Celebrating it's 50th anniversary this year is one of the finest art museums in the nation, housing works by Degas, Rembrandt, Hockney, and Monet. The huge complex was designed by three very different architects over a span of 30 years, and though the architectural fusion can be migraine inducing, this city landmark is well worth delving into.

The newest wing is the Japanese Pavilion, which has exterior walls made of Kalwall, a translucent material that, like shoji screens, permits the entry of soft natural light. Inside is a collection of Japanese Edo paintings that's rivaled only by the holdings of the emperor of Japan.

The Anderson Building, the museum's contemporary wing, is home to 20th-century painting and sculpture. Here you'll find works by Matisse, Magritte, and a good number of Dada artists. The Ahmanson Building houses the rest of the museum's permanent collections. You'll find everything from 2,000-year-old pre-Columbian Mexican ceramics to 19th-century portraiture to a unique glass collection spanning the centuries. Other displays include one of the nation's largest holdings of costumes and textiles, and an important Indian and Southeast Asian art collection. The Hammer Building is primarily used for major special-loan exhibitions. Free guided tours covering the museum's highlights depart on a regular basis from here. Be sure to visit the museum's website to see what special exhibits are currently on display.

The museum recently took over the former May Company department store 1 block away, converting the historic Art Deco building into gallery space.