FREE Things to Do in Los Angeles

by Paul Turner Smith
Shuttle2LAX

Los Angeles is a cosmopolitan city overflowing with diversity. But that doesn't mean you have to break the bank to plan a visit. Some of the very best that Los Angeles has to offer is actually FREE! In this article, I would like to introduce you to all of the diversity that makes Los Angeles an amazing destination no matter where your interests lay. And we are going to do it all without reaching into your wallet once!

1. Explore Exposition Park. Four major free attractions are featured within walking distance of each other! There is a walking tour available that encompasses all four destinations and leaves from Exposition Park - Lot 3. The tour includes the California Science Center, Rose Garden, California African American Museum, and Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The California Science Center is a great destination if you are traveling with children and offers lots of interactive hands-on exhibits and learning fun. They also offer IMAX movies although there is a charge for this. The Rose Garden , a popular site for weddings, is a welcome oasis in the midst of bustling downtown LA and is also free to visit. The California African American Museum also offers free admission as well as an outdoor sculpture garden. The Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum was the home of the 1932 and 1984 Summer Olympics and is the current stomping grounds for the USC Trojans.

2. The Farmers Market is a true LA landmark. It first opened in 1934 as an open air produce market and has operated continuously ever since. Today The Farmers Market offers groceries and cuisine from around the world. Free concerts are offered every Thursday and Friday night from 7-9 pm all summer long.

3. For years the Angeles Chapter of the Sierra Club has offered free guided night hikes through the trails at Griffith Park. The hikes are two hours in length. Six different levels of difficulty are offered ranging from beginner to very strenuous.

4. Los Angeles is the home of iconic architecture visited by people from all over the world. Take a driving tour and visit these six architectural marvels . All six of the architects were winners of the Pritzker Prize honoring living architects whose work displays, talents, vision and commitment.

5. The best way to see your favorite celebrities up close and personal is to attend the free bimonthly handprints ceremonies on Hollywood Boulevard. Contact the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce for more information.

6. Drive Mulholland Drive from the 405 to Laurel Canyon Boulevard (7.5 miles). This drive takes you along the ridge of the Santa Monica Mountains. You will pass the residences of Jack Nicholson and Leonardo DiCaprio while enjoying amazing views of the San Fernando Valley and Hollywood Hills. There are several scenic overlooks that make it well worth your time to pull over and get out.

7. Visit the site of TV's hottest reality show, "LA Ink". Kat Van D's High Voltage Tattoo is a popular destination for tourists wanting to step into the show, meet their favorite "characters" and also find show merchandise for purchase.

8. Save an afternoon for the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust . The oldest Holocaust museum in the United States, LAMOTH offers a variety of docent led tours for guest ages 12 and up. Entrance is always free.

9. Take a picnic to Point Fermin Park and Lighthouse . This 37 acre park is precariously perched high above the Pacific Ocean. While not a popular destination, its coin-operated telescopes offer some of the best views in Los Angeles. The 1874 lighthouse is perfect for photos to rival a postcard and setting is almost always quiet and tranquil.

10. Take a free archery lesson in Pasadena. The Roving Archers offer free lessons every Saturday morning to anyone age 10 and up.

11. Indulge your hunger for culture. For the past 25 years, Grand Performances has been offering performance arts that reflect the best of global culture and bring together the diverse peoples of Los Angeles. Performances are held at California Plaza in downtown Los Angeles and every performance is free. Check out their calendar of events .

12. Take a self-guided tour of the Walt Disney Concert Hall complete with architectural facts and historical trivia.

13. Debunk the myth that Los Angeles is a concrete jungle as you come face to face with waterfowl, herons, ducks and more at the Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve .

14. “Breathe in … and exhale.” Sahaja Yoga Meditation Center in Sherman Oaks offers free weekly meditation classes in English, Spanish and Farsi. Ninety minute workshops are held during the week and on Saturday.

15. Take a run at being a contestant on The Price is Right ! Tickets are absolutely free and there is no audition required.

As you can see, Los Angeles has something to offer to everyone. And this is only the beginning ... watch for future installments of FREE Things to Do in Los Angeles.

Article submitted Wednesday, June 15, 2011 & read 86 times.

Paul Turner Smith is the Online Marketing Manager for Shuttle2LAX.com and a lover of all things Los Angeles. He primarily rights about travel-related topics and particularly loves to introduce visitors to Los Angeles to all of the hidden gems the city has to offer.

Please log in to leave your comments.
No comments yet.

10-2-0-0-5

Most Recent