12 Great Family Activities in Hollywood, California

Pack up the family and head on over for a fun day exploring all that Hollywood has to offer. From tasty treats to celebrity sightings, we’ve pinpointed 12 great family activities that will please the entire fambam!

El Capitan Theatre – This is no ordinary theatre! El Capitan is owned by Walt Disney Pictures and, just like everything Disney related, it’s a magical adventure. Enjoy one of their daily movies, and maybe even catch a Disney film premiere! You can also take a behind-the-scenes tour that includes photo ops with the theatre’s Mighty Wurlitzer Organ. This cool instrument entertains guests during pre-shows and features four keyboards and 37 ranks of pipes, each of which represent different musical instruments.

Afters – Ice cream just got more interesting! Afters is known for their creative flavors like Milk and Cereal, Cookie Monster and Jasmine Milk Tea. Not to mention the shop’s signature Milky Bun – a glazed bun stuffed full of one of their unique ice cream flavors! Though the Hollywood location hasn’t made it to their website yet, you’ll find the ice cream paradise on Hollywood Blvd, just east of Argyle Ave.

Guinness World Records Museum – Hollywood has been the location for breaking tons of world records, among them: the “Highest Wall Ride on a Skateboard”; the “Largest Time Warp Dance”; and the “Largest Cheese Sculpture.” Maybe you’ll be the next record breaker when you visit the Guinness World Records Museum’s Attempt Arena! Honest-to-goodness Guinness World Records adjudicators are stationed here, and you can try to break one of several fun world records, such as stacking casino chips while wearing mittens. Beat the previous record and get your own Guinness World Records certificate!

See a Celebrity – It’s always a thrill when you spot a Hollywood star, so why not go the extra mile to make sure it happens? There are several options! Check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame calendar for upcoming star ceremonies. There are also a few TV tapings that allow kids. See Pat Sajak and Vanna White at a live taping of Wheel of Fortune. Or watch Alex Trebek host Jeopardy!  You can also find out where various movies and television shows are being filmed at OnLocationVacations.com.

Hollywood Wax Museum – If you’re looking to get some killer photos with the stars, Hollywood Wax Museum has your ticket! As the most visited attraction in Hollywood since 1965, Hollywood Wax Museum® has always been focused on the stars the public adores. Grab a mic and sing along with a pop diva, pick up a Champagne flute and toast with the A-list crowd at a Hollywood Party, and lots more!

Pink’s Hot Dogs – Oh My Yum!!! Pink’s tasty grub is legendary and the eatery is a Hollywood landmark! In 1939, Betty and Paul Pink opened the hot dog stand where, on a good day, they may have sold 100 hot dogs for 10 cents a pop. Today the stand sells more than 2,000 hot dogs a day! In addition to the regular chili cheese dog, at Pink’s you’ll find some unique combinations such as the La La Land Dog with guacamole, chopped tomatoes, bacon bits and sour cream or the Emeril Legasse Bam Dog, a 9-inch stretch dog with mustard, onions, cheese, jalapeno, bacon and coleslaw!

Ripley’s Believe it Or Not! – A cyclops lamb, an actual shrunken head, a prehistoric cave bear? Yup, believe it or not, they’re all waiting for you to gawk at when you visit this Hollywood Blvd museum. It’s pretty hard to miss… just look for the T-Rex on the roof top! Then head on in to experience the odd, enjoy the weird, and explore the mysterious. For even more fun, pick up a VIP Pass and enjoy three great attractions for one ticket price: Ripley’s Believe it Or Not!, Guinness World Records Museum, and Hollywood Wax Museum.

BlueBird LA Kids – Why not pick up a new fashion-forward outfit for the kiddos while you’re in Hollywood? You can, and the price is right, when you visit Bluebird, a resale store specializing in designer children’s clothing and accessories for ages 12 and under. The shop also offers a kid’s play area so parents can shop while little ones stay entertained. Young fashionistas will also enjoy browsing the many unique stores on Melrose Avenue. Get your printable map of the Melrose shopping district and get ready for some serious retail therapy!

Amoeba Music – Hollywood is one of just three locations for Amoeba Music, the world’s largest, independent record store with more than 1 million new and used items. The biggest of the three, Amoeba’s Hollywood store, occupies an entire city block. You could literally spend all day there! Amoeba Music is also a critically acclaimed music venue and features tons of live bands, DJs, and fun events. The store is so hip, the whole family will feel extra cool when shopping there!

Mel’s Drive-In – Grab a burger and milkshake at Mel’s! Hollywood is lucky enough to boast two Mel’s Drive-In burger joints, both with a pretty extensive selection of quintessential diner foods. The “Hollywood” location is right on North Highland, located in the historic Max Factor building. Then there’s the “West Hollywood” location on Sunset Blvd that will take you back in time with its “Googie” style architecture. The West Hollywood Mel’s is open 24 hours a day and is well known as an ideal place to spot celebrities.

Cake and Art – View and enjoy edible works of art at Hollywood’s designer bakery. Their impressive window display alone is worth the visit, but the whole family can also indulge in their fantastic cupcakes, ranging from Cookies and Cream to Vanilla Toffee Crunch to Keylime Cream Cheese and more. You’ll be in good company when devouring their tasty treats. Among those who’ve celebrated with the bakery’s artistic creations are Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Britney Spears and Oprah Winfrey.

Lucky Strike – Yes, it’s a bowling alley, but it’s so much more! Located smack dab on the corner of Hollywood and Highland, you can share some laughs while playing a few games on their cool lanes. During day hours, all ages are welcome to enjoy the “Big Lebowski vibe” and gastropub cuisine. The over-21ers in your group will also enjoy their full-service bar with specialty cocktails.

Yes, Hollywood has lots of grown up fun things to do, but clearly it’s a city where families will be entertained to the max. Come check out our LA playground!