If you live near a major city, chances are high you can plan a day completely around nerd-inspired activities. Very high. Filming locations, unique museums, themed shops and bars–metropolitan areas have some or all of these and more. With a little digging, you can make a list tailored to your interests in cities you’re visiting or in your own backyard.
We’re here to help you find some to-dos, starting with five geeky, easy to get into places (so no Magic Castle) to visit in Los Angeles, California.
1. Go for a Hike
Head north of the city to visit the recognizable alien-looking landscape of Vasquez RocksOpens in a new tab. Most notably, this park was home to the hilariously slow and epic battle between Captain Kirk and the Gorn in Star TrekOpens in a new tab: The Original Series. It’s also been used as a filming location for titles such as Planet of the Apes, the 2009 Star Trek, Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, and more.
2. Become a Witch or Wizard
Live your magical dreams and immerse yourself in the Wizarding World of Harry PotterOpens in a new tab at Universal Studios Hollywood. You can visit Hogsmeade, go on a doozy of a ride inside HogwartsOpens in a new tab, hear a frog choir, and drink butterbeerOpens in a new tab at various temperatures and consistencies. Oh, and you can buy school robes and wands. Accio fun!
3. Embrace the Weird
If seeing a gallery of portraits featuring the dogs of the Soviet space program sounds like something you’d enjoy, go to Culver City and enter The Museum of Jurassic TechnologyOpens in a new tab. Permanent exhibits highlighting the cosmonaut canines, stereographic radiographs of flowers, microminiatures, and pre-scientific cures and remedies fill its winding halls. The museum is a blend of fascinating, informative, and what the heck did I just see.
4. Go on a Comic Book Shop Crawl
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Los Angeles is a sprawling city, and it’s dotted with a number of terrific comic book shops. Each place has its own vibe and flavor. Set aside a chunk of a day to stop into places like Meltdown ComicsOpens in a new tab, House of Secrets, Blastoff Comics, The Comic Bug, and many more. If you’re a new resident to the area, this is a great way to try on different shops and see where you’d like to start a pull list.
5. Visit a Themed Bar
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Want to enjoy a cocktail while viewing magic? Or in a Tim BurtonOpens in a new tab inspired setting? Or in a science fiction bar? You can find all those places in Hollywood: Black Rabbit RoseOpens in a new tab, Beetle HouseOpens in a new tab, and Scum and Villainy CantinaOpens in a new tab, respectively. Kick back, soak in the atmospheres, and hang with fellow members of fandom.
Extra Credit Stops
Griffith ObservatoryOpens in a new tab
Warner Bros. Studio TourOpens in a new tab
The Paley Center for MediaOpens in a new tab
What geektastic activities do you recommend around Los Angeles? What other cities would you like to see us cover? Share your notes in the comments.
Images: Kyle Anderson, Vincent DiamanteOpens in a new tab
Amy Ratcliffe is an Associate Editor for Nerdist. Follow her on TwitterOpens in a new tab and keep up with her Disney food adventures on InstagramOpens in a new tab.
Travel to more nerdy locales with these stories!
- Take a photo tourOpens in a new tab of Hobbiton.
- Go full Harry PotterOpens in a new tab in the United Kingdom.
- Spend a day on Disney Cruise’s Star Wars Day at SeaOpens in a new tab.
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