Best Museums in Los Angeles: Staff Picks from The Garland Hotel LA Museums for Every Type of Traveler

Of course, Los Angeles has its heavy hitters: The Getty, LACMA and the newly opened Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, to name a few. You’ll find plenty of those classics in Our Los Angeles: A Guide to the City, waiting for you in your guest room.

But here on The Garland Grapevine, we want to let you in on our insider secrets- our “if you know, you know” staff picks.

We want every guest at The Garland to experience their own version of the ultimate Los Angeles getaway. That’s why we’ve curated a guide to LA’s museums and galleries with something for every kind of curious traveler. And rest assured: these aren’t just tourist stops. They’re places we genuinely love, and where you might even run into a member of The Garland team on their day off.

The New Kid in Town: Just opened on September 22, 2026, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art is arguably the newest addition to LA’s cultural landscape. Dedicated to the art of visual storytelling, the museum is complete with Skywalker Grille, a restaurant that’s equal parts dining destination and scenic overlook…and one of the hardest reservations to secure in town. $25 Admission*  From The Garland: 15 miles | 25 min drive | Exposition Park

For the Car Enthusiast:

Maybe you came to LA to ride the newest roller coaster, Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift at Universal Studios Hollywood. If your need for speed extends beyond the theme park, make your next stop the Petersen Automotive Museum. Our Food & Beverage Director, Thomas, says “The Vault downstairs is a must!” $12 Admission* From The Garland: 8.3 miles | 20 min drive | Museum Row / Miracle Mile

While you’re in the neighborhood, walk across Wilshire for the quintessential LA photo beneath Chris Burden’s Urban Light at LACMA, or visit the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures to snap a selfie with an Oscar!

For the Lover of Old Hollywood Glamour:

The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is currently celebrating one of Hollywood’s most enduring icons with Marilyn Monroe: Hollywood Icon, featuring costumes, photographs, personal materials and hundreds of original objects from her life and career. Our Tangerine Room Manager, Victoria loves going to their on-site restaurant, Fanny’s, for their annual Academy Award’s  Best Picture Nominee themed cocktail menu. 

Creep it real: Our HR Director, Dianna, just spent the weekend at the Academy’s Zombies! and Horror Show exhibitions - just in time for Halloween. $25 Admission* From The Garland: 8 miles | 20 min drive | Museum Row / Miracle Mile

Norma Jeane fan and Garland Marketing Manager Brooke recommends The Hollywood Museum, housed inside the historic Max Factor Building. You can step into the room where Marilyn was transformed into the blonde bombshell of the century, then head upstairs for rooms packed with costumes, props and movie memorabilia galore! $15 Admission* From The Garland: 4.4 miles | 15 min drive | Hollywood

For the Horror Fan:

Prefer your Hollywood history with a darker edge?

The Hollywood Museum has another personality downstairs, where its collection includes horror memorabilia and set pieces from The Silence of the Lambs.

Our server Josh from The Front Yard suggests the Museum of Death, a short walk down Hollywood Blvd. $20 Admission* 

Make a day of it before heading back toward Universal Studios Hollywood for Halloween Horror Nights. Consider this your quasi-itinerary for spooky season.

For the Modernist:

Midcentury style is part of The Garland’s DNA, so naturally we have a soft spot for LA’s modernist side.

For contemporary art, The Front Yard’s Senior Food and Beverage Manager, Steve, suggests heading downtown to MOCA. Free Admission* From The Garland: 15 miles | 25 min drive | DTLA

For the Right-In-Our-Backyard Traveler:

• The Garland boasts its own collection of art, and even hosts a complimentary Art Walk on Wednesdays!
• The World’s first and only Museum of Martial Arts $12 Admission*  From The Garland: 7 miles | Burbank
• Museum of Neon Art $10 Admission* From The Garland: 8 miles | Glendale

Beyond their personally curated collection on display throughout The Garland and The Front Yard, owners Scott and James say two of their favorite museums are the Norton Simon Museum and the Getty Villa. Norton Simon Museum ($20 Admission, Free the first Friday of the month*) From The Garland: 14 miles | 25 min drive | Pasadena, Getty Villa (Free Admission*) From The Garland: 21 miles | 40 min drive | Malibu

For the Architecture Lover:

In Los Angeles, sometimes the building is the museum. Check out:

• MAK Center for Art and Architecture at the Schindler House in West Hollywood. $10 Admission*
  From The Garland: 8 miles | 20 min drive | West Hollywood
• Hollyhock House ($12 Admission*), Sowden House (Free to Drive By*), Stahl House ($60 Tours*) From The Garland: >7 miles | 20 min drive | East of Hollywood
• Watts Towers, where Simon Rodia spent more than three decades transforming steel, tile, glass, shells and found objects into one of LA’s most extraordinary landmarks. $12 Admission*
  From The Garland: 22 miles | 35 min drive | South LA

For the Whole Family:

• Discovery Cube in Sylmar is packed with hands-on science exhibits for younger travelers. $20 Admission* From The Garland: 15 miles | 25 min drive | Sylmar
• Autry Museum of the American West, in Griffith Park. This one has a special Garland connection: our property sits on land that was once Gene Autry’s horse ranch, making a visit feel a little like following the story back to its beginning. $14 Admission*
  From The Garland: 8 miles | 15 min drive | Griffith Park

Disney fans, rejoice!

• Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn, a charming piece of Disney history also tucked away in Griffith Park. The barn once stood in the backyard of Walt Disney’s Holmby Hills home, where it served as his workshop for his miniature railroad. Fun fact: The Carousel at Griffith Park is also where Walt dreamt up Disneyland, but that’s a whole separate blog! Open to the public the third Sunday of the month. Free Admission* From The Garland: 7 miles | 15 min drive | Griffith Park
• California Visionaries: The Lives and Legacies of Walt Disney and Hubert Eaton at Forest Lawn Museum in Glendale. Admission is free and runs through February 2027. Free Admission* From The Garland: 10 miles | 20 min drive | Glendale

For the Naturally Curious:

Dinosaurs. Gems. Bugs. Ancient creatures. Los Angeles has you covered.

Our Sales Manager Laura loves the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, particularly its after-hours programming, where she got a rare fossil lab encounter.

“It has a vast and varied collection, and they always have cool specialty events going on. Right now they have a Spider Pavilion (like a butterfly pavilion, but with more legs) and a screening looking at what ’80s sci-fi got right and wrong (très LA).” $18 Admission* From The Garland: 15 miles | 25 min drive | Exposition Park

While you’re in Exposition Park, head next door to our GM Scott Mills’ favorite museum, the California Science Center! He’s particularly excited for the Endeavour Space Shuttle Exhibit, opening November 13, 2026. The Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center will be the only place in the world where you can view a complete, authentic space shuttle system in launch position! Free Admission*
Perhaps you double as a set-jetter. Make your way to Griffith Observatory, an iconic LA landmark you may recognize from the silver screen in James Dean’s  Rebel Without a Cause, La La Land, and more. Free Admission* From The Garland: 8 miles | 20 min drive | Griffith Park

Honorable Mentions already featured on The Garland Grapevine and/or in-room guide:

• Valley Relics Museum 
• Campo de Cahuenga Museum and Memorial Park
• Huntington Gardens 
• Marciano Art Foundation
• Hauser & Wirth
• Regen Projects
• Bradbury Building 

It’s clear to see that there’s a never-ending supply of culture and creativity in Los Angeles, and The Garland puts you in the heart of it all. So ask us what we’ve been loving lately. Some of the best SoCal finds don’t come from a guidebook, they come through The Garland Grapevine.

We hope to see ya real soon! When inspiration strikes, book a stay at The Garland and make our North Hollywood boutique hotel your canvas for a colorful SoCal adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the best museums near The Garland Hotel?

Top staff picks include The Hollywood Museum (7 miles, 15 minutes), the Autry Museum of the American West (8 miles, 15 minutes), the Petersen Automotive Museum and Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (both 10 miles, 20 minutes), and the new Lucas Museum of Narrative Art (15 miles, 25 minutes).

What is the closest museum to The Garland in North Hollywood?

The Hollywood Museum and Walt Disney’s Carolwood Barn are both about 7 miles (a 15-minute drive) away, and the Autry Museum in Griffith Park is about 8 miles (15 minutes) away. The Valley Relics Museum is about 11 miles away.

Which Los Angeles museums are free?

Several of our favorites offer free general admission, including MOCA, the Getty Villa, California Science Center, Forest Lawn Museum, Marciano Art Foundation, Hauser & Wirth and Regen Projects. Some require advance reservations, and special exhibitions may cost extra.

What is the newest museum in Los Angeles?

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art in Exposition Park opened in September 2026 and is dedicated to visual storytelling.

What should I do in Los Angeles during El Niño?

During El Niño, plan your Los Angeles trip around indoor attractions and keep your schedule flexible, since storms tend to arrive in waves with clear days in between. For an easy rainy-day plan near The Garland in North Hollywood, have a meal at The Front Yard, then visit a staff-picked museum like the Valley Relics Museum in Van Nuys (about 11 miles, a 20-minute drive), a pop culture museum with vintage neon signs, classic cars and a retro arcade. Other indoor favorites include The Hollywood Museum (7 miles, 15 minutes) and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (10 miles, 20 minutes).

What are the best LA museums for families?

The Discovery Cube Los Angeles in Sylmar offers hands-on science exhibits, and the Autry Museum of the American West in Griffith Park is another family favorite.

Photo Credits in Order of Appearance: 

The Lucas Museum Campus. Photography by Patrick Price, courtesy of Lucas Museum of Narrative Art via LA Tourism, 10 Things You Won't Want to Miss at The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art | Discover Los Angeles

MONA Museum Exterior. Courtesy of Ben Weber via Museum of Neon Art (MONA) - LA Conservancy 

California Science Center. Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center. Courtesy of Chuck Null via Samuel Oschin Air and Space Center | The California Science Center

*Prices vary. Check individual websites for details. 
Written By: Brooke Nitti