Grammy Museum: Explore Interactive Music History & Iconic Artifacts at L.A. Live’s Premiere Music Destination

Claim to Fame

The GRAMMY Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards—featuring interactive exhibits, rare artifacts, and hands-on installations celebrating music’s greatest artists and moments.

📌 Navigating Grammy Museum : Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Admission Fee: Admission fees vary, with discounts for students, seniors, and children; check the museum's website for current prices.
How Long to Visit: A typical visit lasts about 1.5 to 2 hours, allowing ample time to explore the exhibits.
Washrooms: Washrooms are conveniently located throughout the museum for visitor access.
Hours of Operation: The museum operates daily from 10 AM to 6 PM, with extended hours on select days.
Important Information: It is recommended to check the museum's website for any special exhibits, events, or changes in hours before your visit.
Handicap Accessible: The museum is fully handicap accessible, featuring ramps and elevators for easy navigation.
Pets: Pets are not allowed inside the museum, with the exception of service animals.
Guided Tours: Guided tours are available for an additional fee, offering in-depth insights into the museum's exhibits.
Restaurant or Cafe: The museum features a café that offers light snacks and beverages for guests.
Gift Shop: A gift shop is available, offering a variety of music-related merchandise and memorabilia.
Parking: The Grammy Museum offers a parking structure nearby, with both paid and limited street parking options available.
Family Friendly: The Grammy Museum is family-friendly, providing interactive exhibits and activities suitable for children of all ages.
Photography: Photography is allowed in most areas of the museum, but flash and tripods are prohibited.
WIFI: Free WIFI is available throughout the museum for visitors.
Picnic Area: There is no designated picnic area on the museum grounds.

📌Heads up: All times, prices and visitor policies are subject to change without notice. Please check the official website for the most recent information.

Photos of Grammy Museum

Located at L.A. Live in Downtown Los Angeles, the Grammy Museum immerses visitors in the creative process behind recorded music. Walk through galleries showcasing handwritten lyrics by Beyoncé, iconic instruments played by jazz legends, and cutting-edge multimedia experiences that let you mix your own tracks or conduct a virtual orchestra. From rock and pop to hip-hop, classical and Latin, the Museum’s rotating exhibits and educational programs honor the diversity and innovation that drive the music industry.

What to Expect

Step into the “Crossroads” gallery to explore the evolution of American music—from blues and country to soul and R&B—via archival footage and listening stations. In the “Musical Moments” theater, watch immersive films on landmark recordings and groundbreaking performances. The “Voice” interactive lets you record and play back your own vocal mixes, while the “Songwriters’ Circle” features video interviews with hit-making composers. Special “Spotlight” galleries rotate every few months to highlight current Grammy nominees and themed eras.

Don’t miss the artifacts hall, where you can see Freddie Mercury’s stage-worn jacket, Taylor Swift’s lyric notebooks, and The Beatles’ studio equipment. Daily live performances on the Museum Stage, songwriting workshops, and panel discussions with industry insiders bring the galleries to life.

Background and Cultural Context

The Grammy Museum opened in 2008 as a partnership between the Recording Academy and AEG, aiming to preserve and celebrate the art of recorded music. Its Downtown L.A. location ties into the city’s emergence as a major recording hub. Through its seven floors of exhibits, the Museum chronicles the technological, cultural, and social forces—from the invention of the phonograph to digital streaming—that have shaped how we create and consume music.

Educational outreach extends beyond the galleries: the Grammy Museum Foundation brings music education into schools, supports emerging artists through scholarships and mentorships, and documents underrepresented stories in music history, ensuring the Museum remains a living archive of global musical heritage.

Best Time to Visit

Weekday late mornings (11 AM–1 PM) offer quieter galleries and interactive stations. Late afternoons (3 PM–5 PM) coincide with live performances on the Museum Stage and panel events. Evenings (Thursdays until 8 PM) host special “After Hours” programs—concerts, DJ sets, and intimate artist Q&As. Check the calendar for Exhibit Opening Nights and Grammy Nominee Showcases held around Awards season (January–February).

How to Get There

The Grammy Museum is at 800 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite B-100. Metro: Pico Station (Expo Line) is a 2-minute walk; 7th/Metro Center (Red/Purple/Blue Lines) is a 10-minute walk. Bus: Metro 2, 4, 20, 30 stop along Olympic Boulevard. Paid parking is available in the L.A. Live garage off Chick Hearn Court; nearby street parking and ride-share drop-offs on Figueroa Street are convenient. The Museum is fully ADA-accessible with elevators and assistive listening devices.

Photo Opportunities

Selfie in front of the neon GRAMMY Museum sign beneath the sweeping L.A. Live canopy
Close-up of a handwritten lyric sheet by a Grammy-winning artist in the artifacts gallery
Interactive mixing console with visitors’s hands on the faders in the “Voice” exhibit
Performance on the Museum Stage framed by the glass-walled gallery behind
Panorama of the “Crossroads” gallery’s immersive video walls and listening stations

Travel Tips

Purchase tickets online to reserve timed-entry and skip the admissions line at peak times.
Download the Grammy Museum app for audio guides, exhibit maps, and behind-the-scenes videos.
Allow 2–3 hours to fully explore interactive exhibits, live programming, and special galleries.
Wear headphones or earbuds for the best audio experience at listening stations.
Combine your visit with a concert or game at nearby Staples Center and the rest of the L.A. Live entertainment complex.

FAQs

Is photography allowed?
Non-flash photography is permitted in most galleries; please refrain from using tripods or interfering with other visitors.

Are guided tours available?
Yes—daily guided tours depart at 12 PM and 2 PM from the admissions desk; private group tours can be booked in advance.

