Los Angeles is a city of endless stories and its museums are where they come to life. From world-class art collections and cinematic history to scientific wonders and cultural heritage, these institutions offer a window into creativity, discovery and the past that shapes the present. Whether you’re an art lover, history buff or curious explorer, there’s a museum here that will capture your imagination.
From iconic cultural landmarks to hidden gems, here’s a must-visit list of the best museums in Los Angeles for 2025, with highlights of what makes each one truly special.
1. The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
A sanctuary for art lovers, bookworms, and garden enthusiasts, The Huntington is a feast for the senses. The library houses rare manuscripts, including a Gutenberg Bible, while the art collection features Gainsborough’s The Blue Boy. Outdoors, 130 acres of botanical gardens invite visitors to explore everything from a tranquil Japanese garden to a striking desert landscape.
👉 Why go? The Chinese Garden, a stunning lakeside retreat inspired by classical Suzhou gardens, and the Desert Garden, home to one of the world’s largest collections of cacti and succulents.
Address: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
Hours: Friday 7 a.m.–12 a.m.
huntington.org
2. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
The largest art museum in the western U.S., LACMA offers an unparalleled mix of classical and contemporary art. Whether you’re admiring Diego Rivera’s murals, strolling past Jeff Koons’ balloon animals, or snapping a photo at Chris Burden’s Urban Light, this museum is an essential stop for any art enthusiast.
👉 Why go? The Resnick Pavilion, an open-plan space designed by Renzo Piano, and the upcoming David Geffen Galleries, part of LACMA’s transformative expansion.
Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Wednesday-Monday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
lacma.org
3. The Getty Center
Sitting high above Los Angeles, The Getty Center is a masterpiece of architecture, art, and landscape design. Inside, find works from Van Gogh, Monet, and Rembrandt. Outside, the rolling gardens and panoramic city views make it one of LA’s most picturesque spots.
👉 Why go? The Central Garden, a living artwork designed by Robert Irwin, where winding pathways lead through colorful plant displays, flowing streams, and sculpted hedges.
Address: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, Sunday, 10a.m.–5:30 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
getty.edu
4. The Broad
LA’s contemporary art powerhouse, The Broad, is home to one of the most celebrated collections of postwar and contemporary art in the world. Expect to see Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Jeff Koons, alongside Yayoi Kusama’s mesmerizing Infinity Mirror Rooms.
👉 Why go? The Infinity Mirror Rooms, immersive art installations that create a sense of endless space using mirrors and lights. Reservations required.
Address: 221 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Hours: Tuesday & Wednesday & Friday, 11 a.m.—5 p.m.
Thursday, 11 a.m.—8 p.m.
Saturday, 10 a.m.—6 p.m.
Sunday, 10 a.m.—6 p.m.
Reserve Now
5. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
From towering dinosaur fossils to sparkling gemstone collections, this museum tells the story of life on Earth. Walk through the halls of mammoths, saber-toothed cats, and giant sloths, or explore the museum’s award-winning Nature Gardens.
👉 Why go? The Dinosaur Hall, featuring a rare T. rex growth series and interactive exhibits that bring prehistoric creatures to life.
Address: 900 W Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Open Daily, 9:30 a.m-5 p.m.
nhm.org
6. Norton Simon Museum
A hidden gem in Pasadena, home to one of the most impressive private art collections in the world. Featuring European masterpieces, Asian antiquities, and modern works, the museum is a sanctuary for art lovers, offering an intimate and beautifully curated experience. Works by Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Picasso, and Degas line its galleries, while its lush sculpture garden, inspired by Monet’s Giverny, provides a tranquil escape.
👉 Why go? The sculpture garden, an outdoor retreat featuring works by Rodin, with a reflective pond and a walking path lined with lush greenery, creating a serene space for contemplation. The South and Southeast Asian Art Collection also offers a rare glimpse into sacred Buddhist and Hindu sculptures, dating back over 1,000 years. (This is going through renovation, check website for updates)
Address: 411 W Colorado Blvd., Pasadena
Hours: Wednesday–Thursday: noon–5 p.m.
Friday–Saturday: noon– 7 p.m.
Sunday: noon-5 p.m.
nortonsimon.org
7. California Science Center
Where science meets spectacle. Home to the Space Shuttle Endeavour, this museum offers interactive exhibits on space travel, ocean exploration and human biology.
👉 Why go? The Space Shuttle Endeavour, displayed in its full glory, offering an up-close look at NASA’s history-making spacecraft.
