1 / 2Hammer Museum
📍 Westwood, CA
Free-admission contemporary art museum at UCLA on Wilshire Blvd, spanning a full city block. Features rotating exhibitions from emerging and established artists, Art Lab activities for children, and the Lulu restaurant on-site.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with older kids who have a genuine interest in contemporary or conceptual art. The free admission and calm, spacious environment make it a low-commitment stop if you're already in Westwood. Art Lab activities give younger children something hands-on.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →2,103 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Christopher T
8 months ago
“A great museum, free too I might added in Brentwood neighborhood. It’s part of UCLA and on Wilshire Blvd & corner of Westwood Blvd to Glendon Ave (yup, a whole block). It’s very open space, bright and high ceiling reception area, and very modern too. You feel at easy and calm inside compared to hectic and noisy of cars & constructing going on right outside. Their exhibits spread into several different halls from main to 3 floors. You either take the elevator or stairs to go into the courtyard to get to the exhibit halls. The middle area of the museum is open sky with restaurants and gift shops and outdoor exhibit pieces. Very unique and interesting to observed. Currently,”Make in LA” is showing and quite both fascinating and complex, different then you would thought for sure (at least for me). They do have a collections room (founder), that have Rembrandt, Monet, Van Gough, Fantin-Latourand others arts. Such a nice, calm and unique museum.”
Tulin Djemal
11 months ago
“I had a VERY Cool LA experience at the HAMMER MUSEUM when I visited on a Thursday October 2025. It was LA vibes from the minute I walked past the restaurant Lulu, it was clearly busy and the clientele looked more sophisticated, hip and local and than any other art gallery cafe that I have experienced. And no wonder looking at the concept in its entirety I could appreciate the whole package (my Trade background is a Chef) I had a fantastic oat hot chocolate at the end of a very stimulating and unique gallery experience and enjoyed people watching through my Australian lense. I could’ve easily spent US$500 on books alone such an inspiring collection. I hate to pick my favourite exhibition but I do have a weak spot for Japanese wood block prints. The Hammer Museum has a fantastic blueprint I look forward to returning one day and schedule in lunch this time!”
G Benett (mothratwins)
10 months ago
“One of the essential museums of Los Angeles. This year's "Made in LA" collection, a biennial showcase for local artists, is not as strong as two years ago, but there was still some great work. Make sure to visit the gift shop and enjoy a drink or meal at Lulu downstairs.”
💬 What parents mention
Overview
The Hammer Museum is a free-admission contemporary art institution affiliated with UCLA in the Westwood neighborhood. The building spans a full city block on Wilshire Blvd at Westwood Blvd. Exhibitions rotate frequently, featuring both emerging local artists and established names. Programming includes artist talks, lunchtime lectures, Art Lab activities for children, and film screenings. Parking is available with validation. The Armand Hammer Collection provides a small permanent holdings base.
