Los Angeles is one of the world’s most vibrant and exciting cities. Replete with prestigious attractions and incredible weather, it’s no surprise so many choose to cruise here. Travelling on a budget? Here are the top free things to do in Los Angeles:
5 top free things to do in Los Angeles
Explore California Science Center
If you’re passionate about science, the California Science Center is a wonderful free addition to your Los Angeles to-do list. Fun for all ages, everyone who visits can marvel at exhibitions about space and the wider scientific world. There’s even an IMAX theatre. Sharing a little more about what visitors can expect, the team at the California Science Center told us, “The California Science Center is a family destination with interactive exhibits, live demonstrations and awe-inspiring giant-screen films.
“Young children can explore science concepts with their adult in the Discovery Rooms, adjacent to permanent exhibit galleries, through age-appropriate hands-on activities, books and toys. Grown-ups can marvel at the collection of air and space artefacts such as three flown space capsules and the Space Shuttle Endeavour. Guests who visit Endeavour during peak attendance periods such as weekends, holidays or school breaks are required to have timed reservations. The IMAX movie theatre shows films related to exhibits on a movie screen seven-storeys high, giving audiences an immersive experience.
“General admission to the Science Center is free and includes the permanent exhibit galleries: Ecosystems, Air + Space, World of Life and Creative World. Special exhibitions may charge their own admission fee and have included blockbuster exhibits such as King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharoah, Body Worlds, Titanic: The Exhibition and The Art of the Brick.”
Feel the sand between your toes at Venice Beach
No trip to sunny California is complete without stopping by one of its incredible beaches. When in LA, there is no better choice than world-famous Venice Beach. The beach and its surrounding area are truly fascinating with its boardwalk, canal-side mansions, pizzerias, the iconic open-air gym and much more. For a taste of LA culture, and to soak up the sun, this is the place to be.
We chatted to Melissa from Girl Eat World, she told us: “A walk along Venice Beach boardwalk is free and eventful. I highly recommend going during sunset. Nearby, you can also walk down Abbot Kinney, which is a cool area with shops and restaurants.
Stroll along The Hollywood Walk of Fame
Not many go to LA without the desire to head on over to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. LA, after all, is home to the stars and the walk of fame is a wonderful tribute to so many of these icons since the birth of Hollywood. Running east to west on Hollywood Boulevard, wandering along the Walk of Fame to find your favourite stars and snapping a pic for the holiday album will certainly be a memorable highlight of your visit.
Before you arrive, you can utilise the Hollywood Walk of Fame star finder to see if your favourites have secured a spot and where to find it.
Visit Griffith Observatory
For some truly impressive views during your visit to LA and a chance to see an iconic Los Angeles landmark, the Griffith Observatory should certainly be on your radar. Seen in many classic movies, from Rebel Without a Cause to La La Land, the Griffith Observatory is a true icon, sitting on the south face of Mount Hollywood and overlooking the city below. With epic views, a planetarium and a host of fascinating exhibitions, there’s a lot to look forward to.
Sheena from Sheena Loves Sunsets told us, “The Griffith Observatory is now one of my favourite places in LA. Admission to the observatory building, ground and telescope are always free. There’s a parking fee for those that drive but other than that, you’re free to explore for as long as you like.”
Wander around The Getty Center
When in LA, you won’t want to pass up the opportunity to see some of the finest works of art anywhere in the world. This can be achieved at the much-lauded Getty Center. Set in one of the most impressive buildings in the country, art lovers can look forward to seeing spectacular renaissance paintings, baroque sculptures, historic manuscripts, photography and much more. Better still, it’s all free!
With outdoor exhibitions available along with the indoor treasures, you can enjoy both sun and art simultaneously. Praising its open spaces and spectacular views, the team at Getty Center told us, “Visitors can take in Los Angele’s beautiful landscape - the Pacific Ocean, the San Gabriel Mountains and panoramic views of the city.
Once you reach the centre by tram at the top of the hill, you can look forward to several gardens including the Central Garden, which the centre describes as “an evolving work of art,” as well as two sculpture gardens and a cactus garden. All of which makes the Getty Center a peaceful, as well as cultural, spot to relax in the city.
Sofie from Wonderful Wanderings had a great time at the Getty Center, she told us: “What I really liked about the Getty Center was the variety in its exhibitions. We saw photography, decorative art, paintings and sculptures. Everything was presented in such a way that you didn't have to wonder about where to go next. Apparently, the exhibitions also change often, which makes the Getty Center a place to go back to even more so.”
