If you’re looking for things to do near LAX airport, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite activities, both close to the airport and a little further afield. If you have a layover lasting for less than 3 hours, we recommend that you stay close to the airport, as you probably won’t have time to venture too far. However, if you have a bit more time on your hands, there are plenty of great activities to enjoy further afield.
So, without further ado, here are our top things to do at LAX airport or nearby:
Go Sightseeing
Visit Museums at Los Angeles:
Visit one of LA’s many museums – Los Angeles is home to some world-renowned museums, including the Getty Center, the California Science Center and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles. If you’re staying close to the airport, we recommend visiting the Flight Path Learning Center, which is located just a few minutes from LAX.
Take a walk on the wild side:
If you’re feeling energetic, why not take a walk or go for a jog on one of LA’s many scenic trails? There are plenty of great routes to choose from, including the world-famous Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Santa Monica Stairs. If you’re staying near the airport, we recommend the Sepulveda Dam Recreational Area, which is just a short drive away.
Sample the local cuisine:
No trip to Los Angeles would be complete without sampling some of the city’s amazing food. From world-famous sushi to street tacos, there’s something for everyone. If you’re staying close to the airport, we recommend grabbing a bite at one of the many great restaurants in Terminal 5.
Go to Venice Beach for Boardwalk:
If you’re looking for things to do near LAX airport, Venice Beach is a great option. Just a short drive from the airport, this world-famous beach is perfect for people watching, sunbathing or simply taking a stroll along the boardwalk.
Abbot Kinney:
This trendy street is located just a few minutes from Venice Beach and is home to an eclectic mix of shops, restaurants and bars. If you’re looking for somewhere to grab a bite to eat, we recommend Gjelina or The Butcher’s Daughter.
Visit Santa Monica:
If you have time for a day trip, we recommend visiting Santa Monica. Just a short drive from LAX, this beautiful beach town is perfect for exploring, with plenty of great shops, restaurants and bars to enjoy.
Visit MARINA DEL REY:
This picturesque marina is located just minutes from the airport and is perfect for a spot of lunch or dinner. If you’re feeling active, you can also hire a paddle board or kayak and explore the marina at your own pace. You can also visit Burton Chace Park.
Check out Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area:
This huge park is located just a short drive from LAX and is perfect for a day of hiking, picnicking or simply relaxing in the great outdoors. If you’re looking for somewhere to cool off, the park also has a large swimming pool which is open to the public.
You may like DOCKWEILER STATE BEACH:
The takeoff route from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) passes over Dockweiler State Beach (12000 Vista del Mar, Playa del Rey 90293), which is a seven-minute car journey from the passenger terminal area. The beach is free and has a three-mile long shoreline with a picnic area, vendor concessions, restrooms, changing rooms, and outdoor showers.
Do some shopping at LAX Malls:
Los Angeles is a shopper’s paradise, and there are plenty of great places to find bargains close to the airport. If you’re looking for designer brands, we recommend heading to Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. For more affordable options, check out the outlets at Citadel or the shops at LAX Terminal 5.
Catch a movie:
If you’re looking for things to do near LAX airport, catching a movie is a great option. There are plenty of great cinemas in the area, including the ArcLight Hollywood and the AMC Century City 15. If you’re short on time, you can also catch a flick at the Regal LAX Stadium 14, which is located inside the airport.
Enjoy LAX Airport Lounges:
If you’re looking for a place to relax before your flight, we recommend checking out one of the many lounges at LAX. From the American Express Centurion Lounge to the Delta Sky Club, there’s something for everyone. Most of the lounges are located in Terminal 4, so be sure to allow plenty of time to get there before your flight.
Check out LAX Airport lounges here.
Get some sleep at Hotels near LAX Airport:
If you’re looking for somewhere to rest your head before your flight, there are plenty of great hotels near LAX airport. We recommend the Four Points by Sheraton Los Angeles International Airport, which is located just a short walk from the terminals. For something a little more luxurious, check out the Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles, which is located just a short drive from the airport.
Check out these hotels near LAX Airport with free shuttles.
