LACMA: a practical guide to the Los Angeles art museum
Quick answer
LACMA opens Monday, Tuesday and Thursday 11am–6pm, Friday until 8pm and weekends 10am–7pm; it's closed Wednesdays. Admission is $30 ($25 for LA County residents) and free for everyone on the second Tuesday of each month. Two hours covers the highlights.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
More LACMA guides
- LACMA in 2 hoursA 2-hour LACMA route: the David Geffen Galleries, Latin American art, Magritte, BCAM, Levitated Mass and Urban Light at sunset, with timings.
- Hours & ticketsLACMA hours, ticket prices, free admission (second Tuesday and LA County residents), the Wednesday closure and the best time to visit without crowds.
- Must-see artLACMA's key works: Urban Light, Levitated Mass, Magritte, Diego Rivera, pre-Columbian art, Metropolis II and Peter Zumthor's new galleries.
- With kidsVisiting LACMA with kids: free for LA County children, a 75-minute route with Urban Light, the giant boulder, miniature cars and family tips.
Point your camera at any artwork
Try it free at LACMA
AnyArt recognizes paintings, sculptures and monuments and tells you their story in seconds, like a personal audio guide. Free for iPhone, iPad and Android.
Why it's worth it
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is the largest art museum in the western US, with an encyclopaedic collection: Latin American, Asian, Islamic, European and contemporary art. In 2026 it opened the David Geffen Galleries, Peter Zumthor's new building spanning Wilshire Boulevard that holds much of the permanent collection. Outside, Chris Burden's Urban Light and the boulder of Levitated Mass are city icons.
How to plan your visit
- Buy a timed ticket online: slots can sell out, especially at weekends.
- Start with the David Geffen Galleries, then the Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM) and the Resnick Pavilion.
- Urban Light and Levitated Mass are outdoors and free: save them for sunset.
- La Brea Tar Pits and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures are next door.
- With the AnyArt camera you can identify any work in the collection and hear its story.
Frequently asked questions
When is LACMA free?
The second Tuesday of every month for all visitors, and weekdays after 3pm for LA County residents with ID.
How much is LACMA admission?
$30 for adults from outside LA County and $25 for LA County residents.
What day is LACMA closed?
Wednesdays.
Is Urban Light free to see?
Yes, the lamppost installation is outdoors on Wilshire Boulevard and needs no ticket.
What are the David Geffen Galleries?
The museum's new Peter Zumthor building, opened to the public in May 2026 with much of the permanent collection.