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List of museums in Los Angeles facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

Welcome to Los Angeles, a city full of amazing places to explore! If you love learning new things, seeing cool art, or discovering history, then you're in the right place. Los Angeles has tons of museums, which are special places that collect and take care of interesting objects. They share these collections with everyone through exhibits and displays.

This list will help you find some of the best museums in Los Angeles. You can learn about everything from ancient dinosaurs to movie magic, and even explore old houses! Get ready for an adventure!

Awesome Museums to Explore

See also: List of museums in Los Angeles County, California
See also: List of museums in California
  • A+D Museum
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This museum is all about architecture and design. You can see changing exhibits that teach you about how buildings are made, how rooms are decorated, and even how clothes and products are designed. It's a great place for creative minds!
  • Academy Museum of Motion Pictures
    • Community: Wilshire
    • What it's about: Get ready for movie magic! This museum is all about the world of movies and the famous Oscars. You can learn how films are made, see props from your favorite movies, and discover the history of Hollywood.
  • African American Firefighter Museum
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: Step back in time to learn about brave African American firefighters in Los Angeles. See old fire trucks, hear amazing stories, and look at pictures and cool items from the past.
  • Annenberg Space for Photography
    • Community: Century City
    • What it's about: If you love pictures, this is the place for you! It features changing exhibits of incredible digital and print photography from around the world.
  • Andres Pico Adobe
    • Community: Mission Hills
    • What it's about: This is a historic old house that shows what life was like long ago. It's run by the San Fernando Valley Historical Society.
  • Armand Hammer Museum of Art
    • Community: Westwood
    • What it's about: Also known as the Hammer Museum, this spot has a fantastic collection of art. You can see paintings from famous European artists, American art from different centuries, and cool modern sculptures.
  • Autry Museum of the American West
    • Community: Griffith Park
    • What it's about: Discover the exciting history and cultures of the American West! This museum has art, stories, and artifacts from cowboys, Native Americans, and pioneers.
  • Avila Adobe
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This is the oldest house still standing in Los Angeles! It's part of a historical area called El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument.
  • Barnsdall Art Park
    • Community: Los Feliz
    • What it's about: This park is home to the Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery and the famous Hollyhock House, a unique building designed by a well-known architect. It's a great place for art and architecture.
  • Battleship USS Iowa Museum
    • Community: San Pedro
    • What it's about: Climb aboard a real battleship! The USS Iowa served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. You can explore its decks and learn about life at sea.
  • Bhagavad-gita Museum
    • Community: Culver City
    • What it's about: This museum uses dioramas (3D scenes) to tell stories from the ancient Indian text called the Bhagavad-gita.
  • Bolton Hall Museum
    • Community: Tujunga
    • What it's about: Learn about the local history of the Tujunga area in this interesting old building.
  • The Broad Museum
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This is a super cool museum filled with contemporary art (art from recent times). It was built by Eli and Edythe Broad, who loved collecting art.
  • California Science Center
    • Community: Exposition Park
    • What it's about: Get ready for science fun! This huge museum has amazing exhibits about space, nature, and technology. You can even see a real space shuttle!
  • Campo de Cahuenga
    • Community: Studio City
    • What it's about: This historic spot is where an important treaty was signed, ending the Mexican-American War in California.
  • Catalina Island Museum
    • Community: Avalon
    • What it's about: Located on beautiful Catalina Island, this museum tells the story of the island's art and history.
  • Centinela Adobe
    • Community: Westchester
    • What it's about: Another historic adobe house, showing what homes were like in early Los Angeles.
  • Chatsworth Museum
    • Community: Chatsworth
    • What it's about: This museum is in a late 19th-century cottage and shares the history of homesteaders (people who settled on land) in the Chatsworth area.
  • Chinese American Museum
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: Discover the rich history and experiences of Chinese Americans in California. It also features beautiful art exhibits.
  • Craft Contemporary
    • Community: Miracle Mile
    • What it's about: This museum focuses on folk art and crafts, showing how people create amazing things with their hands.
  • Destination Crenshaw
    • Community: Crenshaw Boulevard, Hyde Park
    • What it's about: This is an exciting outdoor museum that celebrates the history and culture of African Americans along Crenshaw Boulevard. It's a unique way to experience art and stories in the open air.
  • Drum Barracks
    • Community: Wilmington
