Los Angeles County Museum of Art
4.6(19,462)4.6 out of 5 stars, 19462 reviews Los Angeles, CA
About Los Angeles County Museum of Art
LACMA offers an impressive and diverse art collection spanning contemporary, classical, and digital art, set within beautiful grounds featuring sculptures and walking paths. It's ideal for families seeking a full day of cultural immersion, with opportunities to combine visits with nearby attractions like the Tar Pits and Academy Museum. Parents can benefit from free admission days and potential membership reciprocity.
What parents should know
Summarized from real visitor reviews.
Best for: Families seeking a full day of cultural engagement and outdoor exploration.Parents interested in exposing children to a diverse range of art styles (contemporary, classical, digital).Budget-conscious families looking for free cultural activities on specific days.Families planning a multi-museum day due to its proximity to other major attractions.Evenings out with older children or teens on Fridays for the jazz night experience.
Why families love it
- Features beautiful grounds with sculptures and walking paths, providing outdoor space for families.
- Houses two distinct indoor galleries with diverse art pieces, including a notable contemporary art gallery and classical collections.
- Offers a small, specific exhibit focused on 'children and art in Germany,' indicating some child-friendly content.
- Staff are consistently described as helpful and polite.
- Strategically located in close proximity to other major attractions like the Tar Pits and Academy Museum, making multi-venue visits convenient.
- Provides free entrance on the second Tuesday of every month, offering a budget-friendly option.
Insider tips
- Budget 'at least a day' to fully experience the museum and its grounds, or 'more than two hours' for a focused visit to specific galleries.
- Plan your visit for the 'second Tuesday of the month' to take advantage of free admission.
- Consider visiting on a 'Friday' to enjoy the jazz night held after the museum closes.
- Check the 'reciprocating program' list to see if your existing museum membership grants you free entry.
- Combine your visit with other nearby attractions like the 'Tar Pits and Academy Museum' for a comprehensive day out.
Good to know before you go
- If you are expecting a dedicated children's museum with extensive interactive play areas, as LACMA is primarily an art museum.
- If your primary comparison point is The Getty and you expect a similar grand scale or overwhelming collection, as some visitors find LACMA 'underwhelming' in comparison.
- Parents with very young children (infants/toddlers) who require specific play zones or highly interactive exhibits, as these are not explicitly mentioned.
- One review noted it could be perceived as 'underwhelming compared to The Getty,' which might be a factor for parents weighing options.
- No explicit mention of dedicated interactive play areas for very young children, suggesting it's primarily an art museum experience.
- Crowds
- One reviewer noted it was 'surprisingly uncrowded for a free admission day,' suggesting that while free days could be busy, it's not always the case. Weekday mornings or early afternoons might be quieter.
- Value
- Offers significant value through its 'free entrance day (second Tuesday of the month)' and a 'reciprocating program' with other museums. While general admission pricing is not mentioned, its perceived 'worth the hype' status and extensive collection suggest good value, especially when utilizing free entry options.
- Food
- Food and drink rules are not explicitly stated. However, one review mentioned getting 'hangry,' implying that visitors should plan for their meals or snacks during an extended visit.
- Accessibility
- No specific accessibility accommodations (e.g., wheelchair access details, sensory-friendly hours) were mentioned in the provided reviews.
- Safety
- No specific safety features (e.g., staff monitoring, first aid, security measures) were mentioned in the provided reviews.
What parents say
"The LACMA is an extraordinarily impressive art museum in the heart of Los Angeles. It is absolutely an all day affair, so make sure to budget at least a day (just my opinion) to be able to take everything in. There’s beautiful grounds with sculptures and walking paths, in addition to two distinct indoor galleries with very different art pieces and mediums. The contemporary art gallery is incredible and I could have spent way more time there (had I not gotten hangry lol). I honestly can’t believe I’ve lived in LA for four years and hadn’t been since now. It’s touristy in the way that some of th"
2 weeks ago
"If you’re trying to pick which museum/gallery to visit, this or The Broad. I loved The Broad but this has a few advantages. LACMA is close to Tar Pits and Academy Museum if you wish to see them too. The collection is impressive."
a week ago
"I wish I’d gone earlier so I could have seen more, but I was lucky to get to visit on the free entrance day (second Tuesday of the month)! I went to the modern and contemporary wing and particularly enjoyed the small exhibit about children and art in Germany. Some of the digital art exhibition was interesting as well. I would recommend giving yourself more than two hours if you want to see a lot of art! The staff were helpful and polite and it was surprisingly uncrowded for a free admission day."
2 months ago
Reviews sourced from public Google data.
More museum kids activities in Los Angeles
Museum Kids Activities Petersen Automotive Museum
4.7(11,805)4.7 out of 5 stars, 11805 reviews6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
Museum Kids Activities La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
4.6(13,916)4.6 out of 5 stars, 13916 reviews5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles
Museum Kids Activities Skirball Cultural Center
4.7(1,983)4.7 out of 5 stars, 1983 reviews2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles
Museum Kids Activities Discovery Cube
4.3(3,714)4.3 out of 5 stars, 3714 reviewsDiscovery Science centre, 2500 N Main St, Santa Ana