The Getty (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is The Getty?
What makes it 81% Kids-Friendly: Scavenger cards, free strollers, and hands-on Family Room engage ages 5-12, yet fragile art and no running rules mean constant supervision is required.
Positives:
- Free family amenities: Stroller rentals, family restrooms, and activity cards cost nothing.
- Safe outdoor space: Wide garden paths and shaded benches give kids room to run and rest.
Challenges:
- Limited indoor running room: Galleries can feel quiet; active kids may need frequent breaks.
- Parking cost: The $25 fee applies per car and can add up for short visits.
What is The Getty?
- A hilltop art museum complex in Los Angeles operated by the J. Paul Getty Trust, presenting European and American paintings, sculpture, and decorative arts
- A series of modernist travertine-clad pavilions designed by Richard Meier, set amidst formal gardens and natural landscapes
- A research and conservation institute housing extensive photographic archives, rare manuscripts, and scholarly resources spanning medieval to contemporary art
What is so special about The Getty for with kids?
- Free open-air tram ride thrills kids
- Interactive hunts make art fun
- Central Garden offers safe play and photo ops
- Sketch stations let families create together
- Family restrooms and stroller rentals ease logistics
Recommended visit duration: 2–4 hours
Why 2–4 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: This time lets a family enjoy the tram ride, galleries, garden play, and a picnic without rushing kids.
Kids-Friendly Activities in The Getty
Tram Adventure:
Ride the open-air tram from the parking level to the Getty hilltop.
Tip: Come early to avoid tram lines and catch bird views on the way up.
Art Detective Hunt:
Pick up free activity cards to find shapes, animals, and stories in the galleries.
Tip: Get cards in English or Spanish at the Entrance Hall; reward kids with a sticker at the end.
Interactive Audio Tour:
Use the GettyGuide app’s “Animals and Angels” or “Monsters” tours for kids.
Tip: Download before arrival and bring headphones; cell service is weak on site.
Central Garden Scavenger:
Explore the living sculpture maze and spot colorful flowers and water features.
Tip: Turn it into a photo challenge: have kids snap their finds with a phone or camera.
Make-Your-Own Art:
Let kids sketch sculptures in the galleries or draw plants under shaded trees.
Tip: Bring pencils and paper; pens and markers aren’t allowed inside galleries.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to The Getty
- Grab activity cards first: Head to the Entrance Hall on arrival to secure Art Detective cards before they run out.
- Ride the tram early: Arrive at opening to avoid lines and start your visit with an exciting view.
- Bring water bottles: Refill at fountains to keep kids hydrated, especially in sunny months.
Reviews of The Getty
Minty Fresh
Oh my God — what a breathtaking place. The views are stunning, the architecture is incredible, and the entire experience feels inspiring. The Getty’s permanent collection is truly impressive, featuring pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculptures, and decorative arts; 19th- and 20th-century American, European, and Asian photographs; plus modern and contemporar...
Mark Savoca
We visited the Getty for the first time and had a great afternoon. I’m not an art aficionado, but we really enjoyed the variety of paintings, sculptures, and other works on display. The museum consists of four buildings, each with two levels to explore, along with beautiful gardens and outdoor sculptures. The views in every direction are amazing. We spent about 2½ hours and moved at a fairly quic...
Andrew Lim
The Getty Center is one of the greatest art collections ever assembled, and one of Los Angeles’s true cultural treasures. Perched high above the city in the Brentwood Hills, the Getty offers an extraordinary combination of art, architecture, and landscape design. The Richard Meier campus is a thoughtful collection of buildings connected by terraces, gardens and open courtyards where visitors are i...
ozitheexplorer
It is one of the most important art museums in the world, located in Los Angeles. Built with modern, light-colored stones, it is surrounded by gardens, water features and terraces. The museum houses European paintings, sculptures, manuscripts, photographs and decorative arts. Works by masters such as Van Gogh, Titian, Monet and Rubens are among the highlights. The photography collection is also on...
CD Reynolds
We are a family of 4 traveling with a special needs adult son. This museum is free minus the cost of covered secure parking. Well worth the cost. Our adult son has limited mobility and if you are pushing a wheelchair it’s a workout. On sunny warm days umbrellas are provided while they last -plan accordingly. There is so much to see and appreciate. I walked away with new & surprising perspectives. ...
When is the best time to visit The Getty (Los Angeles, United States)?
In spring, watch pink azaleas bloom in the garden. Summer mornings are cooler for outdoor play. Fall afternoons cast golden light on sculptures. Winter weekdays bring smaller crowds.
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Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Parking fee | USD 25 |
| Boxed lunches for 4 | USD 48 |
| Snacks & drinks | USD 10 |
| Total Estimated | USD 83 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of The Getty
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049, USA
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About The Getty
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
Website
Official WebsitePhone Number
+1 310-440-730010 BEST nearby Activities
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