5 Days in Los Angeles: From Hollywood Walk of Fame to The Broad

Take a gentle walk through Bunker Hill, admiring the modern architecture. See the striking exterior of the Walt Disney Concert Hall, known for its stainless steel curves designed by Frank Gehry.

"I recently visited this venue for the first time and was thoroughly impressed by the scale, design, and atmosphere. Most notably, the acoustics and sound quality are exceptional. The performance featuring works by Sibelius, Debussy, and Scriabin was outstanding. Sibelius’s "The Oceanides" and Scriabin’s "Prometheus" were particularly moving, and I have become a dedicated fan of both composers as a result. The venue is a must-visit for any music enthusiast. Its location in such a beautiful part of downtown Los Angeles, complemented by the views from the garden section, makes for a wonderful experience."— Paul Zoubarev

Immerse yourself in contemporary art at The Broad, home to a prominent collection of post-war and contemporary art. Enjoy works from artists like Jeff Koons, Yayoi Kusama, and Andy Warhol in this architecturally stunning museum.

"The Broad Museum in Los Angeles is absolutely phenomenal and easily one of the best museums in the city. The collection is world-class, featuring incredible works from artists like Basquiat, Warhol, and Murakami. Seeing these pieces in person is an amazing experience, especially if you appreciate contemporary and modern art. The curation is thoughtful and the galleries are beautifully laid out, making it easy to spend hours exploring. What makes it even more impressive is that admission is free, which is honestly unbelievable considering the caliber of art on display. The building itself is stunning architecturally, and the location in Downtown Los Angeles is perfect, surrounded by other great spots and things to do. The whole experience feels well organized, clean, and welcoming. Whether you live in Los Angeles or you’re just visiting from out of town, this museum is an absolute must visit. It’s one of those places that really makes you appreciate how special the LA art scene is."— sean levine

Wander through the unique and artistic aisles of The Last Bookstore, California’s largest used and new book and record store, famous for its labyrinthine layouts and creative book art installations. A true cultural gem.

"The Last Bookstore is so cool! Unassuming from the outside but you walk into a wonderland of books. Different sections and levels with cool decor and structures. The aesthetics of each area is unique and fits the genre that it holds. I loved the tunnels made of books and there is a "hole in the wall" shaped out of books as well. Highly recommend stopping in if you are in the area just to check it out even if you are not looking for a particular book to purchase. Now for my standard comments. The location is clean and well kept."— Christine L

Stroll along the iconic Hollywood Walk of Fame, discovering the stars of your favorite celebrities embedded in the sidewalk. Take photos at famous spots.

"It is nice street with lots of Hollywood souvenirs and clothing. If you are lucky might spot a celebrity or some red carpet event. Over all a nice place to spend evening. If going with children take a stroller. Wear comfortable shoes as involves lot of walking."— tarun sethi

Visit the historic TCL Chinese Theatre, marveling at its ornate architecture and the famous handprints and footprints of movie stars in the forecourt.

"A landmark theater with incredible old-Hollywood charm. The exterior is iconic and the interior feels grand and historic, especially when the curtains open and the lights come down. The screen and sound are great, and watching a movie here feels more like an experience than just a regular screening. Worth a visit if you’re in LA."— Tilly N.

Explore the Griffith Observatory for stunning panoramic views of Los Angeles, the Hollywood Sign, and the Pacific Ocean. Delve into the cosmos with its exhibits and telescopes.

"First of all, you can’t beat free! But more importantly, the narrators all seem to love their job. Very insightful and entertaining speakers. They seem very well educated and informed about what they’re speaking about. Everything was clean and well kept and easy to navigate. Parking was super simple as well, but we did go at 12 o’clock in the afternoon. Make sure to check when the sunsets and arrive one hour early if you want to look through the telescopes. The experience was beautiful nonetheless with nice views of LA."— T G

Catch a live stand-up comedy show at the legendary Comedy Store, a renowned venue that has hosted countless comedic legends.

