Things to do in Chinatown Los Angeles

By Sarah Harris

Things to do in Chinatown Los Angeles

L.A. is known for everything from its sweeping natural landscapes to Disneyland and Dodger dogs. It’s a total hive of activity, buzzing with life - that being said, there can be a whole lot to choose from here. In a city comprised of over 400 neighborhoods and districts, figuring out what to do next is a pretty bewildering task. Of course, for anybody looking to scratch beneath the surface of the city’s storied history and cultural development, Chinatown is always a must. Situated just Downtown, this unique ethnic enclave is undoubtedly one of the most dynamic areas of the city. Whether you’re looking for great shopping, unbeatable dining, or interesting hidden gems, there are just so many things to see and do in this area of the city. Still not sure quite where to start? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. From grabbing a bite to eat at the Far East Plaza to visiting the Chinese American Museum, we’ve made a list of all of the best things you won’t want to miss on your trip to Chinatown. Arrive with a game plan, check out your favorites and you’re sure to have a great time!

Shop and Dine

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The next stop on our list truly is a little slice of history. First constructed in 1938, the Chinatown Central Plaza is known as one of the nation’s first shopping malls. Today, this spot remains the nucleus of Chinatown, and a total hub of excitement. As you might have guessed, this place is a little different from most modern shopping malls! Created to resemble the streets of Shanghai, it’s well-recognised for its fanciful architecture. Inside, you can pick up anything from vintage Chinese dresses and original art to loose leaf teas and stylish house plants. There are also a wide variety of great food stops to choose from. Still, the highlight of this place has got to be its massive 7-foot statue of Bruce Lee! We recommend visiting during the week if you prefer to skip the crowds.

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Of course, a trip to Chinatown just isn’t complete without exploring some of the area’s most delicious food stops. That’s right - just as any Chinatown should do, L.A.’s iteration of this historic ethnic enclave boasts some of the best fast casuals, bistros and pop-ups for you to sink your teeth into. If you’re looking for an unfussy quick bite whilst exploring, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Some of our favorites include Pearl River Deli, Phoenix Inn Chinese Cuisine and Lao Tao Street Food. The area is also home to the marvellous Philippe the Original, AKA the iconic progenitor of the French Dip sandwich. Pull up a chair, sit back and enjoy one of the best sandwiches of your life. Or, if you’re looking for a wide variety in choice, we suggest heading to the Far East Plaza. Built way back in 1976, this bustling food hall and beloved Chinatown mainstay earned its stripes as one of the best spots to grab authentic regional cuisine in the city long ago. Here you’ll find everything from steaming bowls of pho and classic crunchy spring rolls to lip-smacking ice cream in a wide range of adventurous flavors. No doubt you’ll be able to find something to take your fancy!

Learn About the Area

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For those looking to learn more about the Chinese American experience, there couldn’t be anywhere better than the Chinese American Museum, located on North Los Angeles Street. A great stop for anybody who wants to incorporate a little education into their travel experience, this place works to document and present one of the biggest Chinese American populations in the U S of A. Inside, visitors can enjoy a wide array of exhibits covering fine art from Chinese creators as well as historical artefacts from as far back as the late 19th century. The nature of the displays is fascinating and broad; past ones have focussed on community settlement in Los Angeles, the growth and development of Chinese American enclaves and Asian American activist movements. A thoroughly unique cultural experience, this one is not to be missed.

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Undoubtedly, Chinatown is one of the best places to go for those who want to learn a bit more about the development of the city. Along with its great shopping destinations, pretty parks and delicious eats, the neighborhood is also home to some really unique historical sites. Standing out as one of our favorites, the Italian American Museum is a surprising and beautiful landmark tucked around the corner of Olvera Street. For those wondering about its background, the spot was constructed way back in 1908 to serve as a gathering place for the Italian community way back in a time when Chinatown was actually Little Italy! Today, this spot is recognized as the oldest remaining structure from L.A.’s Italian enclave and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Inside, visitors can enjoy a fantastic repository documenting the history of Southern California’s Italian roots. Its collection includes over 6000 artefacts with art, photos, documents and more. With the history that lingers on-site and its remarkable displays, this spot is well worth the visit.

