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LACMA and Urban Light on Wilshire Boulevard

No. 99 Top 100 Most Visited Art Museums 2025 · 801,587 visitors in 2025

Los Angeles County Museum of Art (Lacma)

Los Angeles, United States · City guide: Los Angeles

The West Coast's largest art museum, with Urban Light, a vast collection and a new Zumthor-designed building.

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Photo: Gunnar Klack, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is No. 99 in The Art Newspaper's survey of the world's most visited art museums, with 801,587 visitors in 2025, down 8% on 2024. Founded in 1965, it is the largest art museum in the western United States, on Wilshire Boulevard's Museum Row next to the La Brea Tar Pits.

Its collection spans the world and all periods, from ancient art to contemporary. The David Geffen Galleries, a new building by Peter Zumthor spanning Wilshire Boulevard, are opening to replace older buildings; check the official website for what is open.

LACMA on Wilshire Boulevard
LACMA on Wilshire Boulevard. Photo: Gunnar Klack, CC BY-SA 4.0, source

Best time to visit

Weekday mornings are the quietest; visit Urban Light at dusk. The museum is closed on Wednesdays; check the official website.

Highlights & collections

  • 1

    Urban Light

    Chris Burden's forest of 202 restored street lamps, especially striking at dusk.

  • 2

    Levitated Mass

    Michael Heizer's 340-ton boulder over a walkway.

  • 3

    David Geffen Galleries

    The new home of the permanent collection, designed by Peter Zumthor.

  • 4

    Resnick Pavilion

    A Renzo Piano-designed hall for major exhibitions.

  • 5

    Broad Contemporary Art Museum

    Modern and contemporary art, including Richard Serra's Band.

Getting there

LACMA is at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard. Metro buses run along Wilshire, and the D Line subway extension has a station at Wilshire/Fairfax.

Visiting tips

Tickets & hours
Book tickets online. Urban Light and the outdoor areas are free. Check the official website for prices and hours.
Time needed
Two to three hours.
Currency
US dollar (USD). Cards and phone payments are accepted almost everywhere. Tipping is customary: around 18–20% in sit-down restaurants and a dollar or two per drink in bars.
Visa & entry
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries (including the UK, most EU countries, Australia and Japan) need an approved ESTA before they travel; most other visitors need a visa. Canadian citizens generally need neither for a short visit. Apply only on the official site esta.cbp.dhs.gov and check travel.state.gov for the current rules.

Official information: LACMA (official website). Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

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