Spending the weekend in Los Angeles, but unsure what to do to maximize your time? Here’s our suggested itinerary for 2 days in Los Angeles that will showcase the best of LA in just a few days. From sightseeing tours and museums to amusement parks and beyond, L.A. has so much to offer that we know you’ll love your trip. This itinerary includes:
- Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens
- GRAMMY Museum®
- California Science Center & IMAX
- Exposition Park (free!)
- Natural History Museum
- Warner Bros. Studio Tour
- Six Flags Magic Mountain
We’ve also put together a 1 day and 3 day itinerary, if you're looking to explore L.A. for more or less time.
Save on Attraction Admission
Pick up a 2-Day Go Los Angeles® Card and save off combined admission vs paying at the gate. Remember, this 2 days in Los Angeles itinerary is just one of many ways to experience the area, there are tons of attractions, landmarks, and more to explore. The Go Los Angeles® Card gives you the flexibility to create your own itinerary, so you can choose from dozens of top attractions and create a vacation tailored to your interests.
DAY 1 Stop #1: Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens
Located in the beautiful Griffith Park, the Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens is a joint attraction that ought to be your first stop of the day. The Zoo hosts over 1000 different creatures great and small, from gorillas and giraffes to seals and snow leopards. They've got critters from all across the proverbial species map, from mammals and birds to amphibians and reptiles. It's your go-to place for the wild world in L.A.! The Botanical Gardens are flush with natural beauty, featuring impressive replicas of the animals' natural habitats with an array of plant species from around the world. You’ll even get a chance to see some plants that have been growing on the earth since prehistoric times! We recommend leaving around 1-2 hours to spend at this attraction. Getting In: LA Zoo and Botanical Gardens tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card.
Stop # 2: The GRAMMY Museum®
Change it up a little with a visit to one of the best museums in Hollywood – the Grammy Museum®. This is a must-see attraction for any music lover, and a great introduction to the music and production scene in L.A. and around the country. This 30,000 square-foot venue features dozens of interactive exhibits, both permanent and temporary, that showcase various aspects of the music industry and its historic and cultural significance in the US. Some highlights include the “Songwriters Hall of Fame” gallery, the “Recording Art and Technology” exhibit, and the “Artistic Voices: The Creative World” exhibit. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours to spend at this attraction. Getting In: GRAMMY Museum® tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card.
Stop # 3: The California Science Center & IMAX
Conveniently located a short drive south of Downtown L.A., this exciting and interactive science museum is filled with over 150 fascinating and interactive exhibits. Some featured exhibits include “Ecosystems,” “Creative World,” the demo-filled “Science Court,” and more! Don't forget about the iconic Space Shuttle Endeavour, a retired orbiter from NASA's space program that completed a whopping 25 missions in space! It's located temporarily in the Samuel Oschin Pavilion as its permanent home is being built. Although admission to the California Science Center itself is free, your Go Los Angeles® Card gets you into one free IMAX movie! Their 7-story tall screen and state-of-the-art sound system make an IMAX showing an experience you won’t want to miss. Visitors in 2018 will not want to miss the spectacular new King Tut: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh exhibition. This landmark exhibit features over 150 real objects from King Tut's tomb -- many of which have never been on display outside of Egypt, and may never be found outside the country again. It's a must-see. We recommend reserving at least an hour for this attraction, plus any additional time for your IMAX film of choice. Film lengths vary. Getting In: California Science Center IMAX tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card.
Stop #4: Exposition Park (free!)
Just outside the California Science Center, Exposition Park is a charming urban greenspace and another great place to enjoy some nature in busy Los Angeles. There’s a beautiful fountain and an enchanting rose garden to explore as well. In the park, you can see the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena, The Natural History Museum (your next stop) and more. There’s a beautiful fountain and an enchanting rose garden to explore as well. Getting In: We recommend reserving about 30 minutes to visit the park.
Stop #5: Natural History Museum
For your last stop of day 1 on your weekend getaway to Los Angeles, check out the Natural History Museum, right in Exposition Park. The very first museum to be founded in Los Angeles, this institution has one of the most extensive and varied collections of natural artifacts around. Some highlights of their collection include massive dinosaur and mammal fossils, an impressive collection of gems and minerals, ancient Latin American treasures, and more! The whole family will love this educational institution. We recommend reserving between 1-2 hours for this attraction. Getting In: Los Angeles Natural History Museum tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card.
DAY 2 Stop #1: Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Image Credit: Warner Bros. Studio Tour
Begin your day with a visit to one of the most famous studios in Los Angeles at the 110-acre backlot of Warner Bros. Studio. A Warner Bros. Studio Tour is a great, behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood’s movie and TV culture. It’s a rare chance to visit a fully working studio, so you’ll actually get to watch scenes being filmed, edited, and more. Some of the sights you’ll see on your tour may include sound stages, sets, collections of props, lighting displays, and special effects equipment. Some shows you may see being filmed include many of today’s big hits, such as The Big Bang Theory , Conan, Pretty Little Liars, and more! This tour lasts a little longer than two hours. Reservations are recommended. Getting In: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Hollywood tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card.
Stop # 2: Six Flags Magic Mountain
This next stop is sure to be a big hit with the teens and younger kids. Six Flags Magic Mountain is one of the premier theme parks in California, with 260 acres of thrills and excitement. They’ve even added several new rides, including the area's first floorless roller coaster! With 19 world-class roller coasters and nearly 100 other games, rides, and attractions to enjoy within the park, you’ll never run out of things to do at this truly “magic” destination. Even if you're not a huge thrill ride fan, you'll find plenty to do at Six Flags. You can even meet some of your favorite Looney Tunes characters, like Bug Bunny, Yosemite Sam, Sylvester, and Tweety Bird. Don't miss the immensely popular JUSTICE LEAGUE: Battle for Metropolis. Enjoy 4-D effects, high intensity scenes, and state-of-the-art gaming graphics as you join forces with your favorite DC Super Heroes to beat the baddies. We recommend reserving between 3-4 hours for this attraction. Getting In: Six Flags Magic Mountain tickets are included on the Go Los Angeles Card.
Let’s Recap
So if you’ve got only the weekend in town, here’s our sample itinerary for 2 days in Los Angeles for you to follow. It’s filled with must-see sights and great things to do, plus some fun extras and a few tasty dining recommendations.