Get in Touch With Your Spiritual Side

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If you’re looking to get in touch with your spiritual side, we suggest heading over to the Thien Hau Temple on Yale Street. Formerly an Italian Christian Church, this unique building was bought in the 1980s and converted into a Taoist worship house. Whilst the temple is young, it serves as one of the primary places of worship for Asian L.A. residents. Take time to marvel at its beautiful intricate facade before stepping inside. Visitors can take guided tours to learn more about the fascinating history of the building and explore its wonderful interior. Inside, you can expect to see statues, sculptures, artworks and more with a strong Chinese influence. We recommend visiting during Chinese New Year or Labor Day, since you can get in on all of the fun and festivities! A distinctive architectural marvel and well-recognized place of worship, this place is a total must-see.

Vibrant and bustling with life, Chinatown is always a fantastic place to explore. Whether you’re looking to learn more about the city or just grab a bite to eat, you’ll never be bored here! Explore the area to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.

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Los Angeles Family Vacation Ideas

Los Angeles is a great city for families to visit. Whether you’re interested in Hollywood and pop culture, or the great outdoors there’s something the whole family will love here. After all, if there's something LA does really well, it's entertainment. If you’re planning a family trip to LA, check out our edit of the top kid-friendly attractions in the region, curated by industry experts and representing some of our personal favorites. Our top Los Angeles family vacation ideas include: Universal Studios Hollywood Knott’s Berry Farm & Soak City Pacific Park Aquarium of the Pacific Natural History Museum Bike Rentals California Science Center & IMAX Harbor Cruise Griffith Park & LA Zoo Walk of Fame & Hollywood Attractions Universal Studios Hollywood One of the most popular family attractions in Los Angeles, Universal Studios Hollywood combines the best of a studio tour with all the fun of a theme park. Everything is turned up to 11 here! First, enjoy behind-the-scenes tours of real backlots, sound stages, and more. Then, hit up their phenomenal rides and attractions, from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter to Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem and beyond. Last, but not least, save some time to explore Universal CityWalk, a shopping and dining destination that complements the park itself. Knott’s Berry Farm & Knott’s Soak City Pacific Park Pacific Park is the perfect beachside attraction for the whole family to enjoy. It's more of a classic amusement park, where you can hop aboard charming rides like their solar-powered Ferris Wheel. Then, get your thrills on with the West Coaster, a steel roller coaster right at the water’s edge. There are also many gentler rides for the little ones, like Inkie’s Wave Jumper and Inkie’s Pirate Ship. Come for the rides, stay for the cotton candy and carnival-style games. Aquarium of the Pacific Natural History Museum Featuring an expansive collection of natural and cultural artifacts from throughout history and across the globe, the Natural History Museum in Downtown LA is a great family attraction. Exhibitions highlight biodiversity and cultural change in fascinating ways. Walk through halls of dinosaur fossils, gemstones and minerals, and ancient Latin American archaeological treasures. A visit here is sure to inspire curiosity in everyone in the family! Griffith Park & LA Zoo Bike rentals California Science Center & IMAX If you’re already planning on going to the Natural History Museum, a nice complement is the California Science Center IMAX, also located in Exposition Park. They offer permanent exhibits on a variety of topics, like Air & Space, Ecosystems, Creative World, and more. Their special exhibitions are awesome, too, and include things like the Space Shuttle Endeavour and Body Worlds: Pulse. Special exhibitions change over time and may not be there at the time of your visit, so check the calendar before you go. Harbor cruise or whale watching Walk of Fame & Hollywood attractions Hike in Runyon Canyon Save on admission to top Los Angeles attractions with Go City®   Discover our full line-up of Los Angeles attractions including the Hollywood Sign Tour, Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood Tour, Universal Studios Hollywood, Knott's Berry Farm, and more.   🤩 >> If you want to see and do as much as you can, our All-Inclusive Pass is for you.     😎 >> If you want to pick just a few attractions and visit at your own pace, our Explorer Pass is the perfect option. 
Katie Sagal
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Things to do in Los Angeles for Birthday

