Best Things to Do on a Trip to Los Angeles

From Michelin star restaurants to roadside food trucks, from the famed movie stars to crackerjack water surfers, and from the Hollywood sign to the Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles is truly a city of juxtapositions. Apart from the myriad of tourist attractions, the city also boasts of its natural beauty in its golden beaches, deep-blue skies, flower-carpeted hillsides, and majestic sunsets. The La La Land is a melting pot of creative souls and Hollywood stars which gives it its gilded edge. So, if you are planning a vacation to this gorgeous city soon, here are a few things that you must include in your ‘things to do in Los Angeles’ list:

1. Go Behind-The-Scenes at Universal Studios Hollywood

You just cannot skip out on the Universal Studios Hollywood while on your trip to Los Angeles. Being the only operating movie studio and theme park in the entire world, this has to be one of the top places to visit in the USA. Your tour inside the Universal Studios Hollywood will include a ‘behind-the-scenes’ look of how Hollywood movies are brought to life. You can also have a look at the iconic plane crash scene from the War of the Worlds while you can even take a sneak peek into the Bates Motel from the movie ‘Psycho’. The theme park at the Universal Studio is another mesmerising place and a must-visit if you are a movie-buff. Home to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter and Jurassic World, this is every cineaste’s utopia.

2. Downtown LA

Downtown is the place where high-rise buildings rub shoulders with historical monuments; where movie theatres share street addresses with museums and science centres. DTLA is a blend of Manhattan with a bit of Mexico City and a splash of Tokyo. Downtown LA is quite diverse and one of the most rapidly evolving part of the city. While Little Tokyo exhibits a distinct Japanese vibe, the Mexico Village boasts of its Mexican delicacies and culture. Such miscellany of cuisines, cultures, and traditions makes DLTA one of the best tourist attractions in Los Angeles.

3. Read a Book at the Last Bookstore in LA

Once a bank, the site is now home to the largest bookstore in California. While the marble pillars and lofty ceilings still exhibit the bank-like architecture, the crammed up book at every nook and corner surely makes it a dreamland for every bibliophile. So, if you are an avid reader, make sure that this spot is on your ‘things to to-do in LA’ list. Right from brand-new releases to second-hand, rare-to-find masterpieces, you will find it all under this one roof. So grab a cup of coffee, smell the rusted paper, and get lost into a whole new dimension while you uncover a captivating tale!

4. Explore Masterpieces at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art

Los Angeles County Museum of Art is another spectacular spot that must be on your list while travelling to this magnificent city. Home to some of the world’s greatest masterpieces by legends like Cézanne, Rembrandt, Magritte, and Ansel Adams, this is the largest museum in the entire Western United States. With such a massive collection of chefs-d'oeuvre that date back over a thousand years, a stroll-across the museum will leave you spellbound. While you will be able to find several Greek, Egyptian and Roman sculptures, you will also be able to come across a few modern art pieces by some of the most promising artists of the 21^st century.

5. Reconnoitre Science Exhibits at the California Science Centre

The California Science Centre is one of the most attention-grabbing places to see in Los Angeles in Los Angeles. With more than 100 permanent interactive science exhibits and various temporary exhibits related to inventions and aerospace. A visit to this spectacular place will kindle your inquisitiveness by creating fun experiences around scientific learnings.  Right from the Kelp Forrest Dive Show to the Discovery Rooms in Creative World, from the Slime Bar to the Exposition Park, each and every spot at this science centre is bound to leave you awe-struck. Do not forget to explore the biggest highlight of this place - Space Shuttle Endeavour that is a retired orbiter from NASA's Space Shuttle program.

6. Explore Richard Meier’s Architecture at the Getty Centre

Perched in the hills over West Los Angeles, this spectacular museum exhibits an excellent art collection, Richard Meier’s cutting-edge architecture, and doubles up as a visual retreat with its exquisite gardens. Right from the sparkling Van Gogh skies to the medieval triptychs, from the baroque sculptures Henry Moore and Isamu Noguchi to impressionist brushstrokes, each component of the Getty Centre will amaze you in a whole new way. While the museum displays centuries of creativity, the view from the Getty Centre is also a delight. With a panoramic view of the hillside mansions, the Pacific Ocean and the enthralling sprawl of the LA basin, this is one of the best places to see in Los Angeles.

7. Hollywood Sign

For every traveller in Los Angeles, there is no attraction as coveted as the world-famous Hollywood sign. Although the iconic sign can be seen from almost anywhere in the city, it can be quite a task to get a perfect shot of the sign perched on the loft Mt. Lee. The idea of getting a better view of the 45-foot-tall and 350-foot-long sign involves riding on horseback or even a helicopter that will all be worth it for the mesmerising view. You can also hike your way up to get a glimpse of one of the most sought-after places to visit in the USA.

No matter whether you are a bibliophile, a movie-buff, or even a Philomath, Los Angeles has it all to make your sojourn a memorable one. So, be sure that you include all these spots in your Los Angeles package to make the most of your LA trip.