Los Angeles is certainly a city with a ton to do and see! Not only is the city quite large, but there are tons of different landscapes and neighborhoods to explore. Within just a few miles you’ll find great beaches, amazing hikes, and even the desert. With so many options, LA can seem overwhelming, especially for first time visitors. In this post I will be sharing a variety of activities for travelers to enjoy, and the best part is, they’re all free!
Are you a traveler who loves to see amazing sites while staying on a budget? Or maybe looking for a fun and *inexpensive* day out? Then this post is for you! Keep reading for my guide and recommendations for 5 fun and free things to do in LA!
Fun + Free Los Angeles Activities
Check out the Views of Downtown LA from the Top of the Intercontinental Hotel
Located in Downtown LA, the Intercontinental Hotel offers amazing views of the city.
The hotel is relatively expensive to stay at, but its amazing views are free! Once you arrive to the hotel, take the elevator up to the reception area, and off to the right hand side you’ll find a beautiful viewing area with floor to ceiling windows. On a clear day, the views are absolutely gorgeous!
Explore the Art District
In addition to the awesome street art, the Arts District in Downtown LA features tons of bars, restaurants and coffee shops. This is a great area to walk around, check out the artwork, and have a drink or meal with friends.
It’s also definitely possible to visit the Art District and spend no money at all – just walk around and admire the art and beautiful buildings.
Visit and Tour the Wrigley Mansion & Rose Gardens
Located in Pasadena, the Wrigley Mansion + Rose Gardens is an interesting stop! The victorian style mansion is now the home of the Tournament of Roses. Visitors can choose to simply stroll through the rose garden and admire the flowers, or embark on a free tour of the mansion! Check out the tour schedule here.
Visit Venice Beach + the Town of Abbot Kinney
Venice Beach is definitely a popular location in LA, and the beach and boardwalk are fun to visit! Known for its bohemian, laid back style, Venice beach is a great place to spend an afternoon lounging on the beach and shopping on the boardwalk.
Just a few minutes from Venice Beach, you’ll find Abbot Kinney Boulevard, a mile long street with cute shops, restaurants and cafes. I loved walking around Abbot Kinney – it’s a great place to window shop and go for a nice walk.
Hike the Culver City Stairs
The top of the Culver City Stairs (The Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook) offers great views of LA! From the top, you can see the mountains, downtown LA, and even the ocean. On a clear day you can even see the Hollywood sign. You can choose to hike up the 282 stairs to the viewpoint, or drive up in a car. Both are free and fun for all ages!
This is a great stop either before or after visiting Venice beach and Abbot Kinney, as they are located just about 15 minutes from one another – right on the way back to downtown LA.
I hope you found my guide for 5 fun and free things do in LA to be helpful! LA is such a great city, and it’s totally possible to have an amazing day while spending very little money.
If you have any questions, or anything you’d like to add to this post, let me know in the comments below! Also, follow + DM us on Instagram, @twosistersabroad.
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♡Kate
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