Things To Do In LA For Once In A Lifetime Experience | 7+ Things You Cannot Miss

Dec 17, 2024

Last Updated on: Jul 8, 2025

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For someone fed on Hollywood staples, a visit to Los Angeles can be the biggest calling. Visiting Universal Studios Hollywood or hiking to the Hollywood sign are some of the best things to do in LA for a movie buff.

Further, Los Angeles has been a tourism hub since the late 1800s. With the foundation of the Merced Theatre and transportation systems, the city started attracting travelers. It is fascinating to see the city maintain the same craze in the age of socials.

Today, you type #losangeles and will find 86.8 million posts popping up. So, I have been thinking of sharing a to-do list in the city for the longest time. On the web, there are even threads like once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles Reddit! 😮😮😮😮

So, we could not stay behind, and here goes the brief guide, mentioning the things you can explore for a lifetime experience. 

At Tour and Travel, we wanted it to be different than the regular “12 once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles by a local” or “once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles 2025” guides. 

We wanted to keep it all hearts as the Hollywood movies have taught us! 

Things To Do In LA For Once In A Lifetime Experience | Make The Movie Buff In You Happy 

Things To Do In LA For Once In A Lifetime Experience

Los Angeles is the “Entertainment Capital of the World.” It is the Mecca of movie lovers, with names like Al Pacino, Clint Eastwood, and Marilyn Monroe gracing the city and its corners. 

In other words, “Hollywood” is the biggest draw for the visitors to this city. So, among the things to do in LA for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, I have included activities like hiking to the Hollywood sign or walking along the Hollywood Walk Of Fame. 

1. Hike To The Hollywood Sign | Once In A Lifetime Things To Do In Los Angeles

Hike To The Hollywood Sign

Are you up for a scenic hike? You can take a walk to the Hollywood sign. Throughout the hike, you will enjoy a breathtaking view of Los Angeles.  

Further, once you reach the Hollywood sign, you can take the most beautiful photos of yourself or the surroundings. 

Completing a hike to the Hollywood sign and taking some photographs, there is something preserved for posterity. You can share the memories with your future generations. 

Hiking to the Hollywood Sign or Mount Hollywood through the Charlie Turner Trailhead is easy. You can cover a distance of 5.3 miles here within 2 hours and 30 minutes. 

2. Visit The Universal Studios Hollywood

Visit The Universal Studios Hollywood

Address: 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City

Contact No: +1 800-864-8377

Open Hours: 9 AM to 7 PM, Weekends: 8 AM to 10 PM

For all the Potter Heads and Minion lovers, a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood will be an immersive experience. Here, you can enjoy thrilling g rides and explore the sets of many famous movies. 

If you are about to visit Universal Studios Hollywood this winter, you must not miss the Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood. The event has already started on 29th November 2024 and will continue till 6th January 2025.

You can even be a part of the Ring in the New Year with EVE. It is the biggest New Year celebration in Hollywood. 

Moreover, Universal Studios Hollywood has year-round attractions like “Jurassic World – The Ride,” “The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, etc. So, a visit to Universal Studios Hollywood is one of the topmost once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles with kids.

3. Enjoy A Stroll Along The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

Enjoy A Stroll Along The Hollywood Walk Of Fame

A walk along Hollywood Boulevard is one of the best things to do in LA for once in a lifetime. You will find golden stars dedicated to your favorite star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Moreover, you will feel the glamor of Tinseltown. Despite names like Julia Roberts, Leonardo DiCaprio, Madonna, and Clint Eastwood refusing to have a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, it remains a landmark of intrigue and awe in Los Angeles. 

4. Spend Some Time At Venice Beach

Spend Some Time At Venice Beach

You can visit Los Angeles and, for the most relaxing time, head to Venice Beach. However, if soaking in the Sun is not the only thing you want, you can try a rollerblade or bike ride along the beach.

Further, you will find various street performers and unique shops on the beach. The vibrant atmosphere here makes it feature on our list of “once in a lifetime things to do Los Angeles.”

Moreover, Venice Beach has a skatepark where the best skaters in the area show their skills amidst the cheering of the onlookers. 

5. Visit The Griffith Observatory

Visit The Griffith Observatory

Address: 2800 E Observatory Road, Los Angeles

Contact No: +1 213-473-0800

Hours Open: Tuesday – Friday (12-10 PM), Saturday and Sunday (10 AM to 10 PM), Monday – Closed

Are you an observer of the sky? Are you passionate about celestial bodies? Exploring the Griffith Observatory is one of the best things to do in LA for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Irrespective of your day of visit, you can be a part of the daily programs at the Samuel Oschin Planetarium. There will be live shows and live demonstrations of the Tesla Coil. 

Moreover, there is a public telescope for you to look at the sky. 

The Griffith Observatory in Griffith Park is located on the southern slope of Mount Hollywood. You can hike to the park or enjoy a bike ride to this famous California hotspot. 

Furthermore, if you are traveling with family, you can take a drive or shared ride. Be an early bird if you want a spot for your car at Downhill. You can even keep your car at the paid parking near the observatory. 

6. Take A Helicopter Tour Of The City

Do you want to explore a bird’s eye view of Los Angeles? You can take a helicopter tour of the city. While taking a helicopter tour, you can explore the famous coastlines and hotspots of California.

Also, the cityscape looks amazing from the helicopter. A helicopter tour of Los Angeles will be around 1.5 hours, and it’s going to cost you something between $220-520 for each person. 

7. Take A Tour Of The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Address: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino

Phone Number: +1 626-405-2100

Hours Open: 10 AM to 5 PM (Closed on Tuesdays)

The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is the best amalgamation of all three elements mentioned in the name. 

It is an excellent place for researchers as they can explore as many as 12 million exhibits here. Further, these exhibits span between the 11th to 21st centuries. 

Further, the Art Museum bustles with 45000 works of art and has the best British, European, American and Asian work. 

Along with sculptures, the Art Museum also has paintings, photographs, decorative arts, and prints.  

Moreover, the Botanical Garden stretches over 130 acres, and it has more than 80000 living plants. Some of these are even endangered. So, if you are a nature lover or interested in plants, a visit to this Botanical Garden will be one of the once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles this weekend. 

8. Drive At The Christmas Tree Lane

If you are in Dallas in December or January, a drive at the Christmas Tree Lane is one of the most festive things you can do. 

The festive lights go on at the Christmas Tree Lane from 7th December after an illumination ceremony. The lights remain put till New Year’s Eve. And guess what! A drive at the Christmas Tree Lane is one of the free once in a lifetime things to do in Los Angeles.

Taking a drive through Christmas Tree Lane or Santa Rosa Ave feels great, with the cedars gracing the road lines. 

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Meet Sibashree Bhattacharya, a travel enthusiast who has a decade-long experience in transcending virtual barriers with her words! Her deep love for travel is apparent from her travel escapades to the mountain, often taking her readers on a journey, her words acting as Portkey! Fun fact: Sibashree loves to dive deep into the history of the places she is about to visit, making her travels even more wholesome. If you were wondering how her articles are not short of time travel, this answers it!

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READ MORE heat wave temperatures

Surviving The Sizzle: Things To Keep In Mind While Traveling To Heat Wave Zones!

