Los Angeles, located on the Southern California coastline, is the second largest city in the United States. The metropolitan area is home to 13,000,000 people. Whether you’re there on a business trip or a holiday with your family, you will find lots of cool things to do in Los Angeles.
10. Disneyland
This is possibly the most well-known theme park in the world. First opened in 1955, the park has rides, entertainment, and exhibits themed on Disney movies. Costumed Disney characters roam the park and greet guests. Roughly 16,000,000 people visit the park each year to enjoy rides like Space Mountain in Tomorrowland, and Big Thunder Mountain Railroad in Frontierland. Every night ends in a dazzling fireworks display. The park, which is located at 1313 S. Disneyland Dr. in Anaheim, is open every day of the year, but times do vary. Tickets can be purchased online, but they are not issued for specific dates.
9. Dearly Departed: The Tragic History Tour of Los Angeles
If you’d like to take a tour but would like to do something more unusual than look at movie stars’ houses, try this one out. This tour takes guests on a 2.5 hour ride in the comfortable Tomb Buggy to nearly 100 sites. The guide’s stories are accompanied by crime scene photos, audio clips, and memorabilia. The stories go back decades, and give visitors a glimpse into the local history they’re unlikely to find somewhere else. Some celebrities covered include Janis Joplin, Michael Jackson, Jayne Mansfield, and Rock Hudson. The office is located at N Highland Ave & Sunset Blvd. Select from a number of different tours and purchase tickets online.
8. Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory, which opened in 1935, belongs to the city’s Department of Recreation and Parks. Open Wednesdays through Sundays, there is no admission fee for the observatory, and parking is free. With more than one million visitors per year, this is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Los Angeles. The park offers exhibits and events, and live shows. There is an admission fee for some events. The observatory has the best view of the Hollywood sign in the city. Visitors can enjoy the view of the city by day, and look through the telescopes after dark. The park is located at 2800 E Observatory Rd.
7. El Pueblo Historical Monument
This monument is the oldest area of the city, going back to Spanish rule in the 1700s. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1972. The monument is made up of 27 historic buildings. Eleven of them are accessible to the community either as businesses or museums. The area hosts various events and educational programs related to the history of the place. Visitors can check out the exhibits at El Pueblo Gallery, Pico House, Hellman Quan Building, and the Chinese American Museum. Other historic sites include Sepulveda House, Plaza Firehouse, LA Plaza de Cultura y Artes, Museum of Social Justice, America Tropical Interpretive Center, Avila Adobe, and Italian American Museum. The area maintains the cultural diversity of its early settlers.
6. Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
The LA Zoo, which opened in its current location at 5333 Zoo Drive in 1966, sits on 133 acres inside the city. It is home to 1,100 animals from over 250 species. The zoo became part botanical gardens in 2002. The zoo is dedicated to conservation, and that includes preserving the plants that make up animal habitats. There are 15 gardens in various locations at the zoo, featuring more than 800 plant species. Amenities at the zoo include a picnic area, a playground for the kids, a gift shop, and a safari shuttle service. Endangered species are identified by signs. The zoo is open every day, except Christmas, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Tickets can be purchased online.
5. Venice Beach
If you’re looking for a place to relax and enjoy the beautiful Southern California weather during your stay, Venice Beach is the perfect spot. The beach itself has a sidewalk right in the sand, allowing visitors to walk, skate, or cycle on the beach. The neighborhood is a hub of activity with lots of art galleries, museums, night clubs, mystics, live entertainment, spas and gyms, theaters, and more. Shoppers will find everything from flowers to furniture, art and memorabilia, and everything they might need at the beach. The area, which is just over three square miles, is a great place to take a date for a romantic weekend.
4. Los Angeles County Museum of Art
The LACMA, located at 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, holds 150,000 pieces from all over the world in its seven building complex. In addition to the art exhibits, visitors can attend talks or classes, take tours, watch a film, or listen to music. Exhibits change frequently. Some examples include Screens, Scrolls, and Prints: Japanese Art from LACMA’s Collection, and Islamic Art Now: Contemporary Art of the Middle East. The center is open every day except Wednesdays, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. Tickets can be purchased online, at the box office, or by calling the box office. Kids 17 and under get in free.
3. The Battleship IOWA Museum
The USS Iowa is a real battleship from the 1940s. The ship, which weighs 45,000 tons and is 887 feet long, sailed across three decades. Today, visitors can step on board the ship, as thousands of sailors who called it home did. This science and history museum offers special guided tours as well as regular admission. The museum is open from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it’s located at 250 South Harbor Blvd. Berth 87, right on the waterfront. Tickets are available online or at the box office.
2. Walt Disney Concert Hall
If you’d like to listen to the best live classical music, contemporary music, world music and jazz the city has to offer while enjoying an amazing concert hall, you won’t want to miss the Los Angeles Philharmonic performing at their home base, the Walt Disney Concert Hall. The hall is also home to Center Theatre Group, Los Angeles Opera, and Los Angeles Master. The concert hall itself, located at 111 South Grand Avenue, was designed by architect Frank Gehry. It is visually stunning, inside and out. You can check the website for performance dates. Tickets can be purchased at the box office or the website.
1. Aquarium of the Pacific
This non-profit aquarium, which houses 11,000 animals from 500 species, is located at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, just south of LA. It is visited by 1.5 million people each year. The exhibits seek to educate visitors about conservation in an attempt to help our animal friends. Some exhibits include Shark Lagoon, Lorikeet Forest, and June Keyes Penguin Habitat. The aquarium houses numerous plants as well as animals. The aquarium works to rescue and conserve sea animals outside its walls by breeding, being part of beach clean-ups, preserving habitats, and educating the public. Tickets can be purchased online. Hours are every day except Christmas and during the Grand Prix of Long Beach weekend.
This city has beautiful beaches, warm, sunny weather, and lots of things to do. Don’t be surprised if you spot a celebrity or two while you’re there. Whether you enjoy shopping, exploring culturally diverse neighborhoods, or riding roller coasters, you will find plenty of fun and interesting places to visit in Los Angeles.