Are you coming to Los Angeles for the first time ever? Or have you been many times before? Even if you have been to LA on multiple occasions, it is a tough city to crack. You could have come many times and have still not found the best restaurants, bars, and things to do. You should have a local show you the ropes. When you find the right person to show you around, you will have a wealth of knowledge about where to go and what to do. Below is the insider’s guide for things to do when you are visiting the city of Los Angeles.
Entertainment
Los Angeles is famous for Hollywood, but you don’t need to do the whole walk-of-fame thing. You can indulge in the many things that LA has to offer in the way of entertainment, but you can skip the more touristy activities. Instead, go to the Comedy Store to watch some stand-up. What about going to see some live music? You should think outside the box.
You could even look up Irish dancing near me or another cultural experience. LA has it all. You can visit Universal Studios, but if you want the real experience, you should see a movie at Grauman’s Chinese Theater. With an insider’s perspective, you will realize that you can experience Hollywood in your own way.
Where to Eat
If LA is known for one thing beyond the entertainment industry, it’s the food scene. Whether you are looking for a late-night taco truck, diner, or a high-end restaurant, Los Angeles has it all. However, there are plenty of chains and bad places to eat. When you have someone to help you, you’ll have an easier time finding the right place to eat. Whether you are hitting up street food in East LA after drinking, going to Swingers diner, or going to the Michelin-starred Q-Sushi, it can be difficult to know where to eat in this vast city.
Where to Party
Another thing about Los Angeles that can be inaccessible is where to party. There are plenty of bars, but you should look for something special. Go to a rave in the industrial area south of downtown, look for a hipster whiskey bar in Echo Park, or have a beer on the beach in Venice. With plenty of places to drink and party, it can be difficult to find the right spot. Don’t settle for some average bar. There are unique places in Los Angeles.
Getting Outside
One of the best parts about Los Angeles is that you can spend time outside most days of the year. There are plenty of places to get outdoors and enjoy the natural surroundings of the area. You can go to Griffith Park and take a hike around the Observatory. Another option would be to hike up to the Hollywood sign. Los Angeles loves sports. You can go to a professional game or play basketball with your friends in Venice. Whatever your style, getting outside is an integral part of visiting Los Angeles. Whether it’s a hike, a sport, or simply enjoying the sunlight, getting outside is pure LA.
Viewing Art
Perhaps the most famous museum in Los Angeles is the Getty Center. Still, there are other options when you want to see some art. There is also the Broad, another famous museum. Furthermore, there are so many smaller galleries. The Norton Simon is the small gallery of the famous art collector, but with so many artists in the city, you should ask around and do some research about the kind of art you want to see. Los Angeles is known for movies and music, but the fine art world is very present in the city.
The bottom line is, whoever you are and whatever you are into, visiting LA is so much better when you have a friend around who knows the ropes. They also know you and can point you in the right direction. Los Angeles has everything you could want, but you must look for it and work to find the perfect places. With such a sprawling, diverse, and unique city, some of the best things are naturally hidden from passive observers. Whether you’re coming to LA for the first time or have been many times before, put in the effort and the city will reward you.
