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 cheapest places to travel

Cheapest Places To Travel Around The World In 2025: Traveling On A Shoestring 

BY  Sibashree Dec 24, 2024

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READ MORE What is Luxembourg known for

What Is Luxembourg Known For? Why Is It A Popular Destination For Business Travel?

BY  Sibashree Sep 10, 2025

Luxembourg is known for being a powerhouse of private banking and investment management. It is one of the most significant players in the global economy.  Furthermore, Luxembourg is the De Facto capital of the Eurozone and home to the European Investment Bank and the European Court of Justice.  Luxembourg also offers tax optimization benefits and a high level of ownership rights protection. So, many global businesses look for a Luxembourg company formation or register their companies in Luxembourg. Naturally, with Luxembourg being a favorite global destination for business investors, it continues to be a global business tourism hotspot.  Local and foreign entrepreneurs benefit here from a wide range of professional services, such as accounting and business consulting.  However, there are more reasons behind Luxembourg having a booming business tourism sector. And in this Tour and Travel Blog, we will decode important factors.  What Is Luxembourg Known For? 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However, keep your ID handy as the conductors may ask for it sometimes.  Moreover, Luxembourg City, the capital of Luxembourg, is very walkable. In fact, the lack of parking spaces in the city makes it a better option to travel by public transport than by private car. 3. Luxembourg Helps Businesses To Organize And Attend Sustainable Events  Businesses that follow stringent sustainable policies also find Luxembourg to be the favorite destination for arranging and attending events.  The Luxembourg Convention Bureau officially represents the country in the sector of business events. 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However, the organizer will have to ensure that there has been: An Inclusive Event Zero Wastage Sustainable Catering Zero Net Carbon Moreover, depending on the industry you belong to, you can have green certifications, such as the Luxembourg sustainability certification (LENOZ), Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), or a Green Key.  When a business has a Green Logo or a Green Certification, it gains recognition for its eco-responsibility.  This further results in boosting public image and customer satisfaction. Moreover, a recent Harvard Business Review has suggested that the demand for sustainability is rising.  So, in a nutshell, what is Luxembourg known for? It is known for its growing business tourism sector that focuses on a selective and sustainable approach. Read Also: Where Is Yokohama Bay? What Is It Known For? (Sunset, Snorkeling, Food, And More) Why Is Kawasan Falls Known For? 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READ MORE custom itineraries

Are There Minimal Group Sizes Or Custom Itineraries?

BY  Sibashree Sep 5, 2025

If you’ve ever tried planning a trip with friends or family, you’ve probably asked the same thing: Do we even have enough people for this to count as a group? Or maybe the opposite: can we just make our own plan instead of sticking to theirs? Most companies draw the line somewhere around 8–10 people. That’s the usual cutoff for a group booking. Still, if you’ve got fewer folks, don’t stress.  Many operators will let you set up a custom plan—though, yep, it usually costs extra. That’s just the baseline, though. Everything shifts depending on what kind of trip you’re eyeing, where you’re headed, and even when you go. Those details can totally change the rules. So, if you are also wondering how custom itineraries help groups to plan for the perfect getaway, you are at the right place. In this blog, I am going to delve into the various aspects of custom itineraries for different group sizes. Looking into how they help and how to negotiate them. So, keep reading to know more! 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So, they collect the necessary details from the group. Focusing on their budget, trip demands, accommodation needs, and activity plans. Moreover, they use the details to create a perfect group trip plan. Also, they recommend certain activities, trip destinations, and a comprehensive guide for the trip. In addition to this, solo travellers also use custom itineraries for travelling to their favorite places with their preferences. So, based on their destination plans and staycation ideas, they create the custom itineraries. Also, this helps in making the trip memorable and enjoyable without indulging in unnecessary activities, just because it is mentioned in the itinerary. How Do Group Size Requirements Vary By Trip Type? Not every trip plays by the same numbers. Adventure stuff—like safaris or hikes—tends to keep it small.  Sometimes just 4–6 people, which makes sense when you think about logistics (and honestly, it feels better that way). But if you’re talking about big bus tours or a cruise excursion, that number jumps. Think 15–20 people minimum just to make the math work out. Cultural things, like a city walking tour or even a cooking class, usually land in the middle. Around 6–8 people keep it personal but still cover costs. What Seasons Affect Group Size Requirements? Season matters—a lot. In busy tourist months, operators are usually chill because they can mash smaller groups together and still hit their targets.  Off-season? Totally different. They might stick to the rules harder or even raise the minimum just to cover expenses. There’s a silver lining, though. During shoulder seasons, many companies bend the rules a bit to pull in more bookings.  If you can travel, then you’ll probably find more flexibility (and better prices, too). What Hidden Costs Should You Consider With Custom Groups? Custom sounds amazing, right? But here’s the catch: it’s rarely just the base price. Extra fees sneak in. Private guide? Extra.  Special access after hours? Extra. Even behind-the-scenes admin costs for coordinating all the moving parts—yep, also extra. So, with the custom planning for the trips, there are always hidden costs associated with every activity and tour plan. Transport can be tricky too. Smaller groups split costs across fewer people, so per-person prices climb fast. And mid-sized groups?  They’re stuck in that awkward middle—too many for a small van but not enough to fill a full coach. In those cases, a van rental for 15 passengers is often the sweet spot. Oh, and some places add “exclusivity” charges if you want the space or service all to yourself. Always, always ask for a breakdown before you lock anything in. What Options Exist For Groups That Don't Meet Minimums? Didn’t hit the magic number? No big deal. A few workarounds exist. 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Well, step one is simple: jot down a wish list. Split it into “musts” and “maybes.”  When you bring that to an operator, you’ll not only save time but also make it easier for them to build something that actually works.  They see what’s important, and you still give them room to figure out the logistics. That’s how you get a trip that feels like yours without breaking all their rules. Read Also: Planning To Travel The World? How To Pack Up Your Life So It’s Ready For You When You Get Back Are You Planning A Trip To Osaka? This Is Your Quintessential Guide A Step By Step Guide On Planning A Luxury Travel Vacation