Reviews of Norton Simon Museum (Museum)

nancy stewart

Spectacular, gorgeous grounds, green, shady, lots of trees. Wonderful collection of European and American paintings from the 1700, and 1800s among other works. Beautiful statuary. Clean and plentiful redtrooms. Great little cafe outdoors on the main level with a good selection of beverages and food at fair prices. (Just don't dare bring a bottle of water or wrapped food into the museum itself, the sullen and stern museum watchers will have you immediately dispose of it or "check" it, neither option really fair in my opinion) Ample parking, much of it shaded by trees. Admission is a modest price. This is just a lovely place to visit.

Trina Schneider

A wonderful way to spend a Saturday, as a member I’m constantly receiving updates on new events that are happening every month. These events could be opening of a new exhibit, a sketching class with an instructor, discount and sales on coffee table books or artist manifesto’s. It’s a very quiet museum, of course the impressionistic art is what most people go for, but I enjoy the more modern works. Take the time to walk outside and go around the little pond. The café outdoors has great seating, adequate wine for a good gossip session with your best friend.

Mark Pabst

The collection is very nice but probably the most pretentious museum staff I have come across. Don't dare have lunch on their property or the guards will shoo you off. Once inside you have to check your back pack quickly or they will be on you about that. The photos show a variety of brushwork.

Ellie Cole

The Norton Simon Museum is a true treasure. With countless impressionist pieces and sculptures that greet you on the way in, and outside in the lovely garden with a lily pond, this is a must see first class museum.

Margaret Harrison

So much to see, loved it.

Brandon Lau

Great musuem, loved the outdoor pond area and the art is amazing! Must come! I think they offer student discounts so bring your student id!

Stephen F

Had a great experience. This was my first time visiting the museum and was pleasantly surprised about the amount of exhibits offered. I especially enjoyed the outdoor scenic view as well. I will definitely make sure to visit again when time allows.

D B

Great collection. This visit I went to the galleries with the Dutch Masters. It was wonderful (and includes Rembrandt). I also saw the small but still very lovely Orientalism special exhibit, the tapestries exhibit, and the sculpture garden. Only thing I'd change is the cafe (they could provide better coffee and snacks) but the setting on a nice evening in beautiful weather can't be beat.

Antho GX

Very interesting museum with paintings and statues. They have a lot of Europeans artists (French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish etc...). I recommend it.

Dora Gomez

A great place to visit and be surrounded by great works. Not overwhelming big and awesome to take the family on the first Friday of the month for free.

Lily Lopez

One of my favorite museums. I’ve visited for college projects and for pleasure. This place never disappoints. If you have a student ID you get in for free. Also, be aware that if you visit during a rainy day, you won’t be able to walk through the entire garden.

Francisco Reinosa

Very underrated museum with a delightful collection! Students (with ID) go in for free!

Joshua Williams

The Norton Simon is a pleasant surprise being a museum with such a robust collection found in a relatively low-key suburb. Right on Colorado Blvd, people drive past this hidden gem everyday and never know it’s there. One of my favorites is one of Rodin’s original Thinkers right outside along the street for the community to see. But it’s definitely worth a trip inside to see some really iconic artists in a uniquely intimate setting such as the Norton Simon.

Jack Newman

Plan your day in order to be out of the afternoon sun. Enjoy an expansive collection in a jewel-like setting. Don't miss taking a walk around the sculpture garden.

Victoria Aguirre

Lovely museum with a really incredible collection, and free for students! We got Italian sodas from the cafe and sat in the garden patio, really an ideal place for a date or family outing. I only wish they didn't close so early. Will most definitely be back.

Andrea A

I go every chance I get. To see works from the old masters one only hears of on tv and books, no words. Lots of detail throughout the whole museum and a nice garden outside to collect your thoughts after.

ESP 1138

Good museum. Security in the galleries can be a bit of a pain sometimes. The real masterpiece to see here is Raffaello's (Raphael's) Madonna and Child.

