Discover Los Angeles' world-class museums for free with this complete guide to free admission days, museum hours, and visitor information.
Last Updated: 2026
Please note: Museum hours, free admission schedules, and reservation requirements are subject to change. We recommend visiting each museum's official website before your visit to confirm the latest information.
Why We Love Museum Days
One of my favorite things about living in Los Angeles is that there is always something new to discover, and some of our family's best days have been spent exploring museums throughout the city.
With three kids, we're always looking for experiences that are fun, educational, and memorable. Some weekends that means walking through incredible art galleries, while other days we're exploring dinosaurs, space exhibits, beautiful gardens, or learning more about the people and cultures that have shaped Los Angeles.
What surprises many people is just how many world-class museums offer free admission. Whether it's every day, once a month, or during special events, there are dozens of opportunities throughout the year to experience places that people travel from around the world to visit.
As someone who spends every day helping clients explore neighborhoods across Los Angeles, I've learned that museums do much more than showcase art and history. They become part of the lifestyle that makes each community unique. A museum visit often turns into lunch at a neighborhood café, a walk through a historic district, or discovering a local bookstore or park you've never noticed before.
I put together this guide to help families, couples, visitors, and locals make the most of these free admission opportunities while exploring some of the best neighborhoods in Los Angeles.
Quick Reference Calendar
Free Admission Schedule
Museums
Always Free
The Broad, Getty Center, Getty Villa, Hammer Museum, California African American Museum, California Science Center, ICA LA, Fowler Museum, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, The Wende Museum
Every Thursday
Skirball Cultural Center, Japanese American National Museum, USC Pacific Asia Museum (Pay What You Wish)
First Thursday
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
First Friday
Kidspace Children's Museum
Second Tuesday
LACMA, Autry Museum of the American West
Third Tuesday
Descanso Gardens
Every Sunday
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
Annual
Museums Free-for-All
Museums That Are Always Free
The Broad
Address: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhood: Downtown Los Angeles
Website: https://www.thebroad.org
Hours
Tuesday–Wednesday: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–6:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Free Admission: Always free (timed reservation recommended)
Home to one of the world's leading collections of contemporary art, The Broad is one of the most popular museums in Los Angeles. It's also steps from Walt Disney Concert Hall, Grand Central Market, MOCA, and Angels Flight, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring Downtown LA.
Getty Center
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Neighborhood: Brentwood
Website: https://www.getty.edu
Hours
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM–8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:30 PM
Monday: Closed
Free Admission: Always free (parking fee applies)
The Getty Center combines incredible art collections, world-famous architecture, panoramic city views, and beautifully landscaped gardens. Even if you've visited before, the rotating exhibitions make every trip feel different.
Getty Villa
Address: 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272
Neighborhood: Pacific Palisades
Website: https://www.getty.edu
Hours
Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Free Admission: Always free (advance reservation required)
Inspired by an ancient Roman villa, the Getty Villa is one of Southern California's most unique museum experiences, featuring Greek and Roman antiquities just minutes from Malibu.
Hammer Museum
Address: 10899 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Neighborhood: Westwood
Website: https://hammer.ucla.edu
Hours
Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Thursday: Open until 8:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Free Admission: Always free
Known for contemporary art, public programs, and lectures, the Hammer Museum is a cultural cornerstone of Westwood and UCLA.
California African American Museum
Address: 600 State Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Neighborhood: Exposition Park
Website: https://caamuseum.org
Hours
Tuesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Free Admission: Always free
Located in Exposition Park, CAAM celebrates African American history, culture, and art through engaging exhibitions and community programming.
California Science Center
Address: 700 Exposition Park Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90037
Neighborhood: Exposition Park
Website: https://californiasciencecenter.org
Hours
Daily: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Free Admission: General admission is always free.
Perfect for families, the California Science Center features hands-on exhibits and the Space Shuttle Endeavour.
Institute of Contemporary Art Los Angeles (ICA LA)
Address: 1717 E 7th St, Los Angeles, CA 90021
Neighborhood: Arts District
Website: https://www.theicala.org
Hours
Wednesday–Sunday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Monday–Tuesday: Closed
Free Admission: Always free
A great stop before exploring the Arts District's galleries, cafés, and restaurants.
Fowler Museum
Address: 308 Charles E Young Dr N, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Neighborhood: UCLA / Westwood
Website: https://fowler.ucla.edu
Hours
Wednesday–Sunday: Noon–5:00 PM
Free Admission: Always free
International art and cultural exhibitions from around the world.
LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
Address: 501 N Main St, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Neighborhood: El Pueblo
Website: https://lapca.org
Hours
Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Free Admission: Always free
Learn about the history of Mexican and Mexican American culture in Los Angeles.
The Wende Museum
Address: 10808 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90230
Neighborhood: Culver City
Website: https://wendemuseum.org
Hours
Friday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Free Admission: Always free
Dedicated to Cold War history, art, and design.
Free Every Thursday
Skirball Cultural Center
Address: 2701 N Sepulveda Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90049
Website: https://www.skirball.org
Hours
Tuesday–Friday: Noon–5:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Free Admission: Every Thursday.
