Hollywood Bowl Museum
More than 100 years of concert history at the Hollywood Bowl—where Ella Fitzgerald, the Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and many more have played legendary shows—are on display at the venue’s free museum. Artifacts from the archives shed light on the amphitheater’s most memorable moments, which makes watching a performance or simply standing in the Bowl with the sun-soaked Hollywood Hills in the background all the more impactful.
The basics
No reservations are needed for the museum, which includes the permanent “Hollywood Bowl: Music for Everyone” exhibit on the main floor and rotating exhibits on the second floor. If you’re in the mood for even more history, print out the map for a self-guided Bowl Walk around the venue. Visiting the museum on a group or private sightseeing tour—on wheels or via one of LA’s signature hiking trails—is another option.
Things to know before you go
- Even if you visit the museum on a non-performance date, you can still walk around the Bowl’s performance area and bring food for a lunch or snack break in the picnic areas.
- The museum and its restrooms are wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- While the museum is best for history buffs and music lovers, kids will still appreciate the interactive displays.
How to get there
If you’re going by car, park in one of the four lots surrounding the Hollywood Bowl, or have your rideshare driver drop you off at Lot C. To avoid the fuss of parking, take the Metro B Line to the Hollywood/Highland station, then hop on the free Bowl Shuttle from Ovation Hollywood. Entering the grounds from Highland Avenue, you’ll see the museum immediately to your left on Peppertree Lane.
When to get there
For most of the year, the museum is open from Tuesday–Friday from morning to late afternoon/early evening. Summer hours are extended, allowing you to visit daily until showtime. While you can always look around the museum before going to a concert, you may want to check the calendar and go when no shows are happening—that way you’ll have a much easier time finding parking.
More to see near the Hollywood Hills
Many of LA’s natural and cultural highlights are a short drive away from the Hollywood Bowl. Hike up to the Hollywood Sign or Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park, tour the Warner Bros. Studio, or marvel at mansions and city vistas along Mulholland Drive. When you work up an appetite, Los Feliz’s upscale eateries, casual taco joints, and all-day cafés are just a couple of miles east.
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