Think Los Angeles has nothing beyond Universal Studios? You probably just haven’t discovered these spots yet.

Think of Los Angeles and you probably think of Hollywood, the Walk of Fame, Disneyland, and Universal Studios. While all these attractions deserve their notoriety, they do not tell the whole story. With more time, Los Angeles opens up a much more distinctively Californian side: creative, cultured, scenic, and far more layered than its blockbuster persona. Here are attractions and experiences that most accurately reflect the personality of the City of Angels. Museums: Where the Most Photographed Scenes of Los Angeles Begin Los Angeles is, above all, a serious museum city. It has one of the highest concentrations of museums and galleries in the world. From natural history and cultural heritage, classical antiquity, and contemporary experimentation, the range is mind-boggling. Many are attractions in their own right – not just because of their collection, but because their architecture and installations have become essential photo stops. Museum of Los Angeles County of Art Collection focus: Art and civilizations of the world Admission: US$25 for adults;

US$21 for students and seniors; free for visitors under 18 Suggested visit: Approximately 4 hours Signature feature: Urban Light lamp-post installation Address: 5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 Los Angeles County Museum of Art, popularly known as LACMA, is one of the city’s major cultural destinations, especially for Urban Light, the landmark installation of vintage street lamps located in front of the museum. Since its inception in 1961, the museum has cultivated a collection that spans history, geography, and artistic traditions, and mirrors Los Angeles’ own multicultural character. With over 110,000 individual pieces, this museum includes works from ancient Egypt, Europe, Asia, North and South America, and pieces from the Islamic world as well as modern works that push and pull against the traditional boundaries of the canon.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

This museum has a total of 5 buildings, 3 sculptures outside, an art library, an art resource center, a large lecture hall, and a theater. The large, open gallery spaces with natural light are ideal for displaying modern works. Beside others, it is an example of an encyclopedic public museum, the best example on the entire U.S. West Coast.

The Broad Museum

Collection focus: Contemporary art

Admission: Free, but reservations are needed (otherwise visitors can wait in the walk-in line)

Recommended time: 2

to 3 hours

Iconic feature: Yayoi Kusama’s work

Address: 221 S Grand Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90012

The Broad is one of the most popular cultural attractions in Los Angeles. It is located at Grand Avenue in Downtown Los Angeles and opened to the public on 20th September, 2015. The most photographed piece is Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room The Souls of Millions of Light Years Away. It is a room that has mirrors on the walls and LED lights giving viewers the illusion of being in a galaxy. The building is located in The Veil & The Vault and is designed to showcase the collection on two levels. Make sure you take your time; this is one of the most fulfilling miniature museum experiences in Los Angeles.

The Broad Museum
The Getty
Collection focuses on European art spanning from ancient Greece to the early 20th century
Admission: Free
Recommended stay: 4-6 hours
Iconic features: Vincent van Gogh’s Irises
Address: 1200 Getty Center Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90049
The Getty Center houses some of the richest cultural resources not only in Los Angeles but in all of California. With its collection of European paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and photographs, it possesses Van Gogh's Irises and five paintings by Rembrandt. But these works of art are only part of the attraction.
Architect Richard Meier designed the Getty as a series of square and circular forms spread over two ridges. Visitors take a tram uphill to the museum. As they ascend, they are treated to magnificent views of the entire valley. In addition to the galleries, the Central Garden offers a stunning and memorable experience. Meandering paths, flowing creeks, and a pond with a maze of azaleas at the center, all create a scene that feels like an intricately crafted work of art.

The Getty Center

· This remarkable grouping of structures is located on a hillside, making it one of the most dominant and affluent art institutions in Los Angeles.

· The estate has six buildings and beautiful gardens situated on an expansive landscape that provides breathtaking views of Los Angeles.

One of the largest collections of American manuscripts and historical photographs is part of their holdings.

Also part of the collections are manuscripts, drawings, and paintings of Europe and America, as well as Roman and Greek marble sculptures.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Focus of collection: Western art from the Renaissance to the 20th century

Entry fee: US$25 for adults; US$13 for minors; free on the first Thursday of every month, but advance reservations are required.

Recommended Visit Duration: Approximately 6 hours

Unique Feature: A museum experience interspersed with gardens

Location: 1151 Oxford Rd, San Marino, CA 91108

Since its founding in 1919, and opening in 1928, adhering to the arrangement of collector Henry E. Huntington's desires, The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens has offered a rarely encountered triad of service. It's a blend of, the library; the art collections; and the botanical gardens; a synergistic alliance permitting you to slow down rather than rush to check off an item from your to-do list. It is one of the great garden museum experiences in the United States.

