10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Los Angeles

The Old Los Angeles Zoo in Griffith Park offers a behind-the-scenes look inside cages and restricted areas of a real, but no longer occupied, zoo. This experience is unique and, as you walk the cages and exhibit areas, you'll also view brightly coloured graffiti and catch some truly Instagram-worthy photos. The zoo is actually part of the park, so there are no concerns about exploring the many areas, and it's as fun for kids as it is for adults to check out the now-open cages and formerly restricted areas. You'll also find picnic areas and hiking trails.

The Museum of Jurassic Technology is a staple of the LA museum scene and showcases early human inventions and the history of human advancement. Here, you can see some ideas and innovations that may have been ineffective or lost and forgotten as well as those that are responsible for the industry of today. Many of the exhibits are also hands-on so you can actually touch and engage with some of these ancient arts, crafts, and technological creations. That alone makes it a fun and offbeat place to visit. It's located on Venice Boulevard in the heart of Culver City.

The Hollywood Forever Cemetery is your opportunity to catch a live concert or classic film screening in a working funeral home and crematory. This unusual events centre is located in the heart of Hollywood in one of the city's oldest cemeteries and includes the final resting places of many seminal figures in the entertainment industry, including Judy Garland, Jerry Siegel, Mel Blanc, Cecil B. DeMille, Fay Wray, and Bugsy Siegel. Today, it doubles as a cultural events centre that operates in honour of the legacy of the stars buried there. Amongst these events is the annual Dia de Los Muertos festival with 5 stages of arts, crafts, music, and dance, including traditional Aztec dancers and altars.

Watts Tower is a massive art installation that is amongst the most recognisable landmarks of the city, towering just 6 inches below the city's limit on structure height. It's located right in the backyard of the creator, Simon Rodia, and was made entirely out of broken bottles, plates, and glasses. It's free to visit and easily accessible by the metro. Building the structure took 30 years, and the artist had no prior knowledge of architecture whatsoever. It's an ambitious accomplishment that's bursting with colours and was a real community effort; many of the items used were donated by local friends, family, and neighbors. It's just about a 19-minute drive south of central LA.

The Last Bookshop is the place to go for new and vintage books or vinyl records and is a unique space filled with works from local up-and-coming artists. It's located along Pershing Square in city centre LA and offers an airy and open space with a wide selection of current bestsellers and out-of-print classics. The store is housed in an abandoned bank building and is as unique in its setup as in its eclectic collection. Shelves are arranged haphazardly, and even the books are in disarray to encourage patrons to actively spend time browsing and treasure hunting. You'll spend a lot of time here, but you just may walk away with a great find.

The Museum of Death offers a macabre but fascinating look at the world beyond life, from homicides to funeral homes and cannibalism to executions. The museum is dedicated to documenting death in all of its forms and facets throughout history. The museum may not be kid-friendly, as it has tonnes of explicit photos and films of death throughout the ages. The exhibits, however, are all tastefully presented in a purely educational and historic context and, while disturbing, they can be equally fascinating. It's located on Hollywood Boulevard in the heart of Hollywood and should appeal to anyone looking for something truly weird and different.