Los Angeles is a vibrant city, full of art, history, and nature. Of course, many people flock to L.A. for the movie and television culture that the area is most famous for. But Hollywood isn’t always easily approachable – there’s so much to see and do that it can often be overwhelming. Fortunately for you, we’ve put together a curated list of our favorite things in Tinsel Town. So, if you’re looking for things to do in Hollywood during your trip to Los Angeles, check out our list of the best local activities and attractions, including...
- Madame Tussauds Hollywood
- Guinness World Records Museum
- TCL Chinese Theatres Tour
- Hollywood Behind the Scenes Tour
- And more!
Save on Hollywood Attraction Admission
Admission to many of these top Los Angeles attractions and activities and more are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card. Choose as you go from top attractions and save up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. See all available passes, attractions & prices – Learn more.
Things to Do in HollywoodMadame Tussauds Hollywood
Fans of Hollywood will love the chance to experience celebrity culture and “meet” their favorite actors, musicians, and historical figures at Madame Tussauds. This fascinating wax museum is an incredible experience, and visitors of all ages get a kick out of the figures and exhibits. Don't miss the new Marvel Superheroes 4D exhibit. Enjoy multi-sensory components alongside the wax figures, all set in themed areas. Then, check out the exhilarating 4D film experience. Superhero fans of all ages will love it! Getting In: Madame Tussauds Hollywood tickets are available with the Go Los Angeles® Card.
TCL Chinese Theatres Guided Tour
Take a tour of this world-famous movie theatre and see where celebrity culture is concentrated in Hollywood. You’ll hear fascinating stories about Hollywood premieres and celebrities. Plus, you can tour their Forecourt of the Stars, which features cement hand and food prints of big name stars. Plan to go on your tour later in the day, or stick around for dinner, so you can see Hollywood Lights: The Magic of Movies at the TCL Theatre. This nightly light show features 3D projection mapping that fully covers the facade of the theatre with iconic moments from big-screen movies and 90 years of TCL Theatre history. The 4-minute show plays every 20 minutes starting at 8:30 pm every night. Getting In: TCL Chinese Theatres Guided Tour tickets are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
Hollywood Behind the Scenes Tour by Red Line Tours
This comprehensive walking tour is a delightful way to explore the secret and not-so-secret hotspots in Hollywood. See everything from big name icons like the TCL Chinese Theatre and Grauman’s Egyptian Theatre to smaller sites like filming locations and the best place to get a photo of the Hollywood sign. If you only do one walking tour in LA, this Hollywood Behind the Scenes tour should be it! Getting In: Hollywood Behind the Scenes Tour tickets are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour by CitySightseeing
Expand your horizons beyond the Hollywood neighborhood to explore other areas of the city on this handy hop-on hop-off city tour. Open-air double-decker buses will escort you throughout Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, and Downtown L.A. Get off at any stop that interests you for a fully customizable tour. Keep in mind that while these buses do explore the Hollywood region, they pick up at Santa Monica Pier. So, this tour may be best for those who only want to see a little bit of Hollywood. Getting In: Sightseeing Hop-on Hop-off City Tour tickets are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
Starline Movie Stars’ Homes Tour
A two-hour tour that roams throughout the Hollywood area, this highly-rated Movie Stars’ Homes Tour showcases the homes and hangouts of top celebrities. The best part about this tour is the flexibility they have to drive through neighborhoods typically closed to most tour buses. Keep an eye out for any celebrity sightings, and have your cameras ready! Getting In: Starline Movie Stars’ Homes Tour tickets are available on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
Dolby Theatre® Guided Tour
This half-hour Dolby Theatre Tour is your VIP access to the home of the Academy Awards® Ceremonies. Step inside and revel in the elegance of this state of the art facility. Inspired by the elegance of a European opera house, with state-of-the-art technical capabilities, the Dolby Theatre has hosted the world's top performers. Celine Dion, Prince, Dixie Chicks, American Ballet Theatre, Barry Manilow and the Moscow Stanislavsky Ballet have all performed on this stage! Getting In: Dolby Theatre® Guided Tour tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
Hollywood Museum
Guinness World Record Museum of Hollywood
Explore record-breaking facts and feats, documented by the best-selling book, brought to life at the Guinness World Records Museum and take a turn attempting to set a new world record. Don’t miss weighing yourself (and your whole group!) against the world’s heaviest person, comparing your height with the world’s tallest man, and testing your wits about world-record achievements. Getting In: Guinness World Record Museum of Hollywood tickets are available with the Build Your Own Pass.
Griffith Observatory
Located in the beautiful Griffith Park (another great place to explore around Los Angeles), the Griffith Observatory is filled with fascinating exhibits that focus on astronomy. You’ll see a Foucault pendulum and a Tesla Coil, among some other really cool technologies. You can also take in a planetarium show and look through their famous refracting telescope, located on the roof. Getting In: Admission to the Griffith Observatory is free.
Things to do Near HollywoodThe Broad
If you’re looking to infuse a little more culture into your life, a visit to the Broad is a must on your to-do list. The newest contemporary art museum in all of L.A., the Broad is filled with 2,000 fascinating, inspiring, and thought-provoking works of art. They also feature periodic special exhibits, so there’s plenty to see on repeat visits as well. Getting In: Admission to the Broad is free.
La Brea Tar Pits
Explore one of Los Angeles’ natural marvels – the amazing La Brea Tar Pits. An excavation site for fossils from eons long past, today it’s still an active paleontological site. There’s also an accompanying museum that offers special exhibits and excavation tours. Getting In: La Brea Tar Pits and Museum tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
California Science Center & IMAX
This hands-on museum offers tons of exhibits showcasing science and technology in many forms. Permanent exhibits feature everything from aquariums filled with live specimens to a popular exhibit containing the space shuttle Endeavour. There’s even an IMAX theater and a number of rotating special exhibits (a small fee applies for these additional activities). Getting In: Admission to the California Science Center is free; and IMAX theater tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
Ripley’s Believe it or Not! Hollywood
Ripley’s has long been hailed as the home of all things weird and wild, and this installation is no exception. There are plenty of funky things to explore at this top Hollywood attraction, from exhibits about natural phenomenon to those containing man-made curiosities. Getting In: Ripley’s Believe it Not! Hollywood is separately ticketed and not available on the Go Los Angeles® Card.
Remember to Save on Attraction Admission
These are our top recommendations for things to do in Hollywood during your trip to Los Angeles. Go Los Angeles® Card, which can help you can save up to 50% on combined admission vs. paying at the gate. We hope you consider adding a few of these fun options to your L.A. vacation plans.