Los Angeles is a bustling metropolis, but take a look at the history, The City of Angels unfolds as a cultural and historical marvel worth discovering again and again. From the glitz and glamor of Hollywood to the laid-back vibe of Venice Beach, as a traveler, there isn't a shortage of things to do. It's the home of celebrities, movie studios, and the entertainment industry. Every traveler wants to head over there without spending any extra money quickly.
There’s a lot a visitor can do to get the most out of the hard-earned dollar. The following are 8 things vacationers shouldn't miss in LA.
8 Natural History Museum
Open in 1913, the Natural History Museum is one of the largest and most comprehensive museums globally. It houses over 35 million objects, including dinosaur fossils, mounted animals, a planetarium, an aquarium, and an observatory.
The museum's exhibits are divided into three sections, including geology, paleontology, and biology, not forgetting a research library. Visitors can explore dinosaur fossils and learn about the history of wildlife. There are also many temporary exhibitions throughout the year that showcase different cultures worldwide.
7 La Brea Tar Pits
It's a natural asphalt lake reserved by the city, but it’s open to the public. The La Brea Tar Pits is home to many rare fossils, including saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and mammoths. These tar pits formed after an asphalt bubbled up from below ground and covered over animals that died in the area. The asphalt hardened into rock, preserving the bones and bodies of everything from horses to mastodons that were trapped in it over time. The museum not only has interesting exhibits and fossils, but it's also worth visiting because it's weird.
6 Los Angeles County Museum Of Art
The LACMA is a must-see attraction in Los Angeles. The museum's collection includes more than 150,000 objects that span 5,000 years of human history and culture. Find everything from ancient Egyptian mummies to works by Jackson Pollock and Andy Warhol. LACMA features an impressive sculpture garden that includes Rodin and Alexander Calder pieces.
Take a stroll through LACMA's Art plus Film Gala at nightfall when many of the galleries are closed. But gardens are open till midnight. LACMA has amazing collections from all over the world and a wide variety of programs for both adults and children.
5 Universal Studios Hollywood
For a visitor looking for a fun way to spend the day, Universal Studios Hollywood is the place to go. The park offers thrill rides like the Jurassic Park River Adventure and kid-friendly rides like Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and Woody Woodpecker's Nuthouse Coaster.
Guests can also hit up the studio tour or take a free tram ride through backlot sets of Universal classics like Back to the Future and Psycho. The studio tour is excellent for families with kids and adults who want to relive their childhoods.
4 Griffith Park Observatory
Griffith J. Griffith built the observatory in 1935, and it's the only art deco building in the city. It has a massive telescope that visitors can use on Friday nights and Saturdays. The Griffith Observatory is the home to a planetarium that shows movies about astronomy or space exploration.
Visitors can enjoy the thrilling experience of watching the stars and planets through telescopes. In addition, there are several hiking trails within the park and picnic areas where visitors can relax and enjoy nature in its purest form.
3 Hollywood Walk Of Fame
The Walk of Fame stretches along 15 blocks on Hollywood Boulevard between La Brea Avenue and Vine Street. It features 2,600 terrazzo-and-brass stars embedded in the sidewalk that honor industry personalities from film, music, and television with their names set into small brass pieces.
It has gained international recognition, and more than ten million adventurers visit it annually from all over the world. It's a fun way to spend an afternoon walking along the famous boulevard and trying to spot as many celebrity names as possible.
2 Disneyland
The happiest place on Earth is the most popular destination for families with children of all ages. Walt Disney originally built the park for his daughters and friends to play on weekends. Today, it attracts millions of visitors every year who enjoy the rides and shows. The meet-and-greets with Disney characters are also unforgettable.
The park is divided into five different "lands," including Main Street USA, Tomorrowland, and Adventureland. Looking forward to exploring Los Angeles? Meet Mickey Mouse himself in Disneyland.
1 Santa Monica Beach
The beach is a 2.5-mile-long stretch of sand that can be accessed by foot or bike along Santa Monica Pier, extending into the Pacific Ocean. The beach also has a path for joggers and surfers who want to catch some waves. It features wide, clean beaches, beautiful ocean views, and plenty of outdoor activities such as swimming and volleyball.
The Santa Monica beach also has a 1,000-foot-long fishing pier with an amusement park at its end. The pier features restaurants, shops, and arcades, so adventurers can do some shopping or try out different foods.