Day Trip to the Broad Museum in DTLA
Sometimes we find ourselves on an especially tight budget as the weekend arrives, but we try not to let that stop us from enjoying our city. This weekend we rallied and headed out of the house for a day at Downtown Los Angeles’s Broad Museum (a.k.a. “The Broad”). It’s The Broad’s longtime mission to make contemporary art available to the widest possible audience, which means general admission is always free.
And we love that!
The Broad houses a collection of more than 2000 pieces of postwar and contemporary art from 1950 to the present, and it is still adding new contemporary artists to its collection year after year. The museum showcases short-term exhibits as well as permanent displays.
We enjoyed some of our old favorite pieces like the giant oversized Table and Four Chairs by Robert Therrian, as well as the Balloon Dog by Jeff Koons, a newer rhinestone-adorned painting by Mickalene Thomas, and Longing For Eternity a breathtaking mirrored installation by Takashi Murakami.
The museum was designed by architects Diller Scofidio + Renfro and Gensler. The honeycombed building is part of the experience — from the entrance on the ground floor to your ascent up a tunnel through a solid middle, you arrive at a light-filled and airy third-floor gallery.
The grey middle section (the second floor, technically) functions as the vault holding the collection of art that is currently being stored, and if you opt for the stairs you may even get a glimpse of some napping works of art.
The white honeycomb veil encloses the galleries on the third floor filtering in natural light. This design is referred to as “veil and vault” and is experiential in that there are portals in which you can peer in to see the stored art and inner workings of the museum as you travel through its core.
The building is also nicely juxtaposed next to the Disney Concert Hall (designed by Frank Gehry) and within walking distance from Grand Central Market for an easy commute for a snack, lunch, or a cold drink on a hot day.
What You Need to Know
The Broad is open to the public every day of the week except Mondays. It’s also closed on major holidays like Thanksgiving and Christmas Day, so be sure to check those dates. The Broad Museum’s hours are:
- Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday from 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday from 11:00 AM to 8:00 PM
- Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
- Sunday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
General admission to the Broad is, of course, free. Advanced tickets are released on the last Wednesday of the month at 10:00 AM and same-day tickets are released daily, though expect to wait in line for a little while to be admitted.
Special Exhibitions are $22 and include same-day general admission access. These exhibitions are free on Thursday evenings from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM, but you need a ticket to get in, so plan ahead!
If you want to see Takashi Murakami’s super-popular and ‘grammable Infinity Room, there is no fee, but you’ll definitely want to get a ticket in advance. Same-day tickets are also available, but it is one of the more popular draws at the Broad, so those tickets will likely sell out quickly.
Find tickets at ticketing.thebroad.org.
Getting to the Broad
The Broad is on Grand Avenue and 2nd Street just off the 110 freeway in the Bunker Hill area of Downtown LA and is neighbors with the Walt Disney Concert Hall. There are a few one-way streets in this part of town, so make sure to map out the trip or plug the address into your phone.
Parking at The Broad Museum
Though there is parking at the museum, the lot was full when we arrived at around 12:00 PM on a Saturday. There are a number of public parking lots around the Broad (and all over DTLA for that matter), but we were able to find street parking nearby for $2 per hour.
If there is space under the museum, it’ll fetch you $17 for three hours with validation from the museum (and another $5 for each additional 15 minutes with daily max of $27). While there is a lot to see at The Broad and one could spend hours there reading up on each piece of art, we were able to see everything in about an hour.
After 5:00 PM on weeknights, there is a $17 flat rate for parking at The Broad. Be sure to secure your parking ticket and get the validation because lost parking tickets mean you’ll need to pay the full maximum parking fee of $27.00.
Bike parking is free for all and is located on the P1 level of The Broad’s parking garage.
The garage opens at 9:00 AM and closes at 10:30 PM. As we mentioned above, additional parking is available in other garages and lots around Grand Avenue and 2nd, but The Broad does not provide validation for any of those lots.
What to Bring to The Broad
The Broad provides free mobile guides and a map for your phone and you don’t need to download an app for this. They also have a number of activities for children like scavenger hunts and offer free audio tours, so bring your headphones!
The Broad Museum does not permit bags larger than 11 x 17 x 8, and this includes bags for baby supplies, though strollers are welcome through the museum. Unlike our night out at Cinespia cemetery screening, picnicking at The Broad is not possible. No food or beverages are allowed in the museum, but we managed to get into the museum with our closed water bottle without any problems.
Other Things to Note About The Broad Museum
Exit through the gift shop! The museum has really cool array of books and exhibit-themed gifts and memorabilia. These pieces are often exclusive to The Broad, so even if it’s just a magnet or a postcard, you can leave with a souvenir to remind yourself to come back soon. When it comes to free things to do in Los Angeles, there are few outings that can top The Broad!
What is your favorite piece at The Broad? Reach out and let us know!
