1. The Getty Center
© 2005 David McNew/Getty Images
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 free, although there's a fee to park.
Getty Center Visitors Guide2. Getty Villa
Photo © 2006 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com
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.
3. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Photo © 2007 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art is considered the largest encyclopedic 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.
4. California Science Center
Photo © 2009 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
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 a variety of ages from pre-school to teens. Grown-up kids will find it entertaining and enlightening as well.
California Science Center Visitors Guide
Exposition Park Visitors Guide
5. Autry National Center Museum of the American West
© 2005 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com
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 is working on moving the collection of the Southwest Museum of the American Indian to the same location so the full story of the American West will be in one place.
6. Natural History Museum of LA County
Photo © 2010 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
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?
Natural History Museum Visitors Guide
Exposition Park Visitors Guide
7. Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits
Photo © 2009 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
The La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles is one of the world's greatest sources of Ice Age fossils and many of them are on display in the on-site George C. Page Museum. You can also view scientists at work in the excavation pits and in the museum's "fish bowl" lab.
8. Hollywood Museum in the Max Factor Building
© 2004 Kayte Deioma, courtesy of www.KayteDeioma.com
This being Hollywood and all, 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.
9. Griffith Observatory
Photo © 2007 Kayte Deioma, used with permission
The Griffith Observatory 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.
Griffith Observatory Visitors Guide10. Museum of Tolerance
From Holocaust history to ongoing injustices in the world and in our daily lives, the Museum of Tolerance exposes things that may be hard to look at but help us live more informed and sensitive lives.