What to do at and Near Los Angeles International Airport
| Activity at or near LAX Airport | Details of activity/location at or near LAX Airport |
|---|---|
| Visit IN-N-OUT | You can visit this outlet in Southern California for an incredibly restrictive burger menu. Its approximately five minutes down the streets and it would be better to walk there than take an uber. |
| Visit Sand Dune Park | Located in Manhattan Beach, Sand Dune Park gets its name from the 100-foot high sand dune that the park was built around. There is a merry go round for kids and a play area so both adults and kids got their package of exploration. |
| Visit Automobile Driving Museum | Only 10 minutes away from LAX, the Automobile Driving Museum is a must-see for any car enthusiast. Home to over 130 cars, the museum dedicates itself to preserving, maintaining, and of course driving these antique cars. |
| Visit the Roundhouse Aquarium | So close to the airport, you can visit this aquarium together with a trip to downtown Manhattan beach. The aquarium is primarily educating the public |
| Visit Veterans Parkway | For a walk, Veterans Parkway is 3.75 miles long and runs parallel to Hermosa Beach and Manhattan beach. The path used to be train tracks from the 1800s running from El Segundo to Redondo Beach. |
| Visit Polliwog Park | Polliwog Park is about 20 minutes away from LAX located in Manhattan Beach and is the largest park in the southern part of the city, proudly boasting 18 acres for you to explore. It consists of an Amphitheatre, a pond, a botanical garden, and plenty of play area. |
| Visit Arclight cinemas-Beach city location | If you want a fancy movie experience for a decently affordable price, look no further, Arclight cinema is the place to go. |
| Visit El Segundo Beach | The best part about El Segundo beach is that if you during the week, you basically have the beach to yourself. It’s a big beach with plenty of parking space and because it’s so chill, it’s easy to get out in a timely manner. |
| Visit Redondo Beach for Sportfishing and Whale watching | Being a beach city, LA offers many ocean-related sports and activities. There is a fishing center way closer to LAX in Redondo Beach. Redondo Beach Sportfishing and Whale Watch offers exactly what the name suggests |
| Explore Venice Boardwalk | To the northwest of LAX lies Marina Del Rey and Venice and is about half an hour commute from the airport. Venice Beach Boardwalk is a mile and a half of different vendors, street performers, and of course the beach. In addition, there are plenty of sports bars, skateboard parks, and rentable skateboards. |
My name is Alex Mutuma and I founded this blog, Airport LLC as a way to document and engage with clients in my travel consulting business. Airportllc.com is the only source of over 2,000 fun things flyers could do during layovers.
Over the past 7 years, I have designed and planned tour packages for hundreds of clients and have recently focussed on the mission of changing boring layovers to excellent mini-vacations by giving you the best suggestions on must-do activities when flying over different airports.
Next time you or your friend are looking for suggestions on what to do in some airport, remember Airport LLC or Airportllc.com. On this site, you’ll get the best suggestions available on the internet regarding hand-picked activities that will fulfill your airport experience.
I currently reside in New York City and have obtained a license to provide professional tour guidance at Airports in the US and across the world. Why should you listen to my suggestions? I have flown through more than 100 airports in the world and fortunately, I have pictures, stories, and tips to share with you regarding all the fun stuff you can do as you wait for your next flight.
Aside from gaining thousands of flying miles, I am also a travel consultant assisting clients with bookings and specifically advance tour bookings of things to do at airports when the layover is longer than 5 hours.
To make a 15-minute free things-to-do consultation with Alex, use my email, alex@airportllc.com.
This is only recommended for flyers with long layovers of over 5 hours. If your layover is 3+ hours, you can still reach out but we cannot guarantee the ideal package that will change your layovers to mini-vacations. I only support clients flying through US airports and a select number of cities across the world.
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Name: Alex Mutuma
Profession: A professional travel consultant with a focus on airport activities to do during layovers
Email: Alex@airportllc.com
Phone: +1 945 348 889
Website: airportllc.com
Location: 322 Main Packway Street, Boston, US
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