Carolyn Reyna

The art is beautiful and the museum is well kept.

Nathalia Mia

Very peaceful. Beautiful garden & statues. Nice variety of art on the inside!

Elizabeth Speranza

very gorgeous place , clean , security very tight , may use camera no flash didnt get chance see garden went to late

Akilan Mohana

Bring your student ID, it's free and absolutely beautiful. Just don't eat here, food sucks

Guillermo Renteria

The best kept secret in Pasadena....simply amazing!!!, Incredible collection on superb masterpieces.

Marai Abraham

I feel so lucky to be a resident of Pasadena and have access to this incredible museum. My family and I like to go here to unplug and soak in some culture.

Christopher Velez

Awesome experience. I wish the Museum was wayyy bigger. Really fun experience and they have an excellent collection of artists like Picasso, Kandinsky, Vangogh, Rembrandt, Diego Rivera, Edgar Esdegas, Cessane, Giorgione and many many more. Also make sure you have your student ID with you as entrance is free for students and parking is free. Food is somewhat expensive so make sure to take minimum 50 buck if you're going to be in the Museum a full day.

Israel Coronado

Beautiful garden nice place to relax spend time with your loved ones quality time! And of course see beautiful history!!!

Martha H.

Truly a Pasadena treasure. Great art to wander through and beautiful spaces to walk around. Love this place.

Soquel Rice

For the first time, I saw an actual Vangoth painting with my own eyes. It changed me. Everyone should see his paintings.

LUIS JAVIER LIZARRAGA

I was very impressed with the documentary of Norton Simon in the in-house theater. This man was a remarkable human being and contributed beyond measure to the people of Pasadena greater Los Angeles and the world! The world class art collection that he amassed in his lifetime is formidable. I was also surprised to hear from one of the staff that this was only about a 3rd of the total Norton Simon collection that was on display at the time that I visited. The grounds are serene peaceful and inviting. I will definitely be back to spend more time in this beautiful place called the Norton Simon museum.

Noemi Banuelos

It has quite a few rooms with different pieces from different time periods. There are medieval paintings, abstract paintings, etc. The cost is free if you are under 18 or have a student ID, otherwise it is free and the parking is free.

Rita Paul

We were so amazed by the beautiful collection and garden. Our only disappointment was that the movie about Norton Simon was not available because of technical difficulties.

Yani Hernandez

Loved this museum. Wish I spent more time exploring the amazing art collections

Martin Green

A superb museum with very eclectic exhibits. Lovely location in Pasadena.

Daniel Montes

Love the experience. Small enough to see the everything, but not enough time to appreciate the exhibits.

ivan guarin

Free on the first Friday of the month, very interesting museum!

Jack Armstrong

I've lived in Los Angeles for years and I'd never been to the Norton Simon Museum. Wow! The sculpture garden is fantastic, and they have an extensive collection of modern and Southeast Asian art and sculpture. Spectacular, and only $15 admission. You can't beat it.

philip Jackson

the beauty of the Norton Simon, is it it can be seen in a roughly three hour. And you won't feel like you're missing anything at all. They have a beautiful collection of Eastern art in the basement, Western and Dutch Masters above, and a wing of modern art. With an impressive collection of impressionist artists. A three hour visit is my recommendation, that gives you an idea of of what the collection is about and gives you time to enjoy a rest in the garden and a glass of wine. Ching ching

Justin Anglin

Very neat museum. Went here as a date venue. The gardens are an absolutely perfect place to stroll and get to know someone. They also have an impressive number of Degas and Picasso pieces which I appreciated. Definitely will be back.

Seth Williams

Nice collection of pre-Renaissance and Renaissance European art. And they have wheelchairs, which was good for my grandma. And the garden in the back is very lovely, with a nice pond. Cool museum, although the Broad is still July favorite!

