Los Angeles, CA

Laugh until you're in stitches at the ACME Comedy Theatre. Inspired by and rivals of the famous Groundlings, this sketch comedy and improv theater is home to six performance companies and can seat 99 people in its premier Hollywood venue. It has featured the talents of Wayne Brady, Wil Wheaton and Ryan Stiles, to name a few.

Address: 135 N. La Brea Ave., Hollywood, CA 90036 - MAP
Phone: (323) 525-0202
Web: www.acmecomedy.com

Part of the Los Angeles Music Center, the Ahmanson Theatre presents a wide array of groundbreaking new works, explosive productions of the classics and hit Broadway plays and musicals by the Center Theatre Group. This broad-range theater has a year-round season, and season tickets are available for year-round access to entertainment.

Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - MAP
Phone: (213) 628-2772
Web: www.centertheatregroup.org

Modeled after the New York State Theater, the Carpenter Performing Arts Center serves as a venue in LA for films, forums, musical and theater performances, and other entertainment events. Located at California State University, the Center serves as a gateway between the university and greater LA community.

Address: 6200 Atherton Street, Long Beach, CA 90815 - MAP
Phone: (562) 985-7000
Web: www.carpenterarts.org

Originally built as a single-screen movie theater in 1936, the El Rey Theatre has undergone several transformations over the decades, from a theater to a dance club to its current incarnation as a live music venue. "The King" presents favorite bands and performers in a high-energy atmosphere.

Address: 5515 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036 - MAP
Phone: (323) 936-6400
Web: www.theelrey.com

Since opening in 2001, Kodak Theatre has served as a venue for televised theater performances. When not hosting the annual Academy Awards Ceremonies or American Idol, the theater presents a variety of public cultural events and entertainment. Concerts, shows and performances by national artists are common, including the newest act to enter the Kodak Theatre: Cirque du Soleil.

Address: 6801 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 - MAP
Phone: (323) 308-6363
Web: www.kodaktheatre.com

Spend an evening at the opera. The Los Angeles Opera, the fourth largest opera company in the United States, performs during its regular season at the Los Angeles Music Center. Opera lovers of all ages will enjoy the high-quality performances by rising opera stars, as well as a variety of education and community outreach programs.

Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - MAP
Phone: (213) 972-8001
Web: www.laopera.com

Listen to a performance by the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Although the Philharmonic has graced Los Angeles since 1919, the orchestra is renown for its contemporary approach to music. Music critics have hailed it as the most "venturesome and admired" orchestra in America, a must-hear for music aficionados.

Address: 111 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - MAP
Phone: (213) 972-7300
Web: www.laphil.com

Catch a classic Broadway/L.A. performance at the Pantages Theatre. This theatrical venue is on par with any in New York, and features all of the popular Broadway plays and musicals. Right in the heart of Hollywood, this theater is one of Los Angeles' leading venues for live theater but also hosts the occasional concert - making it an all-encompassing entertainment venue.

Address: 6233 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 - MAP
Phone: (323) 468-1770
Web: www.broadwayla.org

The Pasadena Civic Auditorium, found in the Pasadena Convention Center, was built in 1931 and is one of the most revered performance halls in the country. The Pasadena Convention Center seats 2,850 people in its two-story, multi-purpose arena. This elegant blend of old and new architecture is available for private events and also hosts concerts and other performing arts events.

Address: 300 East Green Street, Pasadena, CA 91101 - MAP
Phone: (626) 449-7360
Web: www.thepasadenacivic.com

Established in 1997, the Sacred Fools Theatre Company has taken multiple awards and nominations for its spectacular performances. This small theater offers comfy, seats and a cozy atmosphere where you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind show. See the premiers of local playwrights' works or the troupe's interpretations of popular plays.

Address: 660 North Heliotrope Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90004 - MAP
Phone: (310) 281-8337
Web: www.sacredfools.org

Get some good laughs at the Groundlings. This improvisation and sketch comedy theater has been serving up humor and entertainment for LA audiences for almost four decades. This comedy club also doubles as the Groundlings School, which hosts six-week long sessions. The competitive program claims many famous alumni, including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph.

Address: 7307 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90046 - MAP
Phone: (323) 934-4747
Web: www.groundlings.com

Located in an unassuming building, the Met Theatre is an extremely active community theater, providing a haven where diverse artists can pursue their creative visions. This little black box theater offers intimate performances of various musicals, dramas and comedies. Actors mingle with audience members before performances and during intermission.

Address: 1089 North Oxford Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90029 - MAP
Phone: (323) 957-1831
Web: www.themettheatre.com

Visit the Los Angeles Music Center, also known as the Performing Arts Center of Los Angeles, for some of the best concerts and entertainment in the nation. The third largest performing arts center in the United States, the Music Center consists of four houses on its 11-acre campus: the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, the Ahmanson Theatre, the Mark Taper Forum, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall.

Address: 135 North Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012 - MAP
Phone: (213) 628-2772
Web: www.musiccenter.org

The actors and production team at the NoHo Arts Center, located in the NoHo Arts District, believe in theater for its own sake! Created in 2004 with the intention of developing new works and exploring and re-envisioning/re-imagining classic works, the NoHo Arts Center strives to create a unique theatrical experience.

Address: 11136 Magnolia Boulevard, North Hollywood, CA 91601 - MAP
Phone: (818) 508-7101
Web: www.thenohoartscenter.com

Located in downtown LA, the Orpheum Theatre opened its doors in 1926. Since then, it has undergone a renovation to restore the movie palace to its former glory (including its grand pipe organ). The Orpheum Theatre hosts a variety of entertainment like live concerts, movie premiers, film festivals, theatrical productions, fundraisers, private parties and many other special events.

Address: 842 South Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90014 - MAP
Phone: (877) 677-4386
Web: www.laorpheum.com

Experience Hollywood nightlife at the Roxy Theatre. This famous nightclub on the Sunset Strip is a must-see. The Roxy is a cultural touchstone in the LA music scene, famous for its concerts and live music. This medium-size venue has a stage that protrudes into the audience, immersing the crowd in the music.

Address: 9009 West Sunset Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90069 - MAP
Phone: (310) 278-9457
Web: www.theroxyonsunset.com

Head to the Wiltern Theatre for performances by up and coming artists. This medium-sized art deco venue hosts popular local, regional and, occasionally, national performers and bands in a series of concerts throughout the year. Adjacent to the 12-story Pellissier Building, this theater offers some of the best acoustics - and entertainment - in the city.

Address: 3790 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90010 - MAP
Phone: (213) 388-1400
Web: www.wilterntheatertickets.com

For a NOTEworthy performance, stop by the Theatre of NOTE. This theatrical ensemble produces an average of four main stage shows annually, as well as an annual Hollywood Performance Marathon, a late night original 5-Minute One-Act Play Series, several development workshops and The Young Writers Project, an educational outreach program.

Address: 1517 North Cahuenga Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90028 - MAP
Phone: (323) 856-8611
Web: www.theatreofnote.com

Los Angeles contains a multitude of art galleries and museums, but the Getty Center is the most popular. This art center showcases a variety of classic and modern art and photography in its permanent collection, as well as regional, national and international traveling exhibitions. The architecture of the building and the lovely view combine to create an art lover's dream.

Address: 1200 Getty Center Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90049 - MAP
Phone: (310) 440-7300
Web: www.getty.edu