Cuisine
Local Favorite: Chicken and Waffles
It is difficult to identify only iconic one food for Los Angeles since the city is a melting pot of people from around the globe. So it is easier to identify a restaurant that serves up a must-eat item. Roscoe's chicken and waffles is an L.A. must-eat food. Roscoe's House of Chicken 'N' Waffles opened in 1975, courtesy of Herb Hudson who had moved from Harlem, New York. There are now seven locations around L.A. that grew out of the original restaurant on Gower Street. The most popular menu item is Roscoe's signature chicken and waffles. It is a mixture of sweet and savory thanks to large buttery waffles and crispy fried chicken. Smother it all in maple syrup for a truly one-of-a-kind taste.Restaurants
Landmarks
Disneyland
Hollywood Sign
Griffith Observatory
Santa Monica Pier
Universal Studios Hollywood
Hollywood Boulevard
STAPLES Center
Petersen Automotive Museum
Dodger Stadium
Top Tourist Attractions
Universal Studios
No trip to Los Angeles is complete without a trip to Universal Studios. The theme park’s attractions are unbelievable, and each is based on one of the studios’ films. Not only does the theme park have rides that will excite visitors, the entire place is also a living, breathing film studio. The rides include simulators and rollercoasters, so travelers who love adrenaline-pumping thrills will enjoy a day or two at Universal Studios.
Porsche Experience Center
Situated in Carson, the Porsche Experience Center is a 53-acre venue that brings petrolheads dreams of driving Porsche cars to life. Visitors can get a lesson on Porsche’s history before getting behind the wheel of the automaker’s iconic cars. The experience offers drivers the chance to drive the newest Porsche models. Petrol heads can pilot a Porsche through driving modules. The modules last between one and a half and two hours. The modules will give drivers the chance to experience the unique power and handling of the company’s cars. Travelers will also find a Porsche store and driving simulator at the PEC.
Disneyland
Famously referred to as "the happiest place on earth," Disneyland is a wonderful place to visit, and the whole family will enjoy the trip. Now comprised of two different theme parks, Disneyland and California Adventure Park, the attraction may just be the highlight of your visit to Los Angeles. While the park isn't technically in Los Angeles, it is only about a 30-minute drive away, and that's time you won't regret spending on the road. With Disney's acquisition of the Marvel franchise, more exciting rides are frequently added to the old classics that parents will remember from their childhood trips to the park decades ago. To get the best out of your trip, consider staying at one of the Disney hotels to ensure easy access to the parks. You'll likely need more than a day to get the full experience.
Hollywood
Hollywood is its own little unique suburb of Los Angeles that film fans and celebrity watchers must explore. Of course, there is the famed Hollywood sign to get a far-off selfie in front of.
Nearly every tourist attraction in Hollywood is centered around films. Hollywood Boulevard and the Chinese theater are two iconic places to see. Tourists shouldn’t miss the Walk of Fame, where they can search for their favorite film actor’s star.
The Nethercutt Collection
Founded in 1971 by J.B. Nethercutt, the Nethercutt Collection is a museum housing the magnificent collection of automobiles owned by the Nethercutt-Richards family. Widely considered one of the best car museums in the world, the museum is home to over 250 restored cars, which include a 1936 Duesenberg Convertible Roadster and a 1930 Dupont Town Car. Remarkably, despite being built between the 1890s and the 1970s, the restoration work is so well done that the cars look like they just rolled off the factory assembly line. The museum displays the history of each car and showcases the ownership history for viewers to read. The museum is likely to be appreciated most by Concours d'Elegance enthusiasts.
Petersen Automotive Museum
The Petersen Automotive Museum displays the history of automobiles and their impact on culture. It focuses on Los Angeles as automobiles have had a tremendous impact on the city and its growth outwards. It underwent a $125 million renovation in 2015, and the museum is just as stunning from the outside as it is on the inside. It was originally opened in 1994 and is far more than a building filled with old cars. The Petersen Automotive Museum was designed to educate visitors about cars and how they make lives more comfortable. Two of the museum’s exhibits include a history of Porsche and a showcase of low-rider cars. The museum is indeed a unique car enthusiast experience.
Santa Monica
Santa Monica is a breath of fresh air for anyone visiting Los Angeles. The local beach is a great escape on a warm day and visitors can splash in the Pacific Ocean or ride some serious waves. Santa Monica Pier is an excellent destination on its own. The pier has a roller coaster and Ferris wheel that attracts visitors from all over southern California. There are shops, restaurants, and cafes all over the seafront area. Visitors can get kitted out in the coolest California clothes and gnaw on the best local food. There is also a bike path that meanders for 26 miles along the waterfront, so anyone looking for some exercise can take in the scenes as they pedal down the promenade.
Griffith Park
One of the largest municipal parks in the United States, Griffith Park is home to a famous US Landmark – the Griffith Park Observatory. Aside from this, you can enjoy nature and wildlife in the park, with certain species native to the area as well as threatened species of trees and plants. The park also has a vast range of elevations for those who enjoy hiking, plus bike trails and a golf course. Between the Museum of the American West, Bronson Caves, and LA Zoo, you could easily spend the whole day here.
The Broad
A standout landmark in downtown Los Angeles due to its unique architecture, The Broad Art Museum boasts a collection of 2,000 pieces of contemporary art from the 50s onwards. The building houses 120,000 square feet of gallery space across two floors and accepts nearly a million visitors yearly. The Broad also loans exhibits to over 500 museums worldwide.
Before you consider the art that’s housed in the building, you’ll likely be fascinated by its unique contemporary architecture, which is certainly worthy of inclusion in some holiday selfies.
Los Angeles is a destination for everyone. From satiating a car lover’s desire to see vintage automobiles to exploring the sights and sounds of Hollywood, Los Angeles is a travel destination that shouldn’t be missed.
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