Your Trip to Los Angeles: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Theater Guide Where to Camp Skiing Near Los Angeles Food to Try Most Iconic Restaurants Nightlife in LA Top Breweries Best Time to Visit Weather & Climate Los Angeles Airports Best Hotels Neighborhoods to Know Driving in Los Angeles Public Transportation 48-Hour Itinerary Best Tours Day Trips From Los Angeles Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Best Beaches Top Museums Your Trip to Los Angeles: The Complete Guide close Overview United States California Los Angeles 10 Must-See Museums in Los Angeles By Kayte Deioma Kayte Deioma Kayte Deioma is an internationally published travel writer and photographer based in the Los Angeles area. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara on 06/16/20 Instagram Emerson College Jillian Dara is a freelance travel writer and fact checker. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today 10Best, Michelin Guide, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Jetsetter. TripSavvy's fact-checking on 06/16/20 Share Pin Email TripSavvy / Amanda Blackard Los Angeles has so many museums that it's hard to figure out where to start. Here are LA's best museums overall. 01 of 10 The Getty Center  TripSavvy / Christian Hundley View Map Address 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA Get directions Phone +1 310-440-7300 Web Visit website Los Angeles is blessed with an abundance of outstanding art museums, but if you only have time for one, The Getty Center combines an outstanding collection of classic and modern art and photography with stunning architecture and one of the best views in town. It's also one of the top free things to do in LA, although there's a fee to park. 02 of 10 Getty Villa  TripSavvy / Christian Hundley View Map Address 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272, USA Get directions Phone +1 310-440-7300 Web Visit website This stunning hill-top villa houses the J. Paul Getty Museum's antiquities collection. They also have hands-on activities for kids and a variety of public programs and performances. Like the Getty Center, admission to the museum is free, but there's a fee to park. 03 of 10 Los Angeles County Museum of Art TripSavvy / Amanda Blackard View Map Address 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA Get directions Phone +1 323-857-6000 Web Visit website The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is considered the largest art museum in the western United States. Its collections encompass the history of art from ancient times to the present, and from all corners of the world. 04 of 10 California Science Center  TripSavvy / Christian Hundley View Map Address 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037, USA Get directions Phone +1 323-724-3623 Web Visit website The California Science Center in Exposition Park makes learning about science fun for the whole family. This is a great museum for families with kids of any age from pre-school to teens. Grown-up kids will find it entertaining and enlightening as well. Continue to 5 of 10 below. 05 of 10 Natural History Museum of LA County Ray Bouknight / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 View Map Address 900 W Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA Get directions Phone +1 213-763-3466 Web Visit website Who can resist massive dinosaurs, animated birds, gems and minerals, bugs and a Discovery Center where kids can get their hands on all kinds of furs and fossils? A museum expansion doubled the exhibit area, adding live animal exhibits, extensive garden habitats and an exhibit on the evolution of Los Angeles. The Natural History Museum is right next door to the California Science Center at Exposition Park. 06 of 10 The Broad TripSavvy / Amanda Blackard View Map Address 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012, USA Get directions Phone +1 213-232-6250 Web Visit website Opened in 2015, The Broad jumped right onto the list of must-see museums for anyone who appreciates contemporary art. 07 of 10 Autry National Center david Merett / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 View Map Address Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA Get directions Although Gene Autry and his fellow TV cowboys are recognized at the Autry Museum, this museum is dedicated to the real story of the American West, not just the TV version. The Autry National Center (Autry Museum) is in Griffith Park. 08 of 10 Hollywood Museum in the Max Factor Building  TripSavvy / Christian Hundley View Map Address 1660 N Highland Ave, Hollywood, CA 90028, USA Get directions Phone +1 323-464-7776 Web Visit website This being Hollywood, there are plenty of museums and exhibits interpreting the history and culture of various facets of the entertainment industry from the tiny Hollywood Heritage Museum to the glitzy Grammy Museum, but the Hollywood Museum in the historic Max Factor Building is the richest glimpse into Hollywood movie history, from its restored hair-color-themed makeup rooms to the collection of movie sets and memorabilia, including an extensive Marilyn Monroe exhibit and Hannibal Lecter's cell from Silence of the Lambs. Continue to 9 of 10 below. 09 of 10 Griffith Observatory  TripSavvy / Christian Hundley View Map Address 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027, USA Get directions Phone +1 213-473-0800 Web Visit website The Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park contains exhibits on planets, stars and the exploration of space via multiple super-powered telescopes for day and night viewing. There's also a planetarium show and super views of the Downtown LA skyline. 10 of 10 Petersen Automotive Museum TripSavvy / Amanda Blackard View Map Address 6060 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, USA Get directions Phone +1 323-930-2277 Web Visit website It used to be just average, but after a complete makeover, the new and improved Petersen Automotive Museum is currently one of the top museums in Los Angeles even if you're not a car person. What's inside is as stunning as the new exterior. Theater in LA Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit