If there is anything you can do in this town for free, you absolutely should take advantage of it. What better way to fill your days than by taking in all the magical, thought-provoking art this city has to offer without the price of admission? Without further ado, we present: the best free museums in Los Angeles.
1. The Broad
This spectacular building is home to 2,000 works of art that form part of the Broad collection, widely regarded as one of the best postwar and contemporary art collections in the world. As one of the top destinations for free art museums Los Angeles has to offer, you’ll get to see works from popular artists like Yayoi Kusama, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol. General entry is completely free, but you’ll need to make a reservation first.
Tickets: Free, reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday, open Tuesday-Wednesday & Friday from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., open Thursday from 11 a.m. – 8 p.m., open Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
📍 Location: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles
2. California Science Center
The California Science Center is located in Exposition Park, next to the Natural History Museum and University of Southern California. Their goal is to educate and share the importance of science in our lives to Angelenos. Their permanent galleries, including space shuttle Endeavour, are free and do not require a reservation. We consider this one of the best free museums in L.A. for kids, so gather up the family and have a blast.
Tickets: Free, no reservation required
🗓️ Hours: Open Monday-Saturday from 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍 Location: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles
3. Getty Museum
Explore 14th Century Venetian art to antique 18th Century furniture at this incredible white-tiled complex with exquisite gardens and views of the city. Make sure you don’t miss the evolving 134,000-square-foot Central Garden, designed by Robert Irwin.
Tickets: Free, reservation required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday, open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
📍 Location: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049
4. BEYOND THE STREETS & Control Gallery
BEYOND THE STREETS brings the vibrant world of graffiti and street art to life with its dynamic exhibitions on La Brea Avenue. This unique gallery celebrates urban creativity through works by legendary street artists and contemporary innovators.
Tickets: Free admission
🗓️ Hours: Wednesday – Saturday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
📍 Location: 434 N La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
5. Getty Villa
The spectacular setting of this “villa” is just as fascinating as the 1,000+ artifacts it holds, making it a must-see in Los Angeles. You can deep-dive into art and history spanning 6,500 BC and 500 AD or simply stroll the gardens for a breath of fresh, ocean-crisp air. But fair warning: Getty Villa parking is $20 per car or motorcycle and $15 after 3 pm.
Tickets: Free, reservation required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Tuesday, open Wednesday-Monday from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍 Location: 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades
6. Griffith Observatory
“Explore the universe for free” without leaving Los Angeles at this iconic cultural gem. Not only is this epic Art Deco building the backdrop for dozens of classic films, but it’s also home to fascinating astronomy resources and powerful telescopes. You can explore the museum from Friday to Sunday and take in a magical sunset over the city with the panoramic views from the surrounding grounds.
Tickets: Free, no reservation required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday, open Tuesday-Friday from 12 p.m.-10 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-10 p.m.
📍 Location: 2800 East Observatory Road Los Angeles
7. Hammer Museum
The Hammer Museum and its mix of historic and cutting-edge artworks are not only visually stunning, they often question our society’s most pressing questions relating to culture, politics, and ethics. Experience fabulous free exhibitions that often feature the works of Los Angeles-based artists in person.
Tickets: Free, no reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday, open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
📍 Location: 10899 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles
8. Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens
The Huntington Gardens are easily one of the most stunning places to visit in L.A. Be sure to book out a few hours to check out hundreds of rare materials in the Library Exhibition Hall and stroll the acres of their gorgeous gardens in between! The first Thursday of every month is their Free Day and requires a reservation. You can snag a coveted free ticket to Huntington on the last Thursday of every month starting at 9 a.m. With normal admission costing between $25-$29, this may be one of the best free museum days in Los Angeles.
Tickets: Free the first Thursday of every month only
🗓️ Hours: Closed Tuesday, open Wednesday-Monday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
📍Location: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino
9. Institute of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles (ICA LA)
Browse radical and progressive art that speaks to the political and social challenges of the modern world at the 12,700-square-foot industrial space in DTLA. This cultural incubator is the perfect place to inspire innovative thinking as you immerse yourself in illuminating stories that take on every form, from films and live performances to poetry and multimedia installations. Their commitment to making contemporary art accessible means free admission, always.
