Are you looking to venture out in Los Angeles, or maybe you are about to take a trip? Here are five local L.A. museums Lions should explore to take learning outside of the classroom and four options outside of L.A. for students traveling. First-year Lions can check off one of your LEO first-year path activities by visiting one of these stunning places that are central to becoming a global citizen.
1. The Getty Center
Located in Los Angeles, in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Getty Center opened in 1997 to the public and is well known for its architecture, gardens, and views that overlook L.A. Several staff and students recommended this choice, saying things like, “The scenery is beautiful, and it has a plethora of artwork for varying young adults.” And one Lion shared, “I love how large of a museum it is and the indoor/outdoor aspects of it. Sitting atop a hill, it has a gorgeous view towards the ocean.” Staff and students recommend walking shoes, getting there early, and pacing yourself since there is so much to see here.
2. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
Located in Los Angeles in Exposition Park, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County opened in 1913 and is the largest natural and historical museum in the western U.S. This museum is home to 35 million specimens and artifacts, like mammals, dinosaurs, gems and minerals, and a butterfly garden. Lions recommended this museum for the amazing exhibits and recommended visiting the butterfly pavilion to make your reservation in advance.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Sharon VanderKaay
3. The Broad
Located on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles, The Broad is a contemporary art museum that offers free general admission to its permanent collections. The Broad is home to 2,000 works of art in the Broad collection, one of the world’s leading collections of postwar and contemporary art. Lions recommended this museum because of its free general admission offering and its eccentric collection.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Jeremy Thompson
4. California African American Museum
Also, located in Los Angeles in Exposition Park, the California African American Museum offers free admission and focuses on enrichment and education on African Americans’ cultural heritage and history, focusing on California and the western United States. Lions recommended this museum to learn more about Black culture and excellence.
Photo Courtesy of Flickr: Kent Wang
5. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Located in Los Angeles on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile on Museum Row, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art was founded in 1961 and is the largest art museum in the western U.S. It holds more than 150,000 works spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present. Its iconic Urban Light large-scale sculpture comprises 202 historic streetlamps dating from the 1920s and 1930s originally spread throughout Southern California. It makes the perfect L.A. Instagram photo spot. Lions recommended this museum because of its indoor and outdoor spaces and proximity to the La Brea Tar Pits and mid-city. There’s so much to see we recommend making a day out of your visit to explore the area
Other museums staff and students recommended outside of L.A. include:
- Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.
- The Field Museum in Chicago, IL
- The Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, IL