26 Things to Do in Los Angeles at Night
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The city of angels is known for its sunny weather, eclectic culture, delicious food, and vibrant neighborhoods. Its most famous areas like Rodeo Drive, Santa Monica, and the Hollywood Hills attract visitors of all ages from all over the globe – all year round.
Although its best known for its daytime attractions, Los Angeles is full of exciting activities that are open well into the late hours of the night. Whether you want to experience a unique dinner and a movie night or take a picture with your favorite celebrity’s wax figure, this list of 25 things to do in Los Angeles at night has got you covered.
Get ready to grab a bite to eat, go dancing, enjoy some late-night entertainment, or simply have a unique adventure in Los Angeles at night.
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Take Pictures with Celebrities’ Wax Figures at The Hollywood Wax Museum
All tourists hope for a star-studded L.A. experience. Visiting the Hollywood Wax Museum might just be the best alternative. The museum, which has been the most notable Hollywood attraction since opening back in 1965, is filled with wax replicas of all your favorite celebrities and is open from 9 am all the way to midnight. So, prepare your cameras and get ready for a night out with the stars at this L.A. attraction.
Party On Sunset Strip
Sunset Strip is a mile and a half long and covers everything from West Hollywood to West Beverly Hills. You will notice a row of colorful billboards that adorn the bar, restaurant, and club-filled streets. Visitors come here to shop, dine, and visit attractions in the area.
The Sunset strip is known as the place to be for a good time, even dark, whether you choose to head over to “Whiskey a Go-Go” for some rock and roll tunes or grab a bite to eat at Rainbow Bar and Grill – formerly known as Villa Nova, where Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio had their first date.
Enjoy The View from an L.A. Nighttime Helicopter Tour
Enjoy the endless city lights of Los Angeles during a thirty-minute helicopter tour. You will be able to see the downtown L.A. skyline from one of the most iconic points of view. The ride will take you along some of the city’s most famous landmarks as they are illuminated to create a picture-perfect moment.
Head Over to The Santa Monica Pier
The Santa Monica Pier has been welcoming visitors since 1909. Since then, it has become one of the most photographed locations in the world. The Iconic pier is known for its carnival, which is home to the Pacific Park’s Ferris Wheel.
The pier is perfect for an after-hours adventure. Its neon lights make it a sight to behold. Once at the pier, you will be able to enjoy the carnival, the arcade with more than 200 games, and street performers. You will also have the opportunity to buy a lovely memento from one of their souvenir shops.
Watch a Disney Movie at El Capitan Theatre
Built-in the 1920s, El Capitan Theatre is known for its Spanish Colonial exterior and its East Indian-inspired interior décor. In the beginning, the theater was home to off-Broadway plays and eventually became a movie theater in 1941. Fast forward to 1989, when Disney and Pacific’s theaters joined forces to restore El Capitan to its original structure and decor.
Today, the theater is exclusively used for Disney Premiers, and you can visit El Capitan for a night full of history and entertainment.
Gaze Into the Stars at The Griffith Observatory
The Griffith Observatory welcomes visitors to walk around its grounds, even at night, once it is closed. The observatory is a very popular destination for those looking to wander around Los Angeles at night.
The observatory is usually open until 10 pm and is only open Friday through Sunday. It also offers the opportunity to gaze at the sky guided by expert astronomers on their open lawn.
Take A Tour of Los Angeles After Dark
Get to know L.A. at night by opting for a guided tour of all the best-known Tinseltown sights. Experience the famous landmarks as they illuminate the night sky and are professionally narrated by your driver-guide. Make sure to bring a notepad this way. You can make a list of all the spots you’d like to visit in detail during the day.
Cheer On Your Favorite Team at A Sporting Event
We all know L.A. is home to famous sports teams like the Lakers, The Dodgers, and the Rams. So why not take advantage of a night out and venture over to the Staple Center and cheer on some of your favorite athletes!
Take On Universal Studios After Dark
Do not miss out on shows and adventure at the Universal Studios’ extended hours. Though they are not offered during the winter season, Universal Studios at night is a must. Enjoy the rides as you wonder about being surrounded by the beautiful lit park.
Universal City Walk is also always open for entertaining, dining, and shopping during the evening.
Dare To Have a Haunted Encounter on the 1930s Ship – Queen Mary
Visit one of the top 10 most haunted places in America, according to Times Magazine. The the1930s ship Queen Mary is known for its paranormal activity, and as many as 150 different ghosts are said to be haunting its grounds.
While you can visit the ship and enjoy a spooky guided tour after hours, part of the ship also functions as a hotel for those who would like to spend the night.
Laugh At a Comedy Show
Los Angeles is home to many of the funniest superstars, so why not take a chance and visit a local comedy club like Comedy Store or Laugh Factory. Both these clubs are known for launching the careers of comedy icons like Eddie Murphy, Tim Allen, and Jay Leno.
