Hollywood is a famous neighborhood located in the central region of Los Angeles, California. More precisely, it lies about 8 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, downside Santa Monica Mountains.
Hollywood is a magical place, mainly representing the glamorous high-profile lifestyle of Hollywood celebrities. This neighborhood is home to world-famous tourist attractions such as the Hollywood Sign and the Walk of Fame.
The place is thriving with entertainment venues, natural attractions, museums, and everything. It is the birthplace of the American film industry, so the place is filled with attractions that represent and celebrate the entertainment industry.
As for visitors, there are many things to do in Hollywood that will give them a closer look at Hollywood history, the film industry, and its people.
Most of the things to do in Hollywood are related to the entertainment industry; however, it is not limited. There are tons of outdoor attractions, great restaurants, amusement centers, and much more.
Why Visit Hollywood?
Most people visit Hollywood to experience the glamour and hype the place offers. Not everywhere do you get to experience the glittering image of the entertainment industry?
Tourists are always on the look for celebrity sightings because you never know who can run into. And if you are lucky, it can be one of your favorite stars.
Without wasting much time, let’s check out all the things to do in Hollywood.
Fun Things To Do In Hollywood
Are you ready to check out all the amazing things to do in Hollywood? Be prepared to get your minds blown.
I. The Hollywood Museum
Address:
1600 N, Highland Avenue
Hollywood, United States
The Hollywood museum located in Max Factor Building features an extensive collection of artifacts and movie memorabilia (the largest collection in the entire world) from various years of its film industry and American television.
There are various display items, including props, costumes of actors who starred in some of the biggest blockbusters.
The museum very well displays the 100 years of history of the movie-making process.
What to do?
When you visit the Hollywood Museum, you can enjoy the museum’s rotating displays and exhibits. The exhibits are dedicated to the best of Tinseltown, from Marilyn Monroe to Cary Grant’s Rolls Royce.
In addition to that, there is another exhibit down in the basement that is dedicated to “all things creepy and scary,” where you can literally step into a few of the scariest sets like Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell.
For cinema enthusiasts, the museum setting is all they need to look at to fall in love with. The architecture of the museum even represents “Hollywood Regency.”
Taking a tour of the museum is one of the best things to do in Hollywood if you are not in the mood to do anything tiring or time-consuming.
The tour is exciting, less tiring, less time-consuming, so it is a win-win for you.
Tips:
If you are into museums, you dare not miss the Hollywood Wax Museum, the Hollywood Heritage Museum, and the Guinness Book of World Record’s Museum, where you can take on record-breaking challenges.
And also get to see the portrait of Michael Jackson made out of candies.
II. Hollywood Walk of Fame
Address:
N Highland Ave & Hollywood Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
The Hollywood Walk of Fame is one of the most renowned Hollywood attractions that runs along Vine Street and Hollywood Boulevard.
It was established in 1958, where the first brass stars were laid on the sidewalk. It is dedicated to paying tribute to those actors who made a long-lasting impact in the industry.
If you think, “what can you do for free in Hollywood?” the famous Hollywood Walk of Fame is your answer. This attraction is open to the public always, without any charges.
The names and the faces of the most recognized stars of all time are represented by bronze-rime stars and are laid on the sidewalk. Presently, there are over 2,500 stars, and each year more stars get added.
Each year, millions of people visit this site to take photos.
What to do?
You will find many celebrity impersonators roaming in the area, and you can click photos with your favorite ones, such as Charlie Chaplin, the Hulk, Elvis, or Jack Sparrow.
You will even find the most famous fictional characters, such as Kermit the Frog and Mickey Mouse.
III. Visit the Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory sits upon the slope of Mount Hollywood, overlooking Griffith Park. It offers great views of our galaxy and Los Angeles.
Griffith Observatory is one of the must-see places in Hollywood. The Observatory offers numerous exhibits, live shows, programs, and much more. All in all, it provides a wide array of things to enjoy.
What to do?
The observatory is home to a planetarium, where you can take a deep look into the universe. There’s a wide array of telescopes that you can use to stargaze.
The most famous telescope is the Zeiss telescope, a refracting 12-inch telescope open for public use.
There are various educational programs and presentations that you can attend. You can also be a part of their live shows, hosted in its state-of-the-art dome.
Or best you can take a guided tour of the whole facility. The front lawn of the observatory is a top attraction in itself, as it displays a model of the solar system on the sidewalk with all the orbital paths made out of bronze.
You will also find grand statues dedicated to famous astronomers such as Issac Newton or Galileo.
IV. Hollywood Sign
The Famous Hollywood Sign built in the 1920s is probably the most remarkable landmark of Los Angeles. The sign rests atop Mount Lee.
The sign was originally built to advertise a residential development called Hollywoodland, and it was never intended to be permanent. Yet, it was rebuilt in 1978 and got renamed simply “Hollywood.” And today, that sign is the most iconic landmark or symbol of the city.
The sign can be seen from all over Los Angeles, as it stands approximately 350 feet long.
What to do?
Although there isn’t much you can do here, you can not hike up Mount Lee to get a closer look at the sign. However, there are many points across the surrounding area where you can view the sign and click some memorable pictures.
It is nearby Griffith Park, so you can hike through the park to get a closer view.
V. Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the best things to do in Hollywood as it is both a theme park and a filming studio. If you are looking for family-oriented things to do in Hollywood, Universal Studios is your place to be.
It was opened in 1964 and is home to various attractions and activities. The entire site is divided into multiple areas: the theme park, the filming studio, restaurants, shops, and the Universal City Walk.
The theme park has some of the most thrilling rides that you will find in the United States.
What to do?
There are rides that everyone can enjoy. From thrill-seekers to children, there’s a ride for every one of you. Aside from rides, you can go shopping or dining.
You can take a tour of the most popular area of the park, the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, where you can totally embrace magic.
Do the best, at last, that is taking the Universal Studio Tour, it is the most exciting part of the whole park. For film lovers, it is magical.
You can take the behind-the-scenes tours with virtual host Jimmy Fallon, where you will get to see what goes into making blockbusters. And the best of the tour is the finale, where you can experience the Fast and Furious World and feel the heat from explosions.
VI. Show at the Hollywood Bowl
One of the best things to do in Hollywood is to catch a live concert at the Hollywood Bowl. The Hollywood Bowl is an outdoor concert area stationed in a natural amphitheater.
For over 100 years, it has been providing a stage for performers from all around the world. It was built in the 1920s; the venue is capable of accomodating 10,000 standing and 20,000 seating people.
The venue host performers of all genres, such as theater, musical performances.
VII. Sunset Strip
The Famous Sunset Strip is for the ones who want to experience what Hollywood truly is. Located in West Hollywood, Sunset Strip lies between the neighborhoods of Beverly Hills and Hollywood. It is a portion of Sunset Boulevard.
The streets of Sunset Strip are very eclectic, featuring various high-end restaurants, boutiques, tourist attractions, and much more. The streets come to life at night, and you can not miss it.
You will find great options for food, bustling bars, and entertainment venues. The place is all about its local charm and character that makes tourists stick longer.
What to do?
Well, you can do anything you want. Roam the streets and enjoy the lively vibes, or you can munch on some great snacks.
Maybe go shopping? Or best lookout for celebrities because it is not uncommon to see celebrities taking a walk on the streets of Sunset Strip.
Or you can choose to relax, have a fine glass of beer in one of the bars and enjoy live musicians.
Tips:
Starting with the same name, there’s another interesting thing to do: experiencing amazing views of the sunset of Hollywood on horseback at Sunset Ranch Hollywood.
Ranching is one of the favorite things to do in Hollywood.
VIII. TCL Chinese Theatre
The TCL Chinese Theatre, also known as Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, was built in 1927. The theatre displays Chinese designs and decorations and has hosted three Academy Awards Ceremonies over the years.
The theatre is mostly famous for its autograph collection of famous handprints and footprints. Today it is mostly known for hosting many red carpet movie premiers.
The second visitors walk through the door of Grauman’s Chinese Theater, they feel like being a part of Old Hollywood.
Tips:
If you a fan of the theatres, there’s more in town that you can visit, such as the Dolby Theatre located within Hollywood Highland.
Even the architecture of Dolby Theater is worth seeing. And watching any show in any theatre of Hollywood is one of the most amazing things to do in Hollywood.
IX. Los Angeles Zoo
The L.A. Zoo is the perfect attraction for animal lovers, as it is home to over 14,000 animals. In here, you will find more than 200 animal species.
And aside from the variety of animals, there are so many things that the zoo offers, such as a playground for the kids, animal shows, tour packages.
What to do?
There are many activities that you can do along with your friends and family. You can have your face painted or watch live animal shows.
You can sign up for guided tours or explore on your own, watching the animals. You can ride a pony too.
Tips:
Speaking of zoos and fun, there’s another place where you can have the same amount of fun and thrill. You can explore and hike through the Runyon Canyon Park in Hollywood Hills. It has one of the most exciting hiking trails because there is a good chance of spotting a celebrity.
You can also visit the Barnsdall Art Park located in East Hollywood, which features a historic home, the Hollyhock House (designed by Frank Lloyd Wright), which was recently designated as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
X. La Brea Tar Pits & Museum
Right in the heart of L.A. La Brea Tar Pits are a group of sticky tar pools located within Hancock Park. Over thousands of years ago, these pits were formed, and they trapped a variety of animals. And over time, their remains became fossils.
The George C. Page Museum was created to research the tar pits and display the specimens from all the animals that died there.
What to do?
In the museum, you can learn all about the methods of paleontology and fossils. You can watch the exhibits that include the remains of animals.
This is one of the most interesting things to do in Hollywood.
Final Words
Well, Hollywood is a place for explorers. The list of things to do in Hollywood is pretty big, and you will need to plan a big holiday to enjoy all the things to do in Hollywood.
Apart from the things that we have mentioned, there are a few places worth checking out once.
Places such as the Capitol Records Building, which is now a historic landmark in L.A. Then there is the classic hotel Hollywood Roosevelt, which gives you the old Hollywood feels.
Tips:
If you want to explore options in food and drinks, you must visit Hollywood’s oldest restaurant Musso & Frank Grill.
So, this is it. These are all the best things to do in Hollywood. Let us know what do you think of these options on the best things to do in Hollywood.
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