Justin Prescott

My resting place! Whenever I feel down, stressed, or need inspiration, I come here. It is full of European paintings and Asian art. I prefer French painters so this place is a good fit. It is free for students with valid ID and I would recommend getting a membership if you come here often. The outdoor garden/cafe area is small but beautiful. I like to stroll around the garden when I need a break from studying art. I've been coming here for years and have never been disappointed.

Spencer T

Beautiful place beautiful art.

Laura Lavetti

Great museum. They're a bit strict about what you can touch this and that... but hey it's a museum... I liked it. I went with my boyfriend and we stayed and played chess after touring the museum. You could easily get lost here for four or five hours.

Lucas Gerbeaux

Beautiful museum with plenty of pieces displayed, enough to spend a great after noon of arts. I also happen to be local to this place so I had the chance to visit several time with various different seasonal exhibitions, and this place is pretty consistently good! Never had a bad time at the Norton :)

Sheila Jenkins

It was my first visit...The collection and the layout was impressive. Everything was well thought out. It is well worth a visit...loved it. The Norton Simon Museum is a small venue (say, compared to the Getty), however their exquisite collection of rare Japanese antiquities is a visual delight. Go during the week and you'll miss the crowds, and don't forget to enjoy fine dining in the local Pasadena area!

Geoff

Amazing collection of paintings, sculptures and Asian artifacts. The setting is a beautiful building in a lush garden. The museum rooms are spacious with seating to let you gaze and take in the paintings. There is a nice cafe in the garden. Parking is easy. Well worth a visit.

Milan Miščević

There are amazing art works.

Johan Ranmuthugala

Great paintings and sculpture collection of renaissance period to Impressionism and modern art

Lindsey Mysse

❤️ this place. Amazing paintings, lovely staff. My favorite museum in Los Angeles .

T Mn

Very nice place. The only negative thing is that staff knows nothing about paintings or sculptures they guard. Don't waste your time asking them any questions.

Eric Overholt

A beautiful place filled with beautiful things. Not large, but still lots to see from ~14th century to modern works. Sculptures, paintings, and more. Don't forget to take a stroll through the garden as well. It is filled with both natural beauty and incredible sculptures. Also note: free from 5-8p on the first Friday evening of the month. Otherwise, $15/person over 18. Check out membership, too. It helps support the museum and includes admission during your membership period.

John Swanson

Probably the best art museum in Southern California.

Aida Pozuelos

A wonderful experiencie, I advise everyone to come and admire all these beautiful pieces of arte.

Andre J

I was so close to so many revered works of art which I found to be interesting. Picasso, Monet and others were literally at my finger tips and the museum monitors remind you of that with an unprecedented hawkishness. The interior space flowed nicely and I enjoyed the lighting and spaciousness while exploring the works. I loved the outdoor garden/pond area with the mix of trees, plants and sculptures. Lastly, there are interesting sculptures and landscape on the buildings outer grounds. Overall a great experience!

Sophia Stein-michaels

the artworks are beautiful and well kept.

Alex Stephens

Great museum, and free entry for students!

Alex Vasquez

Lovely museum. They have a small courtyard that's nice to stroll. They have Matisse on view.

Jo Trust

Wonderful museum first time there. If you like Impressionist painting be sure to visit

Nadia Smith

I always thought the museum was smaller than it actually is, based on the pictures online. They have the biggest exhibit of impressionist artists in Southern California, so I guess that says it all. The garden is beautiful and has sculptures of Moore... There are a few tables and small cafe like patio in the garden.

Hamik Hartounian

Tranquil place to go see art, their pond are is a great retreat.

Karen Moe

I love museums. Lovely collection of paintings, tapestries, sculptures. Wonderful to see. I recommend it.

Glenn P

Wow!!!!!! Incredible collection of art highly recommend this place.

Margaret Rice

Wonderful art, wonderful space.

Annette Sanchez

This was a very calming experience yet beautiful. Will be coming back to see their garden exhibit. It was closed due to the rain.

Jon Clark

Lots of the old masters. Nice presentation, nice architecture.