Tickets: Free, no reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday and Friday from 12 p.m.-6 p.m., Thursday from 12 p.m.-7 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
📍 Location: 1717 E 7th St, Los Angeles
10. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
You will undoubtedly recognize the 202 iron lamps that make up Chris Burden’s Urban Light in front of the one and only LACMA, one of the most well-known free art museums in L.A. However, there are plenty of modern and traditional masterpieces to admire inside the museum too. As the largest art museum in the western United States, LACMA boasts a collection of more than 142,000 objects that illuminate 6,000 years of artistic expression across the globe.
Tickets: Free admission to the general public on second Tuesdays; free admission to LA County residents on weekdays after 3pm.
🗓️ Hours: Closed Wednesday, open Monday-Tuesday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m., Friday from 11 a.m.- 8 p.m. and Saturday-Sunday from 1o a.m.-7 p.m.
📍Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd. Los Angeles
11. Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA)
This artist-founded gem is home to over 7,000 objects and some of the most compelling contemporary art in the world, including works by Jackson Pollock and Mark Rothko. Browse ground-breaking, historically significant exhibitions all for free (excluding special exhibitions) at MOCA.
Tickets: Free, no reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday; open Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday from 11 a.m.-8 p.m., and Saturday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
📍 Location: 250 South Grand Avenue Los Angeles
12. Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
Located in Long Beach, MOLAA is the only museum in the U.S. dedicated to featuring and highlighting both modern and contemporary Latin American art. Founded in 1996 in Long Beach, California, MOLAA has since doubled in size and now boasts over 1,300 works of art.
Tickets: Free on Sundays, reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday-Sunday from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
📍 Location: 628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach
13. Hauser & Wirth
Tickets: Free, no reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday, open Tuesday-Sunday from 11 a.m.-6 p.m.
📍Location: 901 East 3rd Street, Los Angeles
14. California African American Museum (CAAM)
Located at Exposition Park, the 44,000-square-foot CAAM is dedicated to researching, collecting, preserving, and interpreting for public enrichment the history, art and culture of African Americans with an emphasis on California and the western United States. This is a totally free museum in Los Angeles, with the exception of special exhibitions and events.
Tickets: Free, reservations required
🗓️ Hours: *Temporarily closed for storm repairs* Closed Mondays, open Tuesday-Saturday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍 Location: 600 State Dr, Los Angeles
15. LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Situated in two historic buildings in the heart of Downtown Los Angeles, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes is a lively community center, museum and performance space where people gather to celebrate the richness of Latinx culture through art, dance, music and storytelling. They recently expanded with the opening of LA Plaza Cocina, a groundbreaking museum that’s solely dedicated to Mexican and Mexican-American cuisine.
Revel in the beauty of their rotating exhibitions for free, and don’t miss their permanent exhibition, LA Starts Here!, an eye-opening collection of personal narratives, photographs, artifacts and videos that documents the untold stories of Indigenous, Mexican and Mexican-American people who shaped the city of Los Angeles.
Tickets: Free, no reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday and Tuesday, open Wednesday-Sunday from 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
📍 Location: 501 North Main St., Los Angeles
16. Holocaust Museum LA
Holocaust Museum LA is not only the oldest Holocaust museum in the United States, it’s the first-ever survivor-founded museum as well. Since 1961 the museum has existed to commemorate and memorialize loved ones who perished, honor those who survived and educate the public on the irreparable impact of the Holocaust and its social relevance today.
The museum’s exhibitions are filled with historical artifacts, photographs, films, historical documentation and artistic interpretations of events in hopes of inspiring a more dignified and humane world. Although general admission costs $15 from Monday-Saturday, the museum is completely free on Sundays.
Tickets: Free on Sundays, reservations required
🗓️ Hours: Monday-Sunday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
📍 Location: 100 The Grove Drive, Los Angeles
17. Fowler Museum
UCLA’s Fowler Museum presents globally-minded art and culture exhibitions with special emphasis on Africa, Asia, the Pacific, and the Indigenous Americas. See rotating exhibitions with work from internationally-renowned, contemporary artists, as well as ongoing exhibitions delving into the past.
