Must-see & hidden gems
Things To Do in LA
From the Hollywood Sign to secret sunset spots — the experiences that make a perfect LA day.
From the Hollywood Sign to secret sunset spots — the experiences that make a perfect LA day.
MuseumsThe Getty Center is a world-class art museum set on a hilltop above the 405, famous for its Richard Meier travertine architecture and sweeping city views. Admission is free, and the galleries, gardens, and panoramas make it one of LA's most rewarding cultural destinations.
MuseumsThe Broad is a contemporary art museum in Downtown LA known for its striking honeycomb facade and a powerhouse collection of postwar and contemporary works. General admission is free, and it's home to Yayoi Kusama's wildly popular Infinity Mirror Rooms.
MuseumsThe Getty Villa is a recreated ancient Roman country house overlooking the Pacific that houses the J. Paul Getty Museum's collection of Greek, Roman, and Etruscan antiquities. Set among gardens, fountains, and a peristyle pool, it pairs world-class classical art with one of LA's most serene settings.
MuseumsThe Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection spanning thousands of years and cultures. Its Miracle Mile campus is anchored by the famous Urban Light lamppost installation.
MuseumsThe Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the nation's premier museum devoted to the art, science, and history of moviemaking. Run by the organization behind the Oscars, it sits on the Miracle Mile next to LACMA.
MuseumsThe Petersen Automotive Museum is one of the world's largest museums dedicated to the automobile, wrapped in an unmistakable red-and-steel building. Its galleries showcase rare cars, movie vehicles, and the culture of the road.
MuseumsThe Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is the largest natural and cultural history museum in the western United States. Its halls range from towering dinosaur skeletons to a living butterfly pavilion and an outdoor Nature Gardens.
MuseumsThe California Science Center is a hands-on science museum in Exposition Park and the longtime home of the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Its interactive exhibits and free general admission make it one of LA's best family attractions.
MuseumsThe La Brea Tar Pits are one of the world's most famous Ice Age fossil sites, where natural asphalt seeps have trapped and preserved animals for tens of thousands of years. Right in the middle of Los Angeles, the active dig sites and on-site museum let you watch paleontology unfold in real time.
MuseumsThe Aquarium of the Pacific is Long Beach's premier marine attraction, home to thousands of animals representing the diverse habitats of the Pacific Ocean. Interactive touch pools, a shark lagoon, and conservation-focused exhibits make it a top family destination.
MuseumsMOCA Grand Avenue is the flagship location of the Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles, housed in a distinctive Arata Isozaki-designed building. It showcases a renowned collection of postwar and contemporary art in the heart of Downtown's cultural corridor.
MuseumsThe Japanese American National Museum is the leading museum dedicated to the history and experiences of Japanese Americans. Located in the heart of Little Tokyo, it offers powerful exhibitions on immigration, World War II incarceration, and community resilience.
MuseumsThe Geffen Contemporary at MOCA is a cavernous Little Tokyo warehouse converted into one of LA's most flexible contemporary art spaces. Its raw, expansive interior is ideal for large-scale installations and ambitious exhibitions.
MuseumsThe Norton Simon Museum holds one of the finest private art collections ever assembled, spanning seven centuries of European painting and a deep South and Southeast Asian sculpture gallery. Its intimate scale and Pasadena sculpture garden make it a rewarding alternative to LA's larger institutions.
MuseumsCabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro is a family-friendly aquarium focused on the marine life of Southern California, set steps from the beach. With touch tanks, exhibits, and tide-pool programs, it's an accessible, hands-on introduction to the local ocean.
MuseumsTravel Town is a free, open-air railroad museum on the northern edge of Griffith Park, packed with vintage locomotives, rail cars, and railroad artifacts. It is a beloved, low-key destination for train-loving kids and families.
MuseumsThe Autry Museum of the American West explores the history, art, and cultures of the American West through wide-ranging collections and exhibitions. Set in Griffith Park, it spans Native American art, frontier history, and the myth of the West in popular culture.