Things to do in Los Angeles for self travelers
Enjoy self-guided audio tours with included attraction tickets in one appTop sights in Los Angeles
All self-guided activities
Experience the highlights of one of the most famous art museums on the West Coast guided by your own audio tour! Note! The Getty Center has a free admission but requires a timed-entry reservation. With this tour, you get the required reservation and audio commentary along a planned route. The journey starts with a tram ride to the top where you will be curated by your audio tour to discover the magnificent architecture of the Center and to enjoy picturesque views of Santa Monica and Los Angeles skylines. Continue your journey by visiting the Museum galleries where you can explore the diversity of art, from Ancient History to the present. Feel yourself like at the Palace of Versailles walking through the recreated paneled rooms. Marvel at iconic Van Gogh's Irises and hear the intriguing story behind its creation. Get carried away by the fascinating landscapes of Claude Monet. Explore the magnificent art collection on your own navigated by a personal audio tour! Note! Parking is $20 per vehicle; $15 after 3 pm. This tour is not affiliated with the Getty Center but is provided by an independent creator. Free timed-entry ticket required by the Getty Center is included in the tour for customers' convenience.
Explore the highlights of one of the world's leading contemporary art museums and walk through downtown Los Angeles with your own in-app audio tour! Keep in mind that the Broad has a free (!) admission. By buying this audio tour, you don’t pay for your entry. However, you get an opportunity to explore the beauty of the museum at your own pace, following the carefully planned route and listening to amazing stories. The tour will start with an explanation of Broad's one-of-a-kind architecture, which will leave no one indifferent. Then, you will be guided through the highlights of the permanent collection such as works by Jeff Koons, Roy Lichtenstein, and J.M. Basquiat. No contemporary art exhibition can be complete without Andy Warhol, whose works and life will be interpreted on the tour. Next, you will walk through LA downtown with its magnificent skyline and architectural gems like Walt Disney Concert Hall. Chill out in the Grand Park and refocus on history and classical sculptures. Take a ride on Angel's Flight, the shortest railway in the world. Finish the tour at the Grand Central Market, a perfect place for a gastronomy adventure! Take this audio tour to discover the artists whose names are on everyone's lips and the vibrant downtown Los Angeles! This audio tour is not affiliated with the Broad Museum but is submitted by an individual creator. Free timed-entry ticket required by the Broad is included in the tour for customers' convenience.
Learn more about the natural wonders of California at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County (NHM). Marvel at the mammoth Dinosaur Hall, home to an impressive collection of over 300 fossils and 20 towering mounted skeletons. Embark on a global safari in the African and North American Mammal Halls, brimming with strikingly lifelike wildlife habitat dioramas – like stepping straight into your favorite wildlife documentary. For lovers of all things glittery, the Gem and Mineral Hall, with its 150,000 specimens, sparkles with gold, diamonds, and other radiant treasures. It's a treasure trove begging to be explored!
The Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is the world’s premier institution devoted to exploring the art and science of movies and moviemaking. Visitors to the museum experience the magic of cinema through the lens of those who participate in the creative, collaborative process of filmmaking.
Welcome to Ripley's Hollywood, and explore interactive games, historical relics, and pop-culture treasures for a memorable adventure. Step into a world of records at the Guinness World Records Museum on Hollywood Boulevard, where extraordinary feats are celebrated. Discover bizarre artifacts and hands-on displays that captivate both kids and adults at Ripley’s Believe It or Not! Be amazed by peculiarities, unique art, and unbelievable stories that challenge your imagination.
Experience full-on thrills with a 1 or 2-Day admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, California. This ticket provides general admission access to the World-Famous Studio Tour, and other rides, shows and attractions within the park. Unleash your imagination at the one place where your favorite entertainment, movies and television shows become real.
