Norton Simon Museum Museum

Address: 411 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA 91105, United States

Website: https://www.nortonsimon.org/

Hours: Wed-Sun 11:00am-5:00pm, closed Mon-Tue (check website for updates)

Admission: General admission US$15-20; free admission days and discounts for students/seniors vary (check website)

The Norton Simon Museum is an art museum in Pasadena, California, founded around the private collection of industrialist and collector Norton Simon. It is noted for its holdings of European paintings and Asian sculpture.

Galleries present European works from the Renaissance through the 20th century, with highlights from Dutch Golden Age, Spanish, French, and modern masters, plus extensive South and Southeast Asian sculpture and artifacts. The museum’s compact campus includes a sculpture courtyard and garden that integrate outdoor displays with interior galleries.

The museum grew from Norton Simon’s private collection and subsequent endowments; it occupies a purpose-built complex in Pasadena that houses the collection and exhibition space. Over time the institution has been expanded and reorganized to present rotating special exhibitions alongside the permanent collection.

The museum sits on Colorado Boulevard in Pasadena near the Old Town district, east of Los Angeles in Southern California.

• Collection focus: The museum was built around the private collection of industrialist Norton Simon and is known for strong holdings in European Old Masters, Impressionist and Post-Impressionist painting, and South and Southeast Asian sculpture.

What to See#

• European paintings galleries: Galleries housing European paintings from the Renaissance through the 20th century, including works by Rembrandt, Goya, and Van Gogh.
• Sculpture courtyard and garden: A sculpture courtyard and garden that display works from the museum’s collection in an outdoor setting adjacent to the galleries.

By car: a short drive from central Pasadena with street and lot parking nearby. Public transit: Pasadena Transit routes and LA Metro Gold Line to Memorial Park station, then a short bus or taxi ride.

• Visit the sculpture garden and the permanent small-collection galleries early before the midday crowd arrives.
• Check for the Norton Simon's timed entry or special exhibition surcharges - blockbuster shows can have separate ticketing.
• Take advantage of the museum's weekday midday quiet for closer study of Impressionist and European Old Master paintings.