If you want to see Warhol, Basquiat, Kelly, and more stars of the art world, this is the place to do it. Founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad with a mission of public accessibility, the museum always has free admission, but timed tickets must be reserved, including for Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room. Since the space is Downtown, you can also go on a tour to see all of the architecture this part of LA offers, including Walt Disney Concert Hall, Union Station, and plenty more.

Next to the famous La Brea Tar Pits is LACMA, and you could easily spend a full day at this museum alone. Spanning Henri Matisse to Tim Burton, to paintings, sculpture, fashion, photography and other media from around the globe, art is oozing out of this place and onto the street, where you’ll find the famous Urban Light sculpture, comprising more than 200 LA street lamps. With over 140,000 objects in its collection, LACMA is the largest art museum in the western US.

Sure, J. Paul Getty has one of the best art collections in the world, but the building itself is also a work of art. Built with tiles made from fossils, the Getty Museum towers above Los Angeles from its perch in Brentwood, showcasing 360-degree views of the city. Head to the gardens for a great spot to have lunch, and spend the rest of the day wandering the galleries, looking at tapestries, and taking in art spanning the Renaissance to the modern day.

The Huntington specializes in 18th-century artwork, and the library even houses a Gutenberg bible, the first book printed in Western Europe from movable metal type. But many visitors are drawn to the lush gardens alone, on grounds spanning 120 acres (48.5 hectares). Get lost among 16 themed gardens, including a Chinese garden, an Australian garden, a desert garden, as well as a garden blooming with thousands of roses. There’s even a high tea service here, which is well worth it.

Step back in time and explore the art, culture, and architecture of ancient Greece and Rome at the Getty Villa. Set in the Pacific Palisades, it’s a stunning recreation of an ancient Roman country house, complete with beautiful gardens, courtyards, and a collection of artifacts including exquisite Roman mosaics, Greek vases, and priceless sculptures, in a setting with unbeatable views of the Pacific Ocean.

Along with stunning views of the city, the Griffith Observatory is known for its planetarium, a telescope gallery, and a collection of space-related artifacts, along with a number of interactive exhibitions. The observatory also offers guided tours and monthly telescope viewing nights, making it a great destination for families, astronomy enthusiasts, and anyone interested in learning more about the mysteries of the universe.

Explore the prehistoric past of Los Angeles at the La Brea Tar Pits. This natural asphalt seep has been a site of scientific discovery for over a century, revealing a treasure trove of fossils. While you’re there, take in a variety of exhibits that showcase animals such as mammoths and saber-toothed cats, who roamed the region during the last Ice Age. The museum's collection includes over 1 million specimens, making it one of the world's most important sites for the study of Ice Age life.