Table Of Contents
Enjoying amazing art exhibitions in Los Angeles is a must, thanks to the city’s rich cultural offerings. But if you’re running on a budget or just love free outings, here’s the complete weekly schedule of all the free days that the city’s museums have to offer.
Free museums in L.A. on Tuesday
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
As the largest art museum in the western United States, LACMA boasts an impressive collection of nearly 130,000 pieces spanning from antiquity to the present. This unmissable attraction is an iconic spot that offers the perfect backdrop for stunning photos at the outdoor installation.
📍 Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
📆 Free admission:
- Second Tuesday of every month
- Free admission on weekdays after 3PM for L.A. County residents with ID
- Free to all active-duty military personnel from Memorial Day through Labor Day
Descanso Gardens
Covering 160 acres, Descanso Gardens was originally established in 1936 by newspaper magnate Elias Manchester Boddy, who had a keen interest in both horticulture and politics. The gardens feature various areas to explore, including a bird sanctuary, a five-acre rosarium, a Japanese tea garden, a water-wise garden, an Oak Woodland, a California garden, and the largest collection of camellia flowers in the world.
📍 Location: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
📆 Free admission: Third Tuesday of every month
Autry Museum of the American West
Located in Griffith Park, the Autry has amazing galleries filled with Native American art and artifacts, film memorabilia, historic firearms, paintings, and more. With over 500,000 pieces in its collection, it also includes the Southwest Museum of the American Indian Collection.
📍 Location: Griffith Park, 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
📆 Free admission:
- Second Tuesday of every month
- Free for Autry members, veterans, active-duty military, and children under the age of 3
Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden
This 127-acre garden features plant collections from around the globe, including numerous rare and endangered species. The Arboretum is also home to several historic buildings, like the Queen Anne Cottage from 1885.
📍 Location: 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA 91007
📆 Free admission: Third Tuesday of the month
Free museums in L.A. on Thursday
Japanese American National Museum
JANM in Little Tokyo, is known worldwide for its dedication to exploring America’s ethnic and cultural diversity by highlighting the experiences of Japanese Americans through exhibitions, public programs, an award-winning museum store, and a resource center.
📍 Location: 100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
📆 Free admission: Every Thursday of the month
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
The Huntington is a 207-acre oasis of art and culture. You can wander through stunning themed gardens, visit a conservatory, check out four art galleries, and admire an incredible collection of rare books. It’s a fantastic destination for art lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, and anyone searching for iconic filming locations, as this spot has been featured in numerous movies.
📍 Location: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
📆 Free admission: First Thursday of every month
Skirball Cultural Center
This center is one of the most vibrant Jewish cultural institutions in the world and is also one of the top museums in Los Angeles. Since opening in 1996, it has welcomed people from all backgrounds, creating a lively space for everyone to come together and enjoy different cultures.
📍 Location: 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
📆 Free admission: Every Thursday of the month
Laguna Art Museum
Founded by local artists in 1918, Laguna Art Museum has been celebrating the finest California art in our community for over a century. Explore art exhibitions that blend various disciplines with a passion for nature.
📍 Location: 307 Cliff Dr, Laguna Beach, CA 92651
📆 Free admission: First Thursday of every month
Free museums in L.A. on Friday
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Situated in Exposition Park, NHMLA boasts one of the largest and most valuable collections of natural and cultural history in the world, featuring over 35 million objects, with some dating back as far as 4.5 billion years.
📍 Location: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007
📆 Free admission: Monday through Friday for L.A. residents
La Brea Tar Pits
Dive into 50,000 years of Southern California history in the iconic asphalt puddles of La Brea Tar Pits. At this active excavation site, paleontologists are hard at work, making it an ideal place for kids excited to discover the fascinating world of dinosaurs!
📍 Location: 5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
📆 Free admission: Monday through Friday for L.A. residents
Norton Simon Museum
Over three decades, industrialist Norton Simon built an incredible collection of European art spanning from the Renaissance to the 20th century. The Norton Simon Museum remains committed to his vision, curating exhibits that showcase the depth and history of the collection.
📍 Location: 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105
📆 Free admission: Every first Friday of every month
Free museums in L.A. on Sunday
USC Pacific Asia Museum
The museum’s collection now exceeds 17,000 objects, showcasing rare and representative examples of art and ethnographic items from Asia and the Pacific Islands. This diverse array highlights the rich cultural heritage and artistic traditions of these regions, making it a valuable resource for all visitors!
📍 Location: 46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
📆 Free admission: Second Sunday of every month
Museum of Latin American Art
Established in 1996, MOLAA is the only museum in the United States focused on modern and contemporary Latin American art. Since its founding, the museum has doubled in size, added a 15,000-square-foot sculpture garden, and expanded its permanent collection. It’s the perfect spot to celebrate Latinx heritage.
📍 Location: 628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
📆 Free admission: Every Sunday of every month