Museums
Whether it’s the National History Museum’s stories of evolution, the boundary-pushing exhibits at the the Museum of Contemporary Art, or the at times inspiring, at times heartbreaking Museum of Tolerance, Los Angeles’s collections are sure to leave a lasting impression. The Getty Center
It almost feels as though you’re taking a tram to another world as you hop on the funicular and rise above LA’s urban ocean to this quirky art gallery which is surrounded by intricately landscaped gardens. The art inside features works by iconic names including Gauguin and Vincent van Gogh, creating an oasis of colorful serenity amid the bustle of LA.
1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles CA 90049. The Grammy Museum
It’s time to strap on a guitar, spin your drumsticks, or grab a mic, as you take centre stage at the Grammy Museum. Interactive exhibits let you perform with your own band - but music fans will be just as mesmerized by the museum’s extensive collection of memorabilia from America's vast musical heritage. See the battered, peeling guitars that famous bluesmen mournfully crooned over, or stay bang up to date as temporary exhibits keep you on the pulse with the latest musical megastars.
800 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90015.
Performing arts
LA is the undisputed mecca of the big and small screen – but don’t forget the stage. With more theaters and arts venues than any other American city, there’s always a fresh show or performance to savor. Hollywood Pantages Theater
The stunning Art Deco design of Pantages Theater is a fitting venue for any performance, and whether you’re watching a touring broadway musical, or a gripping lecture from an astrophysicist, you'll always feel like it’s just you and the performers. Even the interval flies by, as you lean back in your comfy seat to admire the beautiful gold and blue detailing that decorates the lavish roof.
6233 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles CA 90028 .
Classical concerts
It would take a heart of stone not to be moved by Los Angeles’s orchestras, as their performances swell with emotion. Grand venues with innovative accoustics ensure your ears will pick up every nuance of the concert. Walt Disney Concert Hall
There’s nothing mousey about the look of Walt Disney Concert Hall, which is an architectural spectacle of sweeping metallic curves, and gleaming sheets of glass. Don’t think style is preferred over substance, however, as the auditory experience inside is even more dramatic. Sit back as the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra’s playful clarinets and surging violins meld together with breathtaking clarity and impact.
111 S Grand Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90012.
Religious buildings
In LA you can check out the humble Mission San Fernando Rey de España church - from 1797 - before visiting Lake Shrine’s denomination-free gardens. The various religious sites of the City of Angels offer spaces of serenity right in the heart of this always-on city. Los Angeles Cathedral
Even the city's cathedral is a quirky, creative building, designed to turn heads. You won’t find chiseled gargoyles and Neo-Gothic stained glass windows here. Instead, gurgling fountains and a sleek angular interior - where contemporary art and hand-stitched tapestries hang from the walls - welcome you to this uniquely postmodern religious haven.
555 W Temple Street, Los Angeles CA 90012.
