Los Angeles County Museum of Art

An eclectic mix of old and new, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art brings together ancient and modern art right to the heart of LA’s cultural area on Wilshire Boulevard. Known locally as the LACMA, this museum is a hub of cultural activity and is colossal in size. Spanning a staggering eight hectares, this seven-building complex houses over 100,000 objects, dating from ancient times to the modern day, including giant canvases, photographs and prints.

There is enough here to satisfy even the fussiest of art critics. The galleries are divided into various curatorial divisions: Japanese art, Islamic art, art of the ancient Americas, Egyptian art and modern and contemporary art. The museum provides a peaceful alternative to the busy streets of downtown LA and its surrounding entertainment parks.

In 2004, an ambitious 10 year project, suitably named the “Transformation” was launched with the aim of redesigning public areas. As a result, the garden, exhibitions and buildings are to be completely renovated. One to look out for is the Broad Contemporary Art Museum, a 5,600-square-metre space dedicated to post-World War II art, including works from Roy Lichtenstein and Andy Warhol.

The LACMA offers a variety of engaging activities designed to capture the imagination of visitors of all ages. For children, there are art classes, and interactive activities related to specific exhibits.

Although Art is the museum’s main attraction, many visitors come especially for the free live music and jazz sessions held every Friday. Classical music can also be enjoyed in the Bing Theatre on Sundays. LACMA is situated an approximate 11 kilometres west of downtown LA and is open every day except Wednesdays. Paid parking is available on nearby Sixth Street at Pritzker Parking Garage.