Simon Wiesenthal Center
Simon Wiesenthal Center
4.5
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
About
This museum helps visitors understand and experience discrimination.
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Neighborhood: Westside
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
21 reviews
Excellent
14
Very good
6
Average
1
Poor
0
Terrible
0
toronto/montreal
toronto1 contribution
This museum is a must see for all school kids and their teachers. The museum is divided into two learning centres. The first is about tolerance, and the displays timeline the history of human rights and discrimination in the U.S. Interactive displays allow you to go further into the subject. The Learning Centres invites discussion and learning.
The Holocust museum uses a low-key Disney-ish display to tell the story of the Holocust; how and why Hitler came to power, why the Jews did not flee, why ordinary citizens willingly participated, and why some did not. It uses pictures and first person accounts to describe the ghettos, the rounding up, and transporting of Jews, Gypsies, the disabled, homosexuals and others. You can almost see what it must have been like. The tour is a brief (one hour) yet detailed overview. The tour serves as an introduction for the uninformed, a review for those who have studied, and a warning to those who are naive enough to believe it cannot happen again. As our guide pointed out, it already has, and still is.
There are also special displays and shows, check the web site for updates.
There is an artifacts museum on the upper floor, a cafeteria and underground, free parking. There is strict security, metal detectors, no food, drink or gum allowed inside!
Well worth a visit, though you will be in a somber mood afterwards!
The Holocust museum uses a low-key Disney-ish display to tell the story of the Holocust; how and why Hitler came to power, why the Jews did not flee, why ordinary citizens willingly participated, and why some did not. It uses pictures and first person accounts to describe the ghettos, the rounding up, and transporting of Jews, Gypsies, the disabled, homosexuals and others. You can almost see what it must have been like. The tour is a brief (one hour) yet detailed overview. The tour serves as an introduction for the uninformed, a review for those who have studied, and a warning to those who are naive enough to believe it cannot happen again. As our guide pointed out, it already has, and still is.
There are also special displays and shows, check the web site for updates.
There is an artifacts museum on the upper floor, a cafeteria and underground, free parking. There is strict security, metal detectors, no food, drink or gum allowed inside!
Well worth a visit, though you will be in a somber mood afterwards!
Written May 2, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1hotMeM
Anaheim, California, United States5 contributions
Absolutely everyone needs to take a few hours of their life and be here. You will be a better person for it. Teach your children: tolerance, compassion, peace, have a voice, love & appreciate one another.
Written March 17, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chofetzchaim
22 contributions
Jun 2011
My visit started on a sour note as they initially turned me away for not having reservations. Seems that there were some school groups and they were full. I made reservations for some hours later and returned.
Also, the museum does not permit food, drinks, cameras and any sharp objects (all understandable) but they provide no place to put them if you bring them by mistake. Therefore, everything goes in the garbage. The guard told me that a whole group had brought Swiss army knives the day before and they all went in the trash bin. They definitely should have lockers outside the admission area. They mercifully allowed me to bring in my camera with the promise that I wouldn't photograph anything. (I didn't)
The museum is fascinating and well designed. Very informative, original and interactive. My 12-y.o. son, who is very hard to please, found it interesting and worthwhile and even agreed that it would be good to try to see the one we have here in NY.
The restaurant was a bonus for us as it is not only kosher but good food, nice choices and reasonable prices.
Also, the museum does not permit food, drinks, cameras and any sharp objects (all understandable) but they provide no place to put them if you bring them by mistake. Therefore, everything goes in the garbage. The guard told me that a whole group had brought Swiss army knives the day before and they all went in the trash bin. They definitely should have lockers outside the admission area. They mercifully allowed me to bring in my camera with the promise that I wouldn't photograph anything. (I didn't)
The museum is fascinating and well designed. Very informative, original and interactive. My 12-y.o. son, who is very hard to please, found it interesting and worthwhile and even agreed that it would be good to try to see the one we have here in NY.
The restaurant was a bonus for us as it is not only kosher but good food, nice choices and reasonable prices.
Written June 12, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Allan W.
Pomona, CA156 contributions
Sep 2011 • Couples
My wife and I have previously visited the concentration camp sites of Auschwitz and Dachau, and I have visited the Holocaust Museum in Washington, DC. These were very moving experiences for us. We were curious what the Museum of Tolerance might present. We attended an informative 1-hour talk by a holocaust survivor, which was the highlight of our visit. We were somewhat put off by the enforced pacing of visitors in the holocaust portion of the museum: doors automatically open and close to shepherd visitors from one area to another after audiovisual presentations in each section. This section of the museum could be informative to people who are unfamiliar with the holocaust and who would be receptive to a broad-brush overview. But the presentation did not evoke in us the empathetic emotional reactions that the other memorials we have visited did, perhaps because there were no compelling visual displays that allowed for self-paced reflection.
A second section has a broader focus, emphasizing the need for tolerance. It mostly relies on displayed text, images, and a few interactive stations. It's wide-ranging focus trends toward superficial coverage...a survey rather than a spotlight. For us the latter would have been more compelling.