Lisa Soto

An amazing collection of paintings, sculptures, indoor and outdoor art displays, and lots of security! Plan to spend 3-4 hours to see everything, a day or more if you want to read all of the placks and study the pieces. Well organized and easy to navigate, but there is a lot to see. Personally, it was overwhelming and we left before visiting every gallery. The movie is a great place to start.

H.J. G.

Love the outdoor sculpture garden. Great collection of different areas and regions. Lots of Degas!

Victoria Miskolczy

What a gem in the middle of Pasadena! Where else can you see Rodin, Van Gogh, Picasso, Kandinsky, Degas and all of those fabulous old Dutch masters? The garden, though smaller, is also worth walking in.

Frank Cheng

Student with ID can enjoy free admission

Sony V

Awesome museum a lil bit of everything from grand well known artists of the past like Renoir, Van gogh, & Monet to a bit more modern. Very large paintings and quilts. Rather small but cute garden. A must go to museum.

Nift

Art was fine. Guards kept following me and my family around making us feel uncomfortable. Never felt more unwanted/unwelcome in my life.

Joseph Smith

Awesome collection of Rodin sculpture (plus Picasso, Moore, Lipschitz). Excellent place to see Degas, Renoir and Rembrandt.

Fernando Olmedo

Great little museum with some amazing artwork. Free for students. I try to come here once a year to get inspired.

Laurel Grove

Was as exciting and impressive the second visit as the first! Do not miss.

Ryan Thomson

Some amazing pieces! I was blown away by Van Gogh. Their garden and cafe are delightful. I got a beer and cheese plate. You can take your beer and walk through the sculpture garden. It's open until 8pm on Friday and Saturday, so you can see the garden during the day and go back after dark, so enchanting. I recommend for an thrilling art experience and/or a romantic evening. (free parking and free entrance with a student ID)

Elliot Hirschi

Amazing museum, I had loads of fun going with my art class :)

deb karotick

Always an amazing place to visit...love the way permanent collection displays in chronological order!

Dayna Salter

I enjoy visiting the Norton Simon museum whenever I visit Pasadena. Some of my favorites are in their permanent collection and they always have interesting visiting exhibits. Great gift shop.

M. G.

Gorgeous museum with so many pieces to study, even the outdoor resting area is lovely to look at. I came here for my best friend's birthday back in January and there was so much to look at on the first floor that we didn't even have time to make it to the second floor before we had to leave for dinner plans. Would love to visit again! And they have student discounts, but none of us had to pay! Super cool!

Mary T. Thorsen

Nice to see this Museum. Great collection and also well organized.

Brett Bernath

An excellent museum in Pasadena. Great place to spend some time meditating, wandering about, and getting lost in your own thoughts. I love spending rainy days here. Become a member. Great lectures and movies. Easy parking. Another great thing in Pasadena.

William Nerenberg

Wonderful facilities beautifully maintained With well-defined exhibits and good lighting. I have been there twice in the last year and plan to go back.

Marc Tremelot

Could stay 4 hours there. Love the Southern Asia sculpture section downstairs, quite impressive, though always puzzling to realize these pieces are not where they belong too. Amazing paintings collections covering the last 5 centuries (more or less), there are masterpieces in every corner. To me, overall, the best art museum in the county, if not the country

Vicki McCarron

Fabulous art collection. I particularly love the Impressionists.

Robert Aster

Excellent place for a high quality date. Fine art and sculpture.

Karla with a K

I love this museum and since it's free for students it's easy to go to whenever I'm free. Beautiful space and lots of amazing works

Enil Enchev

great museum, excellent work of Frank Gehry... incredible art collection...must see 7 stars!!!

Sofia Eulgem

This museum is a precious gem maintaining a permanent collection of important and famous artworks from different periods, schools and movements. It is also hosting very interesting and informative visiting exhibitions of unique art pieces from far away. The breathtaking garden and all the grounds around the main building are adorned with statues stimulating an environment of tranquility and joy for the creative soul. I am so happy having the opportunity going there frequently.

