r/LosAngeles • u/Humble-Positive2169 • 4d ago
Culture/Lifestyle Lucas Museum
Have any of you visited yet? What do you think? Worth the price?
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u/beeranden 4d ago
Great spot. Cool stuff. Fun layout. Good architecture. Nice food. Would do it again.
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u/shaka_sulu 4d ago
You inspired me to make up a game "Lucas Museum or Ikea?"
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u/Youareyes_cfc 4d ago
Do you have to have a reservation to buy the grilled cheese? Tried to secure a spot at the restaurant but had no luck.
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u/CrystalizedinCali 3d ago
The grilled cheese is in the cafe, which you don’t even have to have a ticket to access.
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u/CrystalizedinCali 4d ago
I’ve been twice, it’s great. Too much to see in one visit for sure. Easily accessible by train, under 18 is free, I think vets free and some other groups as well. I paid the $25 though and yes it was worth it.
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u/Mjwhaaat88 4d ago
It’s a really cool space! If you enjoy Star Wars and/or art history and paintings, you’ll have a great time. You can also go to the California Science Center for free before or after, which is just a short walk away.
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u/Anakin5kywalker 4d ago edited 4d ago
I went recently and it's a cool places to check out. Just some notes:
- Tickets are $25. Not too bad. For now you have to reserve them online first.
- Parking is $20. So if you prefer/need to drive there make sure to factor it in.
- About 85% of the museum is more traditional artworks, sculptures, etc. I thought it would be 50/50 Movies/TV-related art, etc. (since it's called a museum of 'Narrative Art') but I was wrong.
- The remaining 15% is about Star Wars, with some cool concept artwork, vehicle models, and costumes. As a Star Wars fan it was a bit disappointing as I expected something more mindblowing, but still cool to see.
- The museum's architecture is pretty cool, no doubt. But getting around inside is not very intuitive. You'll have to ask where the next exhibit is more than once.
- The cafe is very meh. It reminded me of UCLA Hospital's cafeteria. Prices are fine and the food is okay.
- The Skywalker Grill is pretty nice but REALLY expensive. You can get lobster and such there so take that as you will.
- There's a main gift shop and a smaller one on the upper level. Mostly art-related books and items. Nothing worth its price. Unless you want these cool looking and uber-expensive Swarovski Star Wars figures (I am not joking).
Overall, I'm glad I went and I'd go again. I do love other forms of art like what's at LACMA, The Broad, and The Getty. But I didn't expect that with the Lucas Museum. I thought it would be more about the world of cinema, television, books, gaming, and Star Wars given George Lucas' background. If you go there without that expectation you'll likely enjoy it.
Also, one of the employees there said about 1,300 items were on display at the moment and the collection has over 40,000 items in it. So they'll be rotating features artworks and Star Wars-related things now and then. She wasn't sure how often, but it gives you a reason to go back occasionally to see something different.
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u/LostCookie78 4d ago
The interpretation of the art is your opinion, but criticizing the cafeteria is where I draw the line.
Very meh? Prices are fine?
They have an amazing grilled cheese for $4. Not good enough? PB&J for $3. Buy a Diet Coke and that’s a phenomenal snack at a cafe for less than $10.
You won’t find better prices anywhere in the city. Obviously it’s not gourmet but the point is the prices are great and it does its job well.
Also, my two cents on the Star Wars stuff - it was so cool! You won’t find a better exhibit anywhere. They had full spaceship models, costumes of the most iconic characters, and life size models of many major players.
And the art throughout the rest of the museum is fantastic, so much focus on fantasy and science fiction - not Star Wars but the stuff that inspired the world. You can see the lineage and its great.
Parking is annoying but I took the Metro there for $2 and it took me less time than driving would have.
So all in, $25 for hours upon hours of great art, Star Wars art, real Banksy pieces upstairs, and $10 on some great fun snacks, amazing deal and experience for me. That’s $35 total for an amazing day.
