9 Essential Museums to Experience in Los Angeles

When people envision Los Angeles, Hollywood often comes to mind: celebrities, studio tours, and the Walk of Fame. However, the City of Angels has another hidden gem: it boasts one of the most vibrant museum scenes in the nation. In fact, L.A. has the highest number of museums per capita of any city worldwide.

Whether your interests lie in classical art, contemporary talents like Yayoi Kusama, or more (*ahem*) daring exhibits, Los Angeles has a museum that caters to you. Many of these venues also feature stunning outdoor areas perfect for soaking up Southern California’s pleasant weather. How about a picnic?

Here are the nine top museums in Los Angeles (listed in no particular order).

1. The Broad

• Location: 221 S. Grand Ave, Los Angeles | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Saturdays and Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; Fridays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Closed on Mondays.
• Admission: Free

Established by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, the Broad Museum opened its doors in 2015. With over 2,000 works, it is renowned for possessing one of the finest contemporary art collections globally. Here, guests can discover artworks by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Takashi Murakami, and Andy Warhol. The museum also features two permanent installations of Yayoi Kusama’s iconic Infinity Rooms: Infinity Mirrored Room—The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away (2013) and Longing for Eternity (2017). Reservations are required in advance to experience both installations.

Learn more about The Broad.

2. The Getty Villa

• Location: 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy., Pacific Palisades | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission: Free, though reservations are necessary

The Getty Villa is often hailed as one of the most stunning museums in Los Angeles. It was once the residence of oil magnate J. Paul Getty, who designed the building based on Herculaneum’s ancient Roman Villa of Papyri. The Getty Villa boasts over 44,000 pieces, primarily ancient Etruscan, Greek, and Roman artworks that were previously part of the oil tycoon's private collection. The property features exquisite painted ceilings, marble flooring, and Roman columns that rival the art itself. However, the true marvel lies not just in the art, but in the property itself. Be sure to set aside ample time to explore the Getty Villa’s numerous gardens, fountains, and its renowned pool. Additionally, just half an hour away, the foundation operates the Getty Center, which displays art spanning from the medieval era to the present day.

3. Museum of Neon Art

• Location: 216 S. Brand Blvd., Glendale | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Thursday to Saturday from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m., Sundays from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission: $10 per visitor

Bright lights, big city! This museum is hard to overlook, especially after dark. The Museum of Neon Art was initially established in downtown L.A. in 1981 but relocated to its current Glendale venue in 2016. Look for the inviting glow of its neon sign. This space is entirely dedicated to electric and light-based arts and explores their historical development. The museum features a scientific aspect, delving into the technical workings of neon, electric, and kinetic art. Highlights include iconic neon signs from the Brown Derby (a now-closed restaurant chain famous for its derby hat-shaped buildings) and Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

4. Tom of Finland House

• Location: 1421 Laveta Terrace, Los Angeles | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Thursdays and Saturdays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
• Admission: Tour access only, $20 per person

The Tom of Finland House is a unique space that defies the traditional concept of a museum. Nestled on a quiet residential street in Echo Park, this home is entirely dedicated to hyper-masculine, NSFW, gay art. Operated by the Tom of Finland Foundation, it focuses on preserving and celebrating the work of Touko Valio Laaksonen (known as Tom of Finland), who is recognized as one of the most impactful erotic gay artists in history, famously known for his prints of leather-clad men. The museum boasts a collection of over 100,000 works and claims to be the largest repository of erotic art in the world. Access is limited to visitors who book a tour in advance.

5. The Museum of Jurassic Technology

• Location: 9341 Venice Blvd., Culver City | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Thursdays and Fridays from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: $12 per person

Few museums in the world can compare to the unique experience offered by the Museum of Jurassic Technology. From the moment visitors step inside, they are immersed in a maze of tightly packed exhibits that seem to appear and disappear at random, all illuminated by a soft, dim glow. The displays encompass an eclectic assortment of objects, which could include a room dedicated to the string game Cat’s Cradle, an exploration of global folk remedies, or even a curious collection of rotting dice once owned by a magician. Ultimately, it’s not just the exhibits that define the Museum of Jurassic Technology, but the entire immersive experience.

6. Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

• Location: 1151 Oxford Rd., San Marino | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Wednesday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Admission: $25 per person from Monday to Thursday, $29 per person on weekends

For a blend of indoor and outdoor enjoyment, visit the Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens. This expansive library spans over 207 beautifully landscaped acres, with 130 acres dedicated to meticulously curated botanical gardens. Visitors can explore 16 themed sections, including the Desert, Japanese, and Chinese gardens. Once you’ve savored the outdoors, step inside to discover the art museum, which features a remarkable collection of American and European classical and contemporary art, alongside rare books. Fun fact: The Huntington Library has served as a filming location on multiple occasions for the show The Good Place, standing in for, well, the Good Place.

7. Japanese American National Museum

• Location: 100 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m.
• Admission: $16 per person

Nestled in the heart of Little Tokyo, the Japanese American National Museum stands as the largest institution in the United States dedicated to the history and culture of Japanese Americans. The museum boasts over 60,000 artifacts and frequently features innovative exhibitions that explore themes ranging from the influence of Hello Kitty to the history of Japanese internment camps. However, JANM is more than just a museum; it serves as a community center and advocacy organization committed to educating the wider community about the experiences of Japanese Americans.

8. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

• Location: 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Wednesday to Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: $25 per person

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a recent addition to Los Angeles's museum offerings. Originally set to open in 2020, its launch was postponed due to COVID-19, with the museum finally opening its doors in 2021. The Academy Museum houses an extensive collection of over 13 million items related to the history of film, some dating back to 1927. Highlights include E.T. from E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), Dorothy’s iconic ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz (1939), and the May Queen dress worn by Florence Pugh in Midsommar (2019). Currently, the museum features a temporary exhibition titled John Waters: Pope of Trash, showcasing the works of the legendary and provocatively irreverent director, running through August 4, 2024.

9. Medieval Torture Museum

• Location: 6757 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles | Find on Google Maps
• Hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight.
• Admission: $30 per person

For an extraordinarily unique museum experience in Los Angeles, visit the Medieval Torture Museum, situated just off Hollywood Boulevard. This establishment claims to be the “largest interactive historical museum in the U.S.” and showcases an “unmatched collection of cruelty.” Inside, guests will encounter the familiar items such as stocks, shackles, and the rack, alongside more inventive devices like boots designed to gradually crush feet and inflict pain on sensitive areas. “Our exhibition aims not only to display historical artifacts but also to evoke the emotions and experiences of those who lived during that time,” said owner Eugene Grach in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter in April 2023.