I've been to this museum twice already since I was amazed at what this location has to offer. It's a smaller museum compared to the Huntington library. If you're a student or have EBT you can access this museum for free. Parking is free as well. You reserve your tickets online & just present your proof of ID for student or EBT. There are 2 floors to this museum & an outdoor garden as well. A mix of European art , modern pieces , sculptures , & Southeast asian art as well. I was here for a good 2 hours for my last visit since I was taking it all in. Once done, I love to grab some kettle chips & a signature drink from their cafe by the garden. I sit & journal for a bit then walk around the gardens. The small souvenir store is delightful in where you can purchase small or large prints of your favorite pieces. Books , trinkets, & museum merchandise is also available. I will come back for their next exhibit to see what other pieces will be displayed. read more

See all

I really enjoy visiting the Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena. The museum has an incredible collection of art, from 14th-16th century European art to 20th century modern art. They also do special exhibitions throughout the year. I like the museum's layout as it doesn't feel overwhelming, and it's 's easy to take your time and really enjoy the art. There is also a store and café. Tickets: $20 general admission, $15 for seniors, free for students and children under 18 Membership: starts at $100 ($60 for teachers) Parking: free on site plus street parking read more

See all

Pros: Wonderful place for a date or a time to see the historic art. Free admission for students. Decent collection of artworks from modern to contemporary period. Parking could be better (best time to find parking is when they first open the doors) but the parking was not the reason for the two star review. Cons: The security guards have an attitude. Had a sketching session stopped short since I was not in an area designated for sitting. Maybe it's time to add more benches? I didn't even touch anything, not even the sculptures! This was my third visit, and it was the worst one of all. First two in the last two-three months went with no problems. All I did was watch the artwork, never touched, and took pictures. The third visit was the first time I ventured into the sculptures section, which should not be a problem as it was outdoors and allowed the freedom to sit or stand and sketch the works. On another note, if you want classic era works you're better off going to the Getty Villa. Museum tends to be predominantly focused on modern art (1800s and later). Can't give them 4 stars, just two. It would've been three if the guards were not this big headed. It would've been four if they expanded their classical sculpture collection. LACMA will have a similar collection when they open their Geffen complex. This incident was a whole other level of bad. The Getty has been known to have security guards with attitudes, but I didn't expect this at the Norton Simon. I left the museum with a bitter experience. read more

PRO-TIP: Free for students with valid ID and EBT card holders. Plenty of parking and a great way to spend the afternoon. No water bottles or flasks so make sure to leave them in the car or you can check them in at the front desk. There are some permanent collections and they rotate out collections as well, so make sure to check before your visit. They also have a nice sculpture garden, pond, and cafe outside, but if there's construction it might have been moved to the side. Permanent collections include: paintings and sculptures from Europe, America, South and Southeast Asia, and much more. Lots of great pieces from the 18th century and before. I love the still life pieces and the impressionist ones of nature and daily life. Big fan of both artist van Gogh and FGO servant van Gogh (actually there's a couple FGO references at the museum too which are nice). Love that there's seats in some areas and people can relax, sit down, admire the art, and sometimes I see people sketching too. I also really liked that they rotate out prints of their artwork for free that you can grab before leaving the museum. There's a theater (need to check out a film or viewing here one day), several wings, and floors. I love the spiral staircase in the middle too. A past exhibit I really enjoyed was Francisco de Goya's works. Big fan of "The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters" and was really cool that I got to see it in person. Can't wait for my next visit. read more

See all

Such an amazing museum. A favorite of ours. Support the arts whenever possible. Recommend for a relaxing peaceful day. read more

See all

4th stop of the day and 2 museum on our date day adventure was this beautiful art museum which contains the works of all the world renowned artists and sculptors. If you are into learning about art history along with some visual stimulation, this is the place. read more

Norton Simon Museum - Art Museums Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

Kids are free! What a great surprise when we arrived to check out some famous artists works. We were able to see Van Gogh, Degas, Rembrandt, Morrisot, and so many others. We went in keeping an eye open for our favorite piece of art and came with several. We stopped outside and grabbed a coffee and some pastries, and sat by the little pond and enjoyed the beautiful scenery before heading home. Such a great day! read more