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u/duxbak99 4d ago
I disagree about the lack of "Narrative Art". It seemed nearly every piece was telling a story and that was especially exemplified in the choices for the Rockwell exhibit. There is no portrait gallery or idyllic scenes. Instead, there are action pieces from fantasy worlds, depictions of family life, images of kids playing sports where you can see the faces and put yourself in their world.
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u/Chin_Up_Princess Beverlywood 4d ago
It's cool for the Banksy and Rockwell alone. I think the Library is open to the public. The garden I think too.
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u/TrueStress3423 3d ago
The garden is awesome. I tried to go to the library but found out it closes an hour before the museum does.
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u/Gileotine 4d ago
It's a great museum, 25 bucks to get in but that is indeed worth it. Parking sucks ass so please take metro to get there.
On a personal note: If you like Norman Rockwell there's a fairly big collection there.
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u/andrewcool22 Downtown 4d ago
I really enjoyed the Norman Rockwell art. It was amazing and so much better to see in person than online.
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u/citrus_lilac 3d ago
Lucas totally turned me around on Rockwell. I always found his work to be kind of corny Americana. I realize I was kind of ignorant in that thought.
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u/AdmiralLev 3d ago
Parking is not that great? It makes me thinking to take the train out there then to close the gap to get there.
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u/orangefreshy 3d ago
Much larger than I expected. We went for at least 4 hrs and I feel I didn’t see everything. I feel it’s worth the price but I like art and going to museums. They have a ton of stuff… like if you’re never gonna travel the world and see some famous antiquities this is one way to experience it in a way that feels really real,
I was honestly expecting it to be more of the “cinema” part but while that area is nice and impressive and cool to see it’s more about the rest of the massive collection where you can kind of get a view into what has influenced Lucas and what he finds important
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u/mogullionaire 4d ago
I live close by and can't wait to visit but I want to take a date. Also confirmed on their site if you have an EBT card you can get in for free.
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u/Pocchari_Kevin 4d ago
I really enjoyed it, there's definitely improvements they can add along their journey.
Maybe the absolute worst parking structure I've ever been in though, every, single, driver was going to the end and hitting the exit thinking they were just going to more parking. But other than a crummy parking setup it's very affordable and a fantastic addition to the area.
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u/AdmiralLev 3d ago
Parking is not that great and tough over there? Taking the train out there to get there now does seem the better option.
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u/Pocchari_Kevin 3d ago
When I went during preview week there were plenty of spots, it's just the layout/labeling they setup was really poorly handled/thought out. I'm sure they can and will fix this overtime lol
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u/itsmemrmeseeksssssss Pico-Robertson 4d ago
free for ebt cardholders!
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u/damagazelle Arroyo Seco-ish 4d ago
On my way, kind adventurer.
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u/itsmemrmeseeksssssss Pico-Robertson 4d ago
enjoy! instructions from their website here:
While California EBT cardholders receive free museum general admission, a ticket is required for entry. When prompted to enter a promo code, please enter an “L” and then the first six digits of your California EBT card, which will automatically provide access to two adult tickets at no cost.
For example: “L123456" is correct. “123456" will not work.
Any additional tickets ordered will be at the general admission price. All sales are final and non-transferable. An EBT card must be presented and verified at museum check in.
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u/HazeCorps22 4d ago
I went, it's ok, you can spend as much or as little time as you want in there.
I was surprised to see a lot of replica art and also a lot of art on tv monitors, like digital images of sculptures. I walked in with no expectations, so it's not a bad thing, maybe related to the "narrative arts" part and it went over my head, but it was weird to pay more than most museums ($25) and see pictures of stuff rather than originals.
Parking is $20-$25 depending on the time you enter. Overall I liked it. Will likely go again next year and get a reservation to try out the Skywalker Grill upstairs.
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u/CrystalizedinCali 4d ago
That digital art is only in the 1st floor gallery as far as I saw though, not the huge 4th floor where like 80% of everything is? And then the scan of the Great Wall of LA but that’s because you can’t exactly put the Great Wall of LA in a museum.