Can I bring outside food?
No—outside food and drink are not allowed. A café on the second floor offers snacks, light meals, and beverages.

Is the Museum child-friendly?
Absolutely—interactive exhibits, hands-on workshops, and the “Songwriters’ Circle” are designed to engage younger audiences.

Final Thoughts

The Grammy Museum offers a dynamic celebration of music’s past, present, and future—where rare memorabilia, cutting-edge technology, and live performance converge. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or a curious newcomer, this Downtown L.A. landmark invites you to discover the stories behind the songs that have shaped our world.

Things To Do near Grammy Museum

Walt Disney Concert Hall

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Walt Disney Concert Hall is 2.3 Kilometer(s) / 1.4 Mile(s)

Los Angeles Farmers Market

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Los Angeles Farmers Market is 6.9 Kilometer(s) / 4.3 Mile(s)

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is 10.3 Kilometer(s) / 6.4 Mile(s)

Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Hollywood Walk of Fame is 13 Kilometer(s) / 8.1 Mile(s)

Griffith Observatory

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Griffith Observatory is 13.4 Kilometer(s) / 8.3 Mile(s)

Hollywood Sign

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Hollywood Sign is 17.2 Kilometer(s) / 10.7 Mile(s)

Universal Studios Hollywood

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Universal Studios Hollywood is 20.6 Kilometer(s) / 12.8 Mile(s)

Getty Center

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Getty Center is 31.6 Kilometer(s) / 19.6 Mile(s)

Santa Monica Pier

The Distance from Grammy Museum to Santa Monica Pier is 35.4 Kilometer(s) / 22 Mile(s)

📘 Los Angeles Visitors Travel Information

Time Zone: Los Angeles operates on Pacific Standard Time (PST), which is UTC -8. During Daylight Saving Time, it shifts to Pacific Daylight Time (PDT), UTC -7.

Weather: Los Angeles has a Mediterranean climate, featuring warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Summer temperatures average 28°C to 32°C (82°F to 90°F), while winter temperatures typically range from 10°C to 20°C (50°F to 68°F). Rainfall is scarce and mainly occurs between November and March.

Population: Los Angeles has a population of approximately 4 million people, making it the second-largest city in the United States. The Greater Los Angeles area has over 13 million residents and is one of the most diverse urban regions in the world.

Size: Los Angeles covers roughly 1,302 square kilometers (503 square miles). The city stretches from the Pacific Ocean to the San Gabriel Mountains and includes a wide range of neighborhoods, terrain, and microclimates.

Language: English is the primary language spoken in Los Angeles, but Spanish is widely spoken throughout the city. Dozens of other languages are commonly heard, reflecting its multicultural population.

Currency: The official currency is the United States Dollar (USD). Credit cards, contactless payments, and mobile wallets are accepted nearly everywhere.

Safety: Los Angeles is generally safe for visitors, especially in tourist areas like Hollywood, Santa Monica, and Downtown. However, some neighborhoods have higher crime rates, and petty theft can occur in busy places. Basic safety precautions are advised.

Tipping: Tipping is standard in Los Angeles. A 15–20% tip is expected in restaurants. Tipping is also customary for rideshare drivers, hotel staff, bartenders, and other service workers.

Electricity and Plugs: The United States uses 120V electricity at 60Hz. Plug types A and B are standard. Visitors from other regions may need plug adapters and voltage converters.

Water: Tap water in Los Angeles is safe to drink. It meets federal and state safety standards, though some visitors prefer bottled water due to taste or sensitivity.

Annual Visitors: Los Angeles receives over 45 million visitors annually. Tourists are drawn to Hollywood, Universal Studios, Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory, and its thriving arts, entertainment, and culinary scenes.

Visa Requirements: Most international visitors to Los Angeles require a valid passport and may need a visa or an ESTA under the Visa Waiver Program, depending on nationality.

Health & Vaccinations: No specific vaccinations are required to visit Los Angeles. Routine vaccines such as measles, flu, and COVID-19 are recommended, especially for travelers attending crowded public events.

Transportation: Los Angeles is known for its car culture. While there is a metro and bus system, most visitors rent cars or use rideshare services. Traffic can be heavy, and distances between attractions are often large.

Food: Los Angeles offers a diverse food scene, from gourmet restaurants to street tacos and Korean BBQ. Notable local dishes include In-N-Out burgers, California-style sushi, and a fusion of Latin American, Asian, and classic American cuisines.

Etiquette & Cultural Norms: Los Angeles is casual and laid-back, with a strong emphasis on creativity, inclusivity, and cultural expression. Locals are typically friendly, and personal space and punctuality are appreciated in social settings.

Telecommunications & Connectivity: Wi-Fi is widely available in hotels, cafes, and public areas. Mobile coverage is excellent throughout the city. SIM cards and prepaid data plans are easy to obtain at convenience stores and airports.

Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is recommended for visitors to Los Angeles. While healthcare is high quality, it is expensive for non-residents. Insurance also helps cover trip cancellations, delays, and theft.

Did You Know? - Facts About Grammy Museum

The museum features interactive exhibits where visitors can explore the creative process of making music, from songwriting to recording, producing, and performing.

The museum’s Clive Davis Theater is an intimate space that hosts artist interviews, panel discussions, and performances, giving visitors a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry.

The Grammy Museum also hosts live performances, public programs, and educational workshops that celebrate the history, diversity, and cultural impact of music.

Visitors can view memorabilia from some of music’s greatest legends, including instruments, costumes, and personal items belonging to artists such as Michael Jackson, Elvis Presley, and The Beatles.

The Grammy Museum in Los Angeles is dedicated to the history and winners of the Grammy Awards, showcasing the achievements of the music industry’s most influential artists.