There are countless great ways to celebrate your birthday in Tinseltown. No really - we mean it! Offering the perfect mix of vibrant chaos and bohemian chill, there’s a little something for everybody here. From catching your favorite comedians live on the Sunset Strip to soaking up the views of the city at the Griffith Observatory, L.A. is the place to celebrate in style. Whether it’s your 18th or your 50th, there’s sure to be something to pique your interest and make this milestone something to remember. Still having trouble narrowing down your options? Don’t fear! Whether you’re planning an intimate gathering, a big birthday bash or a fun treat for yourself, we’ve got you covered with the very best that the city has to offer. Have a read through our list of some of the best birthday activities in Los Angeles! No matter how you decide to celebrate in the City of Angels, we’re sure you’ll have a blast! Have a Laugh How about getting older with some friends and spending the night at the comedy club? As the entertainment capital of the world, of course Los Angeles is home to some of the best comedy spots in the world - from highly-acclaimed venues to hole-in-the-wall dives, the city pretty much has it all. If you’re looking for familiar faces trying out some of their newest side-splitting material, we suggest heading over to the Sunset Strip. Running right through the center of West Hollywood, this emblematic 1.5-mile stretch is home to some of the best clubs in America. Some of our favorite places include Laugh Factory, The Comedy Store and Hollywood Improv. Or, if you want a more laid-back atmosphere, we recommend checking out the smaller clubs in Silver Lake and Koreatown. In these spots, you’re more likely to stumble across up-and-coming talent, quirky drag acts, sketch shows and more. Vibrant and fun, we couldn’t think of a better way to spend a night out on the town in Los Angeles. Take a Trip If you’re looking for something a little different to celebrate your special day - don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Offering the perfect day trip with a hit of escapism, Catalina Island is one of Southern California’s most underrated hidden gems. Catch the Catalina Express from Long Beach to make your way over to this convenient location set about 30 miles just off the coast of California’s mainland. Billed as the ‘’Hidden Paradise in Southern California’’, this spot has much to offer all types of travellers. The city’s main tourist hub is Avalon, which boasts great shopping and unbeatable dining, as well as some of the island’s top attractions. Some of our favourites include Catalina Island Museum, Lover’s Cove and Catalina Casino. The island is also a great spot for nature lovers, with stunning palm-fringed beaches and exciting adventure activities to choose from. Try testing your bravery by ziplining over Descanso Beach, or hiking across the island’s mountainous coastline. A thoroughly brilliant excursion, this charming island is the epitome of fun and relaxation. Spend the Day in Nature If you feel like a physical and mental challenge to prove that you’re just as young as you were yesterday, head over to Griffith Park where you’ll find magnificent slopes and scenic, pristine trails for miles. Covering over 4,000 acres, this fantastic emblematic greenspace is known for being one of the largest municipal parks with urban wilderness areas in the United States. Of course, there’s a whole lot to see and do here, though one of the most popular activities has got to be walking the trails which provide panoramic views of the iconic Hollywood Sign. Keep your eyes peeled en route, since the attraction is home to a wide array of wildlife - visitors can expect to see everything from foxes and deer to bobcats and even the occasional mountain lion! Aside from the park’s popular hiking trails, this spot is also home to some great Los Angeles attractions. Standing out as one of our favorites, the Greek Theatre is a great place to enjoy concerts and performances set against the natural backdrop of Los Angeles. And if that doesn’t quite take your fancy, head over to the Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens at the northeast corner of the park to see some furry (or slimy friends). You can even see remnants of the Old Los Angeles Zoo which shut way back in 1966 on the east side of the park. Complete with abandoned animal enclosures and cages, this spot is now been turned into a unique picnic spot with tables and chairs. Have a Blast! Another one of our favorite places to celebrate in L.A. has got to be Six Flags Magic Mountain. Perfect for any adventurous types visiting the city, this iconic attraction does just what it says on the tin: offer world-class entertainment for all ages. As one of the most popular theme parks in the U S of A, the park draws in over 30 million visitors each year - and it’s easy to see why! Visitors are guaranteed a great day of fun, with over 19 rides and attractions to choose from - the most of any amusement park in the world! Go up high, dip down low and enjoy adrenaline-pumping twists and turns on some of the best award-winning rides in the world. Or, make a splash at Six Flags Hurricane Harbor, a fun-filled aquatic experience located right next to the amusement park! Whether you’re a kid or just young at heart, this spot is sure to put a huge smile on your face. There are a lot of ways to celebrate a birthday in Los Angeles - but who would have expected anything less? Whether you’re looking to grab a drink at one of the city’s most iconic comedy clubs or take it easy exploring Griffith Park, you’re sure to have a blast! Explore the area to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris
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Los Angeles in February

