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    Pasadena Model Railroad Museum

    4.4 (13 reviews)
    Closed Closed
    Updated a few days ago

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    Such a great place to visit! The volunteers are very helpful and informative. Their passion is palpable. Now on to the museum. If you are a model trains enthusiast or an amateur like me, it's fun watching the trains crisscrossing their way around the mountainous region as they pass blinking billboards and buildings dimly lit. Keep your eyes open for the sumo wrestler under the bridge or the cows escaping earth through alien invasion. The red ski gondolas moving up the snowy mountain might bring a bit of nostalgia to those of you who are avid skiers or maybe just the trains rolling through. Either way, enjoy watching the engineers control the tracks below and feel free to ask questions to the volunteers manning the trains on the lower level. The experience is open to all age levels. Grab your cameras or stepping stools and come join the fun!

    Pasadena Model Railroad Downtown

    This model railroad layout was exceptional very large and very detailed. It has something for everyone from mountains to downtown areas to Port area. The only exception I would State is that the walk around is only on the perimeter and you're quite far from the middle part of the layout. Greg S

    Jun L.

    No words can express how amazing this place is. Came for the $3 Open House. One does not need to be interested in trains or train models to appreciate this incredible place.

    Erika E.

    This club is amazing. If you are a parent of a youngster, this is a wonderful, eye-opening, jaw-dropping experience. The guys will talk to you and answer questions. There are stools for the youngsters to use, and there is plenty to see! I expected to be in and out in less than 30 minutes, I stayed for almost 2 hours. My 2 yr old son was so amazed and entertained - frankly - so was I! I love this place - thank you for showing me a hidden gem of LA!

    If you are into trains or have a little one that is, you definitely need to visit the Pasadena Model Railroad Club. They are only open on Tuesdays and Saturdays unless it is during their Open House which is held in May and November. Their building houses a 5000 square ft. HO model railroad with over 30,000 feet of hand-laid track, none of that out of the box stuff! All eras are represented, including steam, diesel, Amtrack, passenger, freight, etc, etc. Some of the trains you can see operated are over 30 ft. long! This place is definitely one of the hidden gems of Los Angeles. You gotta see this even if you are not a train enthusiast. Cool place to bring out-of-towners too.

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    Worth a visit! One of the largest in the world and over 70 years old! Take the kids! It's great!

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    Review Highlights - Pasadena Model Railroad Museum

    At one point we ran a 130 car train during an open house, double headed with steam, and mid train steam helpers!

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    The Broad - The Broad

    The Broad

    4.3(2.9k reviews)
    5.1 miDowntown

    Looking for something fun to do over the weekend? Admission to the Broad is free and Parking is…read more$19. Accessible by the metro, a stroll the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Living in Los Angeles, it's kind of rare to feel like a tourist in your own city. The Broad is a stunning gallery that has amazing pieces on display! We definitely booked tickets for Takashi Murakami and decided to double up on the Infinity Room. It was so fun and please do not sleep on the gift shop. The Takashi pins are nice gifts!

    5.8.26 Tickets are…read morerecommended and can be reserved on their website, though walk-ins are accepted. Options include General Admission or General Admission with access to the Infinity Mirrored Room (reservations for this open the last Wednesday of each month). I mistakenly booked only General Admission and was disappointed to find that the Infinity Room was fully booked at my time slot. General admission includes access to the museum's third-floor galleries. I typically gravitate toward art museums over history or science museums, and this one delivered. The collection features primarily paintings, along with several portraits and sculptures--engaging and thought-provoking throughout. There is a parking garage located beneath the museum. Rates are $19 for the first three hours with museum validation, $7 for each additional 15 minutes, with a $29 daily maximum. There's also a $19 flat rate after 5 pm on weeknights and all day on weekends.

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    World of Illusions

    World of Illusions

    3.9(1k reviews)
    9.9 miHollywood

    Needed a last minute outing to keep the kids busy so naturally, I googled my options. This…read morelocation was pretty convenient so off we went. Tickets were pretty easy to purchase online. I thought it was a timed entry but it is not...or it wasn't when we went. I followed the parking sign on the wall which led me to a lot just a little north of the museum. It was $20 to park there. Had I had more time to plan, I may have parked somewhere else as I felt that was a bit steep. I'm assuming metered parking would be hard to find in that location as it is in the heart of Hollywood. I thought it would be similar to the Museum of Illusions in New York, but rather than a museum feel, this was purely just photo ops. You can rent tripods at the front for $10. They also provide free lockers for your bags and stuff- which I would highly recommend. I didn't take up the offer in the beginning but soon realized that was a better option. I would also like to highly recommend and thank Tim! He showed us the ropes of how to take photos and he took some photos for us. He was friendly, professional and patient with my two young kids. He definitely knows his way around an iPhone camera and showed me some tricks I didn't even know. Tim's photos came out a lot better than mine as you need to find the perfect angle for the pictures to have that illusion effect. The tickets I purchased online also allowed us to go to the giant house next door and the upside down house. Tim came to the rescue again and took some amazing photos for us in the upside down house. It was a fun experience for all of us and I would definitely recommend visiting this location. If you see Tim, ask him for some pointers! Thank you, Tim!

