View of the Venice sign at Venice Beach, Los Angeles, California

5 Free things to do in Los Angeles

If there’s one city that speaks to the imagination of many people, it would be Los Angeles. But once you arrive, or even when booking your lifetime trip, you notice LA can be very expensive. Considering stay, activities, food. But there are things in Los Angeles you can do for free and there are more than you might think. Dive into our top 5 free things to in Los Angeles including the Venice Canals, Griffith Observatory, and a hidden gem.

 

Table of Contents

  • Venice Canals
  • Griffith Observatory
  • The Getty Center
  • Union Station
  • The Broad

Venice Canals

The Venice Canals are just 4 blocks away from the famous Venice Beach. This is a perfect spot to come to for some peace after visiting the busy Venice Beach. We like the vibe around sunset. It’s ideal for an Instagram-worthy shoot. As of today, there are only 6 canals left of what was once a network of 13 canals. The easiest way to enter is via Venice Blvd.

Venice Canals, Los Angeles, California

Griffith Observatory

While you can come here during sunset, it’s beautiful. The observatory itself is open until 10 PM. The fun doesn’t stop after visiting the exhibitions, planetarium, and observatory. Stay for a mesmerizing sunset and stay for LA to get dark. The views of the city with all the lights are wonderful. Parking spots are limited so getting an Uber to get here is recommended.

Griffith Observatory Los Angeles

The Getty Center

This museum holds artworks of Vincent van Gogh, Pontormo, ... and besides all the wonderful art, the views and the gardens are at least worth mentioning. The experience starts when you take the train up the hill to get to the museum. We think this is a little Walhalla for art lovers. The free guided tours are a plus in our opinion. Take at least 2 hours and if possible even more, especially if you’re an art lover.

Union Station

Union Station is the largest railroad passenger terminal in the Western USA. The wonderful hall is iconic. It’s been featured in so many movies, we couldn’t miss to visit. The station architecture combines Spanish Colonial Revival architecture, Mission Revival, and Streamline modern styles. It’s still a train terminal today, serving 110.000 passengers a day so don’t block ways.

Union Station Los Angeles, California

The Broad

We never heard of the museum before going to LA. We had some time left and found this museum online. Make sure to make a time reservation before you go so you don’t have to wait too long. It’s not the typical museum with paintings on the wall, they are here too, but it is so much more with the balloon kind of sculptures and a mirror room full of lights. We think it’s a must if you’re in LA, away from the typical tourist attractions and it’s for free. 1+1=2?

Planning that trip to Los Angeles or other parts of California and the West Coast? Take a look at these guides.

 

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