See all

The Norton Simon museum is a nice size to stroll through quickly or make a half day of it. The grounds are well manicured and the galleries are nice with a good selection of art to browse. The museum has a nice vibe to it. The outdoor cafe that looks onto the lily pond is a lovely setting for lunch or coffee and a pastry. And everything I've ordered off of their food and drink menu has been tasty. The gift shop has a large collection of art coffee table books along with other high end gift shop merchandise. Parking is available. Students, with a school id, get in free. Adults $20 per person. Typically the museum is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Check their website for special hours around the holidays. read more

See all

Museums like this one are amazing. Every single piece of art you see was literally acquired by industrialist Norton Simon himself! Nothing "on loan from" or "donated by" here. Once one of the richest people in the world (worth $10 billion in the 1960s), Simon collected largely Impressionist and Old Masters, as well as sculpture. He bought this building (which was the Pasadena Museum of Art), had it renamed, and used it to house his own collection. Just wow! [A museum like this one is the Broad in downtown LA; the art there is from Eli Broad's own collection]. Tragedy strikes both rich and poor. Simon divorced after his son Robert Simon committed suicide at age 31. He then had a great second act, marrying Hollywood royalty (actress Jennifer Jones) and becoming one of LA's most notable philanthropists. On to the museum: huge free parking lot on Colorado Boulevard, right across from a Ralph's. Free admission with student ID. Monet, Van Gogh, Raphael anyone? Lots of that stuff, and plenty of those huge paintings that I guess would go in peoples' castles or something. The star of this museum is the outdoor garden and giant pond. Even someone who hates eating outside like me cannot resist grabbing something from their very small cafe and hanging out, pond-side. Final stop at the well-stocked gift shop for your Madonna and Child coffee mug. read more

Norton Simon Museum - Ready for the holidays at Norton Simon - Art Museums Near Me - Pasadena, California

Beautiful museum and gorgeous garden. Never overly crowded, with an amazing collection of painart and sculptures. We always enjoyed visiting the gallery and peaceful outdoor space. They have a little cafe in the sculpture garden area as well. Plan to be there for a couple of hours! Check the hours before you go; they're closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Parking is free in their private lot. read more

Norton Simon Museum - Garden - Art Museums Near Me - Pasadena, California

Best kept secret art museum in the area. Not as well known as the Getty and I'm fine with it as it allows for a more personal experience with the art pieces. Visited twice in last three years...past posting photos attached. Parking can be a challenge at times but not impossible. read more

See all

Norton Simon Museum (established in 1975 - was known as Pasadena Art Institute or Pasadena Art Museum) is an art museum in Pasadena and our party recently came here for "50 Years: A Golden Anniversary Weekend Celebration". [Parking]: Free onsite parking but completely packed on Saturday. I ended up just finding a metered parking near W Green St & S St John Ave. [Admission]: $20 per adult, but our party came during 50 Years: A Golden Anniversary Weekend Celebration so free admission. [What to see]: You want to see Pablo Picasso? Vincent van Gogh? Claude Monet? Edgar Degas? You will certainly find some of their artworks here. Not enough? They also got a small but really beautiful sculpture garden. On the bottom level they have an impressive South and Southeast Asian Painting and Sculpture collection. There was Live Music in the Galleries during the weekend celebration. [Other special notes]: Offer public tour see website for more details ( https://www.nortonsimon.org/calendar/tours-and-talks ). The museum is divided into the following sections: 14th to 16th Centuries (main level), 17th to 18th Centuries (main level), 19th Century (main level), 20th Century (main level), Theater (main level), Sculpture Garden (main level), South and Southeast Asian Art (lower level), Asian Sculpture Garden (lower level), and special exhibitions (main & lower levels). [Conclusion]: This is a small but mighty art museum with an impressive art collection. I am a big fan of this museum. read more

See all

The Norton Simon Museum in Pasadena is celebrating its 50th anniversary and just had a weekend-long "party". I'm old enough to remember when the museum was being built. It gets prime exposure every New Years Day during the Rose Parade, as it sits right on the corner of Colorado Blvd and Orange Grove, where the parade turns. It's a beautiful H-shaped building that houses industrialist Norton Simon's large collection of European and Southeast Asian art. The museum and its gorgeous Sculpture Garden have been improved and beautified over the past year. The museum offers free parking. Right at the entrance is Rodin's "The Thinker" bronze sculpture. The interior galleries are separated into 5 areas: European art 14th-16th centuries, 17th-18th centuries, 19th century and 20th century, plus South and Southeast Asian art downstairs. There's also a gallery downstairs for temporary exhibitions, currently "Gold: Enduring Power, Sacred Craft". On the main level there is a theatre where they were doing live model sketching. There were also live music performances, a sitar player during my visit. Even an novice art-lover will find may recognizable artists here, including Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Picasso, Cezanne, Degas, Monet, Manet +. The Sculpture Garden has pieces interspersed along the peaceful paths, with a central pond. There is a cafe here, run by the Patina Group. An enriching, educational and beautiful Pasadena experience. read more

