers a unique experience to every visitor and is one of the best free museums in Los Angeles.
6. Hammer Museum
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Renowned for its artist-centric progressive array of displays and public based programs, Hammer Museum is an art museum and cultural center in Los Angeles working its way to becoming the hippest and the culturally significant institution. A combination of wonderful art installations, music, live talks, book shop, and gift store makes Hammer Museum a worthy visit in Los Angeles.
7. Getty Center
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Perched on top of a hill, the first thing that captivates the visitors of the Getty Center is its incredible location. Built to inspire curiosity and enjoyment, a day at Getty Center is a must. Comprising of illuminated manuscripts, European-American-Asian paintings & photographs, decorative arts, sculptures, and drawings, along with the magnificent views and the lush-green garden, Getty Center is one of the best places to visit in LA.
8. Japanese American National Museum
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Erected to preserve the history and the culture of the Japanese Americans, Japanese American National Museum set in the Little Tokyo area dates back to the first Issei generation preserving over 130 years of Japanese American history. Glance through the touching and the wonderful exhibits to understand the cultural richness and the real-life struggles of Japanese Americans during the World War II.
Third Thursdays of every month: Free all day
other Thursdays: Free during 5-8pm
9. Annenberg Space for Photography
Image Source: Fred Rockwood/flickr.com
Dedicated to print and digital photography is the cultural destination of Annenberg Space for Photography with an intimate atmosphere. Featuring digital, print photographs, and an original short documentary film, Annenberg Space for Photography is a must-visit for photographs interested in mastering the craft. Enjoy the video interviews presented in the theater and admire the impressive photographs on display.
10. MOCA Grand Avenue
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Designed classically keeping the popular culture of Los Angeles in mind, Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA) is situated in a flagship location, adorned with American and European artworks. Despite being small in size, MOCA Grand Avenue is interesting and looks terrific. With the museum pieces of the famous artists as well as the budding artists on display, MOCA Grand Avenue offers a nice variety.
11. Skirball Cultural Center
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Devoted to the sustaining Jewish heritage and American Democratic ideals, Skirball Cultural Center is an educational institution with the museum as its main core. Revel in the joy of the cultural vibrancy as unraveled by the iconic Noah Ark exhibit and enjoy the significant features of Skirball Cultural Center that includes engaging music, changing exhibits, literary programs, theater, comedy shows, cafe, and the museum store.
12. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
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Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens is an all-in-one destination in Los Angeles that has a special something for everyone. Loaded with world-class gardens, exquisite exhibits, rare book collection, famous artworks, and a charming atmosphere, Huntington Library is definitely one of the top free museums in Los Angeles you should check out and do plan your visit in the spring season.
13. Hollywood Bowl Museum
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Built as a celebration to the iconic landmark of the Hollywood Bowl, Hollywood Bowl Museum provides a historical context to the electrifying location. Enrich your Bowl experience by going on a tour of the Hollywood Bowl Museum that comprises of state-of-the-art audio stations, DVD documentaries, and soak in the great moments of the enthralling journey of music. Visiting Hollywood Bowl Museum will just elevate your summer.
14. Craft and Folk Art Museum
Image Source: Sharon VanderKaay/flickr.com
Contributing to the continuous growth of the Los Angeles culture is the fabulous Craft and Folk Art Museum. Explore the excellent work of art, craft, and design put up on display in the conventional museum space of the Craft and Folk Art Museum which is one of the hidden gems of a museum in Los Angeles. Compact in nature, the exhibits in Craft and Folk Art Museum are compelling and would keep you engaged.