One of its most notable and unique features is the Liu Fang Yuan, which means the Garden of Flowing Fragrance, that comprises the Chinese Garden. The construction of the garden was done using stones and building material from Jiangnan, China and the Suzhou craftsmen who built the palace. Huntington’s interest in the East Asian gardens is also represented by the numerous Chinese origin plants that are located throughout the grounds.

The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens

Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, of which the founder is Henry E. Huntington, is an educational and research institution located in San Marino, California. In addition to the library, there is an art collection which includes works of British portraiture and pieces of French furniture from the 18th Century. The combination of research, art, and landscape, makes the visit not only visually enriching, but also deeply restorative.

The Last Bookstore

Collection focus: New & used books, vintage vinyl records, comics, and more

Admission: Free

Suggested visit: About 1–2 hours

Signature feature: One of the world's most beautiful independent bookstores

Address: 453 S Spring St, Los Angeles, CA 90013

The Last Bookstore is an independent bookstore located in Downtown Los Angeles and is considered one of the best in North America. The bookstore has a vintage-style shelving with old-fashioned interior and twinkling lights, which makes it look like a fantasy place. The most attractive part of the bookstore is the fun layout, which includes glass windows with books, book tunnels, and other deliberately arranged areas that encourage visitors to take pictures. In addition to books, the store sells vintage records and comics. Readers do not only stop here as a souvenir, but as a truly unique place for people to gather. Lookouts: Griffith Observatory See Los Angeles from Above Admission: Free Suggested visit: 1 - 3 hours Signature feature: Sweeping views over Los Angeles Address: 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, CA 90027 Griffith Observatory is important for people interested in astronomy, but it is not limited to just them. Located northwest of central Los Angeles in the hills and is one of the most recognized buildings in the city. She has also been a film star and is known from many of the Hollywood movies. Visitors will find exhibitions about the planets and the universe, and can enjoy demonstrations in the planetarium. The viewing terraces also offer expansive views of downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood. The observatory is one of the rare urban landmarks where both science and scenery are provided. Griffith Observatory • Located on top of a mountain northwest of Los Angeles, the observatory has views of the whole city. • Its exhibitions introduce astronomy and the universe, and the dome theater shows films about the evolution of celestial bodies in a 360° format. • The outdoor terrace offers views of the orderly streets, buildings of the city, and the Downtown Los Angeles skyline. • After sunset, the public telescopes are free for visitors to observe the stars and the Moon. OUE Skyspace LA Admission: Ticket required Suggested visit: 2 hours Signature feature: Exterior glass slide Address: 633 W 5th St #840, Los Angeles, CA 90071 OUE Skyspace is considered to be the highest open-air observation deck in California, located at more than 1,000 feet above ground in the U.S. Bank Tower in Downtown Los Angeles. It had an outdoor deck enclosed with floor-to-ceiling glass. There was indoor seating next to the windows for watching the sunset. It also had an exterior slide that was transparent and went down the side of the building. One of the coolest features was a photo op with angel wings. \nLocal Experiences: High Thrills To The Open Sea \nSix Flags Magic Mountain \nAdmission: Ticket Required \nSuggested visit: One Full Day \nSignature Feature: World Class Roller Coasters \nAddress: 26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355 \nWhen in Los Angeles, it’s not just beaches and art galleries, you also have to go to Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia just north of the city. It opened in 1971, and has a reputation for having more roller coasters than any other amusement park in the world. Nearly 20 coasters have won world awards, including the Green Lantern 4D, Goliath, the Drop of Doom tower, and Full Throttle which is a 360-degree coaster. \nSix Flags Magic Mountain\nSix Flags Magic Mountain is a must for roller coaster fans. The screams of the coasters are continuous and each coaster is built to test the limits of a rider's bravery. Green Lantern: First Flight was the world's first 4D coaster, Goliath is almost 5 kilometers long, and Drop of Doom is 126 meters tall. The rides give a feeling of weightlessness and give an adrenaline rush that lingers after the ride is over. \nWhale and Dolphin Watching Cruise \nAdmission: Boat Ticket Required \nSuggested Visit: 2-3 Hours \nSignature Feature: Available Year-round \nWhale watching and dolphin watching from the Southern Los Angeles harbor is a unique way to experience the Pacific. Viewing wildlife year-round is possible because of the mild climate. Visitors may see groups of humpback whales during the winter and spring. Blue whales are also very common, but they are more likely to be spotted in the summer and fall.

