I used to pass by here after work at the hospital. This landmark is inspirational and artistic which represents a large population who reside in the area. After a full shift at work i would love to sit here and just take in all the art and all the colors that were present. This land mark has even been in some local movies like colors and robo-cop. As for the dangerous part of the neighborhood. I never had a problem while i was here and the locals seemed very nice while i was there. Even when you pass the Watts towers on the Light blue line of the metro link.On the way the red line connector towards union station .You Feel a very special connection to Los Angeles .
Its always a nice cultural and historical experience to share with children and adults. However, at this time the Towers are closed for renovation for a year, the museum is closed for the next 6 months. The garden is open, but it would be much better if more flora is added.They have some baby tortoises in a little pond an a adult tortoise roaming about. We only seen one adult.I suggest any one interested in going who plan on taking a tour check with facility management for more information on completion and reopening of the Towers and Museum. We always enjoy hanging out there and having a picnic lunch. Nice place to visit.
Can’t explain with words, these towards are beautiful, the story of the towers is very interesting, will definitely recommend a tour.definitely will be back again, if you feel uninspired this place will bring back your spirit.
Very amazing how this was created! I liked how it has all that info on the outside of the gate. Never seen anything like it! Its just very difficult to get out of there if you drive in through the narrow street, you need to park somewhere else and walk to the site.
It is so beautiful. People should come see them. The park is easy to reach by Metro Rails Yellow line.
I visit maybe twice a year and enjoy music and beautiful art in the gallery. The Festival of the Drum and Jazz Festival held the next day usually the last week end in September are my two favorite reasons to visit. Come on down and enjoy!
A very good location for an event I volunteered for & alot of amazing history of the towers is a ailable for the public!
A bit crowded but was still enjoyable. The tour was great and the parking was safe. Perhaps allocating a less busier time would bring this to a 5 star rating.
Super cool part of LA history sad its closed
State Certified National Park needs more recognition and less dismissiveness for all people in the hood
Too bad it was closed for renovation! I hope to return soon and see this picturesque place open to the public. I went with my 15 year old son, touring the GTA points and Watts tower was a pleasant surprise!
Awesome structures. Very little, if anything, like them, anywhere in the world. You cant appreciate the detail of the work or the sheer size unless you see them in person. Ive never seen it open in the two times Ive been there, and Ive been the only person there both times and you can see it pretty well without a tour. Given how rough the surrounding neighborhood looks, I was okay with nobody else being around. Its not in a neighborhood a tourist would typically visit, but Ive never had any problems. I get hassled by criminals way more at gas stations around LAX.
So lovely I went back after about 8 years, still had its same wondrous affect. Make sure you go on the tour, thats the only way to actually get into the towers. The history is so interesting.
Essential viewing when visiting Los Angeles. Ive wanted to visit for over thirty years, since seeing fifties the documentary while studying art history. A brilliant creation by an idiosyncratic individual, Simon Rodia. Beautiful angles, shapes and colors. Our guide was local and very knowledgeable. The art center is an important locale in the community, providing free art and music lessons to children. The future of the towers is not certain. Make a point of visiting and doing anything you can to preserve this unique national treasure.
I enjoyed the tour to Watts tower. I just wished we can stay a little longer to take photos and roam around freely
The story of the place is great, the towers themselves are a feat, plus... There are turtles. TURTLES!
Had a great tour guide. Watched the documentary video (ok). Parking was easy. Gave only four stars because the two main towers were being renovated and not visible. Plan to return after June 2020 when renovation should be completed.
