David Geffen Galleries at LACMA
DETAILS:
Location: 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, 90036
Hours: Monday & Tuesday 11AM to 6PM / Closed Wednesday / Thursday 11AM to 6PM / Friday 11AM to 8PM / Saturday & Sunday 10AM to 7PM
Parking: Pritzker parking garage is open daily from 5AM to 10PM - $23 ($15 after 8PM). Otherwise ,free street & metered parking can be found nearby.
Cost:
LA County residents (with valid ID): Adults $25 / Seniors, Students & Visitors with disabilities $21 / children under 17 yrs old are free / After 3PM, Mon thru Fri is free.
Non LA County residents: Adults $30 / Seniors, Students & Visitors with disabilities $26 / children 3-17 yrs old $15 / children 2 and under are free.
Time Commitment: 2-3 hours.
The new David Geffen Galleries at Los Angeles County Museum of Art represent one of the most ambitious cultural transformations in Los Angeles in decades. Designed by celebrated Swiss architect Peter Zumthor, the striking structure gracefully stretches across Wilshire Boulevard like a floating ribbon of concrete and glass, creating a museum experience that feels deeply connected to the city around it. Rather than presenting art in a rigid, chronological order, the galleries were intentionally designed to encourage wandering, discovery, and unexpected connections between cultures and time periods. The elevated design also creates shaded public gathering spaces beneath the building, helping the museum feel as much like a civic landmark as an art institution.
Inside, the galleries house thousands of works spanning more than 6,000 years of global art, ranging from ancient artifacts to contemporary installations. Visitors move through airy spaces filled with natural light, intimate gallery rooms, and sweeping terrace views of Los Angeles, with artworks thoughtfully arranged to spark dialogue across continents and generations. The inaugural installations emphasize themes of cultural exchange and interconnectedness, often placing centuries-old works alongside modern pieces in ways that feel fresh and surprisingly emotional. The collection includes everything from sculpture and painting to textiles, photography, and large-scale contemporary works, making each turn through the museum feel a bit like uncovering a new conversation between artists across history.
What ultimately makes the David Geffen Galleries such a rewarding visit is the way the building itself becomes part of the artistic experience. The dramatic architecture, massive curved concrete forms, and ever-present views of the city create an atmosphere that feels uniquely Los Angeles: open, sprawling, creative, and constantly in motion. Whether you are an avid art lover or simply someone looking for an inspiring afternoon in the city, the galleries invite visitors to slow down, explore freely, and experience art in a way that feels personal rather than formal. Combined with the surrounding attractions along Museum Row and the energy of the LACMA campus itself, the new galleries offer one of the most exciting and memorable cultural outings in Southern California.
RESOURCES:
LACMA website
