Things to Do in Los Angeles

Reopened in August 2025 after a small fire, this surreal cabinet of curiosities is a rite of passage for culture seekers. Covered by Smithsonian and The New York Times, it’s as much poem as museum—complete with a tea room. Confirmed open by LAist.

Quentin Tarantino’s repertory house spins double features on 35mm, from cult favorites to classics. A fixture praised by film critics and programmers, its lively August 2025 calendar shows why locals line up early for popcorn and trailers.

The city’s landmark independent record store—browsing bins, staff picks, and frequent in-store shows. Regularly cited by national outlets, its 2025 events and signings keep Hollywood’s music community humming.

A Koreatown anchor for Oaxacan culture run by the López family since 1994. A James Beard America’s Classics winner and a longtime Jonathan Gold favorite, it serves mole, tlayudas, and mezcal with festive energy.

Founded by Billy Higgins and Kamau Daáood, this Leimert Park performance gallery hosts jazz, drum circles, poetry, and workshops. Celebrated by the Los Angeles Times, its 2025 calendar continues a legacy of nurturing Black artistry.

A community marketplace near USC with independent eateries and arts programming. Home to acclaimed Holbox, now Michelin-starred, and frequent music and cultural events—an authentic taste of South LA’s diversity.

This artist-run panorama revives 19th‑century immersive viewing inside a 1908 theater, with gardens and whimsical salons. Open by timed appointment, it’s a favorite of arts writers for its handmade wonder and quirky film matinees.

Paddle the city’s rewilded waterway with the local nonprofit that helped open the river to the public. Tours run during the 2025 recreation season, pairing urban nature with storytelling about restoration and ecology.

America’s longest-running marionette theater, now thriving in Highland Park with seasonal revues and community festivals. Featured by the Los Angeles Times in 2025, it blends Old Hollywood craft with joyful, all-ages shows.

Family-owned since 1903 and the oldest business in Little Tokyo, this wagashi shop shapes LA traditions—from New Year mochitsuki to modern flavors. Recognized by local historians and travel editors for its enduring cultural role.

Locally run walking tours that weave neighborhood history with tastings from independent vendors. Praised by travel editors, the Downtown route includes Grand Central Market and nearby staples; 2025 public tours run most weekends.