
Los Angeles might be world famous for its glitz, glamour, and star-studded sidewalks, but there’s no need to blow your budget in order to have fun in LA. Contrary to what celebrity gossip blogs would have you believe, cost-free recreation in LA isn’t limited to searching for celebrity homes in Beverly Hills or hoping you run into Jennifer Aniston at Starbucks.
LA may not be a bastion of culture like, say, New York City, but it is teeming with fascinating, world-class museums. And on certain days of the week or month, you can enjoy LA’s best museums at no charge.
The Children’s Museum in La Habra
Are you traveling to LA with children? Then you won’t want to miss the Children’s Museum in La Habra, which offers free admission on the first Saturday of each month. Even adults will have fun at this lovely little museum, which features exhibits like the Dino Dig, a sandbox with hidden bones; a kid-friendly theater where the kids can play with costumes and props; and the Family Art Center, where family members of all ages can unleash their creativity.
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Downtown LA
The Museum of Contemporary Art in downtown LA is free every Thursday from 5pm to 8pm. MOCA, as it’s known to locals, features a permanent collection with works from major art movements of the 20th Century, including pop art and abstract expressionism. If you’re into weird, innovative, and daring art that pushes the envelope, you’ll find all that and more at MOCA. Plus, MOCA’s located near the Grand Central Market, Little Tokyo, and other popular downtown attractions, so it’s a convenient stop for travelers.
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) features works that encompass the history of art from ancient times to the present. The museum features over 100,000 pieces from around the world, including an extensive collection of Latin American art. The LACMA is free on the second Tuesday of each month.
The Craft and Folk Art Museum
Explore cultures and ideas from around the world through the universal lens of art at the Craft and Folk Art Museum (CAFAM). This small museum is one of the most overlooked institutions on so-called Museum Row, but visitors rave about its distinctive exhibits, which present art in a social and cultural context, and its affordable gift shop, which is full of colorful trinkets and treasures from around the world. The CAFAM is free on the first Wednesday of each month.
The National History Museum
The Natural History Museum in Exposition Park, downtown LA, is a fascinating museum that protects over 35 million specimens dating back 4.5 billion years. The museum’s Discovery Center features fun, interactive kiosks where you can dig up fossils, touch minerals and furs, and investigate specimens with magnifying glasses and telescopes. Among the museum’s permanent collection are Dinosaur Galleries, an Insect Zoo, and a Gem and Mineral Hall.
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