    I recently visited the Museum of Illusions and had mixed feelings about the experience. It was fun…read moreoverall, especially if you enjoy taking pictures. There are several photo-friendly illusion setups that make for some cool and creative shots. We bought the bundle deal and also visited the Upside Down House and the Giant House. While those were interesting to see, there still wasn't much to do at either location besides taking pictures. One thing I really appreciated was the front cashier--He was very nice and welcoming, which made the check-in experience pleasant. However, I don't think the visit was quite worth the price. It felt a bit too expensive for what it offers, especially considering the bundle included all three exhibits. The experiences are fun for photos, but they're fairly short and limited in activities. For the amount you pay, it would be nice if there were more interactive things to do or more areas to explore. Overall, it's a good spot if you're really into taking fun illusion photos, but if you're expecting a longer or more activity-filled experience, it may feel a bit overpriced.

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    Los Angeles County Museum of Art - A performance inside the gallery.

    Los Angeles County Museum of Art

    4.2(2.1k reviews)
    11.1 miMid-Wilshire

    Did you know that LACMA is free for LA County residents after 3 pm on weekdays. The large new…read moregallery space designed by Swiss architect Zumthor is light filled and spans Wilshire Blvd. It was very crowded on the Friday that we went, as the D Line had just opened. There was also free jazz in the courtyard. There were a couple of food trucks and lots of seating. The outside views from the gallery are awesome. The collection is outstanding however I didn't like the random displays which made no sense whatsoever. Most museum galleries are organized by sections but not here, which made it very confusing. Don't forget to see the massive Matisse at one end. There's also a Erewhon and gift store. Highly recommend for every Angelino.

    LACMA has come a long way... and the new Geffen Gallery puts it on another level... sort of…read more The new gallery building is stupendous! Boasting over 110,000 square feet of exhibition space, the modern and curvy building spans over 900 feet in length, standing 30 feet above ground and bridging over Wilshire Boulevard. It's open and spacious - I love their placements of many art pieces on tables with no casing! You can get very close the the objects ... ALMOST touching them. But don't worry, there are plenty of security officers around to ensure all visitors stay away from the art pieces. The collection in this gallery is huge - like an encyclopedia museum, encompassing arts from various period and all over the world -- more from Latin America than other regions, it seems. If you are the kind of museum goers who must see famous pieces, you may be a bit disappointed here - though there are a few impressionist pieces by well-known artists. If you go without too much expectation and let whatever meets the eyes delight, entertain, amuse, or educate you, then you just might have a pleasant visit. Do plan a day - the Geffen gallery alone can take 3-4 hours! Other buildings may take another few hours. Except for LA county residents -- you can get in for free after 3PM so come enjoy this great place for 2-3 hours before closing, as often as you like!! My one wish is if they could be a bit more considerate to seniors -- the Geffen gallery is huge; when it was 3 minutes before closing, a group of us (very tired at this time) were near the south exit stairs, but were told we have to use the north exit and shoo'd away from the stairs that were right in front of us. I'm sure there are operational reasons. But a more accommodating visitor handling procedure would have left us a much better experience and a nicer last impression!

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    The Museum of Contemporary Art - Jasper Johns. Connecticut. "Map", 1962. Encaustic and collage on canvas.

    The Museum of Contemporary Art

    4.0(485 reviews)
    5.1 miDowntown
    $

    Free admission to a beautiful space in the heart of downtown L.A. affords you the opportunity to…read moreask, "What is art?" Is it Jackson Pollock's paint splatters? Is it Mark Rothko's rectangles of color? Or is it a sculpture of Venetian blinds, a pair of checker boards, and/or mosaics of made of postcards? I came up with my own answers to these questions but more importantly, form yours by spending an hour or so visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art. Why not? The price is right!

