Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Before you reach the entrance, you stop. Two hundred and two antique cast-iron street lamps stand in orderly rows on Wilshire Boulevard — Chris Burden's Urban Light, each one salvaged from a different Los Angeles neighbourhood, glowing amber at dusk. It's the kind of arrival that recalibrates your expectations.
LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, and its collection — encyclopedic in scope, spanning five thousand years and six continents — sits on the same stretch of Hancock Park that once belonged to the Hancock family ranch. The La Brea Tar Pits bubble quietly next door, which feels, in Los Angeles, entirely appropriate.
💛 What travellers fall for
People who come back tend to time it deliberately: free admission for Angelenos kicks in at 3pm on weekdays, which thins the crowds. The Broad Contemporary Art Museum building handles large-scale work well — Jeff Koons's Tulips fills the space without crushing it. Friday evenings, with the extended 8pm closing, are quieter than you'd expect.
The story behind Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
LACMA broke away from the Los Angeles Museum of History, Science and Art in 1961 and opened its own campus on Wilshire Boulevard in 1965 — the largest new art museum built in the country in twenty-five years. William L. Pereira & Associates designed the original three-building complex, which rose on land the Hancock family had donated to the county decades earlier.
The museum expanded steadily through the 1980s and beyond, adding the Robert O. Anderson wing, the Broad Contemporary Art Museum in 2008, and the Lynda and Stewart Resnick Exhibition Pavilion in 2010. In April 2020, the four oldest Pereira buildings came down to make way for a new structure designed by Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, whose David Geffen Galleries will eventually consolidate much of the campus.
Good to know
The D Line drops you at Wilshire/Fairfax Station, half a block away — the easiest approach. Closed Wednesdays and major holidays. Budget two to three hours minimum. Timed-entry tickets can be reserved online or by phone; worth doing on weekends. L.A. County residents under 18 always enter free.
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What travellers say about Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Excellent museum with world-class exhibits, beautiful architecture, and an inspiring atmosphere. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art offers an outstanding collection of paintings, sculptures, photography, and contemporary installations that make every visit unique and memorable. The galleries were spacious, relaxing, and professionally maintained, allowing visitors to fully enjoy the artwork without feeling rushed. I especially enjoyed the variety of international collections and the creative modern exhibits throughout the museum. The outdoor spaces and public art installations added even more beauty to the overall experience. The staff members were welcoming, informative, and clearly passionate about art and culture. The location is convenient and close to other attractions and restaurants in Los Angeles. Highly recommended for visitors of all ages looking for a memorable cultural experience.
LACMA was one of the highlights of my trip to LA. The museum is large, with a wide variety of art to explore. I especially loved the live performance. It was so creative and engaging that I ended up staying for almost an hour just for the show. The artists were incredibly talented. The nearby La Brea Tar Pits added a unique touch to the experience. I'm so glad I visited!
This seems to be the first time I've reviewed LACMA. Surprising. I've been here before. Today's the opening day for the new wing. It's all on one level, about thirty feet above ground level. It's an open plan with exterior views nearly everywhere. You're going to find pictures of the exhibis with explanations on the web. I thought I'd be original by being the first to publish pictures of the exterior views. Turns out I met lots of people doing the same thing. Google Maps will let me publish only 50 pictures. This is a great addition to LACMA. You should visit. It's wheelchair accessible. There's street parking and a lot under the museum. We parked on the street so I don't know if the below ground parking lot is free or paid. LACMA is also reached by bus, and there's a new subway station across Wilshire Boulevard.
I highly recommend this museum. It had been over 10 years since the last time I came and it beat my expectations! Things to know: -Parking cost $23 at the Pritzker Parking on 6th street. There will be a sign that says “LACMA” parking. I was thrown off because there was another sign that said “LOT FULL” but when I asked the parking attendant about finding more parking he pointed me to the same lot just on a lower floor. I did have to drive around the lot a few times until someone left (Max 10 minutes) And they offer FREE valet parking ( I didn’t know at the time) So when you see their parking attendants ask them about it. So essentially it is “full” you just have to wait a little because people are constantly leaving or ask for valet parking. This was around 5ish during a Jazz night. -There are elevators that will take you to the entrance of the museum. Choose “Ground”. -LA residents get in free after 3pm on weekdays. I showed them a bill with my current address and ID. In addition they ask for your email address. -All staff, from the people that check you in, to the security guards offer professional customer service and are helpful if you have any questions (which greatly helps with my social anxiety😅) -The David Geffen Galleries are huge. I was there for 2 hours and didn’t get to finish seeing all the art. Beautifully designed and the art was beautifully displayed. Even the wall colors were on point. -You may need more than 4 hours if you enjoy taking in art. There is ALOT to see inside and outside. -Bathrooms are clean and scattered throughout. -Pay for your parking before you leave the kiosk. They will be by the elevators in the parking garage. -Jazz nights get PACKED!!! So get there early, like before 5pm if you want a good seat. That includes if you’re bringing your own chair. *I didn’t get any food or visit the store so I can’t speak on either one. I will definitely be coming back to the finish exploring the rest of the museum.
The new David Geffen Galleries at LACMA - wow! The musuem showcases a lovely collection of art pieces is an awesome inspiring gallery space. Tidbit - 2nd Tues each month LACMA admission is free - get tickets in advance! Must see!
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