Tickets: Free, no reservation required
🗓️ Hours: Closed Monday-Tuesday, open Wednesday 12 p.m. – 8 p.m., open Thursday-Sunday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
📍Location: 308 Charles E Young Dr N, Los Angeles
18. Skirball Cultural Center
This magnificent building is the Skirball Cultural Center, a Jewish educational institution north of Bel Air. Discover a 25,000-count collection of Jewish ceremonial art, ritual objects, and materials spanning centuries. One of the most eye-catching installations is Noah’s Ark, an 8,000-square-foot model ark where children and families can explore a timeless story.
Tickets: Free on Thursdays, reservations recommended
🗓️ Hours: Closed Mondays, open Tuesday-Friday 12 p.m. – 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍 Location: 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles
19. Wende Museum
History buffs will spend all afternoon at this engaging museum dedicated to Cold War art and archive. “Wende” means “turning point” or “change” in German, and is often used to refer to the time period around the fall of the Berlin Wall. Discover elaborate displays of art from this era, often showcased in creative rotating exhibitions and intriguing programming.
Tickets: Free, no reservation required
🗓️ Hours: Open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
📍Location: 10808 Culver Boulevard, Culver City
20. Natural History Museum
Los Angeles’ famous Natural History Museum isn’t always free, but L.A. County residents can enjoy free admission at the very end of the day on weekdays. This is a real treat considering that the museum is one of the oldest and most highly-regarded cultural institutions in the city, with thoughtful and engaging exhibits including the popular Dinosaur Hall and the Age of Mammals installation.
Tickets: Free admission for L.A. County residents on weekdays from 3-5pm
🗓️ Hours: 9:30am-5pm Wednesday-Monday, closed Tuesdays
📍Location: 900 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA
21. ASU FIDM Museum
The Arizona State University Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising is a hidden gem in Los Angeles with over 15,000 objects representing more than 400 years of fashion history. See everything from film costumes to haute couture dating back to the 18th century. The museum is free to visit with no reservation necessary, but you can also schedule an hour-long tour if you book at least two weeks out.
Tickets: Free admission, no reservation required
🗓️ Hours: Open during exhibitions only. Open 10am-5pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday; open 10am-8pm Thursday; closed Sunday-Monday
📍Location: 919 South Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA
22. La Brea Tar Pits
In 1875, amateur paleontologists discovered animal remains in the La Brea Tar Pits, which still bubble with asphalt from an ancient petroleum lake beneath Hancock Park. Today, professional paleontologists continue to unearth millions of fossils, many of which are displayed in this charming place. You can even watch them dig in Pit 91, uncovering more fossils. It’s ideal for kids and a must-visit among free museums in Los Angeles!
Tickets: Free admission on weekdays from 3 PM to 5 PM for L.A. County residents with ID. Tickets must be obtained on-site.
🗓️ Hours: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM daily
📍Location: 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90036
23. Adobe Avila House
Explore the Adobe Avila House, the oldest house in Los Angeles and a must-visit if you’re looking for museums for free in L.A. Nestled on historic Olvera Street, this Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument showcases 19th-century life while celebrating the city’s rich Mexican heritage. It’s the perfect blend of history, culture, and cost-free exploration!
Tickets: Free admission
🗓️ Hours: Tuesday – Sunday 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
📍Location: 10 Olvera St, Los Angeles, 90012
24. Forest Lawn Museum
The Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale is more than just an iconic cemetery featuring celebrity graves, it’s a hidden gem for anyone seeking a free art museum in LA. Since 1952, it has displayed stunning exhibits blending art, history, culture, and religion. Don’t miss highlights like The Last Supper, The Poet’s Windows, and The Hall of Crucifixion-Resurrection at this one-of-a-kind cultural destination.
Tickets: Free admission
🗓️ Hours: Tuesday-Sunday, 10 AM-5 PM
📍Location: 1712 S Glendale Ave. Glendale, CA 91205
Written by Ashlyn Davis, Jamie Ferrell, Sophie Len. Edited by Sofía Delpueche.