"The Comedy Store absolutely lives up to the hype. From the moment you walk in, you can feel the history and energy of the place. The lineup was stacked with killers who had the whole room laughing nonstop. The atmosphere is intimate, electric, and authentic — exactly what you want from a legendary comedy venue. The staff was organized, drinks were solid, and the show ran smoothly from start to finish. If you love stand-up, this is a must-visit spot in LA. I’ll definitely be back."— Edgar Flores

Immerse yourself in movie magic with thrilling rides, live shows, and interactive attractions. Start with popular rides like Harry Potter and the Forbidden Journey or Jurassic World – The Ride.

"If you’re looking for a truly unforgettable theme park experience, Universal Studios Hollywood absolutely delivers. I’m not usually a huge theme park person, but I would go back here in a heartbeat — and I’m already looking forward to checking out the Universal Orlando location! One major tip: pay for the early access pass to Super Nintendo World. It allowed us to enter the park an hour early (8am instead of 9am), and nothing else in the park is open yet besides this area. We were able to ride Mario Kart Challenge twice and explore the world and gift shop before the main crowds arrived. Once the park officially opens, people swarm the Super Nintendo World area, so this early access is a game-changer. The level of detail and immersive design in Super Nintendo World was absolutely breathtaking — every little element was thoughtfully executed. The park overall was incredibly clean, and the staff were outstanding. I even needed to visit the medical center due to an injury the day prior, and they took amazing care of me, allowing me to enjoy the park despite my situation. I seriously cannot thank them enough. Without them, my experience wouldn't have been the same. The rides were so much fun! My personal favorite was Harry Potter & the Forbidden Journey, which combined visual effects with practical animatronics for an immersive experience. The Mummy ride was way faster than we expected, and the Jurassic World water ride had a drop so steep that my husband got completely soaked — I was grateful for my poncho and had to brace myself for the drop. The Secret Life of Pets ride was fun, though the experience in the line area could have been executed better. Meet-and-greet experiences are short (about 15 minutes), so be sure to get in line early if that’s a priority. Food highlights included the Lard Lad Donuts — the pink donut was sweet, fresh, and delicious. My husband loved the Jurrasic Water drink. It came in a souvenir cup and the drinks was strong. Well worth the price. The studio tour was enjoyable, though I wouldn’t recommend it on a holiday; it was very quiet, and we would have loved to see more activity and action in the studios. Overall, Universal Studios Hollywood was an incredible experience from start to finish. From immersive worlds and thrilling rides to excellent staff and attention to detail, this park is worth every bit of planning and early-morning effort!"— Brittaney McCarthy

Continue exploring the park, catching a live show like WaterWorld, and don't miss the famous Studio Tour to see real Hollywood sets and special effects.

"Waiting most of my life to go on this tour. Having historical context, working sets, essentially four rides in one with Earthquake, King Kong, Jaws, as well as the tour itself. It’s worth the wait. Seeing sets from some of my favorite films was very exciting. Very Hollywood thematic tones as well. Very much played up to a great Universal experience. Would give this tour a five star as I’m so happy this still exists. However, the speakers are less than desired. Also, the chassis or the rear of the cart was so ungodly noisy, it made it very difficult to hear anything from the tour guide. All I could hear is squeaking and clanking steel."— TheRealJoshCall

Immerse yourself in European paintings, illuminated manuscripts, and decorative arts, all housed in stunning architecture with panoramic city views and beautiful gardens. Allow ample time for the tram ride up to the museum.

"Beautiful museum with amazing architecture and stunning views of Los Angeles. The gardens are very peaceful and well maintained. The art collections are impressive, and the tram ride up to the museum is a nice experience. A great place to spend a few hours exploring and relaxing"— Akanksha Sharma

Stroll along the historic Santa Monica Pier, enjoy the ocean breeze, watch street performers, and take in the panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and coastline, perhaps catching the early evening glow.

