Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
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.
Key Highlights
- ✓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.
- ✓Has a reciprocating program with other museums, potentially offering free or discounted entry if you hold a membership elsewhere.
Standout Features
- ⭐Expansive outdoor sculpture gardens and walking paths for exploration.
- ⭐Diverse collection of contemporary, classical, and digital art for varied interests.
- ⭐Availability of specific child-focused art exhibits (e.g., 'children and art in Germany').
- ⭐Consistently friendly and helpful staff enhance the visitor experience.
- ⭐Reciprocating membership program provides an excellent value proposition for members of other institutions.
- ⭐Friday jazz nights offer an additional activity for families with older children or parents after a museum visit.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →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.
Things to Consider
- ⚠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.
Price & 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.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •No specific accessibility accommodations (e.g., wheelchair access details, sensory-friendly hours) were mentioned in the provided reviews.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •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.
🚗Parking Info
- •No specific details regarding parking options (e.g., free, paid, garage, street) were mentioned in the provided reviews.
👥Crowd Levels
- •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.
🛡️Safety Features
- •No specific safety features (e.g., staff monitoring, first aid, security measures) were mentioned in the provided reviews.
⏰When to Avoid
- • 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.
Pricing/Package/Events
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Communities Create LA! 3D Shadow Boxes
Sat Oct 4, 10:30 am PT
Not specified (Drop-in Workshop)
Find inspiration in Frida Kahlo’s painting Weeping Coconuts (Cocos gimientes) and use painting, mixed-media techniques, and storytelling to create a unique three-dimensional shadow box.
Boone Children's Gallery: Pop Up Art Workshop
Sat Oct 4, 11 am PT
Not specified (Drop-in Workshop)
Exhibition-based workshops that encourage creative inspiration for different activities. Recommended to check out corresponding galleries.
Reception: Queridos, Siempre en mi Mente (Loved Ones, Always in my Mind)
Sat Oct 4, 12 pm PT
Free (Drop-in Workshop)
Celebrate Día de los Muertos ofrenda (altar) display with light refreshments and a free drop-in workshop at Charles White Elementary School.
Fiber Maker's Circle
Sun Oct 5, 12:30 pm PT
Not specified (Drop-in Workshop)
Bring your current project or grab supplies from our stash. Led by experienced fiber artists, learn a new skill or help others in the circle.
Andell Family Sundays: Earth Is Home
Sun Oct 5, 12:30 pm PT
Not specified (Drop-in Workshop)
Join Andell Family Sundays in person at LACMA to be creative, discover new art, make memories, and have fun!
🍎Food Policy
- • No onsite dining on a daily basis. Food trucks occasionally available on Smidt Welcome Plaza (none currently scheduled).
- • Limited seating available on Smidt Welcome Plaza on a first-come, first-served basis.
- • Visitors are welcome to bring food and beverages to enjoy on the Smidt Welcome Plaza or adjacent lawns.
- • Food and beverages are not permitted in the galleries.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Service animals are welcome; pick up a wristband at entry.
- • Pets are not allowed inside buildings at LACMA.
📅Booking Policy
- • Advance timed-entry tickets are highly recommended for all visitors, including members, and can be purchased/reserved online or at the LACMA Ticket Office.
- • Walk-up tickets are available but may sell out.
- • For advance tickets/reservations, call the LACMA Ticket Office at 323-857-6010, Monday through Friday, 10 am–5 pm.
- • Docent tours are volunteer-led and subject to cancellation; check with staff on the day for details.
🚗Parking Information
- • Accessible parking available in the underground Pritzker Parking Garage off Sixth St. (one block east of Fairfax Ave.) on P1 and P2.
- • Charles White Elementary School Gallery: Street parking available, also validated free parking in parking structure behind the school at 611 S. Carondelet St. (present ticket to LACMA security for validation).
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Recent Reviews
tony elias
2 weeks agoThe 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 the best attractions a city has to offer can be, which means basically it is worth the hype. It’s impressive for folks that come to visit LA and it’s impressive for people like me that live here and find another reason to love this city. I will definitely be back.
LJ Douggie
a week agoIf 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.
Amara
2 months agoI 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.
Astrid Raflina
3 months agoSo many things to look at. Beautiful site. Thoroughly enjoyed my time here. Friendly staff. In close proximity to other interesting museums. Tips: go on a Friday so you can enjoy the jazz night after your museum visit.
Will Heo
a month agoThe place isn't huge, but it has a collection of both contemporary and classical artwork. You could say that the place is underwhelming compared to the Getty. They do have a reciprocating program with quite a few museums, so it's worth checking out the list if you have a membership somewhere else.