Los Angeles

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Sunshine, celebrity sightings, shopping, and award-winning restaurants—Los Angeles is a city with endless possibilities. While visitors may arrive at the entertainment capital of the world with stars in their eyes, they’ll soon discover there’s much more than just red-carpet glamour. Second in population size only to New York, L.A. is a vibrant destination where creativity and self-expression have fueled the growth of art, music, architecture, and neighborhoods dedicated to cultural exploration.

Things to Do in Los Angeles

Get to know the city by taking an L.A. Conservancy walking tour. Weekend excursions revisit L.A.’s storied past at landmarks such as the Bradbury Building and Angels Flight railway, both featured on the TV show Bosch, among others. If sports are more your speed, Dodger Stadium in the hilly Echo Park neighborhood overlooks downtown, and nearby hiking trails and bike paths offer an outdoor escape in adjacent Elysian Park. Cheer on the boys in blue or take a behind-the-scenes tour of the third-oldest MLB stadium, which includes a walk through the Vin Scully Press Box and a trip down to the field. Another great L.A. vantage point can be found on Mount Hollywood, where Griffith Observatory has free public telescopes for viewing the famous Hollywood Sign, the Los Angeles basin, and the night sky.

For pop culture fans, Universal Studios Hollywood is a must-do: The combination of the World Famous Studio Tour (featuring working sets) and themed rides and attractions is irresistible. Don’t-miss experiences at the park include the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the video-game-themed SUPER NINTENDO WORLD.

Once you’ve seen the stars, head to L.A. Live for some after-dark entertainment. Catch an intimate performance on the Grammy Museum soundstage or dance the night away at The Conga Room. For some of L.A.’s best improv and sketch comedy, The Groundlings Theatre on Melrose Avenue delivers laughter and a chance to scope out emerging talent. Among the improv theatre’s notable alumni are Will Ferrell, Lisa Kudrow, Melissa McCarthy, and many other Saturday Night Live cast members. 

Where to Eat in Los Angeles

The sky’s the limit in a town where you can start the day with cheap street eats from El Ruso (as seen on Netflix’s Taco Chronicles) and end it with a 13-course kaiseki at two-Michelin star n/naka. For every splurge, there’s a save: Just a stone’s throw from Osteria Mozza, an Italian gem from James Beard Award–winning chef Nancy Silverton, is celebrity-themed Pink’s Hot Dogs. For every cult favorite like El Chato Taco Truck, there are countless up-and-coming spot waiting to be discovered. Check out Le Champ in the Arts District, a laid-back wine bar and bistro that opened in late 2023 with a menu of affordable dishes, most priced under $25.

The Arts District as a whole is a foodie haven that boasts a laundry list of restaurants for every craving: New York–style pies at Pizzeria Bianco, seasonal Italian at Bestia, and elegant Japanese seafood at Michelin-starred Hayato and 715 Sushi. You won’t go thirsty in this part of town either, thanks to the speakeasy-style cocktail den Death & Co. and craft beer hubs including Angel City and Arts District Brewing Co.

For those meals when you can’t decide, Grand Central Market downtown has a little bit of everything. The city’s largest and oldest public market is home to some of its trendiest eats, like breakfast sandos at Eggslut and Korean lunch boxes at the mom-and-pop Shiku. On Sundays, visit the outdoor food market Smorgasburg L.A. at Row DTLA, where you can find everything from vegan mushroom sandwiches at Champignon Eats to garlic noodz and truffle fries at Lobsterdamus.

Shopping in Los Angeles

Sprawling across 32 acres downtown, the aforementioned Row DTLA is a century-old industrial warehouse complex turned creative mecca. Browse a collection of boutiques packed with home goods, under-the-radar apparel brands, and vintage treasures. For big-name designers, The Grove’s open-air shopping plaza offers clothing and beauty wares from Aritzia, Sandro, Charlotte Tilbury, Lululemon, and more. Take a free trolley ride on the 1950s-era streetcar to The Original Farmers Market, where there are more than 100 gourmet grocers, souvenir stands, bookstores, jewelry shops, and other businesses open seven days a week. For a shopping experience that’s a destination in and of itself, don’t miss The Last Bookstore in Downtown L.A. Bookworms can get lost in the stacks of the largest new and used book and record store in California.

Los Angeles Arts and Culture

L.A. is one of the most museum-rich cities in the United States. From the Space Shuttle Endeavour at the California Science Center to a trio of T. rex skeletons at the Natural History Museum, L.A. leaves no curiosity unsated. Along a three-block stretch known as Museum Row on Wilshire Boulevard, visitors can walk to four of these cultural institutions, including the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. After snapping an obligatory photo standing among the Urban Light exhibit’s 202 antique street lamps, take a step back in time by checking out Ice Age fossils and still-bubbling excavation sites at La Brea Tar Pits & Museum. Nearby, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is a must for learning about the artists who bring stories to life on the big screen.

Downtown L.A.’s museums have collections so stunning it makes skipping a beach day a no-brainer. Yayoi Kusama’s immersive Infinity Mirrored Room installation at The Broad should top any contemporary art buff’s to-do list (and it’s free!). Down the street, the Frank Gehry–designed Walt Disney Concert Hall is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic during the orchestra’s regular season, October through June. The stainless-steel landmark is part of The Music Center campus, one of the largest performing arts centers in the United States.

Multicultural Enclaves in Los Angeles

International communities across Los Angeles add to the city’s colorful cultural tapestry. For a lively spot to party, play, and get pampered, seek out Koreatown, where there’s no shortage of karaoke rooms and luxurious mega-spas. Treat yourself to a skincare or body treatment at Wi Spa, where you can also enjoy 24-hour relaxation in a coed bathhouse. Pick up some sweet treats at Fugetsu-Do in Little Tokyo, which has been serving authentic Japanese mochi and manju since 1903. Anchored by the Japanese American National Museum, the Little Tokyo neighborhood is the largest of the three official Japantowns in the U.S. (the other two are in San Francsico and San Jose). For those arriving by train, Olvera Street is just steps from Union Station’s front doors. The marketplace is an essential part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument—the birthplace of Los Angeles and home to the city’s oldest building, the Avila Adobe. The adobe, along with other historic buildings in the district such as the Plaza Firehouse, has been restored and is open for public tours.