Los Angeles draws artists from every discipline, from visual arts to dance to theater and film. The city has more museums than any other in America. While you could spend months exploring all there is to offer, we’ll start you with a few. These are among the must-see destinations for arts and culture lovers visiting LA:
Museum Row
Located on the Miracle Mile of Wilshire Boulevard, this walkable area features four of Los Angeles’s top museums. The LA County Museum of Art (LACMA) is the anchor of Museum Row and has a collection of over 100,000 pieces. Sculptures, paintings, and experimental art vie for attention. You will see both local art and collections from far-flung places including Asia, Europe, and Latin America. The museum is housed in several buildings with free-to-view outdoor exhibits in between. Other attractions on Museum Row include the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum and the Craft and Folk Art Museum.
Pantages Theatre
This is often described as Hollywood’s answer to Broadway. Pantages is owned and operated by The Nederlander Organization. The theater typically features shows that were big hits on Broadway about a year later, ensuring that you don’t miss out. Live theater lovers can save money while bingeing on their favorites; Flex packages of four shows or more bring ticket prices under $50 a piece.
El Cid
Lovers of dance can feed their bellies and their soul at this historic restaurant. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, their Flamenco Dinner Theater features a one-hour show of authentic Flamenco dance. The entire dinner, tapas and cocktail menu is available during the show. These events are popular, so the restaurant recommends picking up tickets in advance.
The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion
First opened in 1964, this remains one of the largest venues in the country. The pavilion features a massive stage, wide curving stairways, ornate chandeliers and rich fabrics. Plays, orchestral performances, and dance are all frequently seen here. The pavilion was also the location of the Academy Awards ceremony from 1969 to 1999.
Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
A reflection of the eclectic communities in Los Angeles, The Wallis features dance, music, and theater, including a co-production of Spring Awakening with Deaf West Theatre that went on to a Tony-nominated run on Broadway! The venue itself is an architectural treat. Located in the former Beverly Hills Post Office, the 70,000 square foot building was designed by Zoltan E. Pali and brings together classic and modern design.
It would be possible to attend a large or small art or culture event or destination every day in Los Angeles without seeing the same thing twice. Head out to explore and enjoy all of the unique things this highly artistic city has to offer.