Kingfishers, mink, dolphins, and sea lions can also be seen in the water and the wildlife viewing. While many boat rides are simply that, the captain and crew add marine biology commentary that enhances the ride.

NBA Los Angeles Lakers/Clippers Game

Admission: Game ticket required

Suggested visit: About 2-3 hours

Signature feature: The energy of live basketball

For NBA fans, being able to see their favorite team live is an experience worth planning for. This is made possible in Los Angeles because the Lakers and Clippers both play at the Downtown arena known as Staples Center. The multi-purpose arena is one of the major sports venues in the area, having hosted over 250 events and attracting about 4 million visitors in a year. It is known for being the only NBA arena that has two teams and it is also home to two NBA teams, one NHL team, and one WNBA team.

Warner Bros. Studios VIP Tour Hollywood

Admission: Ticket required

Suggested visit: About 2-3 hours

Signature feature: Behind-the-scenes in television and film

During this tour, visitors get to see the inner workings of Hollywood productions. They can visit the sets and studios of The Big Bang Theory, Friends, Batman, Harry Potter, and 2 Broke Girls, among others. The tour showcases how large American film and television productions follow the whole process, from idea to finished movie, through narrated tours and experiential learning. Visitors might even see actors working if they are lucky. You never know which famous person will be in the area while working at the studio. City Itineraries: Ready-Made Optical The cultural attractions have been established. Now the practical question arises regarding how to integrate them. The following single-day itineraries provide an efficient framework for routing to specific locations and attractions in Los Angeles. One-Day Itinerary for Downtown Mornings: The Broad Museum (get there before the line starts) Lunch: The Last Bookstore - OUE SkySpace LA. Evening: After a meal, go to a Los Angeles Lakers or Clippers game. One-Day Nature-Focused Itinerary Mornings: Cruise to see whales and dolphins Lunch: The Getty. Evening: Enjoy the Santa Monica sunset. After that, visit Pacific Park. One-Day Itinerary for Hollywood Experience Mornings: VIP Tour of Warner Bros. Studios Lunch: Walk of Fame, Madame Tussauds, Ripley’s Believe It or Not. Evening: Go to Griffith Observatory for night viewing One-day Itinerary for Scenic Views & Photography Morning Hours: The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens Noon: Los Angeles County Museum of Art Evening: Beverly Hills Longer Regional Travel: Exploring More of California Beyond Los Angeles New York has its multi-attraction passes, and Los Angeles has one as well. For travelers who intend to stay longer in the city, the Go Los Angeles Card was suggested as a good option. Classic West Coast 3-Day Tour: Yosemite, San Francisco, and Highway 1 This traditional West Coast two-city journey originates in Los Angeles and avoids retracing any steps by utilizing Highway 1. Attraction points include the University of California, Berkeley, Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Lombard Street. The return route passes through Yosemite National Park. It combines numerous famous West Coast sites and is well-liked by first time guests to the USA. National Parks 4-Day Tour: Yosemite, Grand Canyon, and Las Vegas Travelers from Los Angeles can opt to go to Las Vegas, adding Yosemite and Grand Canyon National Parks, forming yet another classic western U.S. loop. Starting with the captivating landscapes of Yosemite, the route moves to the vibrant Las Vegas and then to the extensive South Rim of the Grand Canyon. This itinerary is perfect for those who desire a blend of national-park magnificence and the dazzling desert city. Those with limited time can also consider a same-day sightseeing flight from Las Vegas, which allows a quick way to view significant landscapes with minimal travel time. Five-Day Multi-City Tour: Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego, and Yosemite. This adaptable itinerary starts in San Francisco, allowing for visits to the Golden Gate Bridge, Fisherman’s Wharf, and various local college campuses. The trip may also include Yosemite National Park and will then follow Highway 1 for a view of the Monterey Peninsula and 17-Mile Drive. The trip ends in Los Angeles. There are options for sightseeing in the city, visiting Universal Studios Hollywood, or taking a trip to San Diego. Its main benefit is flexibility.

Conclusion

Los Angeles is a city that should not be rushed. It has a large collection of museums and cultural areas throughout the city and region, and there are attractions with uniquely Californian landscapes and experiences. The well-known landmarks of the region are just the start; the true benefit is finding time to explore the more peaceful, innovative, and unexpected side of the city.