If you have been to the other holocaust memorial sites such as those mentioned above and/or you are already informed of the events related to the holocaust, you could probably by-pass this museum in favor of other cultural opportunities in Los Angeles. If you are curious about what happened during those horrible times, you can learn quite a bit from a visit.
A second section has a broader focus, emphasizing the need for tolerance. It mostly relies on displayed text, images, and a few interactive stations. It's wide-ranging focus trends toward superficial coverage...a survey rather than a spotlight. For us the latter would have been more compelling.
If you have been to the other holocaust memorial sites such as those mentioned above and/or you are already informed of the events related to the holocaust, you could probably by-pass this museum in favor of other cultural opportunities in Los Angeles. If you are curious about what happened during those horrible times, you can learn quite a bit from a visit.
Written September 5, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MrB1966
Eastbourne, UK221 contributions
A truly moving experience for our entire party that ranged from 9 to 76. You simply must attend one of the talks from a holocaust survivor if you have the chance. We all listened intently for an hour and could have listened for another few hours. Be prepared to be moved to tears even if you are not normally. A memorable experience for all. Thank You so much.
Written August 4, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ariesgal
Los Angeles, CA373 contributions
As previously said, the experience was moving but very traumatic. However, the message is so important that everyone should visit. Very interactive, non-traditional. Not boring at all. However, it was hard for me to find restrooms at all levels besides the lobby. And the cafeteria on the 4/F was mediocre, kind of dirty too.
Free parking. Great books collection in the museum store. Reserve at least 3 to 4 hours for the visit. Expect lots of school kids if it's on a school day.
Free parking. Great books collection in the museum store. Reserve at least 3 to 4 hours for the visit. Expect lots of school kids if it's on a school day.
Written March 23, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debby S
Saint Louis Park, MN242 contributions
Jan 2015 • Family
My daughter & I recently toured a section of the museum. It was a very profound & emotional visit. I would have liked to have spent more time there. I do plan on returning the next time I am in LA.
I highly recommend visiting this museum & bring your children. It is a very moving experience.
I highly recommend visiting this museum & bring your children. It is a very moving experience.
Written February 5, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
stelai_11
Reading, UK37 contributions
Nov 2010
did not start off to well as did not take my passport and a very rude security guard would not let me in to park but on entrance all ok took a guided tour with a group and was there for a very informative couple of hours with exhibits videos and a very knowing guide you have to go i dare you not to be moved
Written April 24, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LA_traveller16
Los Angeles4 contributions
I went with my boyfriend to the Museum of Tolerance just a few days after CA passed Prop 8. It was definitely a moving experience that day. The first floor had different exhibits dedicated to tolerance of different races, cultures, genders, sexual preferences, and religion. At that moment, and even now, there is was a huge backlash against CA voters passing Prop 8 to limit the rights of a minority group. Anyway...that was only the start of it all.
The chief example and purpose of the museum of Tolerence was based on the Holocaust . It plotted the events in Germany from "losing" WWI to the Final Solution to the Jews. It then took you to a Concentration Camp and to the extermination process. Hard to put it all in words. It reminded me a bit of the Museum in DC with the passport card of a Jewish person and seeing what happened to them.
As depressing as it was, I am glad I went. As much as the world has changed, we still have a long way to go to really accept people who are not the same as mainstream society.
The chief example and purpose of the museum of Tolerence was based on the Holocaust . It plotted the events in Germany from "losing" WWI to the Final Solution to the Jews. It then took you to a Concentration Camp and to the extermination process. Hard to put it all in words. It reminded me a bit of the Museum in DC with the passport card of a Jewish person and seeing what happened to them.
As depressing as it was, I am glad I went. As much as the world has changed, we still have a long way to go to really accept people who are not the same as mainstream society.
Written January 2, 2009
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bigvicSydney
Sydney, Australia3,552 contributions
Nov 2017 • Couples
What is gratifying when you visit the Museum of Tolerance is the varied ethnic background of the visitors and how moved everybody seemed to be watching the terrible story of the Holocaust unfold. Equally excellent is the very special ANNE FRANK exhibition. What a unique young girl she was. Highly recommended
Written November 23, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Simon Wiesenthal Center
- Simon Wiesenthal Center is open:
- Mon - Thu 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Fri - Fri 9:00 AM - 3:30 PM
- Hotels near Simon Wiesenthal Center:
- (0.20 mi) Cameo Beverly Hills
- (0.42 mi) Avalon Hotel Beverly Hills
- (0.34 mi) Residence Inn by Marriott Beverly Hills
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- (0.85 mi) Fairmont Century Plaza
- Restaurants near Simon Wiesenthal Center:
- (0.01 mi) PS Food Café
- (0.20 mi) The Restaurant at Mr. C
- (0.21 mi) Fish Grill
- (0.25 mi) Bicyclette Bistro
- (0.27 mi) Melanee Thai