About Norton Simon Museum
Description
Let me tell you about one of my absolute favorite art spots in Pasadena. The Norton Simon Museum isn’t your typical stuffy art gallery – it’s a mind-blowing treasure trove that completely changed my perspective on museum-going. The first time I walked in, I was struck by how the modernist architecture creates this perfect backdrop for what’s inside.
What makes this place really special is its incredible mix of European masterpieces and Asian artistic treasures. Y’know how some museums can be overwhelming? Not here. The way they’ve arranged everything makes perfect sense, even for folks who don’t consider themselves art experts. I particularly love how the European collection spans from the Renaissance to the 20th century – you’ll find yourself face-to-face with works by Rembrandt, van Gogh, and Picasso.
Oh, and the Asian art section? It’s phenomenal. There’s this amazing collection of Indian and Southeast Asian sculptures that’ll make your jaw drop. Some of these pieces are over a thousand years old, and they’re displayed so beautifully that you can really appreciate every detail.
Key Features
• The European art gallery showcasing Renaissance to Modern masterpieces
• An extensive collection of Degas bronzes (one of the largest in the world!)
• A stunning Asian art wing featuring ancient sculptures and artifacts
• The heavenly sculpture garden with over 180 works set among peaceful pools
• Rotating special exhibitions that bring fresh perspectives to the permanent collection
• An intimate theater showing art-related films and documentaries
• Interactive multimedia guides that make art appreciation accessible to everyone
• A cozy café overlooking the sculpture garden (trust me, the coffee is great)
• A thoughtfully curated museum store with unique art-inspired gifts
• Free audio tours that really bring the artwork to life
Best Time to Visit
From my multiple visits, I’ve found that weekday mornings are pure magic here. The lighting is perfect for viewing the artwork, and you’ll have more space to soak everything in without the weekend crowds. If you’re like me and love a good deal, plan your visit for the first Friday of the month when admission is free from 5-8 PM. But heads up – it does get pretty busy during these free hours!
The garden is particularly gorgeous in spring when the wisteria blooms, and fall when the weather is just perfect for outdoor art viewing. Summer afternoons can get pretty warm in the garden, so maybe plan your outdoor exploring for earlier in the day.
How to Get There
Getting to the Norton Simon is pretty straightforward. If you’re driving (which most folks do), there’s a spacious parking lot right on site, and – get this – parking is free! For those using public transport, you can hop on the Metro L Line (Gold) to Memorial Park Station and take a short walk from there.
I always tell my friends visiting from out of town to combine their Norton Simon visit with other Pasadena attractions – it’s right near the Rose Bowl and Old Pasadena, making it perfect for a full day of exploring.
Tips for Visiting
Okay, here’s the inside scoop from someone who’s spent countless hours here: Start with the European galleries on the main level, then head upstairs for the modern and contemporary art. Leave the sculpture garden for last – it’s the perfect way to decompress after taking in all that indoor art.
Budget about 2-3 hours for your visit if you wanna really take everything in. The audio guide is totally worth getting – it’s free and adds so much context to what you’re seeing. And don’t skip the temporary exhibitions – they’re usually amazing and included in your admission.
If you’re bringing kids (and you totally should!), grab one of the family activity guides from the front desk. They make the art super engaging for little ones. And speaking from experience, the museum’s surprisingly kid-friendly, with plenty of open spaces for them to move around without disturbing other visitors.
Pro tip: Keep your camera handy but check the photography policy for each gallery – some areas have restrictions. The sculpture garden, though? That’s a photographer’s dream, especially during golden hour.
And here’s something most people don’t know – the museum has these amazing benches scattered throughout where you can sit and really spend time with individual artworks. I’ve had some of my best art-viewing experiences just parking myself in front of a painting for 15 minutes.
Last but not least, bring a light jacket – the galleries are kept cool to protect the artwork, and it can get chilly after a while. Trust me, you’ll want to stay comfortable while you’re soaking in all this amazing art!
