Los Angeles: Must-See Museums, Culture & Shopping

The Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, California

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Attractions along the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California

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The Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles, California

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The GRAMMY Museum in the L.A. Live district, California

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Los Angeles County Museum of Art on the Miracle Mile in Los Angeles, California

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Architecure and Design Museum on the Miracle Mile in Los Angeles, California

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'Urban Light’ entrance to Los Angeles County Museum of Art in California

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States:

California

Los Angeles — it’s the entertainment capital of the world and a mecca for tourists with hundreds of activities on offer.

I started my tour of this urban wonderland exploring the L.A. Live district, then headed north to The Grove for a spot of shopping. Next on my list was nearby Museum Row, including a visit to the world-renowned Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA). Finally, it was off to the Griffith Observatory, a fantastic place to see the stars as well as a great view of Los Angeles itself.

Incredible Venues and Museums

The L.A. Live District is in downtown Los Angeles. In addition to a fantastic selection of restaurants and nightclubs, you can often find street performers, musicians and artists of all kinds showcasing their talents. It’s also home to The GRAMMY Museum, the Nokia Theatre and the Staples Center. There’s always something going on, so make sure you check the venues' websites to find out what and when.

Located in downtown Los Angeles and designed by famed-architect Frank Gehry, the Walt Disney Concert Hall opened in 2003 and is part of the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles. It is home to the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Los Angeles Master Chorale. The building is striking, so if you get the chance, it’s worth visiting — even if it’s just for the photo opportunity.

Magic Johnson statue at the Staples Center

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Shopping at The Grove

If you’re up for some fantastic shopping, head a few minutes by car to The Grove. It has a great atmosphere with a fantastic selection of shops and restaurants, as well as a movie theater. I found a great way to get a feel for it all by hopping on The Grove Trolley, which will take you from one end to the other.

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The Grove

Museum Row on the Miracle Mile

Located on the Miracle Mile not too far from The Grove is Museum Row. With five museums spread out over about 500 meters, it was relatively easy to get from one end to the other. You’ll find the Craft & Folk Art Museum, Page Museum (also called the La Brea Tar Pits), Architecture and Design Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum and, by far the largest, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, known as LACMA.

With over 120,000 pieces on display, LACMA is truly a world-class museum. Works come from all over the world, representing cultures from ancient times right through to the present day. There’s also live music, film, talks and courses, and a great selection of food and drink on offer.

Craft & Folk Art Museum on the Miracle Mile

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The Griffith Observatory – See the Stars and L.A.

Finally, if you want to take in one of the most iconic and sweeping views in Los Angeles while learning about the starry sky, the Griffith Observatory is a great place to visit. If you can’t make it during the night, the Samuel Oschin Planetarium offers shows during the day.

Los Angeles has so much going on, you’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to explore. You do need to plan, so get on those websites, find out what’s going on, then get out there and have a ball!

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