    • What it's about: This museum is in a Civil War-era military building. You can see models of army camps and displays from that time.
  • El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This is a whole area with many historical buildings and museums! It includes Olvera Street, the Avila Adobe, the Chinese American Museum, and the Plaza Firehouse Museum. It's like stepping back in time to early Los Angeles.
  • Flight Path Learning Center & Museum
    • Community: Los Angeles Airport
    • What it's about: Learn all about flying and airplanes! See aircraft, models, photos, and displays about the history of aviation.
  • Fort MacArthur Museum
    • Community: San Pedro
    • What it's about: Discover the history of this old fort and how it helped defend Los Angeles during different wars.
  • Fowler Museum
    • Community: Westwood
    • What it's about: Part of UCLA, this museum has incredible collections of art and objects from cultures in Africa, Native and Latin America, Asia, and the Pacific.
  • Frederick R. Weisman Art Foundation
    • Community: Holmby Hills
    • What it's about: This estate has lovely gardens and a collection of 20th-century art. You can visit by booking a guided tour.
  • Getty Center
    • Community: Brentwood
    • What it's about: The Getty Center is a famous place with incredible art and beautiful gardens. You can see European paintings, drawings, sculptures, and photography.
  • Getty Villa
    • Community: Pacific Palisades
    • What it's about: Another part of the J. Paul Getty Museum, the Getty Villa looks like an ancient Roman country house. It focuses on the arts and cultures of ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria.
  • Grammy Museum
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: If you love music, you'll love this! Located at L.A. Live, it tells the history of the Grammy Awards and has cool music artifacts.
  • Grier Musser Museum
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This museum is in a beautiful old Queen Anne style house from the turn of the century.
  • Griffith Observatory
    • Community: Griffith Park
    • What it's about: Look up at the stars! This observatory has amazing exhibits about astronomy, planets, stars, and the cosmos. You can even look through telescopes.
  • Guinness World Record Museum
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: Located on Hollywood Boulevard, this museum is full of incredible world record-breaking facts and feats. See if you can believe it!
  • Heritage Square Museum
    • Community: Montecito Heights
    • What it's about: This is an open-air museum with eight historic buildings. They tell the story of how Southern California grew from the Civil War to the early 1900s.
  • Hollywood Bowl Museum
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: Learn about the famous Hollywood Bowl! See photos, listen to audio and video clips, and check out cool items from performers who have played there.
  • Hollywood Heritage Museum
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: Dive into the history of Hollywood movies. See old photographs from silent films, movie props, and historical documents.
  • Hollywood Museum
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: This museum has over 10,000 historical costumes, props, models, and more from movies and movie stars. It's located in the famous Max Factor building.
  • Hollywood Wax Museum
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: Meet your favorite stars and characters... in wax! See lifelike wax figures of media stars, fictional characters, and famous people.
  • Italian American Museum of Los Angeles
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: Part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, this museum shares the history and contributions of Italian Americans in Los Angeles.
  • Judson Studios
    • Community: Highland Park
    • What it's about: This place is an art gallery and workshop famous for its beautiful stained glass.
  • Kleinrock Internet Heritage Site and Archive
    • Community: Westwood
    • What it's about: This is a special spot at UCLA where the Internet first began! You can learn about the early history of how computers started talking to each other.
  • LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This museum celebrates the Mexican-American experience in Los Angeles and Southern California through art and culture.
  • Los Angeles County Museum of Art
    • Community: Miracle Mile
    • What it's about: One of the biggest art museums in LA! It has huge collections of art from all over the world, including African, American, Asian, European, and contemporary art.
  • Los Angeles Fire Department Museum and Memorial
    • Community: Various (Hollywood and San Pedro)
    • What it's about: Learn about the brave firefighters of Los Angeles! See antique fire equipment, old fire engines, and learn about the department's history.
  • Los Angeles Maritime Museum
    • Community: San Pedro
    • What it's about: Discover the maritime history of Los Angeles. See ship models, sailor's artifacts, and learn about local fishing and diving industries.
  • Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery
    • Community: Los Feliz
    • What it's about: Located in Barnsdall Art Park, this gallery focuses on the arts and artists of Southern California.
  • Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust
    • Community: Fairfax
    • What it's about: This museum is dedicated to teaching people about the Holocaust and remembering those who survived and those who were lost.
  • Los Angeles Police Museum
    • Community: Highland Park
