Your essential guide to the best things to do in Los Angeles, from varied routes to historic shops.
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| Things to do in Los Angeles |
Looking for the best things to do in Los Angeles? We have prepared this list with the best that Los Angeles has to offer you. Whether you are interested in culture, outdoor activities or simply a lover of this beautiful Californian city, here you will find many options to fill your time. Even lifelong LA folks will find something new to add to their to-do list. You'll find the city's most iconic attractions, the (continually changing) best restaurants, top museums, and even some little-known secrets. How many of the best things to do in Los Angeles are you going to try?
1. Look into infinity on The Broad
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| Look into infinity on The Broad |
What is? A free, contemporary art museum in downtown LA
Why do you have to go? Three words: Infinity Mirror Rooms. The highly popular museum has two of Yayoi Kusama's immersive mirror-filled rooms (and a huge queue to try them out). Eli and Edythe Broad's collection of 2,000 post-war works is at your disposal in another part of the museum, including artists such as Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Ed Ruscha, Cindy Sherman, Barbara Kruger and Jeff Koons.
Don't miss out: Free tickets are available on the first day of the previous month. If you run out of tickets, check the museum's waiting time on its Twitter account.
2. Eat tacos and egg sandwiches at Grand Central Market
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| Eat tacos and egg sandwiches at Grand Central Market |
What is? A European-style food house operating in Downtown LA since 1917.
Why do you have to go? Even if you're not there for the food, it's worth the trip - people from all corners of LA huddle and mingle among rows of spices, all kinds of produce, and vintage neon signs. Of course, if you're hungry this is a great place to buy pupusas, carnitas tacos, and fresh waters, as well as food from chic and modern restaurants like Sticky Rice, Belcampo, Sari Sari, Horse Thief BBQ, Eggslut, McConnell's, and G&B. Coffee.
Do not miss it: Tacos Tumbras a Tomas serves the best tacos in the place, especially the carnitas and al pastor.
3. Picnic at the Hollywood Bowl
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| Picnic at the Hollywood Bowl |
What is? A magnificent instantly recognizable outdoor amphitheater, which has hosted concerts since the Los Angeles Philharmonic first performed there in 1922.
Why do you have to go? Nestled in an aesthetically blessed setting in the Hollywood Hills, the 18,000-seat venue is romantic even for die-hard cynics. It is the summer residence of the Los Angeles Philharmonic (and for lovers of picnics with bottles of wine).
Don't miss it: As long as there is no performance (which is almost every day in winter and spring), it also functions as a public park.
4. Gaze at the stars from the Griffith Observatory
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| Gaze at the stars from the Griffith Observatory |
What is? An 'art deco' observatory dating from 1935.
Why do you have to go? The view from this hilltop point is breathtaking, especially at night when the lights of Los Angeles continually blink. Inside you'll find a host of exhibits, including an eddy pendulum, a Tesla coil, and the spectacular planetarium.
Don't miss it: Take your time before the Observatory closes, at 10 p.m., to look through the refracting telescope on the roof, or you can also try the telescope, much less crowded with public, in the front garden.
5. Pose in front of the LACMA lampposts
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| Pose in front of the LACMA lampposts |
What is? Chris Burden's Urban Light, an art piece made up of 202 cast iron streetlights collected around LA and restored to function, housed outside the massive LACMA museum.
Why do you have to go? Yes, it is the perfect place for your 'selfies'. Don't just stop with that though, LACMA's collections feature modernist masterpieces, large-scale contemporary works, traditional Japanese screens, and the most fabulous traveling exhibitions.
Don't miss it: Don't miss the limited shows of 'Rain Room' and the light installation by Jame Turrell, both incorporated into LACMA's permanent collection.
6. Explore the twisted exterior of the Walt Disney Auditorium
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| Explore the twisted exterior of the Walt Disney Auditorium |
What is? A concert hall, home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic, and designed by famous local architect Frank Gehry.
Why do you have to go? Stroll down Grand Avenue and don't miss this auditorium, a twisted metal explosion from Frank Gehry's imagination. You will have to buy a ticket for the concert if you want to see its impressive interior, but we think the exterior is just as exquisite.
Don't miss it: Climb the staircase on Grand Avenue, near 2nd Street, and you'll find a hidden garden behind the hall. Bring something to eat or gaze up at the building's bright exterior.
7. Go up the stairs to Silver Lake
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| Go up the stairs to Silver Lake |
What is? Dozens of public and outdoor stairs scattered across the green hills of Silver Lake.
Why do you have to go? These WPA-era stairs are ideal for a workout or a tour of the area's included gym. Although some homeowners have tried to avoid open access, don't be bullied - these stairs are for public use. You can find an exhaustive list of all of them in the work 'Secret Stairs', by Charles Fleming.
Don't miss it: The most picturesque stairs are the Micheltorena Stairs (Sunset Blvd. and Micheltorena St.), painted with hearts, and the Music Box Steps (Vendome St. and Del Monte Dr.), popularized by Laurel and Hardy.
8. See a space shuttle at the California Science Center
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| See a space shuttle at the California Science Center |
What is? The space shuttle Endeavor, which is permanently housed at the California Science Center.
Why do you have to go? The latest ship built in NASA's space shuttle program, the Endeavor inspires you to dream of real stars more than any other Los Angeles exhibit. And its history is clearly rooted in the city: The Endeavor was built in Palmdale and, nearly 200 million miles later, traveled the streets of LA to its permanent resting place at the museum.
Don't miss it: Book your tickets in advance to visit Endeavor on weekends and holiday periods, although you can visit it with peace of mind during the week.
9. Have a picnic at the Getty Center
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| Have a picnic at the Getty Center |
What is? A free art museum on top of a hill, with a tiered lawn overlooking the ocean.
Why do you have to go? From the ocean to the mountains northeast of Downtown LA, the panoramic views from this artopolis make up for its relative inaccessibility (requires a trolley ride to the museum).
Don't Miss It: You will find suitable picnic tables down the hill at the trolley station, but we recommend that you sit on the grass next to the Central Garden.
10. Pedal around Echo Park Lake
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| Pedal around Lake Echo Park |
What is? A former reservoir turned into a public recreation area in the center of one of LA's busiest neighborhoods
Why do you have to go? Historic Lake Echo Park has become a family destination worthy of its striking backdrop - the downtown skyline amid lotus flowers, fountains and the Lady of the Lake statue. You can make your way across the lake in a pedal or swan-shaped boat ($ 11 to $ 25 per hour), or stroll the trail that circles its borders.
Don't Miss It: Be sure to stop at its revitalized jetty and try Beacon's breakfast.