Things to do & places to visit in Los Angeles, California, United States

Having appeared in virtually countless TV and movie productions over the years, so many sites throughout Los Angeles are ingrained in our collective psyche - from the glamour of Hollywood and the palm tree-lined streets of Beverly Hills to the skyscrapers of downtown and the gorgeous coastline. Visiting for oneself, you’ll experience how Los Angeles feels much like a large collection of small towns connected across miles of wide boulevards and freeways. This city has a little bit of everything for everyone.

Los Angeles city in California, United States. Timezone: America/Los_Angeles, current date and time: Friday, May 03, 2024, 15:19.

Top things to do (27)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 The Getty Center (14.7k reviews)
- Not to be missed!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

The Getty Center in Los Angeles is an astounding place to spend a day marveling at world-class art and relaxing in beautifully manicured gardens. Take the tram up to this lavish postmodern complex, which houses a sprawling museum featuring masterpieces by the likes of Van Gogh, Monet, and Cezanne. You can also enjoy superb views of the city from the Cactus Garden, and savor a delicious contemporary menu at the center's restaurant. You can visit the complex for free, though there is a parking fee. To skip the lines, book a museum tour to delve deeper into the art with the help of a knowledgeable guide. – Tripadvisor See more..
5.0 The Nethercutt Collection (847 reviews)
- Fantastic collection of Functional Art
Friday: 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM Spent 2-3 hours Speciality Museums

The Grand Salon showcases cars of the 1910s to 1930s. There are also collections of furniture, dolls, timepieces and one of the world's finest collections of mechanical musical instruments. See more..
4.5 Universal Studios Hollywood (37.0k reviews) from $109.00
- Buy the fast pass
Friday: 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Amusement & Theme Parks

Get ready for the ultimate Hollywood experience! Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place: thrilling theme park rides and shows, a real working movie studio, and Los Angeles’ best shops, restaurants and cinemas at CityWalk. Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family. Explore Universal Studios backlot on the legendary Studio Tour. Then face the action head on in heart-pounding rides, shows and attractions that put you inside some of the world’s biggest movies. End your day with the energy and excitement of Universal CityWalk. All this and much more. Only at Universal Studios Hollywood, The Entertainment Capital of L.A. See more..
4.5 Griffith Observatory (20.5k reviews)
- Deceptively Big, Highly Engaging
Friday: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM Spent < 1 hour Observatories & Planetariums

A public observatory in Los Angeles, Griffith Observatory has been featured in many movies, from 'Rebel Without a Cause' to 'La La Land'. Nestled on Mount Hollywood, Griffith Observatory boasts some of the best views of the city—the best time to visit is at sunset. Inside, the observatory offers quite the experience as well—it has a planetarium, various exhibits, free-to-use telescopes, and more. The best part? Admission is free and it’s easily accessible with plenty of parking. Make a day out of your visit at Griffith Park, where you’ll find hiking trails and horseback riding. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Staples Center (3.483 reviews) from $52.18
- Fun for the whole family!
Arenas & Stadiums

We saw the Harlem Globetrotters in the box suite and it was fantastic! The Crypto (formerly Staples) Center was really nice. Parking was super simple and purchased ahead of time in Lot 1. I highly recommend getting that Lot because it’s super close to the stadium. We had VIP entrance and there were many good options as we made our way to the suite. Practically no lines. We will definitely be back to check out more games and concerts! Our teenagers and young kids loved the experience as well. See more..
4.5 Madame Tussauds Hollywood (3.297 reviews) from $30.76
- A must do in Hollywood
Friday: 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Discover a world of celebrity fun at Madame Tussauds Hollywood, the world’s greatest wax museum! Located next to the famous Chinese Theater on the iconic Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds Hollywood is the only place you can rub shoulders with over 125 stars from film, music and television without velvet ropes or barriers. Jump right on set with all your favorite icons like Ariana Grande, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, and all the MARVEL Superheroes in our NEW 4D adventure. Welcome to the Stage. Welcome to the Spotlight. Welcome to Madame Tussauds-it’s where STARS are made! See more..
4.5 La Brea Tar Pits and Museum (3.226 reviews) from $15.00
- Free access to tar pits and paid entry to the museum
Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Natural History Museums • Science Museums

Explore the world's only active, urban Ice Age excavation site. Inside the Page Museum is where we showcase the best fossils, animals, and plants that have been discovered here - mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and more. Experience the Ice Age come to life with our Ice Age Encounters show. Outside check out the La Brea Tar Pits where tar is still bubbling and our active fossil excavation sites to see what our excavators have uncovered today. Get the behind-the-scenes story and see scientists working on recently excavated fossils, walk around our famous Lake Pit, and visit our live dig site where scientists discover new Ice Age specimens every day. Free with museum admission. See more..
4.5 Griffith Park (3.196 reviews)
- Amazing views
Friday: 6:00 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Parks