    • What it's about: Explore the history of law enforcement in Los Angeles. See old uniforms, badges, police cars, and other cool artifacts.
  • Lummis House
    • Community: Highland Park
    • What it's about: Also known as El Alisal, this is a unique rock house built in the early 20th century.
  • Madame Tussauds Hollywood
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: Another famous wax museum where you can take pictures with lifelike figures of celebrities.
  • The Main Museum of Los Angeles Art
    • Community: Downtown L.A.
    • What it's about: This museum is all about the art and artists of Los Angeles.
  • Muller House
    • Community: San Pedro
    • What it's about: A beautiful 1899 Colonial Revival house, showing how people lived over a hundred years ago.
  • Museum of Contemporary Art
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This museum has amazing modern art exhibits. It has a main branch and another location in Little Tokyo.
  • Museum of Jurassic Technology
    • Community: Palms
    • What it's about: This is a very unusual museum with a collection of strange and wonderful objects. You'll have to visit to see what it's all about!
  • Museum of the San Fernando Valley
    • Community: Northridge
    • What it's about: Learn about the history, art, and culture of the San Fernando Valley.
  • Museum of Selfies
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: Get ready for some fun photos! This museum has interactive exhibits where you can take amazing selfies, like in an Upside Down Room.
  • Museum of Tolerance
    • Community: Westside
    • What it's about: This museum teaches about world racism and prejudice, with a strong focus on the history of the Holocaust. It helps us learn to be kind and understanding.
  • Nethercutt Collection
    • Community: Sylmar
    • What it's about: Get ready for some awesome cars! This museum has over 130 antique, classic, and special interest automobiles.
  • Oran Z's Pan African Black Facts & Wax Museum
    • Community: South Los Angeles
    • What it's about: This museum features wax figures and cultural artifacts from the African world, celebrating Black history and achievements.
  • Petersen Automotive Museum
    • Community: Wilshire
    • What it's about: Another fantastic museum for car lovers! It has vintage automobiles, tells the history of cars in Los Angeles, and displays automotive art.
  • Plaza Firehouse Museum
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: Part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, this museum is in a historic firehouse and shows firefighting equipment from the late 1800s and early 1900s.
  • Point Fermin Lighthouse Historic Site and Museum
    • Community: San Pedro
    • What it's about: Visit a beautifully restored lighthouse and learn about its history and role in guiding ships.
  • Ralph J. Bunche House
    • Community: South Los Angeles
    • What it's about: This is the historic home of Ralph J. Bunche, a very important person who worked for peace. It's also known as the Ralph Bunche Peace & Heritage Center.
  • REDCAT
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: This is an art gallery that shows exciting public art exhibits from the California Institute of the Arts.
  • Ripley's Believe It or Not!
    • Community: Hollywood
    • What it's about: Located on Hollywood Boulevard, this museum is full of weird and wonderful things that will make you say "Believe It or Not!"
  • Sepulveda House
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: Part of El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument, this historic house also serves as a visitor center with exhibits about the area's history.
  • Skirball Cultural Center
    • Community: Brentwood
    • What it's about: Home to the Skirball Museum, this center has exhibits about Jewish culture, achievements, and the history of Jewish people in the United States.
  • SPARC Gallery
    • Community: Venice
    • What it's about: This is a community art center and gallery that focuses on public art.
  • SS Lane Victory
    • Community: San Pedro
    • What it's about: Step aboard a real World War II Victory ship that is now a museum! You can explore the ship and imagine what life was like for sailors during the war.
  • Travel Town Museum
    • Community: Griffith Park
    • What it's about: All aboard for train lovers! This museum has real steam locomotives and other old train cars.
  • USC Fisher Museum of Art
    • Community: University Park
    • What it's about: This museum features both contemporary art and works by old masters.
  • Velveteria
    • Community: Downtown
    • What it's about: A unique museum with a collection of fun and quirky velvet paintings.
  • Watts Towers
    • Community: Watts
    • What it's about: These are amazing outdoor folk art towers built by one person over many years. They are truly unique sculptures!
  • Zimmer Children's Museum
    • Community: Wilshire
    • What it's about: A wonderful children's museum where kids can play, learn, and explore through hands-on exhibits.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close their doors. Here are a few museums that used to be in Los Angeles but are now closed:

  • Animal Museum (closed May 2017)
  • ARCO Center for Visual Art (closed in 1984)
  • Children's Museum of Los Angeles (closed in 2000)
  • Sports Museum of Los Angeles (closed in 2016)
  • VIVA Art Center – Valley Institute of Visual Art (closed in 2011)
  • Wells Fargo History Museum (Los Angeles) (closed in 2020)
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List of museums in Los Angeles Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.