Things to Do in Mid-Wilshire

A-list comedians drop in unannounced. Every show feels like a one-time event.

280 seats. Comedy, music, spoken word, film -- sometimes all in one night. Jon Brion's Friday residency is legendary. A-list comedians drop in unannounced. Popular shows sell out within hours of going on sale.

366 N La Cienega Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Will Call opens 6pm, doors 7pm, shows typically 8pm · indoor

Free after 3pm weekdays for LA County residents. Urban Light is the photo everyone takes.

Largest art museum in the western US. Home to Urban Light (the lamp post installation everyone photographs) and 6,000 years of art. LA County residents get free admission after 3pm weekdays. Second Tuesday of each month free for everyone. Open until 8pm Fridays.

5905 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Mon–Tue & Thu 11am–6pm, Fri 11am–8pm, Sat–Sun 10am–7pm. Closed Wed.

The Oscar museum. Real props, costumes, a 1,000-seat theater. Kids under 17 free.

The Academy's own museum covering the history, art, and science of filmmaking. Real props, costumes, set pieces, and interactive exhibits. The 1,000-seat David Geffen Theater screens classic and contemporary films. Kids under 17 always free. Open until 8pm Fridays and Saturdays.

6067 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Sun-Thu 10am-6pm, Fri-Sat 10am-8pm. Closed Tue. · indoor

Active paleontological dig in the middle of the city. Watch scientists pull out Ice Age fossils.

An active paleontological dig site where Ice Age animals are still being excavated in the middle of Miracle Mile. Watch researchers work through viewing windows. The park grounds (including the bubbling tar pits) are free to walk. Museum admission $15 adults, $7 kids. Combine with LACMA next door.

5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Daily 9:30am-5pm. Closed first Tue of month & major holidays.

700 capacity. Art Deco interior. Indie rock, hip-hop, Latin. Standing room, great sound.

A 700-capacity Art Deco theater on Wilshire Blvd booking indie rock, hip-hop, electronic, and Latin acts. The restored 1936 interior is gorgeous. Standing room only -- no seats means no bad spots. One of the best-sounding mid-size rooms in LA.

5515 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Show nights, doors typically 7-8pm · indoor

Interactive exhibits for ages 0-8. Global cultures, creativity, community. $10.

A children's museum focused on global awareness and community engagement for kids 0-8. Interactive exhibits, a play grocery store, art studio, and dramatic play areas. $10 per person, kids under 1 free. Smaller and calmer than the bigger children's museums -- manageable for toddlers who get overwhelmed.

6505 Wilshire Blvd, Suite 100, Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Tue-Sun 10am-5pm. Closed Mon. · indoor · Ages 0–8

Popular neighborhood park known for reliable pickup basketball runs. Features outdoor courts, a recreation center, playground, and walking paths. Free and open to the public. The courts attract a regular crowd of solid players, especially on weekday evenings and weekends.

7600 Beverly Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Daily 6am-10pm · outdoor

Full-service locksmith with a Mid-Wilshire storefront and mobile service across LA. Handles residential lockouts, lock changes, rekeying, commercial access control, and automotive key programming. A brick-and-mortar shop that also dispatches -- not a fly-by-night operation. Rekeying from $65, lockout from $85.

5501 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · 24 hours, 7 days a week · (323) 930-1185

A well-reviewed tailor near the Grove offering suit alterations, hemming, tapering, and custom fitting. Known for precise work on both men's and women's garments. Pants hemming from $12, suit jacket sleeves from $25. Walk-ins welcome. Convenient location for Fairfax and Mid-Wilshire residents.

6311 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90048 · Mon-Sat 9am-6pm · indoor

The almond macadamia latte. Best non-dairy coffee drink in LA. Not even close.

The almond macadamia latte put this place on the map and it's still the best non-dairy latte in LA. Larchmont flagship has the full menu — single origins, cold brew on tap, excellent pastries. Multiple locations now but Larchmont is the flagship energy. The coffee is serious without being uptight. 15 minutes from DTLA.

230 N Larchmont Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90004 · Daily 7am-5pm

Charlie Chaplin's building. World-class pastries. Kimchi fried rice for brunch.

The building was originally designed by Charlie Chaplin. Now it's Walter and Margarita Manzke's bakery-cafe-restaurant. Morning: the pastries are extraordinary — kouign-amann, croissants, pain au chocolat. Brunch: the kimchi fried rice is the move. Dinner: French-Californian with impeccable technique. The bakery alone is worth the trip. 20 minutes from DTLA.

624 S La Brea Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036 · Cafe & Bakery: daily 8am-2pm. Restaurant: Tue-Fri 5:30pm-10pm, Sat 5pm-10pm. · 310-362-6115 · indoor