Carolyn Edwards

Enjoyed spending few hours in galleries and a very nice light lunch in the Cafe which is outside by a lovely pond. Delightful day. Due to holiday, they were out of the free guide/map in English.

Kirk Rader

Iconic LA cultural institution. Sculpture garden is not too be missed.

Poi & Keely

Visited this amazing museum 1 year ago. I always have fond memories of this place and it's stunning beyond words. It might seem small from the outside, but it's anything but! Plus having a fresh iced coffee after walking around and look at art, at the little drink stand is seriously the means for a perfect afternoon.

Peter Stein

Fantastic and free (maybe not a the time, check in with them). Nice garden too.

Connie McNair

Amazing collection of art--a doable version of the Lourve!

Edrick Tong

Very nice and interesting place to experience classic and ancient art right before your eyes. People under 18 get in free and 10 dollars for adults. They also have a really nice pond and small snack shop as well.

Joe Aldridge

Very laid back. Low price for the exhibit. Bookstore has a wide variety of books. It's a must visit.

G. Eduardo Alvarez-Vega

Their four segments of art are well organized and a joy to visit..

Valérie Lent

Excellent museum: each piece is accompanied by a very relevant narrative of the context it was created in. The anecdotes are interesting and facilitate the interpretation and enjoyment of the works. There is a lot of space, the lighting is subtle, soothing, and well adapted to the atmosphere of each room. The outdoor garden café offers good quality soups and sandwiches at a reasonable price.

C Ryan

Music impressionist paintings up close and personal then walk outside and see the Lily pond and feel like you're caught up in a world an impressionist painter would love.

Dave Spelbring

Quiet and peacefuland. Clean and well maintained.

Terry Bixler

A Pasadena treasure. Outstanding art. Beautiful grounds. Take the time to watch the movie on Norton Simon. History of the man and museum.

Franchesco Ramos

Great little museum tucked away in Pasadena. A great selection of paintings by world renowned artists and views that are so scenic. Perfect if you want to come alone or on a date.

R. Phelps

I had never heard about this museum until recently and I was surprised at the art collection they house. The building is beautiful and you can't beat the entrance fee to see such masterpieces. Will definitely visit again.

midevilcycle

Very interesting and deverse display of deutifle art work of all types

P. Lonestar

This museum definitely made my day. It's filled with tons of classic European artworks, as well as Asian ones too. The museum also has a scenic garden and pond with an outdoor cafe. Staff are friendly and honest to the point that when I asked for an adult admission they reminded me that as a student I can enter for free. I recommend you spend at least 4 hours at the museum to make sure you see everything the place has to offer.

JT Lippert

Awesome collection, go see it.

InTheMaking

So many great pieces of art from many of the greatest artists. They have pieces from every century really, it will be worth your time to come! Neatly organized as well.

Cindy Garcia

The Norton Simon Museum is a true treasure. With countless impressionist pieces and sculptures that greet you on the way in, and outside in the lovely garden with a lily pond, this is a must see first class museum.

Tony Victorin

Really liked "The Flower Vendor" by Diego Rivera.

Rebecca Koller

Love visiting the Norton Simon on Free Fridays (aka the first Friday of the month). It’s a fairly small museum with mostly European paintings on the top floor and an Asian section on the bottom floor. It’s not particularly my favorite art styles, but there are a few pieces there that I adore. Van Gogh has a gorgeous piece that I could stare at for hours just looking at the way the paint sits on the canvas.

Gregory Tada

Fantastic collection here. Even though the Getty has a beautiful campus, I prefer coming here because of the collection. There's plenty of parking here. I like to spend a day on one half and then another day to finish the other half. Take it slow and enjoy each piece.

NotGonna Say

Truly inspiring masterpieces collected in a serene, beautiful space with sculpture gardens surrounding it. I can't believe it took me so long to get to this gem of a museum and I will certainly return. The tapestries are phenomenal!