I grew up in South Central and Watts from the 1960s to the late 1970s. The Towers were always close by. I wasn’t old enough to know why the first Watts riots took place. But I remember that fires burned all around that part of Los Angeles in 1965 for five days.I am sure that my take on the Towers are different from a lot of the other reviews here because I spent so much in the area.For example, when Italian Born Simon Rodia was building the three towers his neighbors viewed him a nice but odd man. He could be seen walking around the neighborhood collecting what he called: “beautiful Junk.” Broken plates, broken coffee cups, smooth stones, sea shells, broken and ladies gave him broken plates and other crockery that he embedded in various places of the towers and some of the more than ten walls surrounding them.I guess that he drove to the Santa Monica beach which is 21 and a half miles away from his home in Watts.There are many photos taken of Rodia climbing up the towers adding more cement to the rebar (believe it or not) that was the main part of the structure over the cement.By the time that Watts became predominantly black and low income Rodia had done as much as his advancing age could do. A lot of the businesses had “downsized” or burned down and the area was all but forgotten.It seemed that strangers from other countries knew more about the towers than a lot of my neighbors did. I have had strangers pull up in rented cars asking me “where are the Watts towers?”The last time that I saw the towers or Nuestro Pueblo (our town in Spanish) as Simon Rodia called it was in 1994. The first time that I visited the towers was in 1968 on a 30 minute walking field trip with my class at 112th street school.There are many ways to get there. By train, bus or car. Just look for the tallest tower. Any structure that 10 stories always stand out.By the way, Simon Rodia never really got as much recognition as he should have. People know more about hi s towers.Rodia was born in Serino, Italy near the town of Naples February 12, 1879. and died in Martinez, California which is near San Francisco, Ca
Was under construction, but well worth the visit.
Very neat piece of history and now an iconic landmark. The only issue is that you have to take the ~1 hour guided tour to see something that you could be done with on your own in about 20 minutes.
Its a great place if you want to stop by especially if youre a tourist.
Nice little attraction to stop by. This fine piece of art was right in the middle of a neighborhood. Outside the structure the story behind the making of the tower is displayed. The ceramic piece has so many details. The artist used glass, rocks, and shells for color and decoration. Nice little piece of history for the city.
Nice little attraction to stop by. This fine piece of art was right in the middle of a neighborhood. Outside the structure the story behind the making of the tower is displayed. The ceramic piece has so many details. The artist used glass, rocks, and shells for color and decoration. Nice little piece of history for the city.
Interesting tower design and history, but its closed for renovations for a while. Surrounding city feels very unsafe. Hard to find parking too. Only visit during the day.
Very amazing towers. What one man did. Our guide was very interesting and answered all our questions. Cool to see this kind of LA
As seen in a few music videos and theres a very similar landmark in the video game Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas.I got there by taking the metro from Long Beach and getting off at Watts. Then its a 5 to 10 minute walk to the Towers.I was a bit wary of walking through Watts/Compton but it was hassle free visit.Worth a look if youre in the area or passing through.
Very interesting experience, but the tour guide said that they would be closed from Jan 1, 2018 until at least 2021. They were made completely by one man in the 20s-50s. You can still see them without a tour, but that made it much better.
Interesting history. Towers build by a experienced Italian cement worker by hand. Build strong enough to withstand earthquakes. Now a state park.
Historic and very intriguing. I enjoyed my experience here.
Very interesting story. Howard Marshall Jr, the story teller was very informative and entertaining. Really glad I stopped. The artwork in the museum was powerful
Still under construction as of 2018. The history is interesting nevertheless.
Must go, a hidden treasure that demonstrates the cultural essence of the surrounding neighborhood. People visit from around the world. There are free classes in African drum, Jazz, art and more. A mustgo.
One of the best examples of monumental folk art in the country and a beautiful symbol of Watts community resilience.
Very unique urban sculpture! Great history behind this sculpture if youre in the area I would encourage you to visit and take the Tour
Stunning work of art, all the more so because one guy did it by himself, working on it in his spare time every day for over twenty years. How he used collected debris to decorate this all up is mad impressive. Yeah its Watts but its really not as hood as you might think. Definitely bucket list stuff for any soCal native.
This is a really fun place to visit! It’s full of interesting stories, history and art!
