Are you looking for exciting Los Angeles tourist things to do? These are some of the most recommended things to see and do when visiting Los Angeles, California.
Planning a trip to Los Angeles is thrilling! If you’re anything like me, you’re here because you love to research and plan your trip ahead of time. As an avid traveler, I am giving you a list of the most exciting things to do as a Los Angeles tourist.
You are going to learn about places to visit like The Original Farmers Market, Downtown Hollywood, Grand Central Market, Santa Monica Pier, and more. After learning about these places, you are going to be ready for your next Los Angeles travel adventure!
This post is my 9 exciting Los Angeles tourist things to do.
Los Angeles Tourist Things To Do
The “city of angels”, Los Angeles is one of the world’s largest megacities and the United State’s second largest. It is one of the most famous cities to visit in the U.S. and offers so many things to do for tourists. From incredible restaurants, to museums, to film landmarks and celebrities, there is something for everyone. This short list of Los Angeles tourist things to do narrows down an enormous list to a manageable one, with a lot of suggestions focused on photo opportunities!
1. The Original Farmers Market
The Original Farmers Market LA has a variety of food vendors as well as grocery stalls. We had lunch at Moishe’s Restaurant. They offer a huge Mediterranean menu, I loved getting the vegetarian platter, because it offered several different foods to try all at once. Next, we ordered a couple of empanadas from Nonna’s Empanadas. They are incredible! They offer several types of fillings, both sweet and savory. For a special treat, I recommend getting coffee from Waffleshot. The Original Farmers Market is definitely worth visiting if you’re looking to try a variety of cuisines as well as do some light grocery or specialty market shopping. It’s also a great option if you’re with a group of people and can’t decide on one place to eat.
2. Hollywood Walk of Fame
A classic tourist spot is the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Known as the world’s most famous sidewalk, you’ll see stars honoring many different celebrities. Check out the website Hollywood Walk of Fame website to search for specific celebrity stars and upcoming ceremonies. Be an ultimate tourist and snap some photos next to your favorite celebrity’s stars!
3. Grauman’s Chinese Theatre
Near the Hollywood Walk of Fame is the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre. This theater was built in 1927 and has always been an icon of Hollywood. For decades, it was the go-to theater for movie premiers. Today it continues to show current movies as well as VIP tours. I highly recommend making a stop here and walking along Hollywood Boulevard.
4. Grand Central Market
Another popular vendor market is the Grand Central Market, located in downtown Los Angeles. This market offers a variety of Latin American, Asian, and American cuisines. We went to the market for breakfast and I highly recommend getting a donut from the Donut Man. The strawberry filled donut was heavenly! To go along with our beautiful donut, we ordered coffee from G&B Coffee. I would love to come back here to check out some of the unique Latin American stalls like Sarita’s Pupuseria and La Tostadería. All of the food here looks delicious!
5. Angel’s Flight Railway
Across the street from Grand Central Market is the Angel’s Flight Railway. This is the world’s shortest railway, built in 1901. It offers two funicular cars that take you up and down a steep incline of 298 feet! Admission is only $1.00 to take a ride. I’d say it’s worth it, compared to the other option of climbing 153 steps! This tourist spot has been showcased in several old Hollywood films, and more recently, La La Land. It’s a great place to snap that tourist photo!
6. Walt Disney Concert Hall
Within the downtown district is the Walt Disney Concert Hall. This beautiful building was designed by the Canadian-American architect Frank Gehry. If you’re familiar with the Guggenheim museums in Bilbao and Abu Dhabi, this marvelous structure will look familiar. The world renowned Los Angeles philharmonic calls this place home during its regular season. I enjoyed walking around the building to enjoy its beauty.
7. Santa Monica Pier
A classic tourist spot is the Santa Monica Pier. Jutting into the pacific ocean, it contains an amusement park, concessions, and viewing and fishing areas, it’s a great place to visit. I enjoyed walking the pier and soaking in views of the ocean. It is a must-see tourist spot.
8. Griffith Park/Observatory
Next up on my list of Los Angeles tourist things to do, is the Griffith Park Observatory. Built in 1935, this art-deco planetarium is a must-see. During the day, the surrounding trails are perfect for hiking and views of the Hollywood sign. At night, it offers unparalleled views of the city of lights. There are several exhibits inside and outside of the observatory.
I highly recommend taking the time to watch a show inside the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. Tickets can only be purchased at the on-site box office. Lines can get long, so I recommend purchasing tickets from one of the automated ticket machines located throughout the building. Once we discovered this small machine, it saved us so much time and hassle!
9. Los Angeles County Museum of Arts
One of the most iconic locations for tourist photos is the Los Angeles County Museum of Arts. Here you’ll find the famous light posts where tourists snap photos. Inside the museum, there are several permanent exhibits as well as touring ones. Within their permanent collection are works of art by Diego Rivera, Alexander Calder, Pablo Picasso, and Roy Lichtenstein. If you are an art-fanatic, I highly recommend adding this art museum to your list of things to do.
There are so many things to do and see in Los Angeles, it can be overwhelming! I hope this list provides you some ideas of places to eat as well as visit, especially ones that have iconic photo-ops. If you’re planning to travel to other parts of California, check out these posts:
2 Iconic Days in San Diego | Travel Guide
5 Magical Days to Travel Northern California
This post is my 9 exciting Los Angeles tourist things to do.
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