The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
My favorite museum in Los Angeles is LACMA. LACMA is very welcoming to children and even has a NEXTGEN program which means that kids under 17 get in free, as does one adult companion. LACMA also has free programs for kids on weekends where kids can learn about artists and make their own art.
We have attended many Andell Family Sundays. LACMA also has the Boone Children’s Gallery which teaches children about paintings and lets them learn hands on. LACMA has a great “foodie worthy” restaurant (Ray’s) that is kid-friendly to the extent that they don’t mind if you bring your kids.
There is also a snack bar and café for children who are less inclined to sit for a meal. LACMA also offers free jazz music – check the website for times and dates www.lacma.org. Note that you need to make reservations and buy tickets (even with a NEXTGEN pass) for special exhibits. There’s plenty of parking under the museum.
The Getty, Bel Air
The Getty is probably the most famous museum in Los Angeles, but I have heard connoisseurs express disappointment with the collection. For me, the views from this architectural wonder of a museum are worth the trip alone. Be prepared for lines if you go during holidays or weekends in the summer. This is a great museum for kids – mine even get excited about the tram ride up to the museum and love running around outside.
You could spend hours laying on the perfectly manicured grass and or enjoying an afternoon playing in the stunning garden designed by Robert Irwin and not even bother entering the museum. The Getty has an excellent restaurant, The Restaurant, with locally sourced ingredients and sweeping views, but you need a reservation. The Café is self-service and more casual. They also have concessions with food where you can buy a light snack. Admission is free, but parking has a fee. Closed Mondays.
Skirball Museum, Bel Air
Though this is a Jewish Museum, the Skirball Cultural Center is a great place for people of all beliefs. Most are drawn to the permanent exhibition, Noah’s Ark. Young children will enjoy this interactive, 8,000 square foot, floor-to-ceiling experience. Noah’s Ark has life-sized wooden animals that children can touch.
Skirball has a wonderful children’s performance series during the summer, and hosts a Hanukkah festival. Thursdays are free, but you almost always need a ticket for Noah’s Ark. Dress your kids for climbing. You might want to bring a camera with you because it is a little too dark in Noah’s Ark to take good photos with your smart phone. Zeidler’s Café is a wonderful restaurant, and there is ample, free parking.
Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena
Less of a tourist attraction than other museums in Los Angeles, the Norton Simon Museum boasts a high caliber and varied collection. It is a beautiful little museum located in Pasadena and is an excellent option for well-behaved children to see big named artist in a serene environment.
Many genres are on display, there is an extensive Asian art collection, and the museum also has European art from the 14th-through the 19th centuries as well as Modern and Contemporary art. My children loved the sculptures and recognized Picasso, Degas, Van Gogh. The sculptures garden is very calming and has an incredible variety of plants. The entire museum can be seen in a half day. Closed Tuesdays. Children are free. Parking is free.
We love the Four Seasons Los Angeles at Beverly Hills as a central location to enjoy all of these museums.
This is a GREAT resource, especially for newcomers to LA (like me)!
Great picks and I think our kids would really like these, especially Lacma and the Skirball which sound a bit different to the usual museums out there, but very family friendly.
Fun choices! Love the NEXTGEN program at LACMA.
I’m hoping to get to L.A. with my daughter this year. I’d heard of Skirball, but wasn’t sure what is was about. It looks like a really cool experience for kids. Great tip on the LACMA resto. Have to add that to my list as well.
These are some fantastic suggestions. I’ve never been to L.A. although I would love to visit. I like how the LACMA has programs for kids at weekends, I think this can be one of the best ways to get kids interested in visiting museums, that and a ‘children always welcome’ attitude from museum staff!
I loved the pictures and all the information. I only knew about the Getty Museum in LA, will put on my radar for next time in LA.
For those of us visiting from out of state, it’s easy to get distracted by the theme parks and beaches in L.A. It’s nice to know that there are some great family museums too!
I am planning a trip for Spring Break next year and found this article very helpful! What is the minimum time we should allow at the Getty for a 14 year old? Also, I am not familiar with the area and have no sense of direction. Should we plan this for our downtown LA day or one of our Hollywood days? Thank you!
The Getty is up in the Hollywood Hills, north of Bel Air and the Westwood area, so it is Northeast of Hollywood and far closer than downtown Los Angeles. have a great time!