If you’re planning a family adventure in 2025 and seeking a neighborhood brimming with culture, delicious food, and exciting experiences, look no further than Koreatown, LA. Things to do in this vibrant and dynamic enclave include shopping, lively street festivals, and exploring its rich culture and history.
Located west of Downtown LA and south of Hollywood, K Town offers a perfect option for a day trip or as a base for your LA getaway. This family-friendly and unique neighborhood is sure to find a place in your and your family’s hearts and offer the backdrop for your dream LA trip.
1. Quest Room
170 S Western Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90004
Quest Room is LA’s leading escape room specialist. Its Koreatown location offers two exceptional family-friendly games that will get you working together to crack a code and fulfill your destiny.
Spellbreakers is a wonderful option for families looking for immersion in a fantasy world. Lost and disoriented within an enchanted forest, your party discovers a cabin veiled in an aura of mystique. Approaching the dwelling, you are met with ethereal whispers recounting a dark legend: the tale of a malevolent Witch who ultimately overpowered a valiant Warrior.
Despite the Warrior’s courageous efforts, the Witch’s formidable magic prevailed, petrifying the hero with a potent curse. Your only hope of escaping the bewitched woods lies within the Witch’s cabin. You must infiltrate her dwelling and concoct a magical potion capable of reversing the curse upon the Warrior; failure to do so will doom you to share his stony fate.
Alternatively, step back in time with the captivating Da Vinci’s Challenge. The vibrant city of Florence in the late 15th century pulses with intellectual fervor, and no figure commands more reverence among aspiring scholars than the brilliant Leonardo Da Vinci. You are among the devoted students drawn by the allure of his unparalleled genius.
However, tutelage from the master himself doesn’t come easy. You have 60 minutes to decipher a complex puzzle conceived by the master himself, a challenge that will determine if you possess the intellect and ingenuity to prove your merit.
2. Koreatown Pavilion Garden
1000 Normandie Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90006
This charming urban oasis is a popular destination that provides a welcome respite from the city’s bustle, offering a tranquil space for families to relax and connect with nature. The garden’s design and landscaping offer serene, Korea-inspired vines and provide a subtle yet engaging cultural touchpoint for visitors of all ages to appreciate. It’s a perfect spot for a leisurely stroll, a quiet picnic, or simply enjoying a moment of peace during a busy day of sightseeing.
3. Enjoy a Retro Bowling Experience at Shatto 39 Lanes
3255 West 4th Street, Los Angeles, California 90020
Bowling is a family-friendly plan that never goes out of fashion. Shatto 39 Lanes offers a quirky alternative to ultra-modern bowling alleys, with its retro decor and vibes that have barely changed since it opened in 1954.
You can’t miss this unique building, with its beige, characterful architecture looming large. This gem of a bowling alley features retro lanes, a beige checkered floor, billiard tables, arcade games, and colorful vinyl chairs. The whole family will love this nostalgic take on bowling.
4. La Brea Tar Pits and Museum
5801 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90036
La Brea Tar Pits are a collection of natural asphalt pits located in Hancock Park in Los Angeles, California. The museum is easily accessible using public transit from Koreatown. For tens of thousands of years, crude oil has seeped to the surface, creating sticky pools of asphalt that have trapped and preserved the remains of countless animals and plants from the Ice Age.
This unique site is an active paleontological research area and home to the George C. Page Museum. Here, scientists continue to excavate, study, and display the incredible fossils discovered in the tar, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, dire wolves, and many other extinct and extant species. It’s considered one of the richest and most important Ice Age fossil sites in the world and offers a remarkable glimpse into the ancient ecosystem of the Los Angeles Basin your kids will love.
There are several ways to enjoy the museum for free for families on a budget. Bring a picnic to enjoy in Hancock Park to enjoy a memorable yet affordable family day out before heading for dinner in K Town.
5. Get Some Retail Therapy
Koreatown has more large malls than any other similarly-sized area in the country. Shopaholics will find an array of markets, skincare, and other Asian-inspired stores among all the other shops, restaurants, and cafes you could ever wish for.
Check out Koreatown Galleria on W Olympic Blvd for the ultimate retail therapy experience. Don’t forget to check out the neighborhood’s small, independent stores too!
6. Visit K Town’s Famous Karaoke Rooms
Koreatown is renowned for its karaoke bars. Many bars and some hotels offer karaoke suites where you can sing your heart out, grab something to eat, and make lasting memories with your family or friends. However, it’s worth checking if the venue you choose is suitable for children, as some are more adult-oriented.
7. Explore Koreatown’s Unique Gastronomic Scene
K Town boasts a celebrated gastronomic scene that will transport your family’s taste buds all the way to Seoul and back. You’ll find a wide range of delicacies in the neighborhood, from the best Korean BBQ you’ll ever taste to American favorites like fried chicken.
Kids will love to indulge in one of the all-you-can-eat buffets, while adults will love the range of more refined restaurants, craft beer bars, and specialist Korean restaurants. BCD Tofu House is a neighborhood favorite, serving traditional Korean food that’s perfect for vegetarians and carnivores alike.
Koreatown Is the Ideal Base to See LA
Koreatown in Los Angeles is an exceptionally convenient base for exploring the sprawling metropolis. Its central location places it within relatively easy reach of many of LA’s major attractions. Whether you’re heading towards the glitz and glamor of Hollywood, or the cultural hubs of Downtown LA, Koreatown offers a reasonable commute.
Koreatown also boasts excellent public transportation links. This makes it easy to explore areas like West Hollywood where you can stroll the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Alternatively, head north into the hills and check out the panoramic city views from Griffith Observatory in Mount Hollywood.
Make Lasting Memories in Koreatown, Los Angeles
Koreatown offers a dynamic and enriching experience for visitors of all ages. You’re bound to be captivated whether you use it as a base to explore LA from or dedicate a day to checking out the vibrant neighborhood.
From savoring authentic Korean cuisine and exploring unique shops to immersing yourselves in vibrant cultural traditions, this bustling neighborhood provides a diverse range of activities that cater to various interests. Embracing the energy and flavors of Koreatown to create lasting memories and discover a unique corner of Los Angeles.
