Free LA!: The Getty Villa

Getty Villa Outer Peristyle

The Getty Villa is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of LA and relax at one of the most serene locations in the area. Tucked away off the side of the Pacific Coast Highway, the Villa is free to enter. All you need is a reserved ticket, which you can receive online or through the Getty museum. If you plan on driving to the location, parking is $15. The Villa is closed on Tuesdays.

The Getty Villa Gardens

Getty Villa Herb GardenOne of the first things to greet you when you get to the Getty Villa is the gardens. The Villa is modeled after an ancient Roman villa, which features gardens as an integral part of their domain. There are several gardens littered throughout the grounds. The largest one is the Outer Peristyle, which features a large reflecting pool, statues and trees favored by ancient Romans. There is also an herb garden which you are free to visit. The herbs from the garden are occasionally used for different catered events at the Villa, such as their Tea by the Sea experience.

The Getty Villa Museum

Getty Villa SarcophagusAlong with the gardens is a museum featuring a robust collection of different Greek, Roman and Etruscan artifacts. The galleries in the museum feature different aspects of what it was like to live between 6,500 B.C. to A.D. 400. Things displayed include everything from statues and busts, to currency and perfume flasks. The museum also displays a mummy from the Romano-Egyptian culture. Many of the statues and sculpture featured in the museum have been expertly restored to demonstrate how the figures would have looked before time and mishandling ravaged their forms.

The Getty Villa Tours

Getty Villa GardenLead by Getty employees and docents, these tours will take you through the grounds and offer talks about different exhibits. All tours are free, and are held at different times throughout the day. Tours offered are typically less than an hour, and encourage you to think critically about certain exhibits. Available tours will introduce you to the gardens, architecture and various collection highlights.

Do you have any other places that you can go to on a budget? Let me know in the comments section!