"I visited Santa Monica Pier for the first time, even though I’ve seen it countless times in movies, shows, and animation. Experiencing it in person was so much better than I expected. The colorful lights from Pacific Park, the ocean breeze, and the lively boardwalk atmosphere made the whole place feel amazing. There are lots of food spots, shops, and photo spots, and everything feels very lively at night. I can definitely see why this pier is so famous — it’s a great place to walk around, relax, and enjoy the view. I’d absolutely come back again."— SAMUEL OKOLE

Experience Los Angeles nightlife at a trendy rooftop bar with stunning panoramic views of the downtown skyline. Enjoy a drink and the city lights.

"Very Nice place to go celebrate an occasion. Food was delicious, staff was fantastic & the views were lovely. We ordered a bit of everything on the menu and none of it disappointed. Had a couple drinks from the menu & off the menu, bartender seemed to have good taste. Definitely will be coming back soon with more family and friends. Also had live music when we were there. Some might enjoy that others might not."— Richard Jimenez

Immerse yourself in the vibrant history and culture of Los Angeles' birthplace at Olvera Street, a lively marketplace filled with traditional Mexican crafts, food vendors, and historic buildings.

"I came on a Monday morning so it was pretty empty. I used to come as a little girl and it looks just the same. If you are not local, it's a place you need to come. Little shops selling different souvenirs from Mexico along with small restaurants that have the "hole in the wall" look but with Aaamazing food! There is parking across the Placita but you pay for it. If not you could prob find street parking but in the weekend I could see that being an issue. I saw a mixture of cash only places and others that offer zelle, cashapp or regular card payment. Hope you enjoy!"— Jesi Boresoff

Begin your exploration of the California Science Center in Exposition Park, home to exciting exhibits on space, science, and the natural world, including an introductory look at the impressive Space Shuttle Endeavour.

"Visited with my family on January 4, 2026. I used to live in Los Angeles between 2015 and 2019, and I visited California Science Center several times back then. It was always an amazing science hub and one of my favorite places in the city. During this recent visit, however, a lot of renovations were happening. The Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibit was closed and under construction, and overall the place didn’t quite have the same vibe I remembered. I’m hoping once the renovations are complete it will return to the vibrant experience it used to be. One nice thing is that there is still no entrance fee, though they charge $20 for parking."— Niranjan S

Continue your visit to the California Science Center, focusing on the awe-inspiring Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibit and other captivating displays of scientific innovation and exploration.

"Visited with my family on January 4, 2026. I used to live in Los Angeles between 2015 and 2019, and I visited California Science Center several times back then. It was always an amazing science hub and one of my favorite places in the city. During this recent visit, however, a lot of renovations were happening. The Space Shuttle Endeavour exhibit was closed and under construction, and overall the place didn’t quite have the same vibe I remembered. I’m hoping once the renovations are complete it will return to the vibrant experience it used to be. One nice thing is that there is still no entrance fee, though they charge $20 for parking."— Niranjan S

Travel to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) for your flight home to New York, NY. Allow ample time for traffic, security, and check-in procedures.

"We had a short layover at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and were pleasantly surprised by how smooth and comfortable the experience was. Even with limited time between flights, everything felt organized and easy to navigate. Our connection was straightforward, with clear signage and helpful staff making it simple to move between terminals. For such a large and busy airport, the flow was better than expected, and we never felt rushed or stressed. LAX offers plenty of places to sit, relax, and recharge. Whether you want to grab a quick snack, stretch your legs, or just take a breather before the next flight, there are convenient options throughout the terminals. Even during a short layover, we found several good spots for food and drinks. The variety is great, and it’s easy to pick up something quick without wandering far from your gate. Our brief time at LAX was genuinely positive. Clean spaces, helpful staff, and an easy connection made the layover smooth and enjoyable. For a major international airport, it delivered exactly what we needed."— Lonnie Perry