The Martial Arts History Museum in Glendale, California, presents martial arts alongside Asian art, music, culture and history. Its collection spans several regions and includes media related to martial arts in film, television and radio, making the museum a focused stop for learning about the subject.
- Location: Glendale, California; the visitor entrance is on Wilson Avenue.
- From the hotel: about an 11-minute drive from El Royale Gardens Near Universal Studios.
- Regular hours: Wednesday through Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- General admission: $12 for adults and $5 for children ages 6–17.
What to expect at the museum
The museum’s permanent collection brings together regional sections and martial arts-related media. You can look for material on China, Japan, Korea, Hawaii, the Philippines and Thailand, as well as anime and media.
The media collection includes martial arts magazines and film props, along with a timeline tracing martial arts in radio, television and film. The museum estimates that a visit takes about one hour, which gives you a useful starting point when planning the rest of your day.
The museum began as a traveling exhibit in 1999, opened in Santa Clarita in 2006 and moved to Burbank in 2010.
Admission and opening hours
Published admission is $10 for visitors age 65 and over; active military members with ID, police and fire personnel are admitted free. General admission is free on the first Thursday of each month from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Special-event admission is listed separately: $20 for adults and $5 for children ages 6–17. Specific events, dates and prices vary, so check the official site before you go for closure dates and current admission details.
How do you get to the Martial Arts History Museum?
The museum is at 201 N. Brand Blvd., B100, Glendale, CA 91203, near the corner of North Brand Boulevard and Wilson Street. Use the visitor entrance at 111 Wilson Ave., next to the Muay Thai school.
For parking, the museum directs visitors to the four-story structure on Orange Street between California Street and Wilson Street; the first 90 minutes are free. The Glendale Galleria, one block away, offers free all-day parking. The museum’s visitor information does not identify public-transit routes or stops, so confirm your route separately if you plan to travel by transit.
Accessibility and visit planning
The museum’s visitor-information page does not specify wheelchair access or other accessibility accommodations. If you need details before visiting, contact the museum to ask about the entrance and facilities. The information page also does not state whether general-admission reservations are required; it directs visitors to call or email about field trips.
With an estimated visit of about one hour, you can plan the museum as a short stop and leave room for other activities in the area. A one-day Studio City itinerary can help shape a broader day nearby. The museum also hosts two to three events a month, though the program and admission prices vary.
Other nearby outings
The Hollywood Heritage Museum offers another museum-focused stop for visitors interested in the area’s history.
FAQs
How long does a visit to the Martial Arts History Museum take?
The museum estimates that touring it takes approximately one hour.
Does the museum have free admission?
Admission is free on the first Thursday of each month from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Active military members with ID, police and fire personnel are also admitted free.
Where is the visitor entrance?
The visitor entrance is at 111 Wilson Ave., next to the Muay Thai school.
Does the museum specify wheelchair access?
No. Its visitor-information page does not specify wheelchair access or other accessibility accommodations; contact the museum for details.