The sun seems like it’s always shining in Los Angeles. But believe it or not, you may encounter a rainy day or two here and there. Don’t despair though—the city offers plenty more to do than its sun-soaked beaches. We’ve got plenty of recommendations of things to do in Los Angeles on that rare, rainy day.
California Space Center | Flickr CC: LAD0T
Explore space at the California Science Center
With free admission (yay!) and loads of wonderful exhibitions to choose from, you’ll be able spend hours exploring this incredible museum. There’s an IMAX here, as well as permanent exhibits dedicated to Space exploration, technology and interactive ecosystems filled with live plants and animals – so you’re bound to find something of interest here. Oh, and if it wasn’t obvious, the museum is extremely kid-friendly too!
Get physical at Rockreation
Who says you can’t stay active when it’s raining? Instead of tucking yourself into bed with some tea, take on this rock wall’s bouldering, top-ropes and arch. Best of all, Rockreation has climbing tracks and activities for beginners and experts alike, meaning ‘I’ve never tried it’ isn’t much of a deterrent.
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Step back in time at the Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum meets it’s mission—to inspire wonder, discovery and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds—head-on with a host of educational exhibits. Among these are Dinosaur Hall and the creepy-crawly Insect Zoo. Some of the pieces in this museum even date back more than 35 million years.
From a traveling exhibition featured at the Grammy Museum | Flickr CC: LBJ Foundation
Discover music’s greatest hits at The Grammy Museum
If you love movies, TV and all things entertainment, then you’ll love visiting The Grammy Museum. Tucked inside the massive L.A. Live, it’s chock full of interactive exhibits and music-history artifacts that celebrate all things Grammy- and music-related. It’s among the most ‘Los Angeles’ of the LA attractions.
Urban Light Installation at the LA County Museum of Art | Flickr CC: Kevin Stanchfield
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
With over 150000 works of art, this is one of the most extensive art museums on the West Coast, and it features prolific artists from all over the world. If you love art, history and culture, then this is a must-see in the city.
LA Public Library | Flickr CC: Sheila Thomson
Get lost in a good book at the Los Angeles Public Library
The Los Angeles Public Library is basically heaven for bookworms. it holds some of the world’s most iconic books, and it’s a great place for whittling away an afternoon, researching obscure topics and ancient history. You can also see the city’s history through the photographer’s lens, thanks to more than 800,000 photographs.
Dinner and a movie, anyone?
If you love movies and food, then you have to give Marina del Rey‘s dine-in cinema a shot. It’s located amid Marina Marketplace’s shops and restaurants, making it perfect for rainy evenings. And, you know, picking up a new outfit at this shopping center isn’t a bad alternative.
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Take a cooking class
Spend that rainy day flexing your brain, and learn how to make udon, ramen and sushi from local chef Yoko Isassi. At FoodStory, you can take some fun cooking classes geared towards tasty Japanese specialties. Then, next time you have a rainy day at home, you can spend the day whipping up bento boxes and other dishes. It’s a gift that keeps on giving.
Hit the rink at Moonlight Rollerway
Looking for a little nostalgia? Look no further than the indoor roller skating at Moonlight Rollerway! Full disclosure: It’s actually located in Glendale, not Los Angeles. But since there aren’t many of these vintage-style rollerways left, never mind ones that sell Red Vines and Pixi Stix, so it’s worth the trip anyhow.
