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A Meow Wolf anti-guide to the countercultural establishments and off the beaten path spots in Los Angeles.
Photo by: Dalila Dalprat
Los Angeles is not really just one city. It’s more like a thousand parallel universes, and every choice you make over the course of a day will change your LA trajectory. Sure, there’s the LA of yore with its Muscle Beach and roller skaters sipping Jamba Juice while gliding down the boardwalk. Beyond the billboards and the palm trees, there’s a wilder, weirder city - one containing secret doors, velvet ropes and… time travel supply stores?!
So instead of a boring travel blog, welcome to the Meow Wolf LA Choose Your Own Adventure guide. No matter the choices you make, you’ll have an epic adventure. Socialite in search of a surreal evening? Check. Homebody venturing out for the perfect bowl of midnight noodles? Got it. In LA, there’s a vibe for everybody. Forget the FOMO, just follow your heart and see where the night takes you.
In need of offbeat LA things to do this weekend? Step through a secret passage into vintage Hollywood grandeur.
7001 Franklin Ave, Hollywood
The Magic Castle is an ultra-exclusive, members-only venue, but this hidden gem also opens its doors to guests of The Magic Castle Hotel under certain circumstances, and we’ve heard that you may be able to pay your way in… with blood? If you’re making your way here, formal dress is a requirement. Once you learn the secret passcode, just whisper it to the owl statue for a magical night.
Thai Town
Hollywood Blvd near Normandie
LA’s bustling immigrant community has been shaping the city for decades, and Thai Town has been an official neighborhood since 1999. Here, you’ll find vibrant flavors and a whole lot of history — just what a dimension-hopping starlet would want.
6667 Hollywood Blvd
This place is pure old Hollywood, from the red booths to the white jackets adorned by waitstaff. And it’s no act; they’ve been open for over 105 years! Whether you’re playing a noir detective, a siren of the silver screen, or more of a Hot Tub Time Machine explorer, every time traveler can end the night with a famous martini (or an updated NA mocktail) after your trip through the ages.
Add these Downtown LA gems to your list of offbeat LA things to do today. They’re a blend of history, unique architecture and hidden gems all over the city.
800 N Alameda St.
The decorative tiles and palm-framed gateway are the crown jewels of SoCal’s train travel past and present.
845 N Alameda St
LA’s birthplace is bright with mariachi bands, authentic Mexican wares, and churros as far as the eye can see.
304 S Broadway
You know the Bradbury Building from Blade Runner, Lethal Weapon 4, Pushing Daisies and more. It’s a futuristic architectural wonder you can’t miss.
317 S Broadway
Let your taste buds guide you through one of LA’s oldest food halls. Mix and match tacos, noodles, pupusas and all kinds of foodie-approved fusion. Angels Flight Railway
351 S Hill St.
Ride the rail you’ve seen in countless films and series. The one that carries Angelinos up and down the steep incline for just a dollar fifty. (For three dollars, you can take home a commemorative round-trip ticket).
CalEdison Building, 601 W 5th St.
Refuel after your ascent with Brazilian coffee in an Art Deco lobby that’ll take you back to the golden days.
When the sun sets, you can hear the stories of LA. Scandals of the past, secret bars and marquee lights keep the golden age alive.
118 E 6th St
Slide into a booth that feels like you’re meeting your secret informant in a detective movie. Cole’s has been serving up scandalous sammies since 1908, when it was a frequent haunt for well-known gangsters.
648 S Broadway
It might just be the weirdest of all unusual places in LA. Clifton’s taxidermy jungle and leather settees will transport you to an old-timey jungle room. It’s got indoor trees, and much of the décor is original from 1930. Plus, the night owl menu boasts eclectic snacks you can only grab after a night out.
DTLA Historic Bar District
Broadway / Downtown
Whether you’re catching a show or indie film festival at one of downtown LA’s theaters or going off-script at the Golden Gopher (the city’s longest-running bar), the DTLA nightlife is replete with things to do.
If you look hard enough, LA is one big cabinet of curiosities. Slip off the beaten path in LA for these whimsical locations.
6710 La Tijera Blvd
Lounge beneath a space-age canopy and soak up some 1950s diner vibes with a classic breakfast or patty melt. Top it all off with a sundae, ice cream cone or famous milkshake.
1716 Ocean Park Blvd
It might be one of our favorite hidden attractions in LA. Robot milk and dinosaur treats? If it sounds like something you can only get at the Meow Wolf grocery store (hey, Omega Mart 👋), you’d be surprised! This time travel store is serving up literary funding via its time-travel themed gifts and wares.
FAQs
What to do in LA that's not touristy?
Skip the crowds and explore Thai Town’s hidden food gems, ride Angels Flight, sip Brazilian coffee in an Art Deco lobby, or get weird at the Museum of Jurassic Technology. LA’s magic lives in its lesser-known corners.
Where can I take my date in Los Angeles?
Impress with a night at the Magic Castle, dinner at Grand Central Market, or cocktails inside a fantasy forest at Clifton’s Republic. For daytime charm, wander Olvera Street or book a tour of the Weisman Art Foundation.
How do I enjoy LA on a budget?
Ride the metro to downtown for a full day of free or low-cost fun: Union Station, Olvera Street, Bradbury Building, Angels Flight and window-shopping at The Last Bookstore—all iconic without the price tag.
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