Wondering what to do in LA? Los Angeles offers endless options for memorable experiences for visitors and locals alike.
Wondering what to do in LA? Los Angeles offers endless options for memorable experiences for visitors and locals alike. Whether it’s visiting a quiet museum, or attending a boisterous ball game, there are always things to do.
1. See Van Gogh’s “Irises” – Getty Center
Los Angeles museums house some of the world’s most renowned art collections. Throughout the city, you can discover masterpieces like Vincent van Gogh’s Irises, one of the most expensive paintings in history and currently on view at the Getty Center in Brentwood.
2. Experience Universal Studios Hollywood
Los Angeles is the entertainment capital of the world, and for film fans, the ultimate experience is a behind-the-scenes studio tour. At Universal Studios Hollywood, the Studio Tour is perhaps its most legendary attraction, but while there why not also relive favorite movie scenes on the new Jurassic World Ride,enter The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™, or walk the eerily realistic streets of The Walking Dead attraction? A movie at Universal Cinema AMC Hollywood and browsing Universal Citywalk‘s three blocks of shops make it a full day of fun.
3. Enjoy the LA Phil – Walt Disney Concert Hall
There are many things to do in Los Angeles, but one of the top things to do in LA includes a visit to the famous LA Philharmonic, located on Grand Avenue in Downtown L.A.. Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. Designed by Pritzker Prize-winning architect Frank Gehry, with acoustics by Yasuhisa Toyota, the magnificent venue has received worldwide critical acclaim and praise from concertgoers for its stunning architecture and extraordinary sound. Attend a concert by the acclaimed LA Phil and experience classical music as it was meant to be heard.
4. Visit Griffith Observatory & Hollywood Sign
Visitors will see why Griffith Observatory, Southern California’s gateway to the cosmos, has featured as a location in films from Rebel Without a Cause to Jurassic Park to La La Land and beyond… High atop Mount Hollywood, the exhibits, the Samuel Oschin Planetarium and free public telescopes attached to the observatory are as fascinating as the surrounding 4,310 acres of Griffith Park. Hiking from the Ferndell Nature Museum at the bottom up to the Observatory rewards viewers with several clear shots of The Hollywood Sign along the way. Hiking from the Observatory up through the Berlin Forest to the Charlie Turner Trailhead gets you a bird’s-eye view of the city even closer to the famous sign.
5. Ride the Ferris Wheel – Santa Monica Pier
From Malibu to the South Bay, Los Angeles is home to some of the best beaches in Southern California. For a quintessential endless summer experience, a visit to the two-mile-long Santa Monica Beach is a must. Opened in 1909, the historic Santa Monica Pier is a popular destination for the entire family, home to the Pacific Park amusement park, Heal the Bay Aquarium, and a 1922 Carousel that was featured in The Sting. Don’t miss a ride on the world’s only solar powered Ferris Wheel, where you can enjoy a spectacular aerial view of the coast.
6. Eat at Grand Central Market
Imbibe the true feeling of classic Los Angeles in Grand Central Market, which has been serving up authenticity since 1917. Breakfast is good any time of the day at the trendy Eggslut, vegans love Ramen Hood, dried goods from Valeria’s Latin market make great gifts, and Roast to Go has been serving combo plates and meat-by-the-pound since 1952. These are but a few of the beloved vendors of this historic DTLA emporium, where the atmosphere is lively and deliciousness awaits.
7. Catch a Game – Dodger Stadium
Los Angeles is truly a city of champions, from the “Showtime”-era Lakers to the Kings, Galaxy, and the numerous NCAA championships claimed by USC and UCLA. For baseball fans, it doesn’t get any better than catching a game at Dodger Stadium, one of the great cathedrals of major league baseball and one of L.A.’s most popular Instagram locations. A game at Dodger’s game is one of the top things to do in Los Angeles. Since opening its gates in 1962, the storied ballpark has hosted eight World Series and the Dodgers have won four World Championships.
8. Visit a UNESCO Site – the Hollyhock House
Los Angeles is filled with world-famous landmarks and attractions but for an off-the-beaten path treat, visit legendary architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s creation, designed for client Aline Barnsdall in his self-described “California Romanza” style. The Hollyhock House has been recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site – only the third such site in the entire state of California – and the grounds offer an art gallery, free studio classes for kids, and lush gardens sprinkled with its namesake flower.
9. Shop til You Drop – Rodeo Drive
Shopaholics will find everything they’ve dreamed of and more in every corner of LA. Whether it’s popular shopping centers like The Grove or Westfield Century City, bargains galore at the Citadel Outlets, or boutique shops in hip neighborhoods like Highland Park, something is sure to catch your eye. For the ultimate window shopping, take a stroll on world-famous Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills, the epitome of luxury and style.
10. Slide Into the Sky – OUE Skyspace LA
Opened in June 2016, OUE Skyspace LA is California’s tallest open-air observation deck and a must-see destination for panoramic, 360-degree views of Los Angeles make it one of unique places to visit in LA. Located nearly 1,000 feet above the city at the iconic U.S. Bank Tower in Downtown L.A., OUE Skyspace LA honors the culture, community and people that make Los Angeles unlike any city in the world. The highlight of OUE Skyspace LA is Skyslide, a first-of-its-kind outdoor glass slide that’s attached to the exterior of the U.S. Bank Tower. The Skyslide is 45 feet long, about four feet wide and made entirely with 1.25-inch glass. Visitors can glide from the 70th to the 69th floor of the U.S. Bank Tower and see Los Angeles in a way that few will ever experience. The two observation decks and 360-degree views of Los Angeles are just the beginning. From interactive and educational components to the spectacular design and the signature thrill experience of Skyslide, OUE Skyspace LA truly offers something for everyone.