Spend an afternoon at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
You don’t have to be an art connoisseur to appreciate the wonders at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). As the largest art museum in the Western United States, LACMA is 100% a bucket list spot for art lovers and tourists alike.
With nearly 149,000 objects that showcase 6,000 years of artistic expression, there’s something to delight every taste. So, where is it? What exhibitions are on? How much are tickets?
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Keeping reading to find out everything you need to plan your visit when staying with us at Freehand LA.
Where is LACMA?
Los Angeles County Museum of Art, can be found in the heart of Los Angeles, California. It’s situated on Wilshire Boulevard, just west of downtown LA.
And guess what? There’s more to explore nearby! Just a stone’s throw away, you’ll find the La Brea Tar Pits, an ancient fossil site where you can step back in time and marvel at the remains of Ice Age creatures. Oh, and don’t forget to take a leisurely stroll through the beautiful Pan Pacific Park, which is just 20 minutes from LACMA.
What exhibits are there to see at LACMA?
LACMA promises a range of artwork to explore, and they always deliver! Currently, 6 limited-time exhibitions are on display – so plan your visit soon to avoid disappointment. Can’t make these? Browse LACMA’s upcoming exhibitions.
- Women Defining Women at Resnick Pavilion (until September 24, 2023)
- Afro-Atlantic Histories at Resnick Pavilion (until September 10, 2023)
- Light, Space, Surface at BCAM Level 1 (until October 1, 2023)
- New abstracts: Recent Acquisitions at Resnick Pavilion (until September 17, 2023)
- Yassi Mazandi: Language of the Birds at Resnick Lawn (until February 2024).
The fun doesn’t stop there! There are also 8 ongoing exhibits at LACMA that you can visit again and again. These are:
- Artist Selects: Silke Otto-Knapp, The Living We Are Doing Always Among Others at BCAM, Level 3
- Ai Wewei: Circle of Animals/Zodiac Heads at Zev Yaroslavky Plaza
- Modern Art at BCAM, Level 3
- Mark Bradford: 150 Portrait Tone at Resnick Pavilion
- Miracle Mile at BCAM, Level 1
- Barbara Kruger: Untitled (Shafted)
- Richard Serra: Band at BCAM, Level 1
- Metropolis Ⅱ at BCAM, Level 1
Must see
LACMA is home to Chris Burden’s Urban Light sculpture – a symbol of the city and one of the most popular artworks on campus. This neoclassical sculpture was built in 2008 from restored streetlamps dating back to the 1920s and 30s.
But wait, it gets even better…you can visit Urban Light any time. The sculpture is turned on at dusk and blinks off at dawn and is always open for visitors!
How much is admission?
All visitors must purchase or reserve timed-entry tickets either online or on-site at the Ticket Office.
Prices for visitors (outside L.A. County)
- Youth (2 & under): Free
- Youth (3-12): $10
- Teens (13-17): $10
- Adults: $25
- Seniors (65+ with ID): $21
- Students (18+ with ID): $21
Prices for L.A. County residents
Great news for locals of the sunshine state, LACMA is free for residents (with a valid ID) on weekdays after 3:00pm (except Wednesdays). Prefer to visit outside of those hours? See the ticket prices below:
- Youth (2 & under): Free
- Youth (3-12): Free
- Teens (13-17): Free
- Adults: $21
- Seniors (65+ with ID): $16
- Students (18+ with ID): $16
Free and discounted tickets
LACMA offers free general admission and discounted tickets. Find out more about the requirements here.
Opening Hours
Museum opening hours are:
- Monday/Tuesday/Thursday 11:00am – 6:00pm
- Friday 11:00am – 8:00pm
- Weekends 10:00am – 7:00pm
LACMA is closed on Wednesdays, Thanksgiving and Christmas.
Remember, you’ll need to arrive 10-15 minutes before your scheduled entry time. So make sure to plan your route in advance to avoid missing your slot. As one of the largest art museums, we highly recommend you download a campus map (available in English, Spanish and Korean) before your visit.
How to get there from Freehand LA
LACMA is a 26-minute drive from Freehand LA, with plenty of transport options. Public transport takes approximately 45 minutes, so why not spend the day exploring the surrounding areas of LACMA? Check out the surrounding museums or enjoy some retail therapy at The Grove, one of California’s most popular malls.
