The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, known as LACMA, is the largest art museum in the western United States, and 2026 has been its biggest year in decades. On April 19, 2026, LACMA opened the David Geffen Galleries, a long, sand-colored building by architect Peter Zumthor that stretches across Wilshire Boulevard and now holds much of the permanent collection.
Add Chris Burden’s Urban Light, the giant boulder of Levitated Mass and a neighborhood full of other museums, and LACMA is one of the best things to do in LA. This guide covers tickets, free days, hours, parking and what to see.
In this guide
LACMA is on our list of the best museums in Los Angeles.
LACMA at a glance
- Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Miracle Mile, Los Angeles
- Hours: Mon, Tue and Thu 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Fri 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sat and Sun 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- Closed: Wednesdays
- Adult tickets: around $28 to $30; LA County residents pay less
- Free: Urban Light and Levitated Mass anytime; free days for LA County residents
- Nearest Metro: Wilshire/Fairfax station on the D Line
Tickets and free days
LACMA sells timed-entry tickets online, and buying ahead lets you skip the ticket desk, especially on weekends. Prices at the time of writing:
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, non-LA County resident | about $30 |
| Adult, LA County resident | about $25 (photo ID needed) |
| Kids 3 to 17, LA County resident | free |
| Kids 3 to 17, non-resident | about $15 |
| Kids under 3 | free |
Special exhibitions can cost extra. Check LACMA’s ticket page before you go, since prices change.
Ways to visit for free
- LA County residents get free general admission on weekday afternoons from 3 p.m. (Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday).
- Everyone gets free general admission on the second Tuesday of each month.
- Urban Light, Levitated Mass and the outdoor spaces are free to see any time.
The David Geffen Galleries
The David Geffen Galleries are the headline of any LACMA visit now. The building is Peter Zumthor’s first completed project in the United States. It is about 100,000 square feet on a single raised floor that runs roughly 900 feet and bridges Wilshire Boulevard, with nearly four acres of shaded public space underneath.
Inside, 26 galleries show the permanent collection in a new way. Instead of organizing art strictly by date or country, the galleries are loosely grouped around the world’s oceans and seas, so works from different cultures that were connected by trade and travel hang near each other. The floor is step-free, and walls of glass let in daylight and views of the city.
It is a big building, so give it at least two hours, and wear comfortable shoes.
Urban Light and Levitated Mass
Urban Light is Chris Burden’s 2008 installation of 202 restored cast-iron street lamps from around Southern California, set in a tight grid at the Wilshire Boulevard entrance. It is one of the most photographed spots in Los Angeles. The lamps light up at dusk, which is the best time for photos, and it is free to visit.
Levitated Mass is Michael Heizer’s 340-ton granite boulder balanced over a long concrete channel on the north side of the campus. You walk down the slot and under the rock. Its trip from a quarry in Riverside County to LACMA in 2012 took 11 nights and drew crowds along the route.
Other galleries on campus
- Broad Contemporary Art Museum (BCAM): modern and contemporary works, including big installations.
- Resnick Pavilion: the main space for special exhibitions, from fashion to ancient art.
- Pavilion for Japanese Art: a quieter building focused on Japanese painting and objects.
Exhibitions rotate often, so check LACMA’s current exhibitions page before your visit.
Hours and the best time to go
LACMA is closed on Wednesdays. Friday evening, when the museum stays open until 8 p.m., is a good time for a calmer visit, and Urban Light glows after sunset. Weekend afternoons are busiest. If you live in LA County, a weekday visit after 3 p.m. is free.
Getting there and parking
LACMA sits on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile, between Fairfax Avenue and the La Brea Tar Pits.
- Metro: the D Line extension opened in May 2026, and Wilshire/Fairfax station is a short walk from the museum. See our LA Metro guide.
- Parking: the Pritzker Parking Garage on 6th Street charges a flat rate of about $23, less for late entry. Metered street parking is cheaper if you arrive early.
Nearby things to do
The Miracle Mile is LA’s museum row, so it is easy to combine stops:
- La Brea Tar Pits: the Lake Pit and mammoth statues are next door. The Tar Pits museum is closed for renovation until 2028.
- Academy Museum of Motion Pictures: the film museum is on the same block.
- Petersen Automotive Museum: across Fairfax Avenue.
- The Original Farmers Market and The Grove: a 15-minute walk north for lunch.
Tips for visiting
- Book online to choose your entry time and avoid lines.
- Plan for a full afternoon if you want to see the Geffen Galleries and another building.
- Photography without flash is allowed in most galleries.
- Food: there are cafes on campus, and Fairfax and the Farmers Market have many options.
- Accessibility: the Geffen Galleries are fully step-free, and wheelchairs are available.
Frequently asked questions
Is LACMA free?
Urban Light and Levitated Mass are always free. General admission is free for everyone on the second Tuesday of each month, and for LA County residents on weekday afternoons from 3 p.m.
When did the LACMA Geffen Galleries open?
The David Geffen Galleries opened on April 19, 2026.
Is LACMA open on Wednesdays?
No. LACMA is closed on Wednesdays.
How long does it take to see LACMA?
Plan two to four hours. The Geffen Galleries alone take about two hours.
What is the best time to see Urban Light?
Just after sunset, when the lamps turn on. It is free and open to the public.
Photo credits
Featured image: Chris Brignola cjbrignola / Wikimedia Commons, CC0.