Japanese American National Museum
Address: 100 N Central Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Website: https://www.janm.org
Hours
Tuesday–Sunday: 11:00 AM–5:00 PM
Free Admission: Every Thursday.
USC Pacific Asia Museum
Address: 46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA 91101
Website: https://pacificasiamuseum.usc.edu
Hours
Wednesday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Free Admission: Pay What You Wish every Thursday.
First Thursday of Every Month
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
Address: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108
Website: https://www.huntington.org
Hours
Wednesday–Monday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Free Admission: First Thursday of every month with advance reservations.
First Friday of Every Month
Kidspace Children's Museum
Address: 480 N Arroyo Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91103
Website: https://kidspacemuseum.org
Hours
Tuesday–Sunday: 9:30 AM–5:00 PM
Free Admission: First Friday evening events.
Second Tuesday of Every Month
Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Website: https://www.lacma.org
Hours
Monday & Tuesday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM–8:00 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 10:00 AM–7:00 PM
Wednesday: Closed
Free Admission: Second Tuesday of every month.
Autry Museum of the American West
Address: 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles, CA 90027
Website: https://theautry.org
Hours
Tuesday–Friday: 10:00 AM–4:00 PM
Saturday–Sunday: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM
Monday: Closed
Free Admission: Second Tuesday of every month.
Third Tuesday of Every Month
Descanso Gardens
Address: 1418 Descanso Dr, La Cañada Flintridge, CA 91011
Website: https://www.descansogardens.org
Hours
Daily: 9:00 AM–7:00 PM
Free Admission: Third Tuesday of every month (reservation required).
Every Sunday
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
Address: 628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
Website: https://molaa.org
Hours
Wednesday–Sunday: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM
Free Admission: Every Sunday.
Museums Free-for-All
Every year, dozens of museums across Southern California open their doors for Museums Free-for-All, allowing visitors to enjoy free general admission at participating institutions. It's one of the best opportunities of the year to explore multiple museums and experience Los Angeles' vibrant arts and culture scene.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which museums in Los Angeles are always free?
The Broad, Getty Center, Getty Villa, Hammer Museum, California African American Museum, California Science Center, Fowler Museum, ICA LA, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, and The Wende Museum all offer free general admission year-round.
What is the best free museum in Los Angeles?
Many visitors consider The Broad and the Getty Center among the best free museums because of their world-class collections and iconic architecture.
Which Los Angeles museums are free once a month?
LACMA, The Huntington, Descanso Gardens, the Autry Museum, and Kidspace Children's Museum all offer recurring free admission opportunities.
Do I need reservations for free museum days?
Some museums, including The Broad, Getty Center, Getty Villa, The Huntington, and Descanso Gardens, recommend or require advance reservations.
Are museums in Los Angeles good for families?
Absolutely. The California Science Center, Kidspace Children's Museum, and the Natural History Museum are especially popular with families.
Do free admission days include special exhibitions?
Not always. Some special exhibitions require a separate ticket even when general admission is free.
Do I have to pay for parking?
Many museums offer free admission but charge for parking. Check each museum's website before your visit.
Which museum is best for a date?
The Getty Center, The Broad, and The Huntington are excellent choices thanks to their beautiful grounds and nearby dining options.
Which museums are near Downtown Los Angeles?
The Broad, MOCA, Japanese American National Museum, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, and California Science Center are all within a short drive of Downtown.
Which museums are near Pasadena?
The Huntington, USC Pacific Asia Museum, Kidspace Children's Museum, and Descanso Gardens are all close to Pasadena.
What is Museums Free-for-All?
Museums Free-for-All is an annual Southern California event where participating museums offer free general admission for one day.
How long should I plan for a museum visit?
Most museums take two to four hours to explore, though destinations like The Getty Center or The Huntington can easily become all-day experiences.
Which museums have the best gardens?
The Getty Center, Getty Villa, The Huntington, and Descanso Gardens are all known for their beautiful outdoor spaces.
Which museums are best on a rainy day?
The Broad, LACMA, Hammer Museum, and the California Science Center are all great indoor options.
Can I visit more than one museum in a day?
Yes. Pair Downtown museums together, or combine museums in Pasadena, Exposition Park, or Westwood for an easy day exploring.
Final Thoughts
One of the things I appreciate most about Los Angeles is that you never run out of places to explore. Whether you've lived here your entire life or you're visiting for the first time, there's always another museum, neighborhood, or exhibit waiting to be discovered.
For my family, museum days have become more than just something to do on a weekend. They've become a way to slow down, spend time together, and experience different parts of the city. Some of our favorite memories have come from wandering through galleries, watching the kids discover something new, or simply spending an afternoon in a place that inspires curiosity.
I hope this guide helps you take advantage of these free admission opportunities and experience more of what makes Los Angeles such an incredible place to live. Grab a coffee, explore a neighborhood you've never visited, and make a day of it. You may leave with a favorite museum, a new restaurant, or an entirely new appreciation for a part of Los Angeles you hadn't explored before.
If you know of another museum with free admission or notice that a schedule has changed, let me know. I'll continue updating this guide so it remains one of the most comprehensive resources for free museum days in Los Angeles.
Happy exploring!