A quintessential West Coast city, Los Angeles showcases a fantastic mix of urban cool and wonderful natural beauty. There are countless things to do there for all types of travellers - no really, we mean it! Whether it’s viewing world-class art at The Broad or checking out the charming penguins at the Aquarium of the Pacific, you’re sure to find something to keep you busy! February is also a great time to visit since there should be smaller crowds and cooler, more comfortable weather for seeing the sights. We recommend bringing a light jacket, since it temperatures can dip in the evening time. Still need help planning your priorities for things to do in Los Angeles? Then you’ve come to the right place! Have a read through our list of the best things to check out in the City of Angels for February. We promise you won’t be disappointed! Hit the Classics Those looking for art and culture in L.A. won’t have to search very far. As the undisputed cultural capital of the West Coast, Los Angeles is bursting with fantastic museums of all kinds. From the big hitters to small speciality institutes, creative types exploring L.A. will have their pick of some of the best museums in the U.S. of A.. Still, The Broad has got to be one of our favorites for its impressive repository as well as its iconic structure. As one of the most Instagrammable buildings in downtown L.A., the building is well-recognized for its unique honeycomb-like facade and dimpled interior. Inside, visitors can enjoy a fantastic collection of contemporary and modern works, featuring over 200 artists. Highlights include Jeff Koons’ Balloon Dog, Andy Warhol’s Single Elvis, and Roy Lichtenstein’s I...I’m Sorry! In addition, the museum is known for housing Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, an immersive and enchanting starfield to capture your imagination. A thoroughly one-of-a-kind cultural experience, this spot is a total must-see. You can’t visit Tinseltown without learning more about its unique creative heritage. As one of the must-see sights in Los Angeles, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures is dedicated to preserving and presenting the history of filmmaking. In fact, this spot is actually recognized as the largest museum of its kind in the world. The institute’s incredible collection is comprised of over a whopping 13 million objects, including film reels, props, costumes, and much more. The museum works to cover artefacts from all types of genres and time periods, so there’s a lot to be discovered here. Highlights include Dorothy’s ruby slippers from The Wizard of Oz, the typewriter used to write the screenplay for Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, and the only surviving shark mold from Jaws. In addition to the institute’s permanent collection, the Academy also hosts film premieres. A total dream for cinephiles, this spot is sure to fascinate. Find Fun Activities As the epicenter of the entertainment industry and home to the stars, Los Angeles has countless experiences to offer for pop culture lovers and artsy types alike. If you’re a seasoned visitor to L.A. and are looking for something new past the Hollywood Walk of Fame, we recommend checking out the Grammy Museum for its unique collection dedicated to the history and significance of American music. A fantastic stop for all music lovers, the institute works to provide a great look into the background of the Grammys through engaging and educational exhibits. Though young, the museum’s collection is no doubt impressive, with historical awards, remarkable costumes, and instruments to take your breath away. In addition, there are immersive instrument stations and recording stations to enhance the experience. Visitors can also catch educational talks, concerts, performances and film screenings at the Grammy Museum’s 200-seat theater. As fun as it is interesting, this spot is totally worth the trip. If you’re looking for a fun day trip, why not check out the Aquarium of the Pacific? Opened in 1998, this enchanting aquaspace offers a rich collection of wildlife native to the Pacific. Enjoy underwater life from a collection of over 11,000 animals representing over 500 species. The oceanarium houses everything from colorful reef fish and friendly sea turtles to unique jellyfish and charming penguins. Get up-close encounters with some of your favorite animals, including seals, sea lions, sting rays and even sharks! Enjoy a wide variety of talks, exhibitions and demonstrations and learn more about the natural world. The perfect stop for all nature lovers, this stop works well to provide a glimpse of the underwater world. Try Something Different If you’re looking for something a little bit different, don’t worry - we’ve got you covered! Located in Culver City, The Museum of Jurassic Technology seeks to preserve, present and interpret artefacts from the earliest era of the Jurassic Period. Though the institute is small, its collection is well worth seeing, with an impressive mixture of artistic, ethnographic and historic items to be enjoyed. Visitors can expect to see everything from folk remedies from around the world to a room dedicated to the string game of Cat’s Cradle. Don’t forget to check out the institute’s Georgian-style tea room, where you can meet the museum’s founder David Hildebrand Wilson and talk over the collection. A thoroughly one-of-a-kind educational experience, this spot is not to be skipped out on! A Los Angeles wintertime getaway is a unique experience well worth considering. Though the city cools down around this time of the year, it never runs out of exciting things to see and do. Explore the area to its full potential with GoCity’s All-Inclusive Pass or Explorer Pass. If you’d like to know more, connect with us on Instagram and Facebook. With Go City, you can see more, for less.
Sarah Harris

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