What To See in LA?

I'm visiting LA for a few weeks. Never been out here before. What shows should I see? What theaters should I see? etc.

I hear that "Falling For Make Believe" is quite good.
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Don't miss a night at the Hollywood Bowl. Doesn't matter what's playing-- just pack a picnic and some wine and commune with the greatest group of audience members in town.

There are two shows for "An Evening with Shirley Maclaine" at La Mirada this Saturday. If you are still in town, "Next to Normal" begins there at the end of the month.

If you don't mind driving a little bit, a well-reviewed production of "Parade" is playing in Fullerton.

^^^Glad to hear it. I'm seeing SCOTTSBORO a week from Tuesday.

To the OP, there's a lot of good theater in LA's smaller houses because there is so much fine acting talent in the city for film and TV work. The problem is that, as in NYC, there is an equal amount of lousy work in those same spaces.

Are you visiting friends? If so, they should know what you should see.

I'm visiting friends and family, but they aren't actors/don't see theater and stuff. So just curious what I should be checking out. I love seeing an old theater and whatnot.

Take the LA Conservancy Broadway Theatre tour in Downtown LA and go into 3-4 old movie palaces.

I didn't see how long you were here, but once the Hollywood Bowl starts, anything is good.

Only until June. So I'll miss the Hollywood Bowl, but it looks cool.


Not theater related, but I want to go to Watts Tower. Anyone ever been? I know it's in a sketchy part of town, so wasn't sure.

I went to the Watts Towers when I was a kid. It is amazing to look at, but I think it is more of a class field trip kind of thing (in my opinion)

It is interesting, but if you have limited time, I would recommend the Getty (either old or new), or LACMA and the Petersen car museum - if you like cars.

Also, if you have a chance, the Santa Monica Pier/Beach can provide a nice afternoon/evening. The Third Street Promenade has some decent restaurants and good people watching if you want to be near the beach. But, it does get pretty crowded, especially once summer hits.

Venice Beach can also be fun.

If you are downtown, LA Live (where the Staples Center and the Convention Center are, along with the Nokia Theater) has restaurants and shops. Parking is pretty expensive, but there is mass transit options.

LA Live is probably 12-14 blocks from the Music Center, which houses the Ahmanson/Market Taper/Dorthy Chandler/Disney Hall. The Dorothy Chandler has LA Opera performances. I believe Tosca is playing during that period.

If you are a baseball fan, Dodger games can be fun, but traffic in and out is a nightmare. As others have said, if you can go to the Hollywood Bowl, that is wonderful. If you go, I would recommend you park in Hollywood and Highland and take the shuttle bus to the Bowl. Stop at Trader Joe's first for some wine, cheese and munchies.

A lot really depends where in LA you are staying. There are plenty of destination stops, but also smaller things to do if you are in a specific neighborhood.
Music Center.

True, now that I think about it. I work a few blocks away, so we usually are there after an event/movie or just for a meal. So, scratch the shopping component off of LA Live.

When you go to see Priscilla, there's a cute restaurant across the street called Wood and Vine that has the best chicken and waffles. It's actually a very gourmet, trendy restaurant. For a quick dinner, Delphine at the W Hotel is great. Both are just across the street from the theatre and they have valet for the Pantages there if you have a car.

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Thanks y'all! I like weird obscure stuff, so the Watts Tower appealed to me, but it's not going anywhere, so I can catch it next time. Explored the studios and whatnot today, was a cool area.

I'm looking forward to seeing some theater.

Hm. Good to know. I'm on a no-carb diet, but that sounds tasty.