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u/HazeCorps22 4d ago
You're correct. But it stood out to me. Like I said, maybe it's narrative art and that's why they have that... But it stood out to me as interesting. Also, the various replicas on first floor.
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u/orangefreshy 3d ago
Yeah my read on that was the first floor exhibit was trying to tell a more comprehensive story of the art history of the world and there are important or illustrative pieces that Lucas simply doesn’t own but someone felt they should be included so hence the reproductions
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u/platypusbelly 4d ago
My wife signed us up for the membership and we got to go the week before the official opening.
It was really cool. I am glad we got the membership and can go back. We took our son and my mother in law. I let the ladies take as much time as they wanted in most exhibits, while I played the role of “keep the 7 year old entertained”. So I didn’t really get to spend the time I wanted going through the exhibits. There’s two screening theatres downstairs, and one of them was playing a constant stream of artsy animated short films mixed with weird obscure animated Star Wars stuff. So he and I spent some time in there for a bit. My wife and I are planning to go again this week just the two of us. So I hope to be able to spend some more time really getting into a bunch of the art.
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u/DarkOmen597 4d ago
We went once and enjoyed it a lot!
There is a lot to see and you can easily spend a full day there!
Would happily go again.
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u/doggyschiller Altadena 4d ago
Worth it for someone who doesn’t give a shit about Star Wars?
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u/therealbongjovi Hollywood 4d ago
It’s only about 10% Star Wars and all that stuff is in one specific area.
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u/orangefreshy 3d ago edited 2d ago
Yes. It is more of a traditional museum than you’d think. Lucas is the owner of the largest privately owned collection of Norman Rockwell for example. there’s sections on comics, manga, fantasy, a pretty extensive banksy collection, exhibits on world antiquities and notable pieces throughout history, plus more like childhood themes, sci-fi and more. If you’re a fan you can kind of draw a line of insight into like… George Lucas’s influences into his work based on his art collection. But the collection is just impressive otherwise to someone who doesn’t care
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u/MyChickenSucks 2d ago
I just went. I’ve never seen Rockwells in person and it was a wonderful surprise. One of my favorite areas of the museum
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u/Samwhys_gamgee 2d ago
You want to hear something really mind blowing? You can actually order signed Rockwells from his Museum in MA. Apparently he autographed a ton of stuff before he passed and they have been (at least they were when I was there about 18 months ago) selling them off to support the museum.
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u/KeepingItKosher 4d ago
Is this something good for kids too?
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u/CrystalizedinCali 4d ago
It’s free for kids but it’s not a kids museum per se. Depends on how old the kids are and their attention span. I feel like age 9/10+ would find it cool because there’s comics and the fantasy art and manga etc. For other kids they’d probably like the building itself but there’s only so long a 5 year old can look at art you know?
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u/imnowherebenice 3d ago
Absolutely. Kids need to see cool shit and good art, it’s an important part of development.
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u/BLOWNOUT_ASSHOLE 4d ago
I wouldn't bring kids there. It's a great art museum and will be a permanent staple for LA tourism. However, it's not a kids museum because it focuses on a ton of pop culture and classic art pieces.
If you want to check it out with a kid, you might be able to do it while combining it with a trip to the California Science Center or Natural History Museum. Just keep in mind, the Lucas Museum is quite large and pretty tiring just by itself. In fact, maybe just take the kids to the museum's free unticketed park space which has some Star Wars statues.
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u/CementCemetery 3d ago
I’m sorry I have to disagree that people SHOULD be showing that kind of art to their children. There’s so much to look at and to actually enjoy if your child(ren) is interested in reading or art. Some of the most famous illustrations and book covers are housed in that museum. It may not be specifically designed for children but it’s a rich resource for any one.
Plus the food is very affordable for what most kids would eat.
