LP anon, I’ve got a trip planned to LA and I want to see some museums. Do you have any suggestions?
OH MY GOD, this is was the ask I was literally born to answer, thank you so much for my life because I have, like, a million suggestions? I love you!!!! I’m legit about to pass out! <333333
I’m not sure how long you’re in town, or the kinds of museums that float your boat (or even the special exhibits that might draw your interest to some smaller, more rando offerings, like the very worthy but kind of hard to get to Vincent Price Museum, which is full of serious art because he was a collector, lmao, or the Wende Museum, which features everything Cold War-related), so I’m gonna give my top three or so faves in a variety of categories to you, and maybe that’ll help you decide or prioritize? By all means, ask follow-up questions, I will never ever shut up about this topic, you don’t even know. Under the cut we go, starting with unusual because they’re my absolute toppermost of the poppermost (fellow museum enthusiast @alienfuckeronmain, lemme know if I missed any!!)
Unusual:
Velveteria, the Velvet Painting Museum: I have no words for this gem, other than run don’t walk because god only knows how long the wacko who runs it will keep doing so. It’s cheap and weird and wonderful, right in the middle of old Chinatown.
The Museum of Jurassic Technology: on the west side, and normally I’d tell you to not even bother because of that fact, but it’s such an unusual humbug of a place in the literal sense that I totally recommend it? Is it real? Is it fantasy? GOD ONLY KNOWS.
The Bunny Museum: only if you like rabbits or eccentricity because it is off the charts in terms of both rabbits and eccentricity.
The Hollywood Museum: at first glance, this feels like a huge tourist trap because it’s in the heart of tourist trap central Hollywood, but it’s worth the visit because it’s the old, original Max Factor makeup factory, and all the special rooms for celebs are still there, plus all kinds of random movie/tv biz exhibits (if you do just one “Hollywood” thing, I’d recommend this one!)
Traditional:
LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art): has all the lampposts out front and a giant rock out back, usually at least ONE amazing exhibit, but the regular collection’s pretty good, too (bonus: you’re close to the Original LA Farmers Market, which has great food and shops…I’m not a fan of the Grove, but it’s nearby, too, in case you need a mall)
The Broad (note: it’s free, but you need to grab a ticket online): has the infinity selfie room plus all kinds of amazing modern art (the big names are in the permanent collection, usually a good rotating exhibit, too), and it’s near Disney Hall, the MOCA, and Grand Central Market in DTLA, so more great food, art, culture in walking distance
The Getty: sigh, the west side (x2, both for the Villa and for the Center on top of the 405), but honestly, if you want good photography exhibits and a killer view, all for the price of the number of people you can cram in your car, this is a good bet
Themes:
Griffith Observatory: into space? This is the place, plus dreamy art deco and you can relive your James Dean/Paula Abdul dreams (apart from slashing tires), all for freeeeeee!
Peterson Automotive Museum: car buffs only, but if you’re curious about California car culture or if you dig beautiful rides, you’ll get that in spades here (bonus: it’s literally across the street from LACMA, so you can overdose in one place…giant pits of tar just down the street, too!!!)
Grammy Museum: usually has a good music-related exhibit, but the permanent bits are good (I love the music board that lets you trace musical genres, but you can also play instruments, “create” a song from production to vocals to mix, and marvel at Taylor Swift’s handwriting).
Adamson House: curse you, west side and Malibu in general! But if you love gorgeous Malibu tile and swank-a-dank 1920s by the seaside tiling, this is the (cheap) place to see it, and it’s worth the overall pita to get there (walking distance to the insane Malibu mart, Cafe Habana, etc, too)
Gardens:
Norton Simon: honestly, it’s more of a traditional museum than anything else, especially if you like impressionists, but the gardens are outstanding!!
Huntington Library: gardens, gardens, gardens, like, you literally visit the world in garden format, but also famous for its rare book collection (you can see Audubon books, Shakespeare, Gutenberg bibles, etc.)
Greystone Mansion: it’s a public park, a popular movie/tv/video set, AND it’s free!! Amazing gardens to just have a wander, especially if you’re near WeHo/Bev Hills.
(I’m totally ignoring the Natural History Museum, Science Center, and a million other worthy museums because I’m spinning into a vortex, but if you have more ideas about what you like, let me know, and I’ll build you a museum/things to see itinerary!!!)
Exposition Park - Space Shuttle Endeavour, California Science Centre, and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Exposition Park – Space Shuttle Endeavour, California Science Centre, and Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Across the road from the University of South California Exposition Park is a huge green space, home to the children infested Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County and California Science Centre, both best first thing when the noise levels are slightly lower.
The California Science Centre is free, but costs $3 to see the Space Shuttle Endeavour (not advertised, they’re keener on selling…
