Walking along Grand Avenue, the white honeycomb-like exterior catches your eye.

Opened in 2015, The Broad is a hotspot that you must take a picture of, even if you haven't entered yet, thanks to its architecture that translates the word 'modern' into a building.

Most importantly, general admission is free, making it a sweet retreat for travelers weary of LA's prices. 

This unique exterior is based on the 'veil-and-vault' concept by Diller Scofidio + Renfro. The vault (storage) serves as the core, with exhibition spaces and a lobby attached above and below. Thanks to the translucent veil structure that envelops everything, natural light gently seeps in, illuminating the artworks more vividly. As a result, the exhibition spaces are bright enough that lighting is hardly needed during the day.

The collection boasts over 2,000 pieces, featuring large canvases from pop art masters like Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Roy Lichtenstein. The most popular space is Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirror Room. You can only stay for about 60 seconds at a time, but the starry landscape reflected endlessly in the mirrors never fails to amaze. Tickets are released on a first-come, first-served basis each month, so setting up alerts on the website is essential.

From May 10, 2025, Jeffrey Gibson's solo exhibition 'the space in which to place me' will occupy the entire first floor. This exhibition, which brings the 2024 Venice Biennale's U.S. Pavilion to life, will feature paintings, sculptures, and videos, with a large totem adorned with colorful beads and fringes that will surely spark your photo desires. If you're visiting in the summer, it might be nice to escape the heat in this well-air-conditioned exhibition space.

The Broad is currently undergoing expansion. A new gallery, outdoor terrace, and performance space are being added on the Hope Street side, set to open before the 2028 LA Olympics. This will allow for a more spacious display of iconic works by Warhol and Basquiat, and the local artist program is expected to expand as well. The existing building will continue to operate normally during construction, so don't be alarmed if you see construction fences. 

Lastly, a few more visiting tips. It's directly across from the Walt Disney Concert Hall, so it's easy to find on Google Maps, and it's just a 3-minute walk from the Metro Regional Connector (Aono/Hope Station), making public transport access excellent. The parking fee is $3.50 per 15 minutes, which is somewhat expensive, so if possible, I recommend taking the subway or rideshare.

Arrive about 10 minutes early for your Infinity Mirror Room reservation, drop your bags in a locker on the first floor, and take the escalator to the main gallery on the third floor for the most efficient route. After a round, take a moment to appreciate the curved vault visible beyond the lobby ceiling for a unique view.

By enjoying both the artworks and the architecture, you'll understand why The Broad is a must-see in LA.