Hammer Museum — Attraction in Los Angeles

The Hammer Museum, located in the heart of Westwood near UCLA, is one of LA’s coolest cultural gems. It’s an art museum that feels fresh, welcoming, and totally approachable—even if you’re not a hardcore art lover. It’s the kind of place where you can just wander in, explore, and leave feeling inspired (bonus: admission is always free!).

What makes the Hammer special is its focus on contemporary art and its dedication to showcasing works that challenge traditional ideas. The museum is all about pushing boundaries and starting conversations. Whether it’s a bold painting, an experimental video installation, or a thought-provoking sculpture, the art here feels alive and relevant. You’ll see works by famous names like Ed Ruscha and Barbara Kruger alongside emerging artists, which keeps the collection exciting and unpredictable.

One of the highlights of visiting the Hammer is its rotating exhibitions. They’re constantly bringing in new and innovative shows, so every visit feels different. You might walk into a gallery and find yourself surrounded by immersive installations or art tackling social justice themes. It’s the kind of place that makes you think about the world in new ways, and the exhibitions are always timely and thought-provoking.

Another great feature of the museum is its permanent collection, which includes some impressive pieces of European and American art from the Hammer family’s original holdings. If you’re into classic works, you’ll find gems from the likes of Rembrandt and Van Gogh tucked into the museum’s quieter corners.

The Hammer isn’t just about the art, though—it’s also a community hub. They host tons of events, from artist talks and film screenings to live performances and panel discussions. These events are often free and open to the public, making it a fantastic spot for locals and tourists alike to engage with LA’s vibrant cultural scene.

The vibe at the Hammer is casual and inviting. The museum’s architecture is modern and sleek, with plenty of natural light streaming into the galleries. There’s also a lovely courtyard at the center of the museum, perfect for taking a breather or grabbing a coffee from the café. It’s a great place to relax and soak in the creative energy.

Since the museum is located in Westwood, it’s easy to pair a visit to the Hammer with exploring the surrounding area. Westwood Village has lots of shops, restaurants, and UCLA’s beautiful campus, so you can easily spend an entire day in the neighborhood. Plus, parking is relatively easy in the nearby lots, which is a huge win in LA.

A quick tip: Because admission is free, it’s easy to pop in for a quick visit or even just to check out one or two exhibitions. But if you’ve got the time, it’s worth lingering and exploring everything the museum has to offer.

In short, the Hammer Museum is one of LA’s must-visit art destinations. It’s bold, engaging, and accessible—a perfect spot for anyone looking to experience the cutting edge of contemporary art while soaking in a bit of LA’s...

I found this museum through a great site that lists all the museums and galleries in L.A. county and surrounding areas. I recommend searching for it. I'll add it here later.

The internet read about the Hammer sounded intriguing which inspired me to try it. It's in west L.A. on a corner with paid parking below.

The opening installation covered two full walls and it was a mix of textures and 3-d materials. It's abstract and well done.

The galleries had exhibits that were either your taste or not, pretty specific. The pieces were huge sort of anime meets collage. The artist had talent, however the pieces were too random and some had the base level stuff like "Come and get it!" with splats of the title word all over it. This is where I turn left...

There was an interactive sort of video thing where you got headphones to listen to a woman carry on about an unknown subject. Later she had a sort of a robotic outfit on while she slowly torqued around the room. Door please...; )

For me the best part were the chairs on the patio that look and feel like spinning tops. You sit in them and the toss you all around without ejecting you. You can even order your own through the store for $750...I'm down.

The space in general is very nice with a restaurant I didn't try. The admission is free. There's a store that is a blast into the days of hippies and related activities. This is hosted by Armand Hammer of baking soda fame. Big bucks and their personal...

free admission . No need to buy tickets nor for reservation .Beautiful museum if you look at the shell of it . Its big white very large and spacious not over crowded . When you take the stairs there is a beautiful courtyard with trees , very peaceful . They do have a few very famous painting from rembrant van gogh monet which are breath taking . You can see them upclose . They are display in a beautiful gold frame . Those 1600 to 1800s paintings are the most interesting part of hammer.they are well preserved and care for. The rest was an absolute joke between a bunch of canvas cut out with all rags glue in it rusty chains and a bunch of rulers and mesurement on display. The green laser exibit look like something u would see in raves or nightclubs and its ONE big circle of laser thats it not really a novelty or anything to be impressed about . Really ?! Thats the best they could come up with ???? There isnt a lack of artists out there and many way more deserving than whats was display .... hugely disapointed . Not as good as the getty or the broad . Parking cost was very reasonable 8$ yes yes art is subjective but some feel like they are taking people for fools . What happens to skills and talent ??? Ive seen it once not sure i would waste my time going back unless they get better artists and exibit or expend their painting collection ( which again is small...