Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, known to everyone as LACMA, occupies a large campus on Wilshire Boulevard in the Miracle Mile, next door to the La Brea Tar Pits and opposite the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures. Its collection runs from ancient art through to the present day, covering everything from Asian and Latin American art to modern painting and contemporary installations.

Part of LACMA's appeal is that you do not have to go inside to enjoy it. The outdoor spaces along Wilshire host public works that have become meeting points in their own right, and the campus is pleasant to walk through between exhibitions. Inside, the changing exhibition programme is strong, so it is worth checking what is on before you plan your day.

LACMA strongly recommends advance timed-entry tickets, and timeslots can sell out on busy days, although walk-up tickets may be available. Members and young members also need an advance timed ticket. Tickets can be bought online, at the ticket office during museum hours, or by phone on weekdays. The museum is closed on Wednesdays, opens until 8pm on Fridays and opens earlier at weekends.

The museum suits art lovers who want depth and visitors who prefer to pick one or two exhibitions and then spend time outside. With children, the outdoor works and open lawns help break up a visit. Allow two to three hours for a focused visit, or most of a day if you combine it with the Academy Museum across the road.

Because the campus is large, it pays to decide in advance what you most want to see. Look at the current exhibitions online, book a timeslot that matches, and leave time to walk the outdoor areas, which are free to explore. Friday evenings, when the museum stays open until 8pm, are a relaxed time to visit. If you are travelling with children, plan breaks outdoors and keep the visit short rather than trying to see everything. For a full day on the Miracle Mile, many visitors start at LACMA in the morning, cross the road for lunch and an afternoon at the Academy Museum, and finish with a walk in the outdoor areas of Hancock Park around the La Brea Tar Pits, many of which stay open while the museum there is closed for construction.

LACMA is in the Miracle Mile, a short drive from Hollywood and Beverly Hills. Parking is available on and around the campus, and buses run along Wilshire Boulevard. The Original Farmers Market and The Grove are about a ten-minute drive north, which makes for an easy lunch stop.