The USS _IOWA_ has a proud and eventful history. _The Big Stick_, as it's been known, served on and off for 64 years. Take a self-guided tour of the giant Battleship IOWA Museum and learn about its service during WWII, the Korean War, and the Cold War, along with the disasters the world-famous ship faced before retiring at the Pacific Battleship Center in 2011. Guests can use a free app, loaded with augmented reality features, fascinating factoids, and special tours. Little sailors can also follow Victory the mascot dog on a fun scavenger hunt!
Experience a full-day of thrills with admission to Universal Studios Hollywood, CA and receive one time priority access to each ride, show and attraction during your visit. Save time by not waiting in line and do more on your visit. Universal Express provides reservation-free entry into Super Nintendo World (when required) BUT Mario Kart Bowsers Challenge does NOT offer priority access for Universal Express ticket holders.
Make your way to the stars and explore the universe at the Griffith Observatory, guided by this in-app audio tour! Keep in mind that the Observatory has a free (!) admission. By buying this audio tour, you don’t pay for your entry. However, you get an opportunity to explore the observatory at your own pace, following the carefully planned route, seeing the best it has to offer, and listening to amazing stories. The tour starts at the monument outside the Observatory and tells you about the 6 greatest astronomers in history. Then, you'll visit the Keck Central Rotunda, where you can marvel at Hugo Ballin Murals and learn how science and mythology are related. You’ll then uncover how the Sun and the Moon interact with the Earth and see a live broadcast of the Sun through solar telescopes. Next, you'll learn about meteorites and the landing on the Moon through interactive displays. In the Wilder Hall of the Eye, you'll trace the evolution of astronomical instruments and even get a close-up of the Moon and planets through the 12-inch Zeiss telescope. The tour will finish on the Terrace, where you'll find breathtaking views of LA and get the best picture of the famous Hollywood Sign. Choose to watch a live planetarium show at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium Theater. Note! This tour is not affiliated with the Griffith Observatory but is provided by an independent creator. Entrance is free and requires no reservation.
Discover the vibrant and dynamic Chinatown with this in-app audio tour! You will get fascinating insights into the city's multicultural history and see the hidden gems of the neighborhood. The tour starts at the Chinatown Gateway Arch, which honors the Chinese community's contributions to the city's growth. Traditional Buddhist Teo Chew Temple will tell more about ethnic groups in LA. Then, the Thien Hau Temple will introduce you to Mazu, the goddess of the sea, and will amaze you with its intricate architecture of traditional pagodas. You will walk south on Broadway to the Central Plaza, Chinatown's heart, and a historical landmark with traditional buildings, shops, and eateries. Then, you will stroll along Gin Ling Way, a pedestrian street with souvenirs, arts and crafts, and traditional Chinese goods. As you walk, the engaging narration will give you a deeper appreciation of this iconic neighborhood's vibrant and distinctive culture. Art lovers will enjoy the Chung King Road Art Galleries with its contemporary art by emerging and established artists. The highlight of the tour symbolizing American-Chinese symbiosis is the elevated platform of Chinatown Station, from which you will get a breathtaking view of the neighborhood, mixed with the LA Downtown skyline. Finally, relax at the Ord and Yale Street Park, a serene oasis amidst the bustling Chinatown. Choose to visit the Chinese American Museum to learn more about Chinese American history and culture.
About Los Angeles
The best walking tours to do in Los Angeles are:
The best tours to do in Los Angeles with kids are:
The best indoor tours in Los Angeles for rainy days are:
The must-see attractions in Los Angeles for a first visit are:
Insider tips for visiting Los Angeles
Alexandra Sam2022When friends ask me where to base themselves in Los Angeles, I usually recommend Los Feliz or Santa Monica, depending on the trip. In my travel guide Los Angeles, Los Feliz is my favorite for a first stay: you can walk to Griffith Park at sunrise, grab coffee on Hillhurst, and ease into the city without spending half the day in traffic. If you want beach mornings, Santa Monica works well, but I stay a few blocks off Ocean Avenue so nights are quieter. When I visit Los Angeles, I choose neighborhoods with real local rhythm—good sidewalks, late dinners, and easy access to the best things to do in Los Angeles without constantly driving.
