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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
contributing author: Kathleen Crampton
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.
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.
617 South Olive St
Be transported to the Golden Age of Hollywood. This restaurant and club is the quintessential glimpse into what a night out on the town was like in 1920s Los Angeles, complete with big-band orchestras playing while you sip on dirty martinis in your most dapper getup. Not only does Cicada showcase awe-inspiring Art Deco design, but it also has a rich cinematic history, with films like Pretty Woman and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood featuring scenes at this famous spot.
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. Wander through special art exhibits, catch a seasonal performance, or—better yet—reserve a tour to witness typically off-limits areas of the station.
845 N Alameda St
LA’s birthplace is bright with mariachi bands, authentic Mexican wares, and churros as far as the eye can see.
6000 Santa Monica Blvd
While you can certainly see the cemetery through a ghost tour booking, it's equally as interesting to stroll Hollywood Forever on your own, taking time to visit the headstones of some of its most famous residents, like Mel Blanc (the voice of Bugs Bunny), Charlie Chaplin Jr., Judy Garland and Chris Cornell. Want a unique way to share experiences with the spirits? Attend a yoga class, movie showing or seasonal events like Dia de Los Muertos on the cemetery grounds.
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.
351 S Hill St.
Ride the rail you’ve seen in countless films and series. The one that carries Angelenos 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.
6245 Hollywood Blvd
What began as a speakeasy in the 1930s evolved into a cocktail room staple that has seen the likes of Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and Charles Bukowski grace its barstools. Since 1941, Frolic Room has been serving up refreshingly affordable drinks to the public, sultry mood lighting and a laid-back, friendly atmosphere that's fitting for any time of day. Tuck into this neighborhood delight before or after a show next door at the Pantages Theatre.
Experience the delights of old world Hollywood as you step into the storied halls of one of LA's most famous haunted hotels. A castle situated at the foot of the Hollywood Hills, Chateau Marmont is where you go to see and be seen, whether checking in to your cozy bungalow for the night or sipping on a Sazerac at the glitzy restaurant. Whether you're a glamour-seeking starlet or a lover of the supernatural, you'll have a memorable evening at this historic Hollywood sanctuary.
1719 N Hudson Ave
Continue to be haunted (in the best way) at Black Rabbit Lounge and Theatre, which once served as the personal speakeasy of silent film actor Rudolph Valentino. It's believed that his presence permeates the building to this day, which might inspire many of the magic shows at the theater.
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.
4633 Hollywood Blvd
Here lies the trifecta of body care, pop culture novelties, and underground art. If you're in need of offbeat knick-knacks, a stroll through WACKO is sure to inspire your creative musings, offering everything from disco string lights and a bag of plastic black cats to a build-your-own conspiracy theory kit. Next door is the Soap Plant, where you can find, well, soaps, lotions and oils. Wander upstairs to the La Luz de Jesus Gallery for a dose of the counterculture in art form.
1727 E 107th St
Wander through the almost-ethereal feel of soaring towers decorated with glass, tiles, clay, shells and rocks. Best viewed on a clear day (of which there are many in La La Land) so the art installations reflect the sunlight, Watts Towers are a must-see for any enthusiast of the eclectic. Plus, they're a short ride on the Metro A Line from DTLA.
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