Even though the towers were u deer restoration when I visited, I loved seeing this piece of LA history preserved. The artwork in the towers is so intricate and interesting and I loved learning about the artist and how Watts has changed over the years. During the daytime the area felt super safe and I loved how the energy of the art seemed to bleed into the community, with mosaic on peoples walls and bright mosaics.
Towers are currently closed for renovation. Self guided walking tour was well done. Garden was open. Art shovels were interesting.
Still a very impressive accomplishment by a single dedicated man over a 1/2 a lifetime, Simon Rodia worked on it for 34yrs. I enjoyed them a lot more around 1975/76 when my elementary school classes went there multiple times and were able to walk through it and even climb up on some parts.
Awesome place to bring the whole family
Absolutely beautiful! Must see Simon Rodias work in person. There is also a guide to offer tours every 30 minutes. He offered a lot of interesting details about the history of the land, art, and life of Simon Rodia. I took a group of 6 -8 graders and they were very engaged !
Fantastic...really an educational experience
Really cool place to visit. Lots of interesting history and reminds us that creative genius doesnt alway act normally.
This was amazing. They have yours, but you can go on your own. It was fenced off (repairs), but you can still see quite a bit if it
Even though its under renovations it was worth the trip! Signs were well posted to explain the history of it! And the little art/educational & garden center were a real treat!
This place is magical, and the tour guide Lucy was very informative and you could tell she loves what she does. Theres passion in her words. Will definitely come back for more.
Its OK. At the moment its under contruction so couldnt see all of it. Its in a really shady part of town so I didnt hang around too long incase somebody tried to blast me. If your near this its worth a quick photo (and I mean quick) but dont go out your way for it.
A bit crowded but was still enjoyable. The tour was great and the parking was safe. Perhaps allocating a less busier time would bring this to a 5 star rating.
Even though the tower is closed for restoration,, ;(, you can still see cool works in the center
Cool spot for some local history and art classes. I would avoid going at night after business hours.
Awesome place to bring the whole family
Im always over here its a cool place to hang out with friends
I remember when Jamal Copperfield made the watts towers disappear
Go every year to the drum festival in the watts towers. I enjoy it very much wouldnt miss it.
Its still a Beautiful Tower, Ive been around Watts since 1969 and it gets better with age. I use to walk my dogs there, but to many stray dogs wanting trouble. Watts could use a dog park. Alot of owners in Watts. I have 5 beautiful, well trained Chihuahuas I cant take to the park to run safe
So informative. Friendly folks. Great story.
This is a great place to visit when your in LA. You can park on site. Its a quick stop/visit. Lots of History!!!
I was fortunate enough to get a private tour of the watts towers. In the calmness of a early winter morning, I really got a sense and appreciation for the energy, the time, passion and the drive of a man who was possessed by vision. Hopefully I get possessed by such a powerful vision too.
Very neat piece of history and now an iconic landmark. The only issue is that you have to take the ~1 hour guided tour to see something that you could be done with on your own in about 20 minutes.
For all GTA fans, just letting yall know its the exact same thing
It was under construction!?Feb22-2020So sad. Should have check it before came here.
A hidden treasure that demonstrates the cultural essence of the surrounding neighborhood.
Nice little attraction to stop by. This fine piece of art was right in the middle of a neighborhood. Outside the structure the story behind the making of the tower is displayed. The ceramic piece has so many details. The artist used glass, rocks, and shells for color and decoration. Nice little piece of history for the city.
Hope to see them one day at all.
Beautiful little park. Turtles on the side. Community center for kids w history inside. Beautiful sculpture.
I grew up in Lynwood and used to go to the towers when I was a kid. I live 3 hours away and decided to visit the towers after all these years. I was disappointed that I couldnt see the big tower because of them working on it. But still enjoyed seeing the rest. I hope to make it back again some day to see all of it in its glory.