Description
Let me tell you about one of my absolute favorite art spots in Pasadena. The Norton Simon Museum isn’t your typical stuffy art gallery – it’s a mind-blowing treasure trove that completely changed my perspective on museum-going. The first time I walked in, I was struck by how the modernist architecture creates this perfect backdrop for what’s inside.
What makes this place really special is its incredible mix of European masterpieces and Asian artistic treasures. Y’know how some museums can be overwhelming? Not here. The way they’ve arranged everything makes perfect sense, even for folks who don’t consider themselves art experts. I particularly love how the European collection spans from the Renaissance to the 20th century – you’ll find yourself face-to-face with works by Rembrandt, van Gogh, and Picasso.
Oh, and the Asian art section? It’s phenomenal. There’s this amazing collection of Indian and Southeast Asian sculptures that’ll make your jaw drop. Some of these pieces are over a thousand years old, and they’re displayed so beautifully that you can really appreciate every detail.
Key Features
• The European art gallery showcasing Renaissance to Modern masterpieces
• An extensive collection of Degas bronzes (one of the largest in the world!)
• A stunning Asian art wing featuring ancient sculptures and artifacts
• The heavenly sculpture garden with over 180 works set among peaceful pools
• Rotating special exhibitions that bring fresh perspectives to the permanent collection
• An intimate theater showing art-related films and documentaries
• Interactive multimedia guides that make art appreciation accessible to everyone
• A cozy café overlooking the sculpture garden (trust me, the coffee is great)
• A thoughtfully curated museum store with unique art-inspired gifts
• Free audio tours that really bring the artwork to life
Best Time to Visit
From my multiple visits, I’ve found that weekday mornings are pure magic here. The lighting is perfect for viewing the artwork, and you’ll have more space to soak everything in without the weekend crowds. If you’re like me and love a good deal, plan your visit for the first Friday of the month when admission is free from 5-8 PM. But heads up – it does get pretty busy during these free hours!
The garden is particularly gorgeous in spring when the wisteria blooms, and fall when the weather is just perfect for outdoor art viewing. Summer afternoons can get pretty warm in the garden, so maybe plan your outdoor exploring for earlier in the day.
How to Get There
Getting to the Norton Simon is pretty straightforward. If you’re driving (which most folks do), there’s a spacious parking lot right on site, and – get this – parking is free! For those using public transport, you can hop on the Metro L Line (Gold) to Memorial Park Station and take a short walk from there.
I always tell my friends visiting from out of town to combine their Norton Simon visit with other Pasadena attractions – it’s right near the Rose Bowl and Old Pasadena, making it perfect for a full day of exploring.
Tips for Visiting
Okay, here’s the inside scoop from someone who’s spent countless hours here: Start with the European galleries on the main level, then head upstairs for the modern and contemporary art. Leave the sculpture garden for last – it’s the perfect way to decompress after taking in all that indoor art.
Budget about 2-3 hours for your visit if you wanna really take everything in. The audio guide is totally worth getting – it’s free and adds so much context to what you’re seeing. And don’t skip the temporary exhibitions – they’re usually amazing and included in your admission.
If you’re bringing kids (and you totally should!), grab one of the family activity guides from the front desk. They make the art super engaging for little ones. And speaking from experience, the museum’s surprisingly kid-friendly, with plenty of open spaces for them to move around without disturbing other visitors.
Pro tip: Keep your camera handy but check the photography policy for each gallery – some areas have restrictions. The sculpture garden, though? That’s a photographer’s dream, especially during golden hour.
And here’s something most people don’t know – the museum has these amazing benches scattered throughout where you can sit and really spend time with individual artworks. I’ve had some of my best art-viewing experiences just parking myself in front of a painting for 15 minutes.
Last but not least, bring a light jacket – the galleries are kept cool to protect the artwork, and it can get chilly after a while. Trust me, you’ll want to stay comfortable while you’re soaking in all this amazing art!
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