King Kong at Universal Studios Hollywood
Get ready for the ultimate Hollywood movie experience! First, go behind-the-scenes on the legendary Universal Studios Hollywood Studio Tour to explore where Hollywood movies are made, including the ALL-NEW movie set streets and trams with new state-of-the-art HD monitors. Then, face action head-on in heart-pounding rides and attractions that put you inside some of the world’s biggest movies. Plus, coming Summer 2010, get closer to King Kong than ever before as the ultimate attraction opens: King Kong 360 3-D Created by Peter Jackson.-100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, www.universalstudioshollywood.com
LA’s landmark Griffith Observatory features 60 stellar exhibits that bring the wonders of outer space down to earth. Visitors love “The Big Picture,” a mural depicting the world’s largest astronomical image of the night sky; a dramatic display of the planets – including Pluto; and arguably the most stunning views of LA seen from the Observatory’s hilltop plazas. The 200-seat Leonard Nimoy Theater, the Wolfgang Puck “Café at the End of the Universe” and a state-of-the-art Zeiss projector in the Samuel Oschin Planetarium are more exciting features. Originally opened in 1935, Griffith Observatory underwent a $93 million renovation and expansion in 2006. -2800 E. Observatory Rd., Hollywood, www.griffithobs.org
Get up close and personal with some of your favorite stars at Madame Tussauds Hollywood. LA’s latest and greatest attraction features an array of interactive wax exhibits. See everyone from the President of the United States to Kobe Bryant, Beyonce and many others. The question is, who do you want to meet? Read more ...-6933 Hollywood Blvd. Hollywood, www.madametussauds.com/hollywood
While the Hollywood sign’s grounds are barred from public access, you can walk or drive near it to get great angles for photos. From Franklin Avenue in Hollywood, go north on Beachwood Drive; turn left at Ledgewood Drive and twist and wind uphill. Then go right at the three-way intersection onto Deronda Drive.- Mt. Lee in Griffith Park, www.hollywoodsign.org
2010 marks the 75th anniversary of Starline Tours’ Movie Stars Homes Tour. Its 13-person passenger vans and “topless” open-air mini-buses have appeared in movies and TV shows including American Idol and The Apprentice. The vans feature headsets for each passenger, for crystal-clear insider information from Starline’s expert and entertaining guides. - 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, www.starlinetours.com
The Kodak Theatre, home of the Academy Awards®, offers insightful “behind-the-red-carpet” tours seven days a week. These 30-minute guided tours take visitors for an inside look at Hollywood’s biggest night with the opportunity to see a real Oscar® statuette and a sneak peek at the theater’s VIP room.- 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, www.kodaktheatre.com
The Hollywood Bowl has hosted such legendary acts as Nat “King” Cole, Patsy Cline and The Beatles. Its new band shell and location in the heart of the city make it one of LA’s best outdoor concert venues.- 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, www.hollywoodbowl.com
The Hollywood Bowl Museum, which is free and open year-round, has changing exhibits and hundreds of photos and audio and visual samples to help visitors relive the Bowl’s more memorable events.- 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles, www.hollywoodbowl.com/visit/museum.cfm
Hollywood is also home to several iconic landmarks and instantly recognizable architecture. While you’re here, check out the recently restored Hollyhock House, Frank Lloyd Wright’s first house in Los Angeles. After five years and $20 million in renovations, the house and the 11-acre park surrounding it, are open for tours once more. - 4800 Hollywood Blvd., Los Angeles, www.hollyhockhouse.net
Possibly one of the most recognizable attractions in Los Angeles, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre has drawn crowds since the very first day it opened in 1927. Dubbed “the most spectacular theatre opening in motion picture history,” the event was marked by thousands of people as well as movie stars and celebrities. Possibly even more recognizable than the architecture are the multitude of celebrity handprints and footprints. Story has it that the tradition started at the theatre’s opening when actress Norma Talmadge accidentally stepped in wet cement at the premiere of King of Kings. Today, more than 160 celebrities have joined in the fun, including recent contributions from Will Smith and the entire star-studded cast of Ocean’s Thirteen.- 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, www.manntheatres.com/chinese/
One of the more majestic old theaters in Los Angeles, El Capitan Theatre was restored to its original glory and is used by the Walt Disney Company for its movie premieres. It also hosts live stage shows before the movie featuring favorite Disney characters. Since its opening in 1926, the theater has been a crucial part of the Hollywood movie scene. Citizen Kane had its world premiere here in 1941, and Cecil B. DeMille’s Reap the Wild Wind was screened here in 1942 to inaugurate a complete remodel of the building. Next door, the Jimmy Kimmel Show is taped in the former Masonic Hall.- 6925 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, disney.go.com/DisneyPictures/el_capitan/
Another classic movie house built by Sid Grauman, the Egyptian Theatre was the site for the first-ever Hollywood premiere — Robin Hood, starring Douglas Fairbanks, which debuted in 1922. American Cinametheque now owns and operates the theater, using it for a variety of film-based programs, including annual festivals and film series. Visitors can arrange tours of the theater, which are offered on a monthly basis.- 6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, www.americancinematheque.com
If you’re in the mood for a little kitsch, stop by the Hollywood Guinness Book of World Records Museum. See the improbable but possible, with hands-on exhibits and displays that give visitors a glimpse of the records that make the book wildly popular.- 6764 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, www.ripleyattractions.com
A 14-screen movie theater located on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood, the ArcLight Hollywood is the place to go if you’re serious about the moviegoing experience. Each of the 14 theaters has reserved seating, with extra-wide seats positioned a comfortable distance from the screen. The theater doesn’t show any commercials or other promotional programming before the films, so the only warm-up you get is trailers for future releases. If you’re over 21, you can attend regularly held 21+ screenings where adult beverages are served at the theater’s bar. The Hollywood location makes it a great place to spot celebrities, and the theater offers a host of special screenings and events featuring actors and directors.- 6360 West Sunset Boulevard, Hollywood, www.arclightcinemas.com
