Evergreen guide · Culture in Los Angeles
Free museums in Los Angeles: the guide every Latino family should save
Living in Los Angeles and not taking advantage of its free museums is like having a pool and never getting in. The city has one of the biggest free cultural offerings in the country — and many of us don't use it because we think "museums are expensive." Here's the list to prove otherwise.
Always free (all year)
- The Broad — Contemporary art in the heart of downtown. Admission is free, but you need to book a timed ticket on its website because it fills up.
- Getty Center — In Brentwood, with gardens, architecture and city views that are worth the visit alone. Free admission (paid parking). Its sibling, the Getty Villa in Malibu, is a reconstructed Roman villa by the sea: free too.
- Hammer Museum — In Westwood, contemporary art and public programs. Free admission.
- Fowler Museum (UCLA) — World cultures: Africa, Asia, the Pacific and the Americas. Free.
- California Science Center — In Exposition Park. The permanent galleries are free (special exhibitions and the IMAX theater cost extra). Great with kids.
- Griffith Observatory — LA's most famous viewpoint: telescopes, space exhibits and the best sunset view over the city. Free admission.
- LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes — Downtown, next to Olvera Street: the Mexican, Mexican American and Chicano history of Los Angeles told by us. Free.
- Travel Town Museum — In Griffith Park: real trains and locomotives for kids to climb on and explore. Free.
Special free days (write them down)
- LACMA — Free for everyone on the second Tuesday of each month. Plus, LA County residents get in free on weekdays after 3 p.m. (closed Wednesdays). Its NexGen program gives free admission to kids under 17 with online registration.
- Natural History Museum — Free for county residents Monday through Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.
- MOLAA (Museum of Latin American Art, Long Beach) — Free admission every Sunday.
- Norton Simon (Pasadena) — Free admission for everyone on the first Friday of each month, 4 to 7 p.m.
Free days and hours can change by season: check each museum's official website before planning your visit.
Three golden rules to avoid overspending
- 1. Book before you go. The most popular free museums (The Broad, Getty) require timed tickets. Without a reservation, you're left out.
- 2. Arrive early or on weekdays. Fewer people, a better experience, and easier parking.
- 3. Lunch from home. Most have dining areas or gardens: a picnic in the Getty gardens beats any restaurant.
Save this guide, share it with your family and plan your first visit this month. Culture is savings too.
Frequently asked questions
- Which museums are free all year? The Broad, Getty Center, Getty Villa, Hammer Museum, Fowler Museum, California Science Center (permanent galleries), Griffith Observatory, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes and Travel Town Museum.
- Is LACMA free? The second Tuesday of each month for everyone; and for county residents, free on weekdays after 3 p.m. (closed Wednesdays).
- Does the Natural History Museum have free days? Yes: free for county residents Monday through Friday, 3 to 5 p.m.
- Do I need to book? The Broad and the Getty require timed tickets: book before you go.
PILLAR GUIDE · MORE FREE PLANSSee the free events guide →
KEEP EXPLORING