The Broad
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Located in the heart of historic downtown Los Angeles, California, The Broad is a post-war and contemporary art museum featuring art from the 1950s to the present that opened in 2015. The museum is named after its financiers, philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad, who donated the resources needed to secure its construction.
Of particular note to visitors, admission to The Broad's permanent collections is always free though special exhibits, temporary exhibits, and special events usually have a separate admission price. More than 900,000 people visit The Broad Museum each year.
The Broad is home to nearly 2,000 pieces of contemporary art by over 200 artists. You may be particularly interested in the 11 pop-art works by Andy Warhol on display, which include his 1963 "Single Elvis". During your visit, you may also want to view the works of notable artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat, Barbara Kruger, Damien Hirst, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Koons, and Yayoi Kusama.
How to Get There
The Los Angeles International Airport is the closest nearby airport, and shuttles run regularly to the downtown area. The Metro B Line stop is just a few blocks away and serves the Hollywood area.
Rent an RV For Your Visit to The Broad
Visit The Broad
The Broad is open year-round. As most of the exhibits are indoors, it makes for an excellent destination on a rainy day though the outdoor area is also worth exploring and is dotted with 100-year-old olive trees and lots of open lawn space. Plan on spending several hours exploring the 120,000-square-foot building.
Be sure to book a separate ticket reservation to view Yayoi Kusama's "Infinity Mirror Rooms." This one-minute experience involves staying inside a dark, mirror-lined room with flashing LED lights. A second flashing light experience you may want to check out is Kusama's "Longing for Eternity," located on the third floor.
Ticket Information
General admission tickets to The Broad museum are always free, but in order to ensure you can enter at the date and time of your choosing, it's strongly encouraged that you reserve your tickets in advance. Head to the museum's website at theboard.org to secure an entrance date and time. If tickets are unavailable, check back again soon, as the museum regularly releases additional tickets on its website.
You can still visit The Broad museum on standby even if you don't have advance tickets. You can expect to wait between 15 to 30 minutes to enter during the week and may have to wait longer on the weekends.
Family-Friendly Options
The Broad encourages visitors of all ages and even includes a mobile museum guide just for kids. Interactive activities such as scavenger hunts, art-themed activities, and an audio guide narrated by LeVar Burton will keep the little ones engaged throughout your visit.
If you have a group of 10 or more and are willing to pay $5 per person, you can schedule a group visit. You must make reservations at least two weeks in advance when choosing this option. However, you will get to skip the line and go through an expedited check-in process.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit
The art at The Broad is spread out over two floors, and you'll want to plan on a minimum of one hour to view the highlights. For a more in-depth visit, plan on spending two or more hours.
In addition to viewing as many of the permanent collections as possible, you'll also want to be sure to check out the featured exhibits, the LED-light exhibits, and the outdoor plaza. Before you start, make sure you have access to one of the free audio tours or the free mobile museum guide. Visitor guides and maps are also available, and Visitor Experience Team Members can be found throughout the exhibits to assist with questions and directions.
Along with the art collections, you'll also want to spend time admiring the honeycomb-like building that houses it, designed by Gensler in collaboration with Diller Scofidio and Renfro, a world-renowned architectural firm. You may also want to stop by The Shop at The Broad before you leave for a unique selection of art-themed books, gifts, and more.
The Broad Accommodations
Campgrounds Nearby
Welcome to Arbor Mobile Village, an Active Adult lifestyle community! Perfectly situated in Long Beach, California, this is a beautifully shaded quiet community.
Dockweiler RV Park is a Department of Beaches and Harbors of Los Angeles County facility. It is the only RV park in the county that is just steps from the beach. This RV park near Torrance is a clean, convenient place to relax after a long day of sightseeing.
For those visiting the Long Beach area, Golden Shore RV Resort is a real gem. This Long Beach, California campground puts you within easy access to local entertainment venues. It also provides a relaxed atmosphere in an urban park with palm trees and water access.
Activities Near The Broad
Things to Do
Museums
The downtown Los Angeles neighborhood is filled with museums and activities that will interest visitors. Other nearby art museums include the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, the GRAMMY Museum, and the Japanese-American National Museum. The California Science Center and the Natural History Museum are also nearby though not within walking distance.
Iconic LA Neighborhoods
Explore the unique cultural diversity that makes up the Los Angeles landscape with a visit to Little Tokyo or Chinatown, both of which are just a few blocks away, or stop by the famous Grand Central Market to taste foods from around the planet.
LA Attractions
In the greater Los Angeles area, additional spots you may want to visit include Hollywood, Venice Beach, Disneyland, and Universal Studios.
Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor enthusiasts may want to take the tramway to the top of Mount San Jacinto in nearby Palm Springs or head to the iconic Joshua Tree State Park to enjoy hiking, bouldering, or rock climbing.
National Parks
National Sites
Weather, Safety & Accessibility
Weather & Packing
Los Angeles enjoys mild weather year-round, with highs rarely reaching the 90s, even in the hottest summer months of July and August. Rain is not a regular occurrence in the area though, when planning your trip, note that January and February are the wettest months. The Broad is an excellent experience on a rainy day or any time of year.
Safety & Accessibility
The Broad is ADA-compliant and committed to making its collections available to all visitors. Accessible parking is available, and trained service animals are welcome in all public areas. Audio tour transcripts are available as needed, as well as a limited number of wheelchairs. In addition, you may request a visual description tour or an ASL interpreter tour.
Conclusion
The Broad Museum is a family-friendly museum that is well worth a visit when you are in the Los Angeles area. Though it may not be as iconic as Disneyland or the Hollywood sign, it's a unique and one-of-a-kind experience, and you can't beat the price tag of completely free.
FAQ
The Broad is located in the middle of one the biggest cities in the country, and there are few nearby options for camping. However, if you're willing to drive a bit, you'll find some fantastic RV campsites, state parks, and national parks within a 200-mile radius.
Although parking is available on-site in an underground lot for $17, you may want to park larger RVs in one of the open-air lots further south on Grand Ave. Expect to pay around $20 for parking nearby.
Large bags and backpacks are not permitted at the museum, and a coat check is not always available, so you'll need to plan accordingly. Visitors with babies may carry supplies in a bag no larger than 11 inches by 17 inches. Visitors uncomfortable with flashing lights or dark, enclosed spaces may want to avoid the few art exhibits that include these elements.
The Broad encourages children of all ages to visit and has a free and interactive guide just for kids. Note that adults are required to accompany children under the age of 13 at all times.
Pets are not allowed inside the museum. However, properly trained service animals are always welcome inside all public areas.