LA is not just a place but a lifestyle that revolves around movies, music, beaches, hills, and a lot of indoor as well as outdoor activities. Find some activities for yourself to enjoy!
Los Angeles is one of the most happening cities around the globe where thousands of global travelers come to visit every year. Whether you are a cultural enthusiast, a hiking expert, or someone who likes to enjoy the nightlife; LA has something to offer for everyone. Starting from museums, restaurants, and casinos to some of the best music concerts; there are plenty of things to do if you are in Los Angeles. However, not everyone is aware of the hidden gems. Here are the top 20 things to do in LA, the heart of America.
- The Griffith Park
Griffith Park sits in the center of the city but at a greater altitude. Based on a 4,000+ acre area, this park offers a greater touch with nature through hilly areas, canyons, starry nights, and the howls of the coyotes at night. The park is a favorite place for most outdoorsy people and it can be reached by car or by the hiking trails. It offers mesmerizing views of the city landscape and is considered the best spot for sunsets. There is also the Griffith Observatory where you can find cosmic energy. However, it stays closed on Mondays.
- Participate in Free Summer Gigs
One of the best things about LA is that you do not always have to pay a lot to enjoy the vibe of the city. The happening city that stays active 24*7 offers a ton of stuff for people to enjoy and summer gigs are some of them. Many musical concerts take place in LA during summer which are absolutely free of cost. So, if you find somebody singing over the stage in the park on the road, it’s probably a music gig where you can easily blend in. With the help of museums like the Getty and LACMA; the city offers plenty of stages for emerging artists to perform and music lovers to enjoy; free of cost.
- What If You Receive the Oscar?
It’s not only you but a lot of people has the dream to hold win Oscar and offer a beautiful acceptance speech at the prestigious event. Is it even possible? Well, the Academy Museum says yes. Being the epitome of Hollywood and the history of movie-making; this institution can provide a lot of cinematic treasures. It celebrates the existence of cult movies in the industry as well as the new age of cinema; a perfect place for movie buffs.
- Feed Yourself at the Grand Central Market
Yes, you can find a ton of grand restaurants all over LA but it would not be as grand as the Grand Central Market which is a hub for food lovers. People of all races and food tastes come here because it can offer a cultural mix of foods. Starting from American, and Mexican to Chinese; the market offers plenty of places to eat. It is recommended to have food from iconic shops like McConnell’s, Broad Street Oyster Co., Eggslut, etc many others. The food here is cheap, filling, and wholesome.
- DLTA’s Grand Movie Celebrations
If you are an ardent movie fanatic and have a thing for classic movies; you can hit the theaters to watch some of the old cult movies in history. The Downtown’s great movie places have some of the best curation for their classic movie screening. Other than the screening, it also includes a special intro by the people of the industry as well as a post-film Q&A round to make sure every movie buff is able to quench their thirst for movies and curiosity.
- Bokeh of Lights at LACMA
Right outside the massive museum of LACMA, you can find a total of 202 cast-iron street lamps put together in small places that are gathered from all over Los Angeles. It is a very photogenic installation that people like very much to take a selfie with. With so many lights together; you can also take your photography game a notch higher by taking spectacular bokeh images. The LACMA museum itself is a very attractive place that offers some of the best modernist masterpieces. The museum gallery is well revered for its collection of contemporary artworks.
- Marvin Braude Bike Trail
Do you like biking? If you are a cyclist or even an enthusiast who enjoys relaxing rides; you can easily go for a ride at the Marvin Braude Bike Trail which is specifically built for walking and cycling. The trail offers the best tour of the beach and a greater view of Los Angeles’s westward-facing coastline. The trail starts from Will Rogers State Beach and ends at Torrance Beach. You will also find plenty of other folks joining you on the way. Be mindful of your surroundings and you might have the best ride!
- Infinity Mirror Rooms
The Broad is one of the best and most popular contemporary art museums in Downtown, LA, which is a favorite place of many. It is a free museum with some of the most captivating artwork and installations. One of the most famous installations is by Yayoi Kusama, a two-mirror structure that creates an essence of infinity with a highly immersive experience for all. You can also witness the works of other artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat’s paintings as well as Robert Therrien’s ‘Under the Table’.
- Echo Park Lake
Well, sometimes you just need to go for a relaxing boating experience without any complications of life. The Echo Park Lake can provide you with that which was previously a reservoir. It has now become a recreational area for family and friends who can enjoy a boat ride for only $12 for an hour. It also offers an amazing view of the city and the Downtown skyline.
- Watch Movies Under the Stars
Los Angeles can make you embark on a movie date with its outdoor movie arrangements. LA is the city of artists, entertainment, music, and movies. Here, you can always find something to enjoy with your friends and loved ones. Major LA series like Rooftop Cinema Club, Street Food Cinema, and Cinespia are running all over the year and you can also find other options to enjoy. These free series at the outdoors can be found all over the city. As the screening curation and schedule keep changing, it is recommended to check the list every week.