Its currently under renovation but there is a model display on site. A short documentary on the Watts Tower. The tour guide Martin l was very knowledgable and engaging. He did a great job showing us the Watts Tower.
Must go, a hidden treasure that demonstrates the cultural essence of the surrounding neighborhood. People visit from around the world. There are free classes in African drum, Jazz, art and more. A mustgo.
Touching it up I guess, cant wait to see how it comes out
A lot of history. Free piano lessons. Free art and animation club.
Bit crowded but nice
Historical Site, beautiful drum festival and jazz festival held there on the 28th, & 29th of Sept. Great atmospere!!!
Definitely not in a touristy area, Watts Towers is impressive in its scope and achievement. The inspiration of one man over many years, the towers of metal have become an iconic attraction. But the neighborhood is not good, so dont go at night. Also lock your vehicle and hide valuables out of sight.
I was just going to do a drive by, but I decided to get out and walk around. Was I glad I did. Theres a guy that came out and gave a tour and explained about the history and pointed out parts of the structure. Lasted 10-15 minutes, then he directed us over to the building next door where theres a video with actual footage of the guy constructing them. A really weird but cool piece of LA history, glad it got saved.
These towers are not only amazing to see, but also provide crucial history of Los Angeles! There is also a small museum.. All free!!
If there is one place to see that is the homage to one mansingular vision and execution of his vision, this is it. Simon Rhodian is simply an amazing and unassuming artist and artisan.
I stopped by this place with a friend whose wife had never seen it. It is a pretty nice place but closed when we got there. From what I could see it looks pretty neat but I cant be any more specific.
Looks like they are doing repairs on tower.
I grew up in Los Angeles near the Towers.
Teacher my granson little bit about Los Angeles handsome black history a little property people that are little less fortunate than others in different areas of Los Angeles
Fantastic spectacle. I went and saw this totally worth it. Its really a remarkable piece of art work and story. The museum staff was very informative.
Very interesting place at night, pretty cool... I was kind of amazed. it took a lot of work, someone did a great job.
It was closed. But I had only see it in movies since the 70s & had to go see it in person.
Worth the trip to Watts. One of the most unusual and beautiful art projects in los Angeles
A friend of mine wanted to visit this place. Because of it was listed in some tour guides. I thought it was located in a residential area no real parking the speaker on the street I did find a space I didnt even bother to get out of the car and look at the place it just was to me a rundown City Park. I used the term park rather lightly. I didnt think its work was worth my time getting there.
Super interesting! I cant wait for them to renovate it and go back to get the full tour.
Inspiring, beautiful - Ive wanted to visit Watts Towers for years, I loved seeing them in the real.
Just stopped by to see the tower after the CicLAVia South LA bike ride. The tower is currently closed for renovations. The art center was also closed today (Sunday).
Great place to visit with historical value to the Watts Community.
Its a beautiful place you have to see it up close and in person. For many years Ive lived in Los Angeles a few years ago I had the chance to actually see it up close in person its unbelievable its real artwork from somebody that really cared. Its folk art at its best.
A-mazing! The History is shocking, but to walk around & see it now as compared to pictures from the time of the riots is humbling.
A cultural icon!! Art in the truest sense of the word!!
You should visit the Annual Watts Tower Jazz Festival and donate, it goes to a childrens arts foundation
Cool historical place, and its also on the GTA game, under re-construction till 2020
Amazing art work a must see!!
- Address:1727 E 107th St, Los Angeles, CA 90002, United States
- Site:http://wattstowers.org/
- Phone:+1 213-847-4646
- Art center
- Tourist attraction
- Monday:10am–4pm
- Tuesday:10am–4pm
- Wednesday:10am–4pm
- Thursday:10am–4pm
- Friday:10am–4pm
- Saturday:12–4pm
- Sunday:10am–4pm
- Wheelchair-accessible car park:Yes
Similar organizations
- Public Art Levitated Mass5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036, United States
