9 popular indoor activities in Los Angeles for summer

Los Angeles has famously pleasant weather most of the year, but when temperatures start to rise in mid-summer, you may find yourself longing for cooler temps. Barring a change in the weather, you’ll need to find some indoor activities to keep you busy. Fortunately, LA has plenty of options.

The Broad is a contemporary art museum that houses the 2,000-piece collection of Eli and Edythe Broad. The art in the permanent collection ranges from the 1950s to the present and includes works by Cindy Sherman, Andy Warhol, Jeff Koons, and Roy Liechtenstein. Visit before the end of September to see Yayoi Kusama’s Infinity Mirrored Room, an experiential installation that accommodates one visitor at a time in what feels like a room of infinite spots of light. General admission is free and tickets can be reserved in advance.

When: Tuesday – Sunday, hours vary

Where: 221 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012

Located in the heart of downtown, the Last Bookstore has been recognized as one of the most beautiful bookstores in the world. When you enter on the ground floor, it’s easy to see why. Current best sellers, art books, and coffee table books are arranged beneath soaring ceilings. The real treat, however, is the treasure hunt that awaits you on the upper floors. You could easily lose an afternoon exploring the labyrinthine rooms and hallways that house the store’s thousands of used books, which are available for just a dollar. When: Monday – Thursday, 10am – 10pm; Friday – Saturday, 10am -11pm; Sunday, 10am – 9pm Where: 453 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

When: Monday – Thursday, 10am – 10pm; Friday – Saturday, 10am -11pm; Sunday, 10am – 9pm Where: 453 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Where: 453 S. Spring Street, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Thousands of scholars visit the Huntington Library every year to take advantage of its vast collection of rare books and manuscripts, which include one of only 11 known copies of the Gutenberg Bible, a manuscript of Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, and Shakespeare’s First Folio. It would be a shame to visit the Huntington without exploring at least a section of the 120-acre botanical garden, so plan to arrive early to stroll through Rose Garden before it gets too hot. When you’re ready to return to the air conditioning, the Rose Garden Tea Room offers a selection of finger sandwiches and desserts. When: Wednesday – Monday, 10am – 5pm Where: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108

When: Wednesday – Monday, 10am – 5pm Where: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108

Where: 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino, CA 91108

Given the amount of time that Angelenos spend in their cars, it’s not surprising that one of the world’s largest automotive museums makes its home in LA. The Petersen Automotive Museum has over 100 vehicles on display on 3 floors in its newly renovated location on the Miracle Mile. Highlights of the collection include Lightning McQueen from the Pixar Cars movies, James Bond’s Aston Martin from Skyfall, and the Batmobile from Batman Returns. For an extra fee, you can explore the vault that houses the cars not currently on display. When: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm Where: 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

When: Monday – Sunday, 10am – 6pm Where: 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Where: 6060 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

In continuous operation since 1917, the Grand Central Market is LA’s largest and oldest public marketplace. Over the past century, the market has evolved along with the city, and the current vendors reflect the city’s incredible diversity. Today, the Grand Central Market is your one-stop-shop for fresh produce, flowers, coffee, unique spices, and prepared foods from around the world. Madcapra’s falafel is a great bet, and the panang curry at Sticky Rice is some of the best in the city. When: Monday – Sunday, 8am – 10pm Where: 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

When: Monday – Sunday, 8am – 10pm Where: 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Where: 317 S. Broadway, Los Angeles, CA 90013

There are a few Verve Coffee outposts around LA, but the Melrose shop has the added benefit of cold-pressed juices that offer the perfect cool down on a hot summer day. If you’re looking for a caffeine infusion, Verve’s nitro-charged cold brew should do the trick. You’ll also find iced teas and Dr. Kefir’s sparkling probiotic beverages. If you want a little nibble with your drink, you’re in luck. The café menu includes a variety of light breakfast and lunch options like avocado toast, a poached egg biscuit, and a farro beet salad. When: Monday – Sunday, 7am – 8pm Where: 8925 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069

When: Monday – Sunday, 7am – 8pm Where: 8925 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069

Where: 8925 Melrose Avenue, West Hollywood, CA 90069

What better way to beat the heat than with a trip to an ice cream parlor? Milk is a wonderland for ice cream lovers, offering multiple variations on the classic treat. You can create your own ice cream sandwich by choosing 2 fresh-baked cookies and any flavor of ice cream or sorbet. If you’re not feeling particularly inventive, opt for one of Milk’s signature macaron ice cream sandwiches in fun flavors like Thai tea or Fruity Pebbles. Milk shakes, sundaes, and ice cream cakes are also all on the menu. When: Sunday – Thursday, 12pm – 11pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm – 12am Where: 7290 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

When: Sunday – Thursday, 12pm – 11pm; Friday and Saturday, 12pm – 12am Where: 7290 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

Where: 7290 Beverly Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90036

A couple of hours in an air-conditioned movie theater is a solid bet for a hot summer day, and the Vista Theater lets you enjoy a taste of old Hollywood while you stay cool. First opened in 1923, the single screen theater was renovated to show first-release movies while preserving the historic architecture. The Vista originally seated over 800, but new owners removed every other row, so it now boasts the most legroom of any theater in Los Angeles. When: Monday – Sunday, hours vary Where: 4473 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

When: Monday – Sunday, hours vary Where: 4473 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

Where: 4473 Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90027

When the temperatures soar, head to Bowlero after work to enjoy happy hour specials while you bowl a few games. Bowlero captures the retro vibe of a classic bowling alley but brings it into the 21st century with blacklight lanes, wall-size video screens, and free wi-fi. The lane-side menu includes plenty of options to fuel an all-night bowl-a-thon including “oversize shareable” like a two-foot long hotdog and an eight-pound burrito. If you tire of bowling, you can check out the video arcade, play some pool, or get in on some laser tag. When: Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 12am, Friday – Saturday, 11am – 2am Where: 12125 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90066

When: Sunday – Thursday, 11am – 12am, Friday – Saturday, 11am – 2am Where: 12125 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90066

Where: 12125 Venice Boulevard, Los Angeles CA 90066

When even the beach offers no relief from the heat, LA has you covered. Whether you’re craving the cool quiet of a library or museum or are in search of a something a bit more boisterous, you’ll find plenty of indoor fun in the City of Angels.