- Feast at Smorgasburg L.A.
Think of a food market in the Arts district that takes place on every Sunday, sound fascinating right? That’s what you can get at theSmorgasburg L.A. The place offers numerous food vendors every Sunday who sell delicious food at affordable prices. With so many options available, having a feast does not sound like a bad idea. It is like joining a weekly food fest where you can find more than 80 food stalls along with retail shops for shopping. You can also hit the local breweries for some beer and magic.
- Friday Nights for Wine Tasting
The historic Hollyhock House is famous for many reasons and of the prime cause is the wine tasting. Every Friday evening, many people hit the west lawn of this historic place to taste the best wine. Arranged by Barnsdall Art Park; this remarkable gathering is coming back after a long halt and not going anywhere soon. You can find some of the best pours by Silverlake Wine along with music and food. It does sound like the perfect place to spend your weekend starter evening and you are even welcome to bring a blanket and picnic basket if you are willing to stay for a long time.
- KCRW Summer Nights
If you are a music enthusiast who also likes to hit the dance floor, KCRW Summer Nights can offer you the right taste of raving with music. The KCRWDJs and local bands decide to play on some summer nights where people let themselves join the dance floor. The nights are free and offer an immaculate vibe for everyone to groove with. The events can take place in various places such as the Chinatown Central Plaza, the California African American Museum, as well as Union Station Area. While of the areas have their own vibes, the midnight essence in Chinatown is truly welcoming for all.
- Make Friends with Pixar Characters
The 69-year-old theme park, Disneyland has a lot to offer and one of the most exciting events would be the Pixar Fest. The Pixar-themed celebration is so colorful and mesmerizing that not only kids but adults also enjoy the event. Filled with Pixar character mascots; it feels like animated characters have come to life. The celebration is getting bigger every day with the progress of Pixar’s amazing works. They have turned the former Paradise Pier Hotel into the Pixar Place Hotel; a place to celebrate the creative works of Pixar.
- Partying with Dinos at the Natural History Museum
The night-time and parties are an integral part of the LA lifestyle and are proved again with the monthly after-dark party that place at the Natural History Museum along with a series of lectures. It mainly takes place in the summertime, on the first Friday of every month. They keep changing the theme every month it gets more exciting every time. Such a blend of education and entertainment is something that you do not want to miss out on. This KCRW-presented event is a mixture of partying along with scientist-led discussions.
- The Hollywood Bowl
If you are looking forward to joining an outdoor amphitheater, The Hollywood Bowl is where you need to go. The place has been hosting concerts since 1922 which are located in the beautiful Hollywood Hills. Aesthetically built, this theater offers seating arrangements for around 18,000 people. It is a place of romance, entertainment, and happy times together where most LA people can be found on weekends. Other than concerts, this place is also open for picnics and outdoor activities as the public park offers an amazing view.
- Night Market across the Beach
The Bungalow is a hub for the night-time people as this night-time friendly market mainly takes place on Thursday nights. Every week they bring new DJ sets as well as bartenders to keep the vibe fresh and constantly evolving. The pop-up line-up for food, clothes, and accessories will also keep you hooked. You can find some of the best shops to fill your belly such as the Boiling Crab, Tacos 1986 as well as the Lonely Oyster. It takes place between 5 pm to 11 pm and you can have the whole evening to enjoy with your folks.
- Movie at The Cemetery
Nothing haunted about it other than movie genres. Cinespia arranges a screening at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery which plays the old cult movies in an open-air screening arrangement. Thousands of people gather here to enjoy the movies in a booze and picnic-friendly atmosphere. A movie event that takes the place of graves of old movie legends surely sounds amazing to many. Some of the most favorite movies in the curation are ‘ Dazed and Confused’, ‘ D.E.B.S.’, ‘What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?’, ‘Dazed and Confused’, etc to name some.
- Join the Mushroom Kingdom with Mari Brothers
Almost everybody has played Mario and has thought about meeting the princess in the Mushroom Kingdom. That childhood dream can come to reality when you visit the Super Nintendo World in LA. This Mario Theme Park is created at Universal Studios Hollywood where you can participate in a ton of fun activities along with bits of a magical world. They have also created the Wizarding World of Harry Potter which is astonishing for most Potter-Heads. Currently, this theme park is celebrating its 60th anniversary with a lot of amusing opportunities.
- Rosie’s Dog Beach
If you are looking for a friendly beach for your furry folks, then Rosie’s Dog Beach is the only legal off-leash beach where your dogs can run freely and enjoy digging sand. This four-acre waterfront is specially separated from people as only furry folks can enjoy it along with their owners. The place is named after a local canine celebrity whose name was Rosie, an English Bulldog. There are no fences or restrictions here and everyone joyful spirit like Rosie can play here.
Stay tuned to find more amazing places in LA!
