The Broad is a fairly new museum in downtown Los Angeles, California. The museum’s collection is full of famous works of modern art and special exhibitions. It’s one of the most popular museums in the city, and it’s a must-see during your time in LA.

Here’s everything you need to know to plan your visit to The Broad museum in Los Angeles.

The Broad, Downtown Los Angeles

About The Broad

The Broad was founded by Eli and Edythe Broad, who financed the museum. The museum opened in 2015 and has nearly 2,000 pieces in its collection.

With several works from Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein, it’s a pop art lover’s dream. The museum is also full of eye-catching contemporary pieces from artists like Barbara Kruger.

Plus, it’s currently home to the famous exhibition Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirror Rooms: Infinity Mirrored Room — The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away and Longing for Eternity. (Note that you need a separate ticket to enter The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away room. When you enter the museum, you can add your name to the waiting list and you will be notified by text when it’s your time to enter.)

You can also experience the museum with a guide. The Broad provides daily free public tours. Additionally, you can download the museum’s free mobile app or rent an audio guide.

Yayoi Kusama, Infinity Mirrored Room The Souls of a Millions of Light Years Away
Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room — The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away at The Broad.

Tickets

Admission to The Broad is free. You can get tickets online or wait outside in a standby line the day you want to visit.

The best way to visit the museum is to book your tickets online ahead of time. The museum is very popular, so this way you’ll be able to visit when it fits your schedule. Tickets become available on the first of the month for the following month. So, for example, tickets for the month of August become available on July 1.

If you aren’t able to reserve tickets for the day you want to visit The Broad, you can wait in the standby line. The wait time for the line is unpredictable, but you can check the status on the The Broad Standby Twitter account. Also, keep in mind that the line closes 60 to 90 minutes or more before the museum closes.

Andy Warhol, Two Marilyns, 1962
Two Marilyns, by Andy Warhol (1962) at The Broad.

Hours

The Broad is open Tuesday through Sunday. It’s closed on Mondays, Thanksgiving Day (the last Thursday in November) and Christmas Day (December 25).

The museum is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.

Robert Therrien, Under the Table, 1994
Robert Therrien’s Under the Table (1994) at The Broad (with 6’3″ husband for scale)

How to Get to the Broad

The Broad is at the corner of Grand Avenue and 2nd Street in downtown Los Angeles. It’s close to several other downtown attractions, like the Walt Disney Concert Hall, the Museum of Contemporary Art, and Grand Central Market

The best way to get to the Broad is to take the metro. It can be tricky to drive around downtown (thanks to congestion and limited, expensive parking). So, you’re better off using public transit to get there. The Civic Center / Grand Park metro station is about .2 miles from the museum. The station is served by the Metro Red Line and the Metro Purple Line.

You could also take the bus to get to the museum. The nearest Metro bus stations are at 1st St./Grand Ave. or Grand Ave./3rd St.

If you would prefer to drive, you can park in the parking lot under the Broad. The entrance to this parking lot is on 2nd Street between Hope Street and Grand Avenue. It costs $15.00 for three hours (with ticket validation from the museum). After the first three hours, it’s another $5.00 every 15 minutes, but with a daily maximum fee of $25. If you park in the lot after 5:00 p.m. during the week or on weekends, the cost is $15.

There are also several other parking lots in the area, but they all cost money as well.

The Broad is located at 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012.

Barbara Kruger, Untitled 1989
Untitled, by Barbara Kruger (1989) at The Broad

Rules

As with any museum, there are things to keep in mind in order to be respectful of the space and protect the art.

  • You may check your personal items for free in the lobby.
  • Children younger than 13 years old must be with an adult.
  • You must be wearing proper attire, including a shirt and shoes.
  • There is no eating, drinking, or smoking allowed in the museum.
  • Cell phones must be on silent.
  • Don’t touch the art.

Yayoi Kusama, Longing for Eternity
Yayoi Kusama’s Longing for Eternity at The Broad

The Broad is a must-visit museum in Los Angeles. With its permanent collection, featured works, and special exhibitions, it’s a great place to visit, whether or not you’re usually a fan of contemporary art. Plus, there are plenty of other downtown attractions nearby to explore. Cheers!

How to Visit The Broad in Los Angeles

How to Visit The Broad in Los Angeles