In Hollywood, you can easily spend a fortune on tours of celebrity homes, visiting places like Ripley’s Believe It or Not, or buying tickets to wax museums along Hollywood Boulevard. But you don’t have to break the bank to have fun. By skipping those costly guided tours and sidestepping ticket counters and tacky attractions, you can still enjoy a fantastic time exploring Hollywood.
There’s plenty to see and do on the boulevard, much of which is free. You can admire the stars on the Walk of Fame, check out the handprints and footprints at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, and wander around Hollywood and Highland. You’ll also find the iconic Dolby Theatre, previously known as the Kodak Theatre, and the bustling Hollywood & Highland shopping complex.
When a celebrity gets a star on the Walk of Fame or leaves their prints in cement at the Chinese Theatre, they have to make an appearance, often accompanied by some famous friends. These events aren’t daily, but when they do happen, watching is free.
You can be part of the studio audience for several popular TV shows without any cost. Just book a reservation and be prepared to stay until filming wraps up. Whether it’s sitcoms, talk shows, or game shows, it won’t cost you a dime (although it might be a bit time-consuming—filming a 30-minute show can take two hours or more).
The iconic Hollywood sign is visible from many spots around town. You could dedicate an entire day to driving around, exploring different places where you can catch a glimpse of it. While you can’t get close enough to touch the sign and accessing hiking trails to get near it has become challenging, there are plenty of vantage points accessible by car or on foot. Just remember not to jump the fence—security is tight.
For a night concert at the Hollywood Bowl, you’ll need to buy a ticket. However, you can enjoy some free music by attending open morning rehearsals. The Edmund D. Edelman Hollywood Bowl Museum also offers free entry. If you prefer to attend a concert in the evening, some events offer tickets for under $20.
Located just behind Paramount Studios, Hollywood Forever Cemetery is both visitor-friendly and free, with maps available to guide you to the stars’ final resting places. Other celebrity-filled cemeteries are also free to explore; Forest Lawn houses the remains of famous figures across eras, while Marilyn Monroe is interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park.
Driving through Hollywood is a great way to soak up the area’s many sights. Spend a few hours in the car and you’ll pass landmarks like Jim Henson’s Muppets studio, the distinctive Capitol Records building, Hollywood High School, and the Magic Castle. For a budget-friendly lunch stop, swing by Pink’s Hot Dogs, a popular spot since 1939, where you might spot a celebrity enjoying a snack or see a limo pulling up for some hot dogs on the go.
Though not technically in Hollywood, the Farmers Market feels right at home. It started in 1934 at Fairfax and Third Street, with farmers selling goods straight from their trucks. Today, it remains true to its roots, offering a variety of stalls from butchers to bakers, and other treats like candies, nuts, and cheese. With over 100 stands and more than 500 employees, you’ll pay for parking unless you make a purchase, in which case you might get free parking validation. Exploring the market is free, and some stands offer free samples.
The Hollywood Heritage Museum is a charming tribute to Hollywood’s beginnings. Located in the famous yellow building recognized by movie enthusiasts, it features artifacts, photos, and unique memorabilia about Hollywood’s rise. The building itself, the old Lasky-DeMille Barn, is steeped in history—originally constructed in 1895 as a barn for Southern California produce farms, it later became the site where director Cecil B. DeMille and producer Jesse Lasky created several acclaimed films.
