What to Do Around Wilshire Boulevard

Wilshire Boulevard runs through some of Los Angeles’ best-known cultural, shopping, and dining destinations. Around Miracle Mile, museums sit alongside historic landmarks, open-air shopping, neighborhood parks, and one of LA’s longest-running food destinations.

For residents of Desmond at Wilshire, that means there is plenty to explore nearby without planning a trip across the city. From Museum Row to 3rd and Fairfax, here are some of the neighborhood highlights to know.

Los Angeles County Museum of Art

The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) is one of the defining destinations along Wilshire Boulevard. Its campus brings together art spanning different periods, cultures, and mediums, along with rotating exhibitions, outdoor installations, events, and live programming.

Even outside the galleries, the museum campus has become part of the everyday landscape of Miracle Mile, with public art and outdoor spaces that make it worth visiting more than once.

Location: 5905 Wilshire Boulevard

Best for: Art, exhibitions, and cultural events

Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

Just down Wilshire, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures explores the art, history, technology, and people behind moviemaking.

Its exhibitions look at film from multiple perspectives, while screenings, programs, and rotating installations give visitors reasons to return. For anyone interested in Los Angeles’ relationship with the entertainment industