Must Visit Attractions in Los Angeles

Rendered in Art Deco style, this observatory was constructed in the early 1930s and is a highlight among landmarks in Southern California. See incredible light shows at the Oschin Planetarium, which puts the latest technology through the paces. Outside the observatory, you are accorded sweeping views of the nearby area, which is breathtaking during the day as well as at night. Exhibits and planetarium shows fascinate visitors. Some visitors might recognize the observatory as the site where the climax of Rebel Without a Cause was filmed. On clear nights, take advantage of the free public telescopes to see the stars up close.

The Huntington, formerly the estate of Henry E. Huntington, is a cultural oasis offering a captivating blend of history, art, and nature. Here, you will find an extensive library filled with rare books, a large art collection containing numerous European prints and paintings, botanical gardens of almost unmatched splendor and a forum for regular lectures and other activities. You will also find a fine bookstore, cafe and tea room on the grounds. Come and wander through the colorful gardens, lily ponds and beautiful sculptures. The rare books and manuscripts in the library include some of the earliest editions of Shakespeare's works, a copy of the Gutenberg Bible on vellum and the Ellesmere manuscript of one or more of Chaucer's greatest works. A great place for those looking to enjoy a good read in a serene setting.

Spread over 4,310 acres (1,744 hectares) of the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains, Griffith Park is often referred to as "the Central Park of Los Angeles". The municipal park is one of North America's largest urban green spaces. There's ample opportunity for outdoor activities like hiking, horseback riding, and tennis alongside popular attractions like the Griffith Observatory, the Los Angeles Zoo, the Greek Theater, and the iconic Hollywood Sign. At the confluence of landscaped greenery and rugged wilderness, Griffith Park is Los Angeles' most treasured recreational venue and scenic escape.

What started as a random collection of vintage street lamps turned into an iconic landmark within a short period. Chris Burden is the creative brainchild behind the unique installation that graces the premises of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. It is an assemblage of over 200 street lights dating back to the 1920s that were sources of light to neighborhoods across Southern California. Linearly aligned and refurbished to maintain uniformity, the cast iron beams boast intricate geometric patterns at their base and are topped with solar-powered luminary globes.

One of the most telling symbols of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign is perched sky-high on Mount Lee. This popular piece of signage was originally set up in 1923 to serve as an advertising gimmick for real estate development, only to become as legendary as its abode in the years that followed the Golden Age of Hollywood. Overlooking the urbane sprawl of its namesake neighborhood, the sign glistens under the Californian sun, profoundly iconic in its stark white lettering that stands at a height of 44 feet (13.4 meters). Swathes of barricades and restricting gates prevent access to the sign, even as adventurous individuals attempt to trespass it. Part of an everlasting cultural fabric that blankets the city of Los Angeles and perhaps all of America, this historical sign has come to be one of the most tangible aspects of Hollywood's fantastical realm.

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a star-studded attraction that immortalizes deserving performers of every stripe; a constellation of famous personalities laid out along the sidewalk. The Walk of Fame is very much a tribute to Johnny Grant, the former mayor of Hollywood and a relentless promoter of Tinsel Town. Encompassing a stretch of the sidewalk along Hollywood Boulevard, near the intersection of Hollywood and Vine, more than 2600 brass-inlaid, terrazzo stars honor some of the most famous personalities of the entertainment industry, including movie stars, radio-show hosts, recording artists, film directors, TV personalities and stage actors. New stars are added frequently, an event that is accompanied by much pomp and show, creating an ever-evolving chronicle of Hollywood's vibrant legacy.

An iconic attraction in Hollywood, Universal Studios is a must-visit for anyone who enjoys the thrill and excitement of a theme park. With a slate of ever-changing attractions, the park is a great outing for the whole family and can easily take up an entire day. After the guided tour, you can wander around the park, and get something to eat at one of the numerous restaurants and cafes scattered around its sprawl. Later, take in various shows like WaterWorld or visit the Dreamworks Art Theater. Some other park attractions that will definitely get your adrenaline pumping include the Revenge of the Mummy Ride, various rides at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, and the acclaimed King Kong 360-3D virtual ride.

A famous Los Angeles landmark since it first opened in 1934, the Original Farmers Market is one of the most visited attractions in the City of Angels. Inside, visitors will find a labyrinthine space with several restaurants, grocers, toy stores, shoe stores, bookstores, and much more. The market is perfect for breakfast and lunch, offering a tremendous variety of cuisine options to relish. Another lovely addition to the market is the selection of artisanal goods and gourmet grocers, bringing you the best of seasonal produce and novelty items in one place.

Located southwest of Downtown Los Angeles, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area provides sweeping views of the surrounding metropolitan sprawl. Once a functioning oil field, the refurbished space features several play areas, picnic tables, barbecue pits and even a lotus pond. Among Hahn Park's most frequented features are the miles of hiking trails and footpaths meandering throughout the grounds. Note that a nominal parking fee may be applicable. Verdant and serene, Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area is the perfect place to get away from the city while still being right in the middle of it.

Featuring the landmark Watts Towers, this picturesque park draws visitors interested in exploring the architectural marvels stippling its expanse. Watts Towers of Simon Rodia State Historic Park possesses a rich cultural heritage showcasing folk style architecture built with simple hand tools. This landmark is packed by locals and tourists who are drawn to its beauty and simplicity. Regarded as exemplars of outsider art, the towers are attributed to Simon Rodia. Along with the striking structures, the park itself is a popular attraction in the city.

This lavish pantheon of fame and glamor captured in wax is one of Hollywood’s crown jewels. Hailing from London, Madame Tussauds brings to Hollywood its world-class interactive viewing entertainment, great for all ages. Located on Hollywood Boulevard, just next to TCL Chinese Theatre, the museum is hard to miss due to its open-air façade with a few wax figures casually spilling out on the sidewalk. Come in and stroll the vast grounds populated with the rich and famous (as well as the infamous) and the beautiful and formidable. Whether it is shaking hands with President Obama or wrapping your arm around Mae West, you will be exhilarated by the lifelike, vivid portrayals and infinite photo ops.

The La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, located in Los Angeles, showcase a unique glimpse into the prehistoric world. This site was once a Mexican land grant known as Rancho La Brea. Today, it stands as a remarkable museum, renowned for housing one of the world's most significant deposits of Ice Age fossils. During the summer months, visitors can observe the ongoing excavation from Pit 91 and get an insight into the excavation where scientists discovered the new Ice Age specimen.