Norton Simon Museum, Pasadena

Los Angeles, CA Print   Leave a comment

Description

Large Modern Museum with Great Paintings
The Norton Simon Museum has some wonderful artwork, displayed in an elegant modern two-story building. We especially loved seeing the Van Gogh paintings downstairs. They are so much better in real life- you can see the thick application of paint- wow! There was a little too much of Degas' ballerinas- but if you like Degas, you'll love this gallery.
The museum is fairly large but you can see all of it in one day if you've got stamina. There are some excellent European paintings from the last several centuries: Raphael, Botticelli, Renoir, Monet, Picasso, Matisse. There are also some Asian sculptures and some Western paintings.
Lily-Pond Garden
Outside, the lily-pond sculpture garden (inspired by Monet's garden in Giverny) is lovely, and there is a small cafe where you can buy a sandwich.
Kids Won't Last Long
For kids, there's an audio tour designed especially for them, but as with most serious museums, kids might tire pretty quickly of looking and not touching. This museum is better as a date just for the two of you than a family outing with young kids.
Head to Downtown Pasadena Afterward
Afterwards, walk around Old Town Pasadena (where Fair Oaks Ave and Colorado Blvd meet) with its chic cafes offering food from all around the world, upmarket clothing stores, and folk art shops (The Folk Tree, plus El Pueblo). Grab a gelato with your kids at Tutti Gelati or a tart at Aux Delices Bakery or read some books at Barnes and Noble Bookstore. Cheesecake Factory is always an easy place to eat with kids (see address below).
Another Wonderful Place to Visit Nearby
While you're in Pasadena, you mustn't miss the Huntington Gardens. It's an unforgettable place, huge with many themed gardens, an absolute paradise on earth!

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Photo Gallery

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The lily pond and sculpture garden outside the Norton Simon Museum.

Doesn't this make you want to go to the Norton Simon right now?

Directions

411 W. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, call (626) 449-6840, or visit their website.
The museum is located on the corner of Colorado and Orange Grove Blvds, near where the 210 and 134 Freeways intersect.
From the 134 Freeway eastbound, exit at Orange Grove Blvd, go straight through the intersection onto Colorado Boulevard. The Museum is on the left.
From the 210 Freeway westbound, take the 134 Freeway west and exit at Orange Grove Blvd. Turn left and then left again at the next light, Colorado Blvd. The Museum is on the left.
There is plenty of free parking.
For directions from other freeways, click here.
Hours and Prices
Open 12-6pm every day except Tuesdays. Closed on Tuesdays. Friday nights they are open until 9pm. Closed on New Year's Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day.
Cost is $8, seniors $4. Children under 18 and students with college ID are free! Admission is free the first Friday night of every month from 6-9pm.
Contact Info For Nearby Places to Go
Tutti Gelati, 62 W. Union St, Pasadena, call (626) 440-9800.
Aux Delices Bakery, 16 W. Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, call (626) 796-1630.
Barnes and Noble Bookstore, 111 W. Colorado Blvd, call (626) 585-0362.
Cheesecake Factory, 2 W. Colorado Blvd, Call (626) 584-6000.
The Folk Tree Shop, 217 S. Fair Oaks Ave, call (626) 795-8733.
El Pueblo Folk Art Store, 50 N. Raymond Ave, call (626) 432-4800.

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Visitor Ratings

Overall Visitor Rating:

Yvon 12/22/2009 12:56	wow, i can't wait to see this ...maybe tomorrow !!
Roger 10/15/2009 15:49	Great museum, bit of everything. Enjoyed Pasadena- nice, lot of money, great restaurants to visit
Duyen 10/01/2009 15:01	I can't beileve I missed this. :( Will be back in Pasadena and sure to visit.

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