Autry National Center
This fascinating center is home to the Museum of the American West, the Southwest Museum of the American Indian, and the Institute for the Study of the American West. 4700 Western Heritage Way, Los Angeles.  323-667-2000.  www.autrynationalcenter.org.

California Science Center
Enjoy the IMAX film Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D, narrated by Tom Hanks. Or for a “moving” experience, test the earthquake simulator in the Technology Hall. 700 State Drive, Los Angeles. 323-SCIENCE. www.californiasciencecenter.org.

Getty Center
Check out the Getty's collection of Western art from the Middle Ages to the present against a backdrop of dramatic architecture, tranquil gardens, and breathtaking views.  1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles.  310-440-7300. www.getty.edu.

Getty Villa
Visit the reimagined Getty Villa. Find yourself transported to ancient Rome and spend the day ogling rare finds from Roman, Grecian and Etruscan antiquity, like the bronze Statue of a Victorious Youth. 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades.  310-440-7300. www.getty.edu.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The diverse collection housed at LACMA includes more than 100,000 works from around the world spanning the history of art from ancient times to the present. LACMA also offers up plenty of special workshops for kids and families. Plus, admission is free after 5pm. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-857-6000. www.lacma.org.

Museum of Contemporary Art
MOCA collects, exhibits and interprets art created since 1940 in all media. Admission is free every Thursday from 5 – 8pm. One museum, three locations: 250 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. 152 N. Central Ave., Los Angeles. 8687 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood. 213-626-6222. www.moca.org.

Museum of Latin American Art
The Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA) is the only museum in the western United States that exclusively features contemporary Latin American fine art.  628 Alamitos Avenue, Long Beach.  562-437-1689.  www.molaa.org

Museum of Tolerance
This highly emotional, high tech, hands-on museum focuses on two central themes through unique interactive exhibits: the dynamics of racism and prejudice in America and the history of the Holocaust, the ultimate example of man's inhumanity to man. 9786 West Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. 310-553-8403.  www.museumoftolerance.com.

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
A crown jewel of LA museums and a national leader in exhibitions, education, and research, this museum is LA’s second oldest cultural institution. 900 Exposition Blvd., Los Angeles. 213-763-DINO.  www.nhm.org.

Norton Simon Museum of Art
This fine art museum houses a private collection of European, American and Asian art, including many of the bronze sculptures in Edgar Degas’ Dancer series. 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. 626-449-6840.  www.nortonsimon.org.

Page Museum at La Brea Tar Pits
Located in the heart of LA, this is one of the world’s most famous fossil sites, recognized for having the largest and most diverse assemblage of extinct Ice Age plants and animals in the world. 5801 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles.  323-934-PAGE. www.tarpits.org.

Petersen Automotive Museum
Indulge your inner hot-rod historian at this museum. Like Cheech Marin says: “From car shows to Petersen Automotive Museum, LA is the world capital of car culture”. Located near LACMA. 6060 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. 323-930-2277. www.petersen.org.