Address: 700 Exposition Park Drive, Los Angeles
Brentwood location-11648 San Vicente Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Open Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
californiasciencecenter.org
8. Petersen Automotive Museum
A paradise for car lovers, featuring everything from classic roadsters to futuristic concept vehicles. The Petersen also houses one of the world’s largest automotive collections.
👉 Why go? The Vault, a behind-the-scenes tour showcasing over 250 rare and historically significant cars.
Address: 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Open Daily, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
petersen.org
9. Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
The ultimate destination for movie lovers. The Academy Museum celebrates Hollywood’s history with film memorabilia, interactive exhibits, and immersive storytelling. Plus enjoy great dining from their signature restaurant, Fanny’s.
👉 Why go? The Original Dorothy’s Ruby Slippers from The Wizard of Oz and the Oscar Experience, where visitors can hold an actual Academy Award.
Address: 6067 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Wednesday–Monday, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
academymuseum.org
10. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
Where prehistoric history is alive and bubbling—literally. This is one of the only active urban excavation sites in the world, where scientists are still uncovering fossils of Ice Age giants.
👉 Why go? The Observation Pit, where visitors can watch paleontologists extract fossils in real-time.
Address: 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Open Daily, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
tarpits.org
11. The Getty Villa
An ancient Roman escape along the California coast. The Getty Villa transports visitors to the world of Greek and Roman antiquities, set in a re-creation of a 1st-century Roman villa.
👉 Why go? The Villa Gardens, inspired by classical Roman estate gardens, featuring a reflecting pool, sculptures, and Mediterranean plants.
Address: 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades
Hours: Closed temporarily, will give update when open.
getty.edu
12. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
LA’s only artist-founded contemporary art museum, MOCA features a cutting-edge collection of experimental and conceptual art from the 1940s to today.
👉 Why go? The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA, an industrial warehouse-turned-art space featuring large-scale installations.
Address: 250 S Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Hours: Times vary, check website for specific schedule.
moca.org
13. GRAMMY Museum
The GRAMMY Museum brings music history to life, with exhibits on legendary artists, stage costumes, and interactive music production experiences. Visitors can also explore rare recordings, behind-the-scenes stories, and memorabilia that highlight the evolution of sound and performance.
👉 Why go? The Michael Jackson Gallery, featuring the King of Pop’s handwritten lyrics, costumes, and personal artifacts.
Address: 800 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Hours vary
grammymuseum.org
14. Skirball Cultural Center
A cultural center dedicated to Jewish heritage and social justice, featuring engaging exhibits on immigration, identity, and resilience. It showcases interactive displays, historical artifacts, and multimedia presentations that explore the Jewish American experience while promoting inclusivity and cross-cultural understanding.
👉 Why go? The Noah’s Ark Exhibit, an interactive experience where kids and adults can climb aboard a life-sized ark.
Address: 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles
Hours: Tuesday–Friday, noon–5:00 p.m. Saturday–Sunday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
skirball.org
15. Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
The only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. Located in Long Beach, MOLAA houses a diverse and dynamic collection that spans painting, sculpture, photography, and multimedia installations, showcasing the rich cultural heritage, political movements and evolving artistic expressions of Latin America.
👉 Why go? The Sculpture Garden, an outdoor oasis featuring large-scale works by Latin American artists, and rotating exhibitionshighlighting influential and emerging voices from across the region. MOLAA also hosts film screenings, live music, and cultural festivals that celebrate the depth and vibrancy of Latin American traditions.
Address: 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach
Hours: Wednesday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
molaa.org
16. Wende Museum
A hidden gem dedicated to the history and culture of the Cold War, features artifacts from Soviet Russia and East Germany. Through its extensive collection of political propaganda, everyday objects, and archival materials, the museum offers a nuanced look at life behind the Iron Curtain and the era’s lasting global impact.
👉 Why go? A real Berlin Wall section, covered in original Cold War-era graffiti.
Address: 10808 Culver Blvd., Culver City
Hours: Friday-Sunday, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
wendemuseum.org
17. FIDM Museum
Fashion lovers, take note—FIDM showcases historic and contemporary costumes, including wardrobe pieces from Hollywood films and high fashion designers..
👉 Why go? The Annual Motion Picture Costume Exhibit, displaying iconic costumes from Oscar-nominated films.
Address: 919 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles
Hours: Tuesday–Wednesday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Thursday, 10 a.m.–8 p.m.
Friday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
Sunday–Monday, Closed
asufidmmuseum.asu.edu
Photo credits: Visitors at the Narsiso Martinez: Rethinking Essentials courtesy of MOLAA. Kaleidoscope courtesy of Olafur Eliasson. LACMA courtesy of Joe Byrnes. The Getty courtesy of Lydia Koh. Photos are courtesy of business and venue