See all

My sons are older now and my middle son is really into art. I took him and my youngest for an hour to walk around and see some pieces. Students are still free, parking is free and adults are $20. Well worth the cost and time to ensure my kiddos grow up appreciating art. read more

Norton Simon Museum - Learning about Rembrandt (kids edition) - Art Museums Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

My husband and I went to the Norton Simon on the SoCal Free Museums day and unfortunately we got the wrong info because, it was still $20 per person, since this museum does not participate. A shame would have been to turn around and go home to OC, which was what my husband suggested. But I was determined to visit since we found parking in the lot, and had driven over an hour to be there. I haven't been to the NS since college and the admission has since gone up but the collection is still vastly amazing. They have the largest Degas collection in the world. Their impressionist collection is exceptional and because I'm partial, I do love some Rodin sculptures that they have displayed in the outdoor garden. There are a few Van Goghs, Monets, Manets, and Picasso thrown in the mix. What is there to complain about? We live in SoCal and on a lovely winter day, it can be 75F outside. The museum is a great way to spend a couple hours with your loved one. Enjoy the art, and wander about afterwards down Colorado Blvd for lunch. read more

See all

This museum is so beau and rich with history! I really enjoyed my Friday afternoon here. This 2 level experience is truly set apart from some of the other art exhibits and experiences throughout the SoCal area. It's very moody and quiet yet radiating smooth cool tones and deep art and artifacts. I was truly pleasantly surprised and cannot wait to visit again. read more

See all

I have been to this museum a total of three times, this review will be of my last visit with my friend Conrad, who likes museums but does not immerse himself in the experience. Meaning that he window shops through-out the museum and does not wonder how a painting was made or what does it mean in a broader historical context, or what does the paining mean in terms of an artists broader work portfolio. I, on the other hand, can view, sit, think, walk, sit, review a painting, read about its meaning and place in the world, and wander aImlessly until I find something that makes me view the world in a different way. Our museum walking styles are not necessarily in conflict, we walk in compromise learning from each other, while both of us respect (and sometimes tolerate or give in) to each others pace. When I think about Picasso, I think about his most famous panting's that are made a la cubism. You know, he takes a person and breaks them into figures, to make them whole. On this visit to the museum, I learned that Picasso also used, chalk in his work. I clipped the picture, it is the one with the woman with big hands. When Conrad and I viewed the photo, we both remembered the Seinfeld episode where Jerry dates a woman with big hands. In this photo, not sure if Picasso was trying to communicate something with her big hands, like where ladies in this time period more prone to opening jars of their time period? And if so, does it mean that can openers were not hip back then? During our visit, the museum also had an area for artists of all dreams, to place their work upon a small paper that was bigger than a typical flashcard. If I am using flashcards as a unit of measure, I think that the length of the paper would be two and half of them. My favorite one was of this ballerina, or woman that looks like a ballerina, looking at herself in one of those mirrors that allows you to look at yourself from different angles--- maybe like a changing room mirror? The artwork was stunning--- like how does someone have command of a color pencil to create beauty on a blank sheet? Perhaps a spider bit the person and gifted them hands that can draw beyond typical convention? The artist added text to her painting and said, "It does not have to be perfect to beautiful." She drew a heart under this statement. This is where the artists lost me. She had created something so beautiful that I did not think that she had the right to say that her art was imperfect and still beautiful. It is like a rich person, saying to a non-rich person, you don't need money to enjoy life, as he drove off to his second mansion, while driving his Lambo, with a diamond rolex on his wrist. What would the person on the side walk think as he saw the license plates of the rich drive away? I am the type of museum goer that reads the explanation placards to the side of a painting. One of the such placards explained why fruit stills were immensely popular during their time, which helped me appreciate the painting more. It is hard to imagine, but there was a time where cameras were not even an idea for creation. Thus, still paintings were the only legitimate way to show the beauty of the everyday. And the bowl of cherries, with its shadows, its near perfect spheres, and it stems might have been the only way to document the beauty of cherries for the ages, or so those artists might have thought. Another placard reminded me that their were people in the past who suffered by choice--- monks and priests and others like them who took a vow of poverty? And these people took the vow seriously, they had fidelity to toil out of choice. This museum is not celebrated like the the Getty or LACMA, but I think it is a missed opportunity. If someone is visiting family in the area, and needs to fill a few hours with beautiful art or escape to a place for peace this can definitely help. If you are in the camp of people, that needs peace on a matter, I invite you to go to the bench in front of a statue. That is where Conrad and I discussed how a life is made good by the choices we make. True, this is a universal fact that is almost a cliche, but knowing something and practicing the preach is a different story. Remember, those monks I wrote about above, they pledged poverty and did not cheat because, I hope, they had conviction to make their choices sound. read more