BY  sagnika Sep 7, 2023

Summers are warm. However, Scorching heat in certain places has highlighted them as heat wave zones. With heat wave temperatures across many areas worldwide, we are reminded that climate change is a global phenomenon. A significant health risk, heat wave zones make it difficult for people to travel, stay, enjoy or perform professional liabilities. I will identify certain important factors that influence travel plans, health risks and ways in which you can be safe from heat waves. The conditions that are being observed across the world in some beautiful vacation-worthy locations are serious! They can impact your health and lifestyle, so read the article to learn about the dangerous conditions that will likely affect your travel plans. Things To Keep In Mind While Traveling To Heat Wave Zones! Across the world, many places are currently heating up! Several tourist destinations and other places in Asia, Europe and the United States have heat wave temperatures. Officials in countries like France and Italy in Europe have issued health warnings. I am not saying it is highly risky, but the probability of the situation becoming risky is high! If you are visiting one of the heat wave zones, you may not be able to stick to your original plan, be it for vacation or professional liabilities. Let's explore further the precautions you might take to be safe when you visit or have to visit a heat wave zone! What Are Heat Waves? The increasing global temperature worldwide has led to people experiencing some of the hottest days! According to the weather reports, the heat intensifying in several countries worldwide has led to people fainting, sunburns and health concerns such as sunstroke. It is identified as a heat wave, especially when the temperature from June 2023 has been recorded as the warmest in the global records. The increasing heat wave temperature has succinctly impacted water supplies, agriculture, ecosystems, energy, human health and economies. One of the major reasons for heat waves has been greenhouse gas emissions, which need to be cut off as soon as possible. Climate change is a serious threat; we must take it that way to survive and help our future generations. What Are The Regions With Heat Wave Zones? In Europe, the temperature in Rome reached 104°F in July, while in Sardinia, it was 112°F. In at least 23 cities in Italy, there have been red alerts for the weather as the heat wave is potentially becoming a threat in recent times. Tourists have been passing out, creating an awareness towards global climate change and crisis. Now, Death Valley in Nevada, running along a section of the border of Central California, is identified as the "hottest place on earth"! The National Weather Service reported that the temperature reached 128°F in July 2023, a clear cause for concern. People living in Los Angeles heat wave are having serious health issue concerns! According to the weather forecast, the capital of Arizona, Phoenix, has seen a rise in temperature to 114°F while Florida and Texas are equally heating up! La Palma, located in the Canary Islands, has been riddled with wildfires recently, leading to the evacuation of 4,000 people from their homes. The popular tourist destination, the Acropolis in Athens, was shut down at the beginning of July this year during midday! It is peak time for tourist visits, but because the authorities informed us the temperature could rise to 111.2°F within a week, it was closed! In China, the recorded temperature in northwestern Xinjiang province was 126°F. Places worldwide have been hampered by the heat wave temperatures, impacting people's lifestyles, tourism and the country's economy. Is It Safe To Travel To Heat Wave Zones? As travelers, you should check the upcoming weather and climate of the location that you are visiting! If you visit one of the places I have stated regarding increasing temperature, you must keep a tab on the everyday temperature. Your sightseeing might go differently than planned if a situation occurs when one of the monuments or places you will be visiting is shutdown due to increasing temperature. If you suffer from chronic health conditions, you should not go out, especially in the scorching heat! If you are visiting from professional liability, you must carry out certain steps to cope with the heat. Remember that the temperature starts building from 11 a.m.; hence, try to enter a building or where your work is within that time frame. Read along further to learn about your steps to stay safe! What Are The Things To Do If You Travel To Heat Wave Zones? In the evening, the temperature will come down. Hence, it would be best to keep yourself cool in the daytime. The first thing is to wash your face and arms, including your armpits and wrists, so your body temperature can feel a bit of semblance. You can repeat the action as much as possible the whole day! If you are visiting Europe, you've got it easy! There are fountains in Europe. Apart from that, you need to take cool showers and air-dry yourself! It will keep the temperature of your body down. In some countries, such as Italy, residents are asked to stay in an air-conditioned environment for at least 3 hours a day. Try to find a cool restaurant, gallery or museum if you are visiting one of these countries to stay in air conditioning for some time. Try to wear clothing that is made of cool fabric, such as cotton! It is even better if the material is light and loose from your clothing. Try to use sunscreen as much as possible. Recently, people have been using manual and electric handheld fans to keep the face and body cool as much as possible. Another important thing that you must do is use heat wave sunglasses when outside! Drink more beverages and filled food, such as fruits, salads, and veggies! Also, ensure that you must have insurance covering all your medical expenses before traveling. What Are The Health Risks? Heatwave zones have several health risks, such as heatstroke or sunstroke! In this condition, your body cannot maintain a safe temperature, especially when exposed to hot weather. The body temperature must not exceed 103 Fahrenheit, but in sunstroke, it does. There is also a chance of getting pale skin, muscle cramps, sweating, and exhaustion. Currently, the US heat wave is one of the serious concerns for business travelers! You might get red and blotchy skin if you stay in the sun for too long! You have to take fluid regularly. Chances of dizziness, headaches, and sweating when visiting heat wave zones are high! Finishing Up… Overall, climate change has led to health risks along with issues where people cannot avoid these situations. With increasing temperatures in certain places across the world, people, children, and senior citizens cannot cope with the increasing temperature. People with chronic health conditions such as allergies to skin, asthma, upset stomachs, and headaches are facing more issues, especially when traveling to heatwave zones. I suggest following the tips and consulting a doctor if the situation worsens. Let us know your thoughts about this situation and how to be safe in heat wave temperatures! Read Also: Spring Travel And Eye Health Tips Sizzling Summer Road Trip Destinations 7 Tips For Planning The Perfect Summer Camp For Kids

