ABC7 On Your Side: Free museums

LOS ANGELES Museums may not be the first places we think of, but you don't have to love ancient history or fine art to appreciate them, and they can be great fun for the whole family. Many never charge a dime, while others offer free admission days once a week or once a month.

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For the science and tech buff, the California Science Center features hands-on exhibits. It's geared for all ages, and it's always free.

• California Science Center

Want to learn about Los Angeles during the Ice Age? Check out the George C. Page Museum at the La Brea Tar Pits, which is free the first Tuesday of the month.

• Page Museum La Brea Tar Pits

You can explore the Ming Dynasty for free at the Pacific Asia Museum in Pasadena, which is free to all on the fourth Friday of the month.

• Pacific Asia Museum

Home to many bizarre relics, the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City doesn't cost anything to get in, but they do request donations.

• The Museum of Jurassic Technology

The Getty Center in Los Angeles and the Getty Villa in Malibu are two world class museums. Once inside, you can spend a few hours - or all day - enjoying the art and the plush gardens at both locations. While they don't charge admission to get in, both museums charge $8 to park. But you can take public transportation to both places and avoid the parking fee. For the Getty Villa, you do need to make advance reservations to get in, but there's no charge for doing so.

• The Getty Center Los Angeles
• The Getty Villa Malibu

There are several more museums that offer free admission days:

• Museum of Neon Art
  Admission is free on the first Tuesday of every month; 2nd Thursday of each month, free neon demonstrations
• Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
  Free admission on the first Tuesday of each month
• Hammer Museum
  Free on Thursdays
• Japanese American National Museum
  Free general admission every Thursday from 5 to 8 p.m. and every third Thursday of the month
• California African American Museum
  Free admission
• Museum of Latin American Art - Long Beach
  Free every Friday
• Skirball Cultural Center
  Free on Thursday, free parking
• Autry National Center
  Free 2nd Tuesday of every month
• Kidspace Children's Museum
  Free Family Night is from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month
• Long Beach Museum of Art
  Free on Friday
• The Huntington
  Admission to The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens is free to all visitors on the first Thursday of every month with advanced tickets. Hours on Free Day are 10:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

 

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