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Los Angeles has its share of world-class museums, from the Broad to The Getty to the Natural History Museum.<\/p>\n
But there are many more off the beaten path that are as worthy of your time. So we decided to suggest some hidden L.A. museums that are worth a visit at any time.<\/p>\n
Most of them are small, and several schedule visits by appointment or have very limited hours, so get out your calendar and go discover a new side of the city.<\/p>\n
Museum of Street Lighting<\/p>\n
Museum of Street Lighting<\/p>\n
Museum of Street Lighting<\/p>\n
Housed in one large room at the Department of Public Works, this museum<\/a> has some of the more unusual lights from the collection of 400-plus styles that have kept the streets safe since the first gas lamps were installed in 1882. It is a surprise to see how ornate (and large) many of the earlier designs were \u2014 frosted glass, lanterns, dragons, fruit, stars, and many with Art Deco accents \u2014 while some like the Aladdin\u2019s Lamp are still in use today. Next time you\u2019re walking through your neighborhood, be sure to look up to appreciate not just their utilitarianism, but their beauty.<\/p>\n Location: <\/b>1149 S. Broadway, Los Angeles The 3-D Space<\/p>\n The name says it all. This small basement museum is an illuminating look into binocular stereopsis and all that is stereoscopic. Alongside antique viewers with exotic names like Sculptoscope and Diableries there are 3-D comics, a host of zany 3-D glasses, and the red thick binocular-style View-Masters familiar to all kids of a certain generation. <\/p>\n Few art forms link the Three Stooges with guitarist Brian May from Queen \u2014 a noted collector who has been here for a visit \u2014 while the highlight is an unassuming yellow box, one of perhaps only three Terryscopes, a prototype arcade kiosk that encyclopedic host Eric Kurland brought back to life to play its Mighty Mouse clips.<\/p>\n Location: <\/b>1200 N. Alvarado St., Los Angeles \u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Grier-Musser Museum<\/p>\n A chance to relive genteel Victorian L.A. just blocks from the hubbub of MacArthur Park, this 1898 house was built in the Queen Ann style, and Huell Howser loved it so much he visited twice. Created by craftsmen but also from recycled wood, glassware and furniture found on the sidewalk or at yard sales, this house<\/a> is a showcase for the immense and still-growing antique collections of several Musser generations. Real family photos line the walls, and residents Susan Tejada and her son Ray will explain the china, chandeliers, paintings, dresses and hats, as well as the Disney \u201cHaunted Mansion\u201d memorabilia.<\/p>\n Location: <\/b>403 S. Bonnie Brae St., Los Angeles Museum of Death<\/p>\n Part exhibition space and part art exhibit, this museum<\/a> looks at how different cultures perceive the end of mortal life. JD Healy and his wife Cathee Shultz started by sending letters to \u201cNight Stalker\u201d Richard Ramirez, and their collection has grown to include countless shocking and bizarre items. California stories like The Black Dahlia, Manson and the Heaven\u2019s Gate cult are here, but also a room of mortuary promotional items, photos of car accidents and natural disasters, shrunken heads, skulls, odd taxidermy, serial killer paintings and much more. Enter at your own risk, indeed.<\/p>\n Location: <\/b>6363 Selma Ave., Los Angeles The Old Plaza Firehouse<\/p>\n Old Plaza Firehouse<\/p>\n (<\/p>\n Courtesy El Pueblo De Los Angeles<\/p>\n )<\/p>\n Old Plaza Firehouse<\/p>\n (<\/p>\n Courtesy El Pueblo De Los Angeles<\/p>\n )<\/p>\n
Hours: <\/b>Open third Wednesday of every month at 10 a.m. Reservations required: contact Edgar Orozco at (323) 385-9530
Tickets: <\/b>Free <\/p>\n
Hours: <\/b>By appointment only here;<\/a> or call Eric at (818) 636-1311
Tickets: <\/b>Free<\/p>\n
Hours: <\/b>Open Wednesday to Saturday, noon to 4 p.m. By appointment in advance, call (213) 413-1814
Tickets: <\/b>Adults $15, Seniors\/Students $13, Children $6<\/p>\n
Hours: <\/b>Open daily 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tickets: <\/b>$20 + $1 transaction fee per card (cashless)<\/p>\n