See all

This museum has a really nice collection of paintings and sculptures. I am a big museum nerd and love coming here when I am visiting Pasadena. Norton Simon Museum is located on Colorado Blvd in Old Town Pasadena. It is named after Norton Simon because a lot of the art that he collected during his life is housed here. Admission price is reasonable for a smaller museum. They have over ten thousand works of art here and occasionally host temporary exhibitions that focus on a particular artist. Norton Simon Museum has paintings from artists like Rembrandt, Raphael, Matisse, Monet and Picasso. Outside is a Rodin sculpture at the entrance. Norton Simon shows films and hosts lectures and performances year-round. I enjoy taking a day to walk around here. I took a few a classes on art history back in college and appreciate many of the paintings in their collection. "Madonna and Child with the Book" by Raphael and "Self-Portrait Wearing a Beret" by Rembrandt are a couple of my favorite ones. They once displayed "The Scream" by Edvard Munch and I was in town to see it. read more

See all

I haven't been to the Norton Simon since the pandemic, recently read that it underwent a remodel for its 50th anniversary and really wanted to check it out. I had the day off for the MLK holiday so I took myself on a field trip to the Norton Simon Museum. I took the Expo line from the La Cienega/Jefferson station, made the transfer to the A line at the Little Tokyo station to the Memorial Park station stop where it was a 15 minute walk down Colorado to the Norton Simon. I could not have picked a better day to go: the parking at the metro station/train rides were free due to the holiday and the weather was a picture perfect 75 degrees. From front entrance, to the art collection, gift shop, and gardens, the Norton Simon is beautiful. The outdoor sculpture garden is well maintained, its landscaped nicely with a pond, lily pads, flowers, bronze statues and walking paths located throughout. There's an outdoor café with plenty of outdoor shaded seating which is really nice if you just want sit, think and zone out in a peaceful surrounding. It truly is an oasis in the middle of busy old town Pasadena. The museum itself is easy to navigate and it's not so big that you couldn't see everything in one day. The collection is pretty impressive with Picasso's, Van Gogh's, Klee's, Degas, Rodin's and Matisse's. The galleries are perfectly laid out with the proper lighting in each one to showcase the colors in the paintings. After the museum, I just walked up and down Colorado, reminiscing of all of the good times I've had, checking out the changes, new restaurants and shops. I eventually grabbed a late lunch at True Food, sat outside and people watched. I walked back to the train station just as the sun was setting over city hall which, in my opinion, is one of the prettiest city halls in the San Gabriel Valley. The Norton Simon is on Colorado just blocks away from all of the hustle and bustle of old town, and it was great way to spend the day. I'm glad I took the train and got to explore the different stops on the way to my destination. I would highly recommend the Norton Simon if you're in the area. read more

