Free Admission to 30 LA Museums on Saturday, Jan. 30

For Angelenos, it’s no secret that their city is home to some of the country’s top museums. The only drawback? Getting the chance to visit them all.

Good news: Saturday, Jan. 30 is the day to start checking them off the bucket list. Thirty museums will be offering free admission as part of the annual Museums Free-for-All program.

Admission at many of these museums will regularly set you back as much as $15 a person, so the savings can quickly add up for families.

The list includes big draws like LACMA, the Natural History Museum and the Museum of Tolerance.

What to know:

• The offer is only good for general admission, not specially ticketed exhibitions. And parking will often be extra, so consider public transportation, as many museums are convenient to Metro stops.
• Several participating museums already offer free regular admission. So while Jan. 30 is a great day to get in the museum spirit, you might be better off visiting when there will be fewer crowds.
• Reserve early: Some spots – like the Getty Villa – only offer timed entry. The best spots will fill up quickly.
• Note: Some museums that are regularly closed on Saturdays will be participating on Sunday, Jan. 31, instead. Check the link above for the full list.

A few of our must-see picks:

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

Regular price: $15

The largest collection of art in the western United States and home to more than 150,000 works; it’s one of LA’s essential art museums.

See This: Chris Burden’s Urban Light (pictured below) – a dozen rows of vintage LA streetlamps at the museum’s entrance. Visit at dusk for the perfect photo op.

A photo posted by Los Angeles County Museum of Art (@lacma) on Dec 22, 2015 at 2:33pm PST

 

Museum of Tolerance

Regular price: $15.50

One of LA’s more unique museum experiences, it offers a multimedia showcase examining racism and prejudice around the world.

See This: The Holocaust Section journeys 70 minutes through Nazi-dominated Europe during World War II. It’s an emotional powerhouse.

Note: Closed Saturdays; offering admission on Sunday, Jan. 31, instead

A photo posted by Museum of Tolerance (@museumoftolerance) on Jun 9, 2014 at 5:18pm PDT

 

Natural History Museum

Regular price: $12

Opened in 1913 as LA’s first museum, today it houses 35 million specimens spanning 4.5 billion years of the earth’s history – the largest collection in the western United States.

See This: The Dinosaur Hall, where you’ll find 20 complete dinosaurs and ancient sea creatures, including the only trio of different-aged T. rex specimens in the world.

A photo posted by Natural History Museum of LA (@nhmla) on Jan 5, 2016 at 2:30pm PST

 

Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits

Regular price: $12

Scientists have been excavating fossils from this site ever since the first were discovered here in 1875, including Ice Age mammoths and saber-toothed cats.

See This: Witness archaeology in action on the Excavator Tour, included with general admission. At the recently reopened Observation Pit, you can watch them digging out new specimens.

A photo posted by M. ?⚖? (@peche_de_georgie) on Jan 11, 2016 at 9:43am PST

 

Skirball Cultural Center

Regular price: $10

The museum explores 4,000 years of Jewish heritage and how it has weaved into American culture and LA’s history.

See This: Noah’s Ark, an 8,000-square-foot recreation of the biblical tale with 400 life-size animals. A New York Times critic said: “It is the most extraordinary children’s exhibition I have seen.”

Note: Tickets are limited and first-come, first-served for timed entry.

Note: Closed Saturdays; offering admission on Sunday, Jan. 31, instead

A photo posted by Skirball Cultural Center (@skirball_la) on Oct 7, 2015 at 2:34pm PDT

 

The Broad

Regular price: Free (Because this is the museum to see right now, we definitely thought it was worth highlighting even though admission is usually free.)

“America’s newest art hotspot” (Forbes) features 2,000+ pieces of contemporary art assembled by billionaire philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad.

See This: Works from some of the greats of the last century, including Andy Warhol and Jeff Koons. Critics also highlight Yayo Kusama’s “Infinity Mirrored Room” – a mirror-lined chamber of LED light displays.

Note: Due to popularity, advance tickets (recommended) are sold out through March. Tickets are available on-site first come, first served, but expect long wait times.

A photo posted by The Broad (@thebroadmuseum) on Dec 6, 2015 at 1:33pm PST

Travelzoo Tip: As you get out and explore LA, don’t forget to search Travelzoo’s deals at top restaurants and attractions. Visitors can also search for LA hotel deals.

For example, you can pair these deals with a museum visit:

• Near The Broad Museum: Argentinian tapas and sangria in downtown LA for $29
• Near LACMA and La Brea Tar Pits: The Original Farmers Market Tour at The Grove for 45% off
• Near The Museum of Tolerance: Half off dinner at Zagat-recommended restaurant The Six in west LA
• Near The Getty Center: $159 per night at the hip Hotel Angeleno in west LA