Who knows, maybe your favorite comedian will stop by, or perhaps you’ll even discover new rising talent.
Watch Your Favorite Artist Perform at The Hollywood Bowl
The Hollywood Bowl has been known for hosting the biggest names in music since the early 1920s. The amphitheater is a great attraction to visit while in Los Angeles. If you are looking for nighttime entertainment, make sure to check if there are any performances while you are visiting.
Enjoy a California Roll in Little Tokyo
Grab a bite in Little Tokyo, the home of the California Roll. Little Tokyo is perfect for a night out in L.A., filled with culture and history.
The area is one of the three most historic Japanese areas in America. Little Tokyo is the perfect place to go try an authentic Japanese meal.
Buy some delicious local food at the Los Angeles Farmers Market
The L.A. Farmer’s Market is the perfect way to get local fresh foods. The market has been open since 1934, and how features more than one hundred different restaurants, shops, and bars. Make your way over here for an early dinner and a pleasant evening stroll up to 8 pm.
Enjoy an Evening at the Grove
This is a perfect hub for those looking to shop, dine, and enjoy some entertainment in the same area. The Grove is best known for its diverse array of boutiques and outdoor dining – making it the perfect stop for those looking to enjoy fabulous California weather with friends or family.
Go Dancing at L.A. Live
This outdoor entertainment complex is filled with more than 20 venues perfectly suited for a night out with friends. L.A. live is filled with bright lights, great music, and endless entertainment. The area features a movie theater, clubs, a bowling alley, and even event venues.
Eat Your Dinner on a Cruise
Having dinner on a cruise is the perfect way to eat while you take in that sunset view. Los Angeles has several dinner cruises, each lasting around 3 hours. Dinner on a cruise is the perfect way to spend a night in Los Angeles.
Take A Stroll at the Walk of Fame
This is probably the best-known tourist attraction Los Angeles has to offer. The Walk of Fame is located at Hollywood Boulevard and offers fifteen blocks of star-studded pavement recognizing over 2500 celebrities. The area is free and perfect for anyone looking for nighttime activities.
Go on a Night Hike at Griffith Park
Sometimes taking a walk and stepping outside the city life is the perfect way to end your day. The Sierra Club offers night hikes at Griffith Park on weekdays. These hikes are available on different levels ranging from beginner to expert.
Take a Picture in Urban Light
The Instagramable location is arguably Los Angeles’s most famous social media background. Urban Light is right in front of LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art). This artwork was created by Christ Burden and is made up of 202 vintage street lamps. The sculpture is illuminated at night, making it the perfect spot for a picture.
Visit the Downtown LA Art Walk
Not many people know this, but on the second Thursday of every month, there is an event called the Downtown L.A. Art Walk that takes place. This is when people gather in downtown L.A. and make their way down the art galleries.
To start, make your way to the visitor center, which is open until 10 pm, and get a map of the event. As you make your way down the galleries, you will find restaurants and bars, making this the perfect night in L.A.
Satiate your Sweet Tooth at California Doughnuts
Open 24hours, California Doughnuts is the perfect stop for anyone with a sweet tooth. The doughnut shop is located in Koreatown and has been run by the same family since opening in the 1980s.
Make sure to arrive ready to stand in line as it is always busy but don’t let that discourage you from visiting their massive doughnut selection. Their selection ranges from classics like fritters and jelly-filled to modern doughnuts covered in cereal.
Go to the Street Food Cinema
The best way to enjoy a movie is with a snack on the side. Head on over to Exposition Park to enjoy L.A.’s Street Food Cinema. The outdoor cinema is inside the park and is surrounded by a variety of savory and sweet food trucks to complement any craving.
Wonder around the Grammy Museum
The Grammy Museum is a great stop to learn more about your favorite musicians. The museum offers an interactive experience where you explore music’s history and the creative process of Grammy winners, amongst other educational content. Make sure to check online for cool after-hour activities and new exhibits to explore.
Take a Ghost Tour
Los Angeles is a city full of history, dreams, and a haunting past. Learn about the city’s haunting history and paranormal activity by participating in one of the ghost tours. You can visit and learn about crime locations, local lore, and haunted hotels.
Spend the evening at the Museum of Neon Art
If you are wondering where to go in Los Angeles at night, this museum focuses on electric art and is the only museum in the world to do it. At the Museum of Neon Art, you will learn about the creation process of neon art, including the science behind it. The art form combines creativity with chemistry and physics. As a result, you have a vibrant sign or symbol that can be seen and appreciated from miles away and at night.
In Conclusion
Los Angeles’ nightlife has as much to offer as its sunny days. You’ll be able to find exciting indoor and outdoor activities and enjoy new and unique experiences like gazing up at the stars or touring a haunted ship.
You can try new and authentic cuisines and learn about Tinseltown’s history – there is no knowing what adventure you might experience or who you might bump into in Los Angeles at night.
