The city of Los Angeles is famous for being the entertainment capital of the world but locals know that our amazing town has so much more to offer including access to world class museums.
And we don’t just mean a few. There are LOTS of museums all around LA, in fact there are over 250 of them in the area!
We have so many amazing museums to choose from that we decide to just make a list of our favorite FREE ones to attend.
Below is our list of the best FREE museums for you to enjoy!
1. The Getty Center
This spectacular center is actually part of the Getty Trust. It first opened its doors to the public in 1997 and its very well known for its architecture, outdoor art and gardens and of course its incredible views of the city. Admission is FREE (!), BUT parking is $15.
The collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum displayed at The Getty Center includes pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; 19th- and 20th-century American, European, and Asian photographs; contemporary and modern sculpture; and Robert Irwin’s Central Garden, designed specifically for the Getty Center.
2. California Science Center
This California Science Center is a state agency and museum and it offers free general admission to its permanent exhibit galleries. The entire facility spans over 400,000 sq feet, it’s and its located in spectacular Exposition Park near the Natural History Museum, the California African American Musuem, The Exhibition Rose Garden and the USC campus.
This is a terrific museum for the whole family to explore. The free admission is only for its permanent exhibits and you may have to pay a fee to see special temporary exhibit displays.
Some of California Science Center major exhibits include World of Life ( it examines the processes of life from a single cell bacterium to the 100 trillion cell human being), Creative World (this exhibit explores ways people use technology for transportation, communication and others), Ecosystems ( features an unprecedented blend of almost 400 species of live animals and plants).
3. Annenberg Space For Photography
This incredible cultural destination in the heart of Century City displays amazing works of digital and print photography. It features state of the art 4k digital technology, and it also exhibits traditional prints by some of the most famous photographers around the world. Selected works created by new, talented photographers are also often on display.
The Annenberg Space for Photography is the first solely photographic museum destination in Los Angeles. There are typically themed displays that go on for a few months before they move on to another. Stop by and enjoy all the free exhibits and public programming.
Annenberg is located at 2000 Avenue of the Stars and it opens Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm. Thursdays 11 am to 5 pm. Closed on Mondays.
4. The Broad
The Broad is a gorgeous 120,000 sq foot museum located on Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles. This contemporary art museum was designed by world renowned architectural firm Diller Scofidio. Its founders Eli and Edythe Broad financed the $140 million building which features two floors of gallery space with its particular concept of veil and vault.
The Broad is also the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation’s worldwide lending library, which has been loaning collections of works to museums around the world since 1984. Since it first opened in 2015, the museum has already welcomed over 1.8 million visitors.
General admission is free and includes access to The Broad’s collection galleries on the third floor. They often have special temporary displays, like the works of incredibly popular Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama, that will typically have an additional fee to view.
5. Griffith Observatory
Probably the most famous on our list, this spectacular LA landmark is located in the south facing slope of Mount Hollywood in Los Angeles Griffith Park. With the mission of inspiring everyone to observe, ponder and understand the sky, this beloved civic gathering place opened its doors to the public in 1935 and its admission has always being free, even after its $93 million dollars renovation in 2006.
The land surrounding the Griffith Observatory was given to the city of Los Angeles by Griffith J Griffith in 1896, he also donated funds to build and observatory, exhibit hall and planetarium.
The planetarium closed in 2002 for renovations, during this time a world class team of architects, exhibit designers, astronomy experts and many others worked carefully and expertly until 2006 to return Griffith Observatory to the people of Los Angeles and to welcome visitors from all over the world.
How did we do? Did we miss your favorite museum? Let us know below!