I have no doubt that my love and appreciation for music comes from my Dad. When we were planning what to do during his recent visit I recommended going to the Grammy Museum. We had tickets to watch the LA Kings play at the Staples Center so it was a perfect addition. The Grammy Museum is part of LA Live which is in the exact same area as the Staples Center and more.
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My first visit to The Grammy Museum was back in 2015 but in 2019 I visited again on the Smithsonian Magazine’s Free Museum Day. On my second visit, an entire floor of the museum was under construction so be sure to do some research before your visit. If even one floor is under construction there is not much to see. This is a cool museum to visit and while it is something I recommend it is not worth it unless everything is open.
Be sure to take a photo at the cute Colette Miller angel wings out front! I have a full list of all the Colette Miller Angel Wings in LA that you can check out.
The Walk of Fame in Hollywood is famous for the stars with names of well-known actors, singers, directors and more. Outside of the Grammy Museum is a Grammy Walk of Fame which lists the Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist for various years. Â
What To Know Before You Go
Admission
Free museum days that include the Grammy Museum are limited so this will more than likely only benefit locals versus visitors. That being said be sure to keep an eye out for the Smithsonian Magazine’s Free Museum Day in September. Previously I got an AAA discount which was $2 off but I cannot find any information that says that the offer is still available.
If you will be doing lots of activities in the LA area consider getting the Go LA Pass which includes admission to several amazing places for one price. The Grammy Museum is on the list of attractions included. You can find out more information on the Go City LA Pass here.
Tickets Prices:
$18 for Adults
$15 for Seniors (65+)
$12 College Students (Valid ID Required)
$12 Youth (Ages 6-17)
$15 Military (Valid ID Required)
Children 5 and under are free.
Hours of Operation:
Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday : 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m​.
CLOSED TUESDAYS
Parking:
It is possible to find metered parking near the Museum. However, that will limit the time that you have to spend inside the museum so if you’re someone who takes a long time consider finding a $10 or less flat-rate lot. Be sure to read the signs as some lots charge $3 per 15 minutes. The LA Live parking lot could cost over $20 depending on how long you stay.
One tip I have is if you think you could have lunch & visit the museum from 11 am-2 pm you could park at LA Live for free. Park in either the East Garage (Lot E, Enter on Olympic Boulevard) or West Garage (Lot W, Gates E & F – Enter on Georgia Street and turn on West Road). Be sure to check with the restaurant upfront that they offer parking validation.
Validations are good for free parking from 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. only. If you stay past 2 p.m., the clock starts at 2 p.m. and you will have to pay the standard posted rates up to the max rate. Please note that this offer is only valid Monday – Friday.
The Grammy Museum at LA Live
The Museum is three stories. We were given a map when we walked inside and directed to the elevators to take us to the top floor. Once you exit the elevator you are in a room with projections on both sides of the room with speeches from various Grammy winners over the years. There are also Grammy awards in glass cases to show how the award has changed in appearance over the years. The museum does not solely focus on Grammy nominees and winners but also sheds light on the different types of music as well as a wide variety of instruments.
Typically, once or twice a year a new exhibit will open up. When I first visited they had a wonderful Frank Sinatra exhibit. This past year they had a Backstreet Boys exhibit and before that had one about Taylor Swift.
Who Is The Grammy Museum For
Music fans will have a better appreciation for the museum than others. It is small but packed with interesting memorabilia and information. The museum is a great family-friendly place, especially with interactive displays. However, as there is a lot of reading and listening with several displays some children might be bored.