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Best Attractions in Los Angeles (2026)

The best attractions in Los Angeles are spread across a huge area, so grouping them by neighbourhood saves hours in traffic. On the Westside, the Getty Center combines European art, gardens and views, and its sister site, the Getty Villa in Pacific Palisades, focuses on Greek and Roman antiquities; both are free but need a timed reservation. In the Miracle Mile, LACMA and the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures face each other across Wilshire Boulevard and make an easy full day together.

Downtown, The Broad and Walt Disney Concert Hall sit side by side on Grand Avenue, and the Natural History Museum is a short Metro ride south in Exposition Park. Griffith Observatory is best in the late afternoon and evening, when the city lights come on, while the Hollywood Walk of Fame is calmest in the morning. Santa Monica Pier rounds things off with sea air and sunset. Check opening days before you go, as several museums close on Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesdays, and book timed tickets ahead for weekends and school holidays. Many of the city's major sights are free to enter, so parking is often the biggest cost of a day out.

10 places · Updated October 24, 2026

Our top 3 attractions in Los Angeles

  1. Getty Center Art museum and gardens, BrentwoodThe Getty Center is a hilltop art museum in Brentwood with European paintings, photography, sculpture gardens and wide views over Los Angeles, free with a timed reservation.
  2. Griffith Observatory Public observatory and science centre, Griffith ParkFree-to-enter public observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, known for its astronomy exhibits, planetarium and views over Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.
  3. Hollywood Walk of Fame Landmark pavement, HollywoodMore than 2,800 brass and terrazzo stars line Hollywood Boulevard and Vine Street, honouring figures from film, television, music, radio and live performance.

Attraction

1. Getty Center

Art museum and gardensBrentwood

The Getty Center is a hilltop art museum in Brentwood with European paintings, photography, sculpture gardens and wide views over Los Angeles, free with a timed reservation.

View details — Getty Center

Attraction

2. Griffith Observatory

Public observatory and science centreGriffith Park

Free-to-enter public observatory on the slopes of Mount Hollywood in Griffith Park, known for its astronomy exhibits, planetarium and views over Los Angeles and the Hollywood Sign.

View details — Griffith Observatory

Attraction

4. Santa Monica Pier

Historic pier and amusement parkSanta Monica

Built in 1909 and now a National Historic Landmark, Santa Monica Pier stretches into the Pacific with Pacific Park's rides, food stands, street performers and ocean views.

View details — Santa Monica Pier

Attraction

6. The Broad

Contemporary art museumBunker Hill, Downtown

Free contemporary art museum on Grand Avenue in Downtown LA, home to Eli and Edythe Broad's collection of postwar and contemporary art, including a Yayoi Kusama Infinity Mirror Room.

View details — The Broad

Attraction

10. Getty Villa

Antiquities museum and gardensPacific Palisades

The Getty's museum of Greek, Roman and Etruscan antiquities, set in a recreated Roman country house and gardens above the Pacific Coast Highway in Pacific Palisades.

View details — Getty Villa