READ MORE How to Build a Memorable Travel Brand

How to Build a Memorable Travel Brand (Even If You’re Just Starting Out)

BY  Barsha Jul 17, 2025

Starting out in travel? Yeah, it’s a bit wild out there. Travel blogs, vloggers, Instagram feeds… feels like everyone’s already doing it, right? So, how do you even begin to stand out? The truth is, your brand matters. A lot. Like, way more than you think. It’s not just a logo or a color scheme—it’s the feeling people get when they land on your page.  The little things they remember when they’re scrolling late at night. But how to build a travel brand? What are the things you should focus on when building the website? And don’t freak out—you don’t need to be some design wizard to make this work. Seriously. You can just hop on and create logos with Adobe Express, mess around with ideas, and boom… you’ve got something that actually looks good. No graphic design degree required. How to Build a Travel Brand: Why Branding Matters in the Travel Industry Let’s not sugarcoat it—travel’s massive right now. Stats say global tourism might hit $9.5 trillion this year. Yeah, trillion with a T. Which sounds great, sure, but it also means… loads of people are doing what you’re trying to do. And people don’t wait around. If someone stumbles across your Instagram or blog, you’ve got, what, maybe three seconds? They’re gonna decide right then if you’re worth their time. That’s where branding jumps in. A strong logo, some color choices that actually feel like you, a tone that doesn’t sound like every other account… it all adds up. It makes you stick. Makes folks trust you. Maybe even follow you. 1. Visual Consistency Builds Recognition You know that moment when you see a post and immediately know who made it—without even looking at the name? That’s branding done right. It’s not magic. It’s just being consistent. Same colors, same kind of vibe, font choices that don’t change every week… it tells people, “Hey, this is me. You know me.” Quick ideas to help that happen: Pick 2 or 3 colors. Use ’em everywhere. Choose one or two fonts. No more. Drop your logo on stuff. Doesn’t have to scream, just be there. Your tone? Stick with it. Are you chill? Fancy? Rough-around-the-edges? Own it. You’re not aiming for perfect—you’re aiming for recognizable. 2. Your Logo: The Stamp on Your Travel Passport How to build a travel brand without a logo? Think of your logo like this: it’s your stamp. Your mark. The thing people see and go, “Oh yeah, that’s them.” Does it have to be mind-blowing? Nope. Just needs to feel like you. Whether you’re into high-end hotels or hiking in sandals, that logo should match your energy. And hey, don’t stress trying to get it perfect. Play around. With create logos with Adobe Express, you can test stuff fast. Try a font, swap an icon, change a color—repeat until it clicks. It’ll come together, trust me. 3. Figure Out Your Brand Voice When you communicate with others, your personality and attitude need to shine through. This should also apply to your business activities. Every message you write, whether it is online or offline, should reflect the mission and characteristics of your travel company.  A clear brand voice needs to be in line with itself in the market and work well with the target audience. However, ensure that this voice is the same everywhere. You can’t be sassy when you are posting something on social media, and then be helpful in your blogs. This will confuse the audience and will not reflect a clear picture of the company. However, you can interchange the tone of voice to reflect your mood. The motive is to have an emotional impact on the audience in the context of the message.  4. Give The Travel Brand A Makeover Think of the tone and mission of the brand and then put together something entirely new that will reflect your idea.  Make a remarkable logo, use a unique font for the content, and make the brand shine and leave an impression when they visit the site for the first time.  Visual elements contribute to your brand recognition. For instance, when people hear Google, their striking colors pop into their minds. So, what are the elements that you need to focus on when you are redesigning the brand? Logo Typography Image Colour palette 5. Build Consistency This is the place where everything comes together. The website is the face of the brand, and not just a digital storefront. Online visitors will look for information on your website about your previous tours and what you are willing to offer them. They will want to see a clear picture of how you conduct business. This is why it is important that you maintain consistency throughout the brand. Everyone should look like a copy of one another. The voice, look, and feel should be the same. Here are some of the things that you need to focus on: Create an amazing about us page and put all the necessary information about your brand there. When you have an idea about your target audience, figure out what they are looking for, and try to answer their queries and use relevant keywords. Make sure you do not divert from your brand voice. The content you write and the posts you make should give a similar feel. This will strengthen the brand. When you have built a brand identity, you need to focus on the booking page as well. People should not have to leave the website when they want to book a trip.  Plan Your Website Like You Plan A Trip Travel’s about movement, right? Moments. Snapshots. But your brand—that’s the thing that sticks. The anchor in the chaos. Now that you have an idea about how to build a travel brand, you can focus on other areas that are important.  If you care even a little about growing an audience, building trust, or just looking like you didn’t slap your feed together last night… take a little time to shape your look. A real logo. A clear voice. It makes a difference. And once it’s done? You’ve got a home base. A vibe. A brand that people remember even after they close the tab. So yeah—go make it happen. Not next week. Now.

READ MORE northwest airlines

Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines!