See all

I stumbled upon this museum with intentions of spending an hour or two but the collections were surprisingly large. Thankfully students received free admission and I like how they closed at 7PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Personally I would arrive before sundown to observe the outside sculptures in natural lighting but they were still sufficiently illuminated during the night. There were two floors, with the top focusing on portraits and the bottom on sculptures and modern art. *Plugged In: electrical art. My least favorite exhibit as it felt sparse and unexplained. A bit too isolated for my taste. *Look Alive A Still Comparison: a bit limited but it was interesting having a small section focused on the comparison of similar inspirations. Would have like to see other artwork opposed with each other too. *European Painting and Sculptures: such an expansive collection that was grouped appropriately into the respective themes. There were multiple rooms that would satisfy anyone regarding natural, nautical, religious, and familial inspirations. *South and Southeast Asian Painting and Sculptures: gorgeous and ancient sculptures surrounded the bottom floor. I wished there were more placards explaining the overall themes and meanings as they weren't grouped as cleanly or neatly. Even so, I found this floor to be the most impressive in number and craftsmanship. They also had a nice sculpture park outdoors with a cafe. Everything was well maintained and it was peaceful enough despite the bustling traffic outside. Lovely museum that incentivizes students to stay cultured and study. Otherwise, I would still recommend this to adults who want to spend a few hours admiring historic art. read more

See all

This is a HUGE museum and we were lucky enough to come in for a free Friday night. I was so impressed that they were open again despite the recent fires. There is plenty of art and even a downstairs portion of the gallery as well as a sculpture garden outside read more

See all

Wonderful collection at this relatively small, quite beautiful museum. Currently going through a remodel, but the main galleries are all open. Free parking right in the front lot is nice. Really delightful way to spend a few hours. The sculpture garden is currently closed which made me only a little bit sad. I have a lot of nostalgia for this lovely place. I have been coming with my parents since I was tiny. I always loved it. The Degas collection is exquisite. Today I also spent time with Picasso, Rembrant and Van Gogh as well as many other Italian, French and Dutch masters. Really worth a visit. read more

See all

Family Review of the Norton Simon Museum Our visit to the Norton Simon Museum was such a wonderful experience! As a family on a budget, we really appreciated that admission was free with our EBT card as it made the museum accessible for us and took away the stress of cost. We happened to go on Family Day, which was the highlight of our visit. A staff member led an engaging session where kids sat down and discussed what they saw in the artwork. She met their energy perfectly, asked thoughtful questions, and made them feel excited to share. Afterward, kids and adults got to create their own art (making pieces of a picnic) with lots of hands-on support from the staff. It was creative, fun, and made the museum feel welcoming for children. The rest of the museum was just as enjoyable. Thanks to what he learned in the guided activity, my son was able to stay engaged for our entire four-hour visit. This is big considering he is a 6-year-old with ADHD. He walked through the galleries using the same prompts ("What do you see? How do you think they were feeling?") and connected with the art in such a meaningful way. The only small drawback was the café, which didn't have many kid-friendly food options beyond fruit. Not a dealbreaker, but something to note if you're bringing little ones. Pro Tip: Pick up the family guide at the entrance! It has activities that make exploring the museum extra fun for kids! Overall, the Norton Simon Museum exceeded our expectations, and we will definitely be back. It's a gem for families looking for an affordable, engaging, and art-filled day together. P.S. the security guard outside was super nice and greeted us as we walked up. Then on our way out, he remembered my kiddo and asked how it went and what his favorite piece was. My son was so excited he remembered him! read more

See all

This is a hidden jewel, absolutely gorgeous, serene always a peaceful, beautiful place to get lost in

This is what I called the heart of Pasadena . I tried to come visit the museum as much as possible, super relaxing, very clean very quiet very social you can see all kinds of friends walking around from young and old everybody enjoying the art, the peace, and just taking in the knowledge super beautiful that we could preserve such an awesome spot especially after all the fires. I'm so happy this place wasn't affected by the fires. Sending out my prayers for all who were. read more

Well first things first... don't back into a parking space! Now on with my review. Since I went to the Huntington Library the previous day it was easy to compare both experiences. Norton Simon is by far the best between the two for Impressionist art and accessible restrooms too. The food options are far better at the Library and so is the Gift shop but the grounds here are compact and it makes for a very relaxing day. There are a lot of nooks and crannies here with art tucked away so be sure you are making your way down every corridor. They have some of the most treasured and sought after pieces here in their collection so worth seeing. I confess I did not explore the lower level art exhibit, which holds the Asian Sculpture Garden as well as the South and South East Asia works of art. Perhaps another day. Great thing here is you don't necessarily need sunscreen or be concerned about a heat stroke while you enjoy the artwork - especially because this place is much smaller and unless you are going to see the Sculptures outside your time is spent indoors. Parking lot security seemed 'grumpy' but the staff indoors were pleasant enough. Respectfully Reviewed. read more