Anja Marie

Very polite staff and an excellent collection

TC Roland

Amazing museum! They have a soothing nice cafe in the back where you can have great drinks and snacks. It's an excellent place for escape and admire breathtaking artworks by the old masters. Security is very tight here and with good reason. They are protecting and preserving millions worth of artwork from legendary artists from centuries ago. However, they are a very friendly staff. This is indeed one of the best museums in the nation.

shooky darshun

A fantastic museum that isn't the Getty. Been here a few times for school related field trips to study religious artifacts from Asia in regards to Buddha (bottom floor). What's nice is that they have a variety of art from different periods of time.

Brett Croxton

I love this place! The art is transcendent and the garden is absolutely incredible. Having a beer by the pond, nothing better!

Monica Michelle

Small Jewel of a stunning museum. Don't miss the outside sculpture garden

Bernice Baker

There’s a lot to see at the Norton Simon and it’s best taken in bite-size chunks. So this day, we just sauntered around the sculpture garden on a late afternoon and savored the sculptures and nature in their restful garden with pond setting. Trees, sky, dappled light, sculptures, and benches to sit on as you take them all in.

Daniela CG

Great art collection! The garden area is also very beautiful. We enjoyed our visit and will recommend this museum to anyone.

Rebecca Quan

I love this museum and that it's here in Pasadena. There's a walkable pond in the middle of the museum. The only complaint is that it's not a so big museum and it does not have a giant collection like the lacma or getty center. Still, I love this museum and plan go to back every so often.

Josh B

Very nice space to visit and enjoy the works. I've been a number of times, and it has not yet gotten tiring. They museum seems to have a active eye for talent that is different than some of the larger trend carrying venues exhibit.

Calvin Roberts

A lovely midsize museum with an amazing collection. Sorry that the gardens were closed due to rain on the day of our visit. We really enjoyed the Asian collection, a special tapestry exhibit, and the modern portion of the collection. Highly recommend a visit to this museum.

Barbara Underwood

Beautiful exhibits, quiet. Helpful staff.

Daniel B

We love this museum. They have wonderful educational programs, a nice café and outdoor space, and incredible art. We spent our last visit enjoying some of the examples of cubism. If you are planning a weekend in Pasadena, I recommend spending some time here — either before or after a meal at your favorite old Pasadena restaurant.

Fernando Islas

i can't believe i haven't been to this museum before! if you ask me it is a lot bigger than i expected. we spent about 3+ hours here and we were able to see all the pieces. i suggest you come early and stay late as there is so much to see from a lot of different eras. i would like to come back at some point in the future and see what else they bring.

Eddie Hernandez

I cant believe ive never been here, rodin, picaso, and so many other maestros.

Allen

Great number of collection. Free visit for students with valid student ID.

Adrienne Valencia

This is a wonderful place to spend an afternoon. Its my favorite museum...so much to see, yet small enough to do in a day. The grounds are just as beautiful as the inside galleries. Love this place!

Kenneth Wright

Love this museum! Excellent collection. We went to see the Titian Portrait of a Lady in White.

James Zhu

Great art museum in a great location in LA area. Personally plan on going again because there’s so much to see, and the gardens were closed because of mud.

Rosemary Gordon

This is my best museum it has all my favorite artists! I really think it has a good balance of different artists and media. The grounds are just beautiful

Auburn Heller

The children's booklet was well thought out and enjoyable to share with a child

Canneo Jesus

One of the greatest collections of Modernist and 20th century paintings that you can see in Southern California, apart from the Getty. Definitely a must for date or just a break from the daily humdrum. Really loved the Matisse selections and amazing Van Goghs. $15 dollar cover charge, but free for students, teachers. Discounted rates for military personnel and seniors. Loved this museum so glad it calls Pasadena home.