    Moca was a little bit underwhelming. Only a few art installations were amazing to me. Maybe im not…read morean art person but i dont think you need more than 30 minutes here. The front reception were super nice and even told us where the bathrooms were. You know,In case we wanted our exhibit as the bathroom. Haha.. the other workers were extremely rude. My friend was 2 feet away and pointed to a location on a map and got yelled at for not being 2 ft away. She was confused because she was 2 feet away but i told her it was cause they thought she was using super powers from her fingers. There was one where it was window blinds being used as art and we knew we cant touch it but there wasnt any instructions on not being able to walk under it.. we got yelled at for walking underneath it. Alot of the words were small and im not sure if id be able to read them from 2 feet away but i didnt want to get yelled at so i skipped all the reading.

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    California Science Center - Rocket Lab Electron Rocket  03-01-2025

    California Science Center

    4.2(1.8k reviews)
    8.1 miExposition Park

    We visited the California Science Center for their Mummies of the World exhibition, which runs…read morethrough September 7 (2026). Pictures were allowed, just no flash photography. The docents were very kind and eager to answer any questions we might have had. It was incredible and I highly recommend visiting before exhibiting is taken off from display. I posted a lot of pictures but trust me, this is something you have to see in person to truly appreciate it.

    Perfect "Oooo Ahhhh" Spot for Kids - Science Magic for School Trips & Family Days!…read more Put on my kid hat for this one -- if you're taking little ones (or even bigger kids) on a school trip or family outing, the California Science Center in LA is an absolute winner. It's full of hands-on exhibits that spark that big "oooo ahhhh" reaction and sneak in real learning without feeling like school. From ecosystems and living kelp forests to interactive science zones, space stuff, and whatever special exhibit is on (right now it's Mummies of the World -- super cool for curious minds), there are tons of intellectual learning points wrapped in pure fun. Kids light up pushing buttons, experimenting, and discovering how things work. It's designed perfectly for young learners and school groups. As an adult walking in, it might not be your first-choice cup of tea if you're looking for something more sophisticated -- a lot of it is geared toward children and families. But if you're there for the kids, you'll still enjoy watching their excitement and maybe even learn a thing or two yourself. Highly recommend for families with little ones or any school trip. The wonder and "aha!" moments make it worth the visit.

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    California Science Center - Cities of the Future 3D and Leonardo Da Vinci exhibitions tickets!

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    The Getty Center - Family fun at the kids garden concert

    The Getty Center

    4.6(3.9k reviews)
    17.7 miBrentwood

    You don't have to be an art history buff to love the Getty Center. Beyond world-class masterpieces…read morelike Van Gogh's Irises and Monet's Still Life with Flowers and Fruit, the entire campus is a visual treat. The modern architecture, scattered sculptures, beautiful central gardens, and incredible LA city views make for a perfect day out. - Admission is free, but you must reserve a time slot online. - Parking costs $25. - Important: They are closing for a massive 1-year renovation starting March 15, 2027, so go experience it now while you can!

    I've visited The Getty Center three times now, and it continues to be one of my favorite places to…read morebring friends and family, especially visitors from overseas. If you're interested in art, architecture, photography, or simply want one of the best views in Los Angeles, this is a place you shouldn't miss. One of the best things about The Getty Center is that admission is completely free. You'll need to reserve tickets online in advance and pay for parking, but the museum itself is free to explore. Considering the quality of the exhibits and the overall experience, it's an incredible value. The art collections are impressive, featuring everything from classical paintings to photography and decorative arts. Even if you're not a huge art enthusiast, the museum is still worth visiting because the property itself is beautiful. The architecture, open courtyards, and well-designed walkways make it a great place to spend a few hours just exploring. My favorite part is the stunning view of Los Angeles. Sitting high above the city, The Getty offers panoramic views that are especially beautiful on clear days. It's a great spot for photos and sightseeing. Another highlight is the Central Garden and botanical areas behind the museum. The landscaping is gorgeous, colorful, and incredibly well maintained. It's peaceful, relaxing, and one of the most photogenic spots on the property. The ambience is calm and enjoyable, with plenty of open space despite being a popular attraction. It never feels overly crowded, and it's easy to spend half a day here without feeling rushed. Overall, The Getty Center is one of the best attractions in Los Angeles. Whether you're an art lover or simply looking for a beautiful place to visit, it's absolutely worth the trip. I've been here multiple times and would happily come back again

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    The Getty Center - Side of the Museum Exhibitions Pavilion. Always something new to discover!

    Side of the Museum Exhibitions Pavilion. Always something new to discover!

    The Getty Center - The Getty Center arrival Plaza

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    The Getty Center - The tram will take you all the way up to the Getty Center and back to your car.  Don't miss the Fran and Ray Stark Sculpture Garden!

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    Pasadena Model Railroad Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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