BY  sagnika Aug 19, 2023

It was before me, but I have heard stories! Northwest Airlines' legacy was a legend, especially in the 1920s. What do you know about the airline? Let's discuss its features and drawbacks, giving you an idea of what today's airline brands are not! We need to know people's perspectives before we identify what went wrong! The bankruptcy resulted from the airline's inability to adapt to the changing trends of the low-cost carriers that ruled the 21st century. The rising oil prices and the slowing economy impacted the carrier's status! In this article, I will discuss some of the passengers' good experiences with the Northern Airline, considering it operated for a long time. We will also highlight some of the airlines' drawbacks based on the reviews of people from as early as 16 years ago! Journey To The Skies: Exploring The Legacy Of Northwest Airlines! To learn about the legacy of Northwest Airlines, we need to read about the first account-based narration that will show us the extreme competition under which the airline broke! Delta spent almost $2.8 billion acquiring Northwest, which had 309 aircraft in its fleet! The concern is that a flight company with 309 flights should not be shut down, but it shows that the brand needed to be more efficient. In the later few years, the company had serious maintenance issues with the flights, often leading to flight delays. I will be evaluating reviews about the airlines that will inform you about the way the airlines function. It will also make you aware of airline brands and their operations during the 1900s compared to low-cost airlines. About Northwest Airlines The airline has had several changes in its name over the years! So it can be confusing, but please bear with me as I discuss the important timelines of Northwest Airlines. The airline was founded in 1926 with the name "Northwest" and based in Detroit, Michigan. Initially, the airline moved mail across the United States but mostly focused on areas such as Minneapolis and the Midwestern cities of Chicago. It was late 1927 when passengers boarded the plane across the routes. It was in 1928 that the airline became an international one! Following mail scandals, the airline changed its name again to Northwest Orient Airlines. However, the airline's services were expanding, and by 1939, there were regular operations between Minneapolis and Chicago! Further destinations were added, such as Portland and Winnipeg. The airline further expanded its services to Asia and Japan by 1947. Manila, Hong Kong, Seoul, Shanghai, and other places were also included in the routes. With the Airline Deregulation Act passed in 1978, the airline expanded its services to the UK, Germany, and Scandinavia. In the 1990s and 2000s, with the rise of low-cost airlines, Northwest Airlines had tough competition leading to a loss of money. The direct services between the US and China could have done better! Further, in 2005 the demand fell along with the oil prices, especially with the 9/11 attacks. The Merger The airline was bankrupted in 2005; hence, they filed for bankruptcy protection! Once they were cleared after 2 years, they merged with Delta once it was approved at the end of the year 2008. The brand Northwest retired after the merging launch with Delta! Review Northern Airlines was doing well, especially when no other airline was in the market. With less competition, people were taking whatever they got! However, the airline faced severe issues with Northwest flight once the low-cost carriers came at the later end of the 2000s. The claims made by travelers who booked on this flight included all kinds of complaints starting from dumb staff to delays in flights. Another significant issue I have heard from people is that there was no announcement of flight delays. It isn't easy, especially when evaluating from the passenger's perspective. They might be coming from far off, and it would help if they were announced of the delay instead of waiting around the airport for hours! There are significant reasons why the airline closed, and if you read the drawbacks, I am sure you will know why! Benefits Certain features enabled the airline to function effectively in the previous days! However, in the long term, they could not maintain the quality of their services. Let me highlight the advantages that travelers experience when booking on NW Airlines flights. You would be charged if you ordered a specific meal or beverage on the airline. However, the snacks and water were free. The airfare was quite affordable, especially with the services Northern Airlines provided. It was quite a satisfactory price to pay for tickets at that time. Shortcomings Some of the shortcomings had the power to impact and influence the closing of the airline. It is because customers, at a certain point, became so dissatisfied with the services that the sales fell significantly. Along with the sales, there was also the issue of increasing oil prices, due to which the company needed help to function properly. Flight maintenance was deteriorating as it often became a significant reason for technical issues to crop up in aviation. It led to flight delays making passengers wait and suffer. One of my aunts once traveled on this airline and told me she had to wait a few hours due to technical glitches. Further, the staff members of Northwest Airlines have been stated as incompetent and lazy by many customers who have boarded flights. According to a review in Customer Service Scoreboard, an anonymous assessment informed that the company is failing its quality customer service. The seating space was quite cramped as the aircraft was smaller in size. It created severe issues with people having long legs. Matters were also faced by senior citizens who consistently suffered due to the seating arrangements and comfort. What Do We Know? So, Northern Airlines might be one of the best airlines at some point in history, but like the mighty dinosaurs, it could not adapt to the changing needs and times. The airline's downfall started in the 2000s when the low-cost carrier made it difficult to survive! Customers were also dissatisfied with the airline. Hence, the sales of tickets also dropped. It led to further economic losses along with the increasing oil prices. Comment below regarding your perspective of Northern Airlines and what they could have done to survive! Read Also: This Is My Experience With Play Airlines! Here’s What I Found Out About Aha Airlines! Condor Airlines: Is Booking Tickets On Condor Worth It? Fly In Style: Your Ultimate Guide To Lot Polish Airlines Adventures!