Genevieve Whalesong

wonderful artifacts and paintings tapestries beautiful gardens to have tea and stroll around the trees and sculptures lovely day out

Rose Aleah

Wonderful place with free parking. European and South Asian paintings and sculptures on display. A nice weekend date.

Deeya Loram

Beautiful art, soothing space, and lovely garden make this one of my favorite places for quiet contemplation.

Damon Ramirez

Very nice place, beauitful art, my friend liked it. The staff even offered a wheel chair, very helpful people. We even had lunch there. Very nice.

LenaArt

The collection is nice, especially the impressionists. However, the security here is excessive for such a small museum. I was approached at least 3 times and saw they were harassing other people too. Felt very unwelcome and it spoiled the experience. Not coming back. Check the poor reviews below, all about security.

Logan Schauer

Massive art collection ranging from the 14th century to the 20th. Amazing works of art by some very notable artists. Admission is free for students which is awesome. If you are able to appreciate the art, you can easily spend hours upon hours in each of the rooms and outside in the garden. They do have a small cafe with some good looking food for when you take a break and a free reproduction print to take as a souvenir. Overall a great choice for a museum visit. Oh, and parking is free!

Bill Taylor

Great eclectic collection in a meticulously maintained and staffed facility. Couple of Van Goghs. Especially riveting is the portrait of his mother. Plus good mid-century abstract, a weakness of mine.

Aaron Davalos

I was here for business trying to become a vendor. It was really neat to walk through the different areas I could, I didn’t pay to get in. The gift shop had some good stuff in it that I might come back for it. Would definitely bring the family back.

Anneliese Hanson

Medium sized museum that specializes in works by the Dutch masters and South Asian religious art. There are also a number of Matisse paintings and many Rodin casts in the sculpture garden. Honestly I'm not very into Renaissance religious iconography, but that is just a matter of taste. The sculpture garden in back is beautiful and was my favorite part of the museum. It's location in Pasadena is lovely and easy to get to.

Lourdes Leiner

They have free admission for students which is so pleasant. Such a diverse collection with very gorgeous pieces. There café out in the statue garden is so quaint. Truly a wonderful museum.

Angela Gui

One of my favorite museums. There is a beautiful garden/cafe area that has lawns to sit on and a lily pond. Don’t miss the Asian collection downstairs which has a huge collection of religious artefacts from Buddhism, Hinduism, Jainism, and more. Free student tickets too!

tatyana mcintosh

Breathtaking art. Definitely recommend.

Danny KidSuper Lin

This place exceeded my expectation with an unique set of art works, mainly from Europe and South East Asia. We were fortunate to visit the theater for a 30 minutes short film intro on Mr. Simon's background and his motivation for collecting such large set of arts. For me, especially the Indian, Pakistan, Tamil, Cambodian and Indonesian collections were the highlights as I've never really seen them previously. The sculpture garden in the back was pretty neat also and a good photo opportunity, as well the Rodin's work in the front. Overall a great place to visit for couple of hours. Afterwards, you can walk over (10 min) to the Old Town Pasadena for some coffee/tea and people watch.

Hurley Rinehart

The Norton Simon Museum is a true treasure. With countless impressionist pieces and sculptures that greet you on the way in, and outside in the lovely garden with a lily pond, this is a must see first class museum.

bilha koifman

Amazing. An interesting exhibition of sculptures outdoors and a nice one of paintings indoors. Caters to the needs and likes of artists and laymen.

Gor Hayrapetyan

Exceptional collection, definitely worth a visit!

Thunder Bri

It's free on the first Saturday of the month, it's has it's own little cafe in the back. It's a nice size. The art work is beautiful to look at. It even has a gift shop.

Casa Del Mar

A beautiful building with renowned pieces of art. The Asian collection is phenomenal. My favorites are the impressionist works but the collection as a whole makes for some lovely hours of viewing. Add the restful garden cafe, interesting lectures in a great theater for music as well, it is always a delightful experience. Probably my favorite museum because of its quality collection and intimate setting.