See all

Was pleasantly surprised to find this museum not far from downtown Pasadena. The Norton Simon Museum houses an impressive private art collections. The industrialist Norton Simon collected European as well as Asian art. Some of my favorite artists were here including Frank Stella, Diebenkorn (Bay Area Figurative Artist) and Warhol. The outside is beautiful as well with a gorgeous lily pond, sculpture garden and a reasonably-priced cafe. Adult entry prices are $20 each but the first Friday of the month it is free from 4:00 - 7:00. If you are in the area, I would check this place out! read more

Norton Simon Museum - Atrium - Art Museums Near Me - Pasadena, California

Amazing experience!I came Saturday and Sunday for two days and want to back for more.I personally think this is the best museum in Los Angeles ,I thank Jesus for let me being there for some moments to enjoy the beauty of art.I went on their 50 year's anniversary so it's free entrance.I feel so blessed.I recommend it to all my friends and customers who loves art .Amazing!!! read more

See all

One of my absolute favorite museums in so cal. It's not the largest museum but there's so many beautiful pieces and love how the museum is organized. The sculpture garden outside is also such a nice area. There's also a small cafe with a seating area outside. We took our time and it took us about 2 hours to walk through and see everything. Also free parking!! read more

See all

Whenever we travel, we look for and enjoy discovering the rich community and historical cultural tapestries, cuisines, and sights at that destination. When we visit my relatives in Los Angeles, I credit my brother-in-law for coordinating our activities and dining experiences. So, on a sunny and hot (95° F) day, we escaped to Pasadena's Norton Simon Museum to view 14th to 20th Century European art, 20th Century American Art, South and Southeast Asian Art, and the special exhibit featuring Spanish painter, Francisco Goya, who many consider the last of the Old Masters. While walking along the entrance path, we were treated to several bronze sculptures by Auguste Rodin, who many regard as "the founder of modern sculpture." Being somewhat of a francophile, I sought the original sculpture of Rodin's Le Penseur at Paris' Musée Rodin. I took several weeks visiting the galleries in the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, Musée de l'Armée, Musée Picasso, Centre Pompidou- Musée National d'Art Moderne and the Château de Versailles et de Trianon while staying in Paris, France, in my twenties. The Norton Simon museum also includes an outdoor sculpture garden behind the museum. We took our time touring the galleries by starting with the 14th - 16th C European collection, then moving onto next gallery containing 17th - 18th C European art work before taking a break downstairs to the South and Southeast Asian Art collection. After returning upstairs to the main floor, we dipped into the special exhibit of Francisco Goya and completed the tour with the 19th and 20th Century collections. I prefer artwork by the Old Masters to modern art as I think I can see and feel what the artist is conveying. This museum doesn't overwhelm your senses with its various collections, and we're thankful to the late American industrialist and philanthropist Norton Simon for sharing his interest and passion for the arts. read more

See all

Very nice art museum. Lots of galleries and famous painters' artwork. However, minus 1 star because this older lady employee at the front doors near the front desks was condescending when she told me to check in my Hydro Flask. Like chill with the attitude geez lol. Other than that, it was nice to stroll through here and enjoy the art pieces. The outside garden is always a pretty walk through, nice leisurely walk and very picturesque. Definitely worth it to take advantage of the free first Friday each month. read more

This museum is free for Pasadena City College students, and I'm really glad I checked it out. I'm not a huge art connoisseur, but seeing the pieces in person definitely makes you appreciate them more. Some of the lighting is a bit bright, so a few paintings had glare, but that didn't take away from the experience. I was surprised by how many artists I actually recognized--Van Gogh, Picasso, all the Frenchy's (Monet, Manet, Degas, Cézanne), and of course Diego Rivera's Girl with Lilies. Don't skip the downstairs! It holds an incredible collection of beautifully preserved Hindu and Buddhist art, including statues, carvings, and relics. It's a great collection, and honestly, I highly recommend it--even if you're not an art lover. It's worth the visit. read more

