Your sense of adventure has never been higher, and yet your total monetary value has never been lower. But you live in Los Angeles, one of the world’s most popular travel destinations! So take advantage of the attractions in a city that ranks tourism as its No. 2 industry.



Do, Re, Mi, Fa, So, La, Ti, Do at the Bowl

At the epicenter of Hollywood’s music scene stands the architecturally astounding Hollywood Bowl (2301 N. Highland Ave.; hollywoodbowl.com). Showcasing a vast assortment of musical talents, ranging from Depeche Mode (Aug. 16-17) to the Killers (Sept. 16), there is something for every musical taste.



Embrace Your Inner Thespian

Hollywood is not only known for film, but also for stage performances. Smash hit musicals like “Rent” and “Wicked” have been performed at the Pantages Theatre (233 Hollywood Blvd.; broadwayla.org). Shows like the new, bouncy and bubbly “Legally Blonde” (Aug. 12-Sept. 6) and “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas” (Nov. 10, 2009-Jan. 3, 2010) are next up on the list.

Then, of course, there’s the home of the Academy Awards, the Kodak Theatre (6801 Hollywood Blvd., kodaktheatre.com). The critically acclaimed Cirque du Soleil is coming soon (2010).



Experience the Happening Nightclubs

Hollywood is most definitely the nightclub capital. Party like celebrities do, grab a group of friends and visit A-list clubs like Element (6605 Hollywood Blvd.; elementhollywood.com), Mood (6623 Hollywood Blvd.; moodla.com) and Area (643 N. La Cienega Blvd.). From dancing to Jeremih and Pitbull, to drinking those fancy martinis just like Carrie and the girls on “Sex and the City” do, to flirting with that cute bartender with the intriguingly dangerous tattoo, you’re bound to have a fantastic and eventful evening out.



Go to the Taping of a Show

In the mood to test your knowledge? Go to a taping of “Jeopardy!” Love game shows? See “Wheel of Fortune” live. Fascinated by other people’s problems? Watch Dr. Phil aid crazy mother-in-laws, adulterers, obese toddlers, pregnant teenagers, etc. There are plenty of Web sites offering tickets for free, like tvtix.com and hollywoodtickets.com. It’s way more entertaining to watch fifth graders outsmart adults live than on your small, dinky television.



Have a Dance Party on the Walk of Fame

How many people do you know that have had the pleasure of dancing with iconic characters such as Captain Jack Sparrow, Spider-Man or the Grinch? Most likely, not many have. I can tell you from firsthand experience that it is quite the event. It provides fabulous Facebook pictures, is a great topic of conversation to pull out when facing an awkward encounter and you’ll have the good reputation of being the fun and outgoing one of the group. Just watch out for Elmo; he gets kind of touchy.



Hollywood Forever Cemetery

You’ll encounter the graves of stars such as Victor Fleming, Darla Hood, Clifton Webb, Joan Hackett and Charlie Chaplin Jr., and that’s just the start. The cemetery (6000 Santa Monica Blvd.; cinespia.org) shows screenings of classic films such as Paper Moon (Aug. 15) and Singin’ in the Rain (Aug. 22).



Laugh Until It Hurts

In a city with so much drama, it’s nice to escape every once and a while. As the saying goes, laughter is the best medicine. So make up for that bad day at work, roommate dilemmas or that heart-wrenching break-up by going to a comedy club like the Laugh Factory (8001 Sunset Blvd.; laughfactory.com), Second City (6560 Hollywood Blvd.; secondcity.com) or the Groundlings (7307 Melrose Ave., groundlings.com).



Lucky Strike Bowling

With a luxurious lounge and gourmet Super Bowl Sunday type menu, featuring mac ’n cheese and hot wings, you feel more like you’re in a sophisticated bar. Gigantic TV screens play the hottest new music videos, lights are flashing and to please your artistic side, up-and-coming artists’ work is featured at Lucky Strike (6801 Hollywood Blvd.; bowlluckystrike.com). It provides the perfect ambiance for a bachelor party, girls’ night out or first date. And of course, for terrible bowlers like myself, there is the option of bumpers. If I, the one who throws bowling balls into other lanes by mistake and never breaks into triple digits, enjoyed this bowling experience then you’re bound to have a fabulous time.  



People Watch on Hollywood Boulevard

On any given day you will find a motley group of people strolling through Hollywood: tourists visiting from around the globe, the homeless pleading for spare change, striving actors and musicians, established actors and musicians, the list goes on. I often find myself sitting in Starbucks, wondering about these various walks of life.



See the Major Players

Visit the iconic Hollywood sign, hang out at Universal Studios (100 Universal City Plaza; universalstudioshollywood.com), go to the Hollywood Wax Museum (6767 Hollywood Blvd., hollywoodwax.com), check out haunted locations like the Roosevelt Hotel (7000 Hollywood Blvd.; hollywoodroosevelt.com) or stop by Grauman’s Chinese Theatre (6925 Hollywood Blvd., manntheatres.com) and compare your hands and feet to classic Hollywood royalty like Frank Sinatra, Shirley Temple, Judy Garland, John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe. Seriously, stop to smell the roses and enjoy the bountiful amount of entertainment your own hometown has to offer.