Covering more than 4,107 acres of natural terrain, this is the largest municipal park and urban wilderness area in the United States, which offers numerous family attractions and activities. See more..
4.5 Walt Disney Concert Hall (3.068 reviews)
- ENJOY THE OUTSIDE EXTERIOR OF THIS GEHRY DESIGNED HALL
Spent 2-3 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Theaters

Home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, this concert hall is designed to be one of the most acoustically sophisticated in the world. See more..
4.5 Los Angeles County Museum of Art (2.823 reviews)
- The largest the best
Friday: 11:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

Since its inception in 1965, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) has been devoted to collecting works of art that span both history and geography, in addition to representing Los Angeles's uniquely diverse population. Today LACMA is the largest art museum in the western United States, with a collection that includes over 120,000 objects dating from antiquity to the present, encompassing the geographic world and nearly the entire history of art. Among the museum's strengths are its holdings of Asian art, Latin American art, ranging from pre-Columbian masterpieces to works by leading modern and contemporary artists; and Islamic art, of which LACMA hosts one of the most significant collections in the world. A museum of international stature as well as a vital part of Southern California, LACMA shares its vast collections through exhibitions, public programs, and research facilities that attract over a million visitors annually, in addition to serving millions through digital initiatives, such as online collections, scholarly catalogues, and interactive engagement online. Situated in Hancock Park on over 20 acres in the heart of Los Angeles, LACMA is located between the ocean and downtown. With this much to explore, we encourage you to spend an entire day with us, delving deep into the work of your favorite artists, taking a free tour, catching a film or concert, or just letting your curiosity lead the way. See more..
4.5 The Grove (2.525 reviews)
- Great outdoor shopping center
Friday: 10:00 AM - 10:00 PM

This sprawling outdoor shopping hub is one of California’s most popular malls. Before flocking to the stores, board the free double-decker Grove Trolley to The Original Farmers Market where you can browse gourmet groceries and specialty foods. Back at the mall, you'll find a range of fashion-forward brands and pop-up stores. When hungry, choose between classic American grub, Italian dining, or fast food amidst other cuisines. Be sure to stay for the spectacular light show at the Dancing Fountain as well. Visit The Grove as part of a LA highlights tour, or as a self-guided retail therapy. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Petersen Automotive Museum (2.436 reviews)
- A great collection of rare and unique automobiles!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

Rated the #1 Automotive museum in the world, the Petersen Automotive Museum is dedicated to the exploration and presentation of the automobile and its impact on Global life and culture. The museum features 25 galleries with more than 350 vehicles on display between the main floors and exclusive Vault. Visitors can immerse themselves in the 1000's of stories on display in the museum. See more..
4.5 Dodger Stadium (2.096 reviews) from $65.74
- You MUST experience Dodger Stadium!
Spent 2-3 hours Arenas & Stadiums

My first-ever time at Dodger Stadium for a late afternoon start time (5:10PM). Be warned.... there is a no-exeption policy enforced about the oversized bags. However, if you don't have your car with you to store things in, there is a vendor on-site who will do a bag check for you that costs $10. If you can, take public transit to/from Union Station and then board the free Dodger Stadium bus that runs between the stadium and Union station. Great people watching, nice selection of food and beverage items. Great staff working at the stadium. See more..
4.5 Venice Canals Walkway (2.042 reviews)
- Amazing Place To Stroll
Friday: 12:00 AM - 11:59 PM Spent < 1 hour Historic Walking Areas

The century-old canals within this iconic L.A. district recreate the dreamy landscape of the Italian city of Venice. Stroll along the waterside walkway and stop along the picture-perfect bridges. You’ll spot ducks, tiny boats, and historic houses along the way. Kids will enjoy the playground at Linnie Canal Park. While the neighborhood is quiet and family-friendly, parking in the area can be challenging if you get there later in the day. The Venice Canals Walkway is just a few blocks from the busy Venice waterfront, where you can stop for lunch, browse the shops, and relax by the beach. – Tripadvisor See more..
4.5 Battleship USS Iowa Museum (2.019 reviews) from $25.95
- USS Iowa is a Must See!
Friday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 2-3 hours Military Museums

