Best Things to Do in Hollywood

 

Bright lights, big city, and celebrity sightings are what most people think when they think of Hollywood, California. 

There is so much more to experiencing Hollywood! If you’re going to explore California and its most famous city, you should get to experience all its best qualities. 

From the nightlife Hollywood hot spots to the family-friendly weekend activities, there is something for everyone, no matter their age or taste.

Even better, Hollywood is at the center of even more activities if you want to venture beyond the city’s borders.

Nearby is popular must-see destinations like Venice Beach, Griffith Observatory, and the famous Los Angeles County Museum Of Art, or LACMA as L.A. natives call it. 

The city of Hollywood is full of moments, people, and opportunities that are just as magical as the movies that are made there. That’s part of what makes it such a wonderful place to live. 

There’s so much to do in Hollywood that you may not even know where to start! Read on to learn about the best things to do in Hollywood and why it’s such a great place to live. 

Take In a Show at the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl is a Los Angeles icon as far as locations go, and for good reason. This beautiful outdoor amphitheater is located right off the busting traffic of Highland Avenue, but as soon as you step inside its gates, you’re transported to a different world.

No matter what time of year, The Hollywood Bowl hosts a variety of entertaining concerts and shows.

If ever you wanted to take in classical music or watch a live orchestra, this is the best place to do it. It is the home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and the summer home of the famous LA Philharmonic. 

If the classics aren’t your taste, plenty of famous singers and bands perform at this venue as part of their live show tours.

Occasionally you will find an orchestra performing the music from a famous TV show or movie, like Game of Thrones or THe Nightmare Before Christmas. 

The best part? There isn’t a bad seat in the house. The design of the amphitheater makes it so that no matter where you’re sitting, you have an amazing view of the show and experience sound quality at its best. 

Make sure to make time for a visit to The Hollywood Bowl to catch an unforgettable show in the open air under the stars. 

Walk Down Hollywood Boulevard

When people think of Hollywood they often first think “handprints.”

That’s because Hollywood Boulevard is home to the world-famous Walk of Fame, with celebrity handprints that have been captured in the cement all along the street. 

There is much lore and history behind this Hollywood tradition. Every year a secret committee selected a limited number of celebrities to have their handprints immortalized on or near Hollywood Boulevard. 

This tradition dates back to the glamorous days of 1920’s old Hollywood and has remained a beloved event ever since. When a celebrity gets their handprints taken there is often a whole event about it, and fans and friends line up to watch.

Half the fun of walking down Hollywood Boulevard is keeping an eye out for your favorite celebrities. You never know when you’re going to come across the handprints of Brad Pitt, Will Ferrell, or Drew Barrymore. 

Once you’re done looking for handprints, there are many delicious restaurants to choose from. Grab a bite at the classic Musso & Frank Grill steakhouse or the newly popular Beetle House, a Tim Burton-themed restaurant. 

You can also walk down to the Egyptian Theatre to take in a movie. This theatre, with its Egyptian decorations and pillars, specializes in showing art-house films and classic black-and-white Hollywood films.

The theatre often hosts special Q&A events with filmmakers and actors following a screening. It’s not an experience to be missed! 

Attend a Live Show Taping

What makes a live show so engaging? The crowd, of course! 

Hollywood is home to many sets and tapings, you don’t have to go far to find a show you can watch live. 

Jimmy Kimmel Live is one of the most popular attractions in Hollywood. You can watch from the audience as Kimmel interviews his celebrity guests. You can also opt to line up outside of the studio and wait to watch that evening’s live band performance.

You can also be a part of the audience for shows such as The Late Late Show With James Corden, The Amber Ruffin Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, The View, and more.  

The best part? More often than not, all of this is free. You simply have to request tickets in advance and hope to be one of the lucky ones. 

If you’re not a fan of talk shows, you can also be part of the live studio audience at the taping of one of your favorite shows like The Voice, America’s Got Talent, and the famous Price Is Right. 

Shows often do their best to make sure their audience is having fun, so no matter where you are sitting you are guaranteed to be entertained. Show hosts often try to engage with their audience during commercial breaks as well. 

Visit a Museum

There are several fantastic Hollywood activities and museums to choose from when you visit Hollywood. There is a type of museum that will please everyone, even the kids. 

Ripley’s Believe It Or Not museum is a fun-filled museum with plenty of big, colorful displays to keep you entertained as you walk through each room. This museum specializes in the weird, the unbelievable, and the wacky. 

If you love the glamour of old Hollywood, then you will want to see The Hollywood Museum. This museum is four floors of classic film memorabilia and facts about the golden era of filmmaking in Hollywood. 

You will also be able to view classic costumes, props, pictures, and personal items along with a tribute to Marilyn Monroe.

For scary movie enthusiasts, there is also a basement exhibit that displays all things creepy from some of the best horror films, like the set of Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell. 

Madame Tussaud’s and the Hollywood Wax Museum are also iconic museums of the area that are not to be missed.

Here you can pose next to wax recreations of some of your favorite stars and fictional characters. You can dress up in costumes and use props to recreate some of your favorite movie scenes.

The World Of Illusions museum is also fun for the whole family. Step into an Instagram-worthy world with over thirty 3D illusions and interactive opportunities. 

Visit the Observatory

The Griffith Observatory is considered one of the shining beacons of Los Angeles and Hollywood. It’s beloved by local and visiting astronomy enthusiasts alike. 

The observatory is located on a scenic hill with sweeping views of all of Los Angeles. At night, the view can be quite romantic. 

There are educational and entertaining shows in the observatory’s planetarium and about 60 exhibits to teach you all about the natural wonders of our skies.

Visitors can also take a look through their large, free telescope located on the roof of the building. On clear nights, the observatory’s staff will also set up large, advanced telescopes on the front lawn and point out current visible planets and stars. 

You may get lucky and witness Saturn’s rings with your own eyes while looking through these telescopes. 

The observatory is also surrounded by Griffith Park, L.A.’s landmark wilderness area. Take in the sights from several trails that wind through the area. 

You can also find some of the most famous film locations throughout this area. James Dean’s famous film Rebel Without A Cause used the location for several scenes, including the famous knife-fight scene and the film’s final, iconic shot. 

La La Land also used the location for its memorable sequence where Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling dance together among the planetarium’s stars. 

Visit and drive through the famous tunnel that Marty McFly hoverboards through in Back To The Future Part II. See the Bronson Caves section of Griffith Park, which was used as the entrance for the Batcave in the 1960’s Batman TV show. 

Continue to Explore California and Hollywood

Hollywood is truly a dazzling, special place to live because it has something to offer everyone. Now you know all about the best places to visit, and this list merely scratches the surface. 

The truth is that there is so much to see and discover in Hollywood that even LA natives are constantly finding out about new and exciting things. It’s a magical place because you never know what you will find when you explore California.

It’s also a magical place to live. Consider making the move to Hollywood today and check out the picturesque buildings we offer at El Centro. Your new life in Hollywood awaits!