See all

The Norton Simon Museum is one of my favorite Los Angeles museums. And certainly my favorite museum in Pasadena. Located at 411 Colorado Blvd, the Norton Simon seems deceptively small. But when you start to really explore, you realize that the campus and collection are quite vast. As you approach the museum you're immediately confronted with castings of two of Rodin's most famous sculptures: The Thinker and the Burghers of Calais. Entering through the glass door, you have three options: left, right or straight through into the garden. If you take the front path you will enter one of the sculpture gardens. A small lake studded with lotuses and pretty garden provide the back drop for a number of large sculptures by Henry Moore and Henri Laurens. By the lake there is also a cafe where food and beverages are for sale. The left route (i.e. the left from where you entered the museum) will take you to the European collection, which is rather good. However, I almost always take the right. You'll see the gift shop and the stairs to the lower floor. This is where the South and Southeast Asian collection is housed. And it is pretty spectacular. On display you will find an enormous range of sculptures of Hindu, Buddhist and Jain statues. Being something of a connoisseur of the art of this region, I definitely think it is one of the best collections I've seen. You will encounter images of divine figures in stone, bronze, gilt and virtually every other medium. You can easily get lost in the midst of all of these divine images. But if you pay attention you'll also notice that there is an exit that takes to a second sculpture garden (or third if you count the Rodins), featuring large Hindu and Buddhist images. It is quite a serene little path of art pieces. I like the fact that the room from which you enter this sculpture garden has a wall of glass, bringing that outdoors inside and the inside out of doors. Do keep in mind that Tuesdays and Wednesdays the Museum is closed. Adult admissions are twenty dollars. However, students with ID and those 18 and under get in for free. So make sure you keep your ID on you post-graduation! Definitely a lovely place to spend an afternoon. read more

Norton Simon Museum - Ganesha with his wives, Buddhi and Siddhi. 1164 C.E. - Art Museums Near Me - Pasadena, California

See all

This museum is currently under going construction but don't let this stop you! Most of the construction is for the outside area and sculpture garden. Admission is $20 per person. There's 2 levels, the bottom level has a bunch of sculptures and focuses on southeast Asian works. The top level has European art ranging from past centuries like the 16th to the 20th century with Picasso and other well known artists. There's a huge collection and you can definitely spend all day here. There's a free parking lot. read more

This museum is insane, with so many exhibits and various artwork from different time periods! If you are a museum person, this place is a must-visit! If you have a student ID, admission is free but normally adults are $20! Navigating the museum is simple and smooth, with six total sections. Explore their 14th-15th century, 17th-18th century, 19th century, 20th century, South and Southeast Asia, and a sculpture garden! Some artists that caught my eye are Monet, Picasso, and Van Gough! We spent an hour and a half here and took some memorable pictures! The museum also offers free parking, a cafe with outside seating, and a shop with souvenirs to take home. read more

See all

RUN!!! DON'T WALK TO GET THERE!!! A definite must see and mist do if you are in the Pasadena area. Gorgeous statues dawn the entrance of the Museum with Rodin at his best. They have European art Rembrandt, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh and the list goes on. There is a movie theater which will play features of their exhibits and while I didn't see it because it wasn't playing is a short clip on Norton Simon himself. The surrounding exterior gardens were beautiful. During my visit, there was a mommy goose sitting on her goose egg and the daddy goose protecting the mommy goose! Go figure A few tips- you can walk if you're in downtown Pasadena. It's a short walk up Colorado Blvd. (ok, no so short maybe 15 minutes by foot) but if you go during the right times, it's a comfortable walk (not so hot...) Admission fee= Children, Students, Adults and Seniors. I should have taken a snapshot of the Admission Fee Schedule.. I didn't think fast enough But Suffice to say, I will go back. There is much to see there. I wonder? would I be able to pack a lunch or snack and eat outside in the patio which overlooks a beautiful pond and garden? read more

See all

The Norton Simon Museum is amazing! The art collection is impressive, with a great mix of European paintings and Asian art. The museum is quiet and beautifully arranged, making it a perfect place to enjoy art. read more

See all

A great place to take my students. We used to have a scavenger hunt that the students were required to complete.

My friend and I came here to enjoy some art. The European and American art were located in the upper level while the South and Southeast Asian art were located on the bottom level. It was fascinating to see the different styles of paintings and sculptures. And some of them had newer frames. I enjoyed the older art and landscape paintings more. read more

See all

The art is wonderful and it's a very good and interesting laid out museum. However during an extreme heat wave they had their young security people outside in SUITS - is this even legal with the labor board? I just feel it's very telling how an institution treats it's staff. read more