Battleship USS Iowa served our country proudly in WWII, Korea, and the Cold War. Today, the historic U.S. Navy ship is an iconic Los Angeles landmark and considered one of the region’s best outdoor museums for families and visitors of all ages. Follow in the footsteps of sailors and our mischievous mascot Vicky the Dog and experience first hand why she is known as the “Battleship of Presidents”, “The Grey Ghost”, and “The Big Stick”. Add-on a behind-the-scenes guided tour to explore areas off-limits to the public and hear first hand accounts of service, commitment, and bravery. You and your family will make lasting memories during your visit to the Battleship USS Iowa. You are able to enjoy the museum with both virtual and in-person tour options. The in-person options comply with current health department guidelines for Covid-19. See more..
4.5 Union Station (1.838 reviews)
- Union Station to the Rose Parade
Friday: 4:00 AM - 1:00 AM Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings • Public Transportation Systems

Los Angeles Union Station is the main railroad station in Los Angeles, California, and the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western US. Union Station is a major transportation hub for Southern California, serving almost 110,000 passengers a day. The station is the hub of the Amtrak's California regional routes, Amtrak's long distance trains, Metrolink commuter trains, several Metro Rail subway and light rail lines, buses and coach services. History: Established in 1939. Built in 1939, Union Station combines Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mission Revival and Streamline Moderne styles. The architecture team included John and Donald Parkinson who also designed Los Angeles City Hall and other city landmarks. Originally intended as a transcontinental terminus station for the Union Pacific, Santa Fe and Southern Pacific Railways, the station was a major hub for troop movement during World War II. The station's historic 161,000 square foot terminal was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 and the station was restored in 1992. Beginning in the 1970s, growing use of Amtrak and expansion of local and regional rail revitalized the station as a major transportation hub of Southern California. Metro acquired the station in 2011, managing the property that currently serves as a transportation hub for Metro, Metrolink, Amtrak and other transportation services as well an urban mixed-use development site. See more..
4.5 The Broad (1.774 reviews)
- Don't miss Yayoi Kusama's Infinity Mirrored Room
Friday: 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Art Museums

The Broad is a new contemporary art museum founded by philanthropists Eli and Edythe Broad on Grand Avenue in downtown Los Angeles. The museum is designed by Diller Scofidio Renfro and offers free general admission. The museum is home to the 2,000 works of art in the Broad collection, which is among the most prominent holdings of postwar and contemporary art worldwide. With its innovative "veil-and-vault" concept, the 120,000-square-foot, $140-million building features two floors of gallery space to showcase The Broad's comprehensive collection and is the headquarters of The Broad Art Foundation's worldwide lending library. -- General admission to The Broad is free. Advance online reservations are available at the museum website and are highly encouraged in this busy period after the museum's opening. For visitors who want to ensure a specific date and time for their visit, and avoid wait times during busy periods, The Broad provides advance reservation of timed tickets online at no charge. Tickets have entry times beginning every half hour. Please note that advance online tickets often book up two to three months in advance. Advance tickets are not required. An onsite ticketing line is available at the museum every day except Mondays, when the museum is closed. Admission for the onsite ticketing line is first come, first served, based on availability. The wait time in the onsite ticketing line is 30 to 45 minutes on an average weekday, and 60 to 90 minutes on an average weekend. On holiday weekends, wait time in the onsite ticketing line can be up to two or three hours. The onsite ticketing line closes 90 minutes before the museum closes. See more..
4.5 The Wizarding World of Harry Potter (1.575 reviews) from $109.00
- Always fun to be part of the Harry Potter world
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks

We have been to Universal Studios in FL, so the Harry Potter world wasn't new to us. It seems like an almost exact copy of what is in FL but it is still fun to be walking through Hogsmeade and the shops. You do feel like you are part of the Harry Potter books. The 2 rides couldn't be more different. One is a small roller coaster that is really not worth riding on. They really should do more with it. The other ride, Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey, can be pretty scary as you come really close to animatronic giant spiders and dementors. The ride mechanic is very cool and really not something you find in Disneyland. The stores in Harry Potter World are exactly what you would expect. The wand shop has walls stacked with wand boxes from floor to ceiling. You can buy house cloaks or Quidditch team uniforms in another store. And of course there is Honeydukes, where you can get candy that is described in the books. See more..
4.5 Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (1.347 reviews) from $15.00
- Excellent Museum
Friday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent More than 3 hours Natural History Museums

Discover your world past and present. See dinosaurs in our new Dinosaur Hall, including the world’s only Tyrannosaurus rex growth series. Get the behind- the- scenes look at how scientists work on fossils at our Dino Lab. See 240 specimens, including skeletons from mastodons to whales, animal dioramas from North American and Africa, and more.Stroll through our extensive Nature Gardens, and discover true stories about plants and animals in our Nature Lab. See and touch more than 2,000 spectacular specimens displayed in our Gem and Mineral Hall, and enter into the vault to view diamonds, rubies, sapphires, and other exquisite gems. Our Butterfly and Spider Pavilions are open seasonally. Here you can wander through the changing ecosystem with over 30 species of fluttering butterflies all around you, or witness arachnids up close and personal. See more..
4.5 Runyon Canyon Park (1.233 reviews)
- Great hike and great views!
Canyons • Parks