On a first trip, I recommend mixing classic Los Angeles with the city’s everyday rhythm. I usually start with an early hike at Griffith Observatory—locals know the light over Los Angeles is best before 9 a.m.—then head to Los Feliz for breakfast instead of lingering in the crowded park. For the best things to do in Los Angeles, I’d pair one big museum, like The Getty, with a slower afternoon in Malibu or Manhattan Beach. If you’re sorting through attractions in Los Angeles, skip packing too much into one day. When friends ask me what to see in Los Angeles, I tell them neighborhoods matter as much as landmarks, and even the best tours in Los Angeles won’t show that unless you leave time to wander.
I always tell people Los Angeles makes the most sense by neighborhood, not by checklist. When I’m showing friends around Los Angeles, I like starting in Los Feliz for Griffith Park access, old movie-house charm, and easy cafés on Vermont and Hillhurst. For the best attractions in Los Angeles with a local feel, I also love Arts District—go for galleries, coffee, and the warehouse streets at golden hour. Venice is worth it if you stay east of the boardwalk and wander Abbot Kinney side streets. When people ask me what to see in Los Angeles, I say pick three areas max. Even good tours in Los Angeles can feel rushed if you bounce all over the city.
When I visit Los Angeles, I tell people the city’s real signature is its mix: late-night tacos from a sidewalk stand, excellent Korean barbecue, Armenian bakeries in East Hollywood and Glendale, and farmers market fruit that actually tastes like California. In my travel guide Los Angeles notes, I always mention breakfast burritos on the Westside and sushi in Little Tokyo or Sawtelle rather than expensive celebrity spots. If you visit Los Angeles and only book flashy restaurants, you’ll miss the point. Some of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles are food-driven: grabbing tacos after a concert, stopping for Thai curry in Hollywood, or building a whole afternoon around snacks in the Original Farmers Market.
In my travel guide Los Angeles, I usually suggest at least four full days, and five is better. Los Angeles looks manageable on a map, but crossing from Santa Monica to Griffith Park to Downtown can eat up hours if you overplan. When I visit Los Angeles, I like to give each day a zone: one for the beach, one for central neighborhoods like Los Feliz or Hollywood, one for museums, and one for Downtown or the Eastside. That pace leaves room for the small things that make Los Angeles memorable—sunset at Griffith, tacos after a show, a long coffee stop in Silver Lake. If you want the best things to do in Los Angeles without rushing, don’t try to squeeze it into a weekend.
When I have visitors in Los Angeles, I tell them to think in clusters, not miles. Some of my favorite attractions in Los Angeles are Griffith Observatory at golden hour, The Getty on a clear afternoon, and the Arts District for a slower evening of galleries, coffee, and warehouse-street wandering. If you’re figuring out what to see in Los Angeles, I’d also add Malibu for a coastal drive and a seafood stop, or Pasadena for architecture and quieter streets. Los Angeles rewards pacing yourself. Even well-planned tours in Los Angeles can underestimate traffic, so I usually pick one coast day, one hills day, and one neighborhood day instead of trying to crisscross the whole city.
When I visit Los Angeles for food, I usually send people to Koreatown, Sawtelle, Thai Town, and the Arts District, because each area has its own rhythm and cravings. Koreatown is one of my essentials in any travel guide Los Angeles list: late-night barbecue, excellent soups, and dessert cafés that stay lively after dinner. If you visit Los Angeles and want something more casual, Thai Town and East Hollywood are where I go for spicy noodles and old-school markets. On the Westside, Sawtelle is great for ramen and Japanese comfort food. Honestly, some of my favorite things to do in Los Angeles are just choosing one neighborhood, parking once, and eating my way down the block.