Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
7.4Friend Score / 10#12 of 12 Museums in Los Angeles
Known formuseumart museumurban lightdavid geffen galleries
LA's encyclopedic art museum on Museum Row — and as of 2026 its long-awaited David Geffen Galleries building is finally open, ending years of construction. Home of the Urban Light lamppost forest (free, outside, iconic). Admission's pricey now, but LA residents get free afternoon hours. A real museum again, worth revisiting.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Thu 11:00–18:00 Fri–Fri 11:00–20:00 Sat–Sun 10:00–19:00 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Metro buses on Wilshire; Metro D Line Wilshire/Fairfax station (a short walk) |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours |
| Best time to go | Weekday; free LA-resident hours after 3 p.m. |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.4/10- Value6.5
- iconic7.5
- Freshness9.2
- Crowd level6.0
- Authenticity7.5
- Accessibility7.5
Frequently asked questions
- Is LACMA's new building open?
- Yes — the David Geffen Galleries opened to members in April 2026 and to the public in early May, finally wrapping up the long, disruptive construction era. It's included in general admission. If you wrote LACMA off during the building years, it's worth another look now.
- Is it worth it with the new galleries?
- Yes — the reopening restores LACMA as a proper encyclopedic museum after years of feeling half-shuttered. The Geffen building reorganizes the permanent collection in a bold new Peter Zumthor-designed structure. For anyone who remembers the frustrating construction years, it genuinely feels new again.
- What are the hours?
- LACMA is generally open daily except Wednesdays, with longer hours on Fridays and weekends — check lacma.org for the exact schedule on your date since it shifts. Plan two to three hours inside. The free resident afternoon window is the sweet spot for locals.
- Can I get in free?
- Yes — LA County residents with valid ID get in free during afternoon hours (roughly 3 to 6 p.m. most open days, later on Fridays), and everyone's free on the second Tuesday of each month. Plus the outdoor sculptures are always free. Time your visit and you can pay little or nothing.
- How much is admission?
- General admission runs about $25 for LA County residents and $30 for everyone else, with the new galleries included. It's on the pricier side for LA museums. But there are meaningful free options, so read on before you buy a full-price ticket.
- What is Urban Light?
- It's Chris Burden's installation of over 200 restored vintage street lamps arranged in a grid at the museum's Wilshire entrance — free to walk through and photograph any time, day or night. It's become one of LA's signature images. You don't need a ticket to enjoy it.
- What else is on Museum Row?
- You're right next to the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the La Brea Tar Pits and its museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum across the street. You could easily spend a full day on this one stretch of Wilshire. The tar pits especially pair well with kids.
- How do I get there?
- It's on Wilshire Blvd in the Miracle Mile — reachable by Metro buses along Wilshire, and the Metro D Line subway station at Wilshire/Fairfax is a short walk (and improving as the line extends). There's paid on-site parking too. It's more transit-accessible than most LA museums.
Nearby in Ask Los Angeles
- LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art)Attraction0 km · 0 min walk
- Petersen Automotive MuseumMuseum0.29 km · 4 min walk
- The Original Farmers MarketMarket0.92 km · 12 min walk
- Los Angeles Museum of the HolocaustMuseum1.25 km · 16 min walk
- Namiko Studio CafeCafé1.45 km · 18 min walk
Where to stay near Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)
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