Located off Mulholland Drive in the Hollywood Hills, this park is especially loved by dog-lovers since they can hike with their dogs without a leash. See more..
4.5 Pantages Theatre (1.057 reviews)
- Venerable Art-Deco theater in LA
Theaters

Opened in 1930 by a vaudeville magnate, the interior of this famous theater is one of the most stunning examples of high ornate Art Deco architecture in Los Angeles. Groups of 10 or more can save on ticket prices and ticketmaster fees when they book directly through our Group Sales department. See more..
4.5 University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) (684 reviews)
- Sunday morning visit to splendid campus
Educational sites

We arrived early from Downtown on Sunday morning and saw a well-supported charity walk underway. We enjoyed a couple hours strolling around the great campus, taking in the numerous landmark sights. The four original buildings are gorgeous. Royce Hall was modelled on the Milanese Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio and has light filled vaulted arches. Powell Library has impressive architectural styling. In Romanesque Revival form it was also inspired by an Italian Basilica. It is named in honour of the university librarian with a tenure of 17 years from 1944. Marvellous modern sculptures are to be admired in the Franklin D. Murphy Sculpture Garden. An outstanding collection. A number of interesting temporary exhibitions were underway at the Fowler Museum. See more..
4.5 Bradbury Building (632 reviews)
- Still closed.
Architectural Buildings

Famous 19th-century Italian Renaissance building in downtown Los Angeles. See more..
4.5 iFLY Indoor Skydiving - Hollywood (402 reviews)
- Flying for boyfriends and a break for the girlfriend. Hehe.
Friday: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Game & Entertainment Centers

Ever dream of flying? Now you can at iFLY Indoor Skydiving in Hollywood. Experience the thrill of skydiving without having to jump from a perfectly good airplane - no falling, no parachutes, just you floating on a smooth cushion of air with our professional instructor right next to you. No special skills are needed, just a sense of adventure. iFLY is safe for kids 3 and up, fun for the entire family, and perfect for birthday parties or groups. iFLY is the experience of a lifetime. See more..
4.5 Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey (80 reviews) from $109.00
- Great ride but might be a little scary for young kids
Spent < 1 hour Rides & Activities

We came here on a Tuesday in mid-September and this ride was a walk on when the park opened. There is a lot to see in the queue but because there wasn't a line, we didn't spend too much time looking at what they had done with Hogwarts. What we did see was quite amazing. The ride itself is a fun one but can be a little scary for young kids. You do get close to giant spiders and dementors. The ride also moves in almost all directions like you are flying on a broomstick so those who get motion sick might not enjoy it as much. We appreciate the free lockers to put our stuff in prior to riding this. The "Hogwarts students" standing at the entrance are there to help you if you need any. This is one of the better rides at Universal Studios. See more..
4.5 Transformers: The Ride - 3D (51 reviews) from $109.00
- Park 3D movie part ride
Rides & Activities

This is a fun ride but we have been on it many times over the years at Universal Studios Singapore. It is a loud, 4D (water is squirted at you) moving ride that puts you in the middle of a battle in a Transformers movie action sequence. Best thing was there was no wait when we went on a Tuesday. See more..
4.5 Revenge of the Mummy - The Ride (50 reviews) from $109.00
- Great ride -worth a repeat
Rides & Activities

We got to this ride early and had no real line. The effort here for getting you into the ride is amazing. The details from little pokes and puffs of air to make you think beetles are crawling on you is excellent. The roller coaster is good too, but the backwards part triggered my vertigo - so the kids went with my wife for a second ride immediately. A truly great ride all around. See more..
4.5 Studio Tour (48 reviews) from $109.00
- Amazing!
Spent More than 3 hours Rides & Activities

I absolutely loved the backlot tour! It was a thrill ride! You definitely need to do this when you visit Universal. See more..
4.5 Jurassic Park The Ride (44 reviews)
- You will get WET
Rides & Activities

Jurassic Park themed boat ride. Leisurely pace initially with lots of animated dinosaurs to see. The thrill is the giant drop at the end. We got soaked. Great on a hot day. Probably avoid in winter or wear something to help keep you dry. Great fun. See more..
4.5 WaterWorld (40 reviews) from $109.00
- Better than the movie
Theatre & Performances

If this is your first time at Universal Studios you can't miss it. Lots of action, you'll be really entertained. See more..