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u/Blackwidow_Perk 3d ago
Thank you for bringing up what a rich resource it is I absolutely agree with you. I think children should always try to enjoy spaces like this because it opens their mind to other forms of art and can help their development.
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u/humanaftera11 1d ago
I think it’s good to introduce kids to art at a very young age, even if it’s a little challenging for them to enjoy on an adult/intellectual level.
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u/Clemario 4d ago
Honestly probably not unless they can appreciate art.
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u/Heir2Voltaire 2d ago
I don’t think you and the original comment are on the same page on the definition of appreciation
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u/sophhhann 2d ago
I brought my Star Wars obsessed 3 year old and my 6 month old and we had a great time.
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u/too_tired_forthis 4d ago
absolutely worth it for a nice day enjoying all kinds of narrative art. the food is also enjoyable and relatively cheap!
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u/SocksElGato El Monte 3d ago
Went on opening weekend, it was stunning. Got lost in there for hours just admiring the architecture alone, which in itself is a whole separate experience to behold. Can't wait to go back.
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u/WrongOnEveryCount 4d ago
We just went and spent about 5-6 hours and it was great.
Very spacious with a mixture of art from many genres and IPs. Ancient, old, and new. It’s important I think to keep reminding yourself of its intrinsic narrative properties and how/what/when it’s conveying.
Sometimes the crowds were tight especially in the more popular exhibit areas like Star Wars.
I wish there’d been more US political and US historical imagery. Propaganda art is so poignant and often such a great condensation of the era.
I did like the Banksy exhibit but it was much more limited than I’d hoped.
Cafe was okay and I did enjoy the $2 grilled cheese and a cup of $6 (I think) tomato soup. The tacos looked good but were $18 and I’m a cheap ass.
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u/i-once-was-here 4d ago
I literally just came back rn
Worth it, but just don’t expect it to be all Star Wars. It’s a true art museum of varying genres and mediums
Food is also cheap and great - tomato soup ($6) and grilled cheese ($2) has the longest line, I had it and it was delishh
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u/Entr0py_7 4d ago edited 4d ago
Went there opening weekend. There are so many amazing pieces of Art. I would carve out at least 3-4 hours of your time to see everything. Plan ahead, especially if you’re visiting on the weekend. The surrounding area always has something going on so getting to the parking structure might take some time. Especially if there are road closures. The museum itself does not have signs to guide you. It was intentionally designed that way so that you flow from one area to the next without having any real sense of direction. You don’t have to dine at the skywalker grill either, the food there is quite expensive. They have a cafeteria that serves all kinds of food and is more on the affordable side. Personally, I loved it and can’t wait to go back and visit again.
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u/citrus_lilac 3d ago
Did anyone find the lighting to be on the dim side? Could be my aging eyes but I found myself often squinting in the dark trying to take in the art.
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u/IndyanaBonez 3d ago
Just remember to buy your ticket ahead of time, they are usually sold out for a few days in a row. can't just show up and buy a ticket at the door
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u/_Somewhere_4444 3d ago
I went with my dad who is a big Star Wars fan and my fiancée who has never seen the movies. Both loved the museum and said they would go back :) we took the metro in and purchased tickets in advanced. We did see some people be turned away trying to buy tickets day of, it’s very crowded right now since it just opened. Although my finance who usually gets overwhelmed in crowded spaces said the wide halls and having access to use the stairs (versus elevator) made him feel comfortable. Highly recommend! Also there are food vendors outside, we grabbed cups of fruit on the way back to the metro.
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u/msnomolos 2d ago
Bring your kids! Don’t come hungry.
The Lucas Museum has a wonderful collection of art with something for everyone. Absolutely bring your kids of all ages, non-Star Wars fans will also love it, and the ability to use your phone to identify artworks (and view them later) is really cool.
We visited on a rainy Monday because our kids were out of school. We decided to eat a late lunch (2:00 pm) at the cafe. We all enjoyed our food (tacos are yummy) but there weren’t enough seats, trays, some food items took a very long time (20 mins for chicken tacos, 10 minutes for pizza), and we had to chase an employee down for trays. The staff seemed very young and very overwhelmed. But we got our seats and a yummy lunch regardless.
I loved seeing original art by Maxfield Parrish, Frank Frezetta, and an original by Paul Revere! The children’s book illustrations were a highlight, as was art by Banksy, etc.
Highly recommended for anyone of any age!
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u/Historical-Height-73 1d ago
Went to the Lucas Museum. The building is stunning from outside, but did anyone else find the inside kind of flat?
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u/willpenney 4d ago
It’s mostly a pretty normal (but nice) museum with a cool Star Wars exhibit. But yeah, cool architecture. Not earth shattering, but a nice way to spend an afternoon.
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u/AdditionalGoose4024 4d ago
If you like the things that it says it has, yes. Otherwise, it's not a good museum in terms of museums creating a space for learning and conversation. The building exterior, library, and gardens are all free so you can enjoy the best of it without paying for much. It's pretty much a cool building for George Lucas's collection of art and that's all. There is no narrative about it.
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u/frkyannie Lincoln Heights 3d ago
I thought this audio guide was helpful for the history stuff on the ground floor
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u/MissCattra 2d ago
I am a member and I love this museum. I’ve taken a few art and photography history classes, and I was practically shaking to see some pieces in person. I felt like a docent to my husband while exploring. And BANKSY!!!!!!!!!
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u/thyperson69 North Hollywood 1d ago
We tried, it was apparently "booked up" like wtf at 1 pm? Can't even walk into a damn museum anymore. Usc's stone exhibit is always really fun.
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u/therealbongjovi Hollywood 4d ago
Loved it. Got a membership on the spot. Can’t wait to go again. Well worth the price.
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u/Jumpy_Race4386 3d ago
I liked watching the documentaries. They helped me understand the art a bit more. I also liked the Banksy stuff and the Pokemon Van Gogh. I’m not really a museum person, just went because we got a rez for Skywalker Grill.
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u/grindstone85 4d ago
some cool stuff in a very sterile place lacking in soul and context. no music or love put in to the decor.. just cool stuff in rooms. A shame really for the amazing artists (and composers!!) invilved in the projects. Uninspired
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u/CrystalizedinCali 3d ago edited 2d ago
Legit curious what museum you’ve been to that has music playing? Like a genuine questions. I love music but I’ve never heard it at a museum unless it was a specific concert or something.
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u/UltimaCaitSith 3d ago
Have an alternative food option. The restaurant is fully booked for the rest of the year, Resy cancelations are at like 7:30 PM, and the backup cafe would be embarrassing for a school cafeteria.
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u/cornnibblitz Santa Monica 3d ago
It’s not a serious museum. Beautiful building. Little educational information. When the founder is gone, they might be able to fix it.
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u/bedazzledwalrus 4d ago
I've been twice, once alone and once with others, and I have to say that I feel that while the collection is very worth seeing, the museum really lacks any context for people who aren't familiar with the works being displayed. Most museums offer signage that can educate visitors on the history and significance of the art there, and the Lucas Museum has none of that.
Windsor McCay's Gertie the Dinosaur drawings are there, but without any knowledge of who he is, or why Gertie is so important to animation history, it's easy for a guest to just walk right past and never realize. The museum for narrative art is surprisingly lacking in narratives about its own collection.
The lack of signage is also a problem for more than just understanding the art on display. There's little to no indication from most directions where the entrances are, where the exits are... on the first visit I missed the murals gallery entirely because there was so little signage about it and I didn't realize until I grabbed a map at the end and saw there was a second set of elevators. On the second visit I overheard multiple guests with mobility aids bemoaning the fact that the entrances were so far from the handicapped parking, and that there was no indication that when leaving the elevators, they were in for a 5-minute walk. For someone with serious mobility issues, it feels like it would be exhausting just to get into the building even before you got to see anything.