Situated to the northeast of Los Angeles downtown, Pasadena is a city full of charm and filled with “happy little trees.” This city offers everything you are looking for a relaxing day, from attractions to activities, and more. The real drawcard of this city is the friendly locals who welcome everyone with a great smile. If you fancy a little bit of shopping, the Old Pasadena is home to plenty of shops and stores. Plus, there are a plenty of restaurants and cafes, too. If you love art, Pasadena is a living museum itself, with Victorian and art deco architecture everywhere. Luckily, Pasadena has several world-class museums that will inspire you. Whether you are looking to learn about the rich history of the city or are into folk and contemporary art, you’ll find something to suit your taste in Pasadena’s museums. Here’s a rundown of the top art museums in Pasadena, California.
1. Norton Simon Museum
Editor’s note: This museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19
Situated close to the Gamble House, Norton Simon Museum is a wonderful spot to start your crash course into Pasadena’s art and culture. It has a gorgeous and manicured garden with a pond, where you can sit and admire the scenery all day. It features a vast collection of artwork by famous artists of all time, including Picasso, Van Gogh, Rembrandt, and more. From Asian art to European paintings and sculptures, modern and contemporary exhibits, this museum is a treasure trove for art lovers.
Norton Simon Museum
Address: 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA, United States
Website: Norton Simon Museum
Opening hours: Fri & Sat: 11am - 8pm; Sun - Thu: 11am - 5pm (closed on Tue)
2. USC Pacific Asia Museum
Editor’s note: This museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19
Another interesting museum in Pasadena is the USC Pacific Asia Museum. The museum’s goal is to create an inspiring environment by allowing everyone to experience the beauty and story behind every artwork. They have a varied collection of art and artifacts, which are around 17,000 objects or more from all around Pacific Asia. They also promote plenty of talents and artists by launching contemporary art exhibitions. Meanwhile, their beautiful courtyard area has a relaxing koi pond, which is a great spot for relaxation.
USC Pacific Asia Museum
Address: 46 N Los Robles Ave, Pasadena, CA, United States
Website: USC Pacific Asia Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 11am - 5pm; Thu: 11am - 8pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
Price: from 7 USD
3. Finnish Folk Art Museum
Editor’s note: This museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19
The moment you step onto the Finnish Folk Art Museum’s premises, you will be amazed by everything in there. It is situated within the territory of Fenyes Mansion, which shows the lifestyle of a traditional and rich Pasadena local. The museum features original Finish artifacts from the old-charm farmhouse dating back to the 19th century. This museum is the only museum of its kind in the United States. Our advice? Don’t forget to bring your camera and take as many photos as you can.
Finnish Folk Art Museum
Address: Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
Website: Finnish Folk Art Museum
Opening hours: Wed - Sun: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
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4. Armory Center for the Arts
Editor’s note: This museum is temporarily closed due to COVID-19
Armory Center for the Arts is consistently known as a big contributor to South California’s art education. It is a non-profit organization, which is committed to showcasing talents with its contemporary art exhibits, hosting events, and art classes. The organization also takes pride in producing public programs, from meaningful talks to performances, and more. This is the place to visit if you are interested in Pasadena’s contemporary visual art. Moreover, this place will bring your hidden artistic side. The best part? Admission is free of charge - always!
Armory Center for the Arts
Address: 145 N Raymond Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103, United States
Website: Armory Center for the Arts
Art galleries in Pasadena, California
5. SugarMynt Gallery
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
“Where every day is Halloween” - that’s what SugarMynt Gallery is all about. You are already a winner when you visit this gallery, as it is situated just behind the original home of Michael Myers. Remember the serial killer in Halloween movies? SugarMynt is the home to a vast collection of cool and macabre fine art, grotesque home decor, creepy objects, and horrifying events. In short, SugarMynt is the place that has something to do with Halloween. Don’t be deceived by its name. Every year, they also present anticipated Halloween exhibit.
SugarMynt Gallery
Address: 810 Meridian Ave, South Pasadena, CA, United States
Website: SugarMynt Gallery
Opening hours: Wed & Thu: 1pm - 5pm; Fri & Sat: 1pm - 8pm; Sun: 1pm - 7pm (closed on Mon & Tue)
6. Galerie Gabrie
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Editor’s note: This art gallery is temporarily closed due to COVID-19
Traditional fine art - that’s the staple of Galerie Gabrie. This gorgeous gallery is long known for providing service to collectors and art lovers since 1985. The gallery is a work of art itself. It has a good layout and interior, plus the ambiance is relaxing and elegant. It features authentic, outstanding pieces of art by historic and modern artists. There are plenty of artworks you can find here that will add beauty to your office, house, or pleasure.
Galerie Gabrie
Address: 597 E Green St, Pasadena, CA 91101, United States
Website: Galerie Gabrie
Opening hours: Wed - Sat: 12pm - 5pm (closed on Sun - Tue)
7. Tirage Art Gallery
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Offering a vast collection of authentic watercolors and oil paintings by nationally well-known artists, Tirage Art Gallery is committed to inspiring people. The gallery has been operating for more than 35 years now and considered to be having one of California’s biggest selections of artworks. The arts include traditional landscapes, photo-realism, and figurative imagery. What’s more? The Tirage Art Gallery specializes in repairing and maintaining a site specific-art and oil paintings.
Tirage Art Gallery
Address: 1 W California Blvd # 411, Pasadena, CA, United States
Website: Tirage Art Gallery
8. Arcadia Contemporary
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Established in 2001, Arcadia Contemporary showcases one of the biggest collection of contemporary and representational art, including photographs, paintings and sculptures of the west coast. Their mediums include charcoal and mostly oil painting. Meanwhile, each artist has its own unique and signature style of work. The gallery aims to promote exceptional talents and representational artists by exhibiting their works. If you are interested in representational, figurative, or realism work of art, then Arcadia should be on your list.
Arcadia Contemporary
Address: Old Town Pasadena, 39 East Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91105
Website: Arcadia Contemporary
Opening hours: Tue - Sun: 11am - 6pm (closed on Mon)
9. Gallery 30 South
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Situated in the Green Street Village, surrounded by cafes and restaurants, Gallery 30 South features numerous contemporary artists, aiming to establish their names in the art industry. The gallery houses a varied collection of works of art, such as new media and installation, metallurgy, sculptures, and paintings. Meanwhile, they also showcase Ai Honda Kennedy’s (one of the owners) jewelry designs. Whether you are looking for something that will inspire you, aiming to buy some jewelry, or wanting to have a relaxing day, visiting Gallery 30 South is a good idea.
Gallery 30 South
Address: 30 S Wilson Ave, Pasadena, CA 91106, United States
Website: Gallery 30 South
Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 12pm - 6pm (closed on Sat & Sun)
Explore the beauty of Pasadena through museums
Museums are home to plenty of historically significant objects. If you want to learn more about Pasadena, the city’s museums and art galleries allow you to peek into its rich history, heritage, culture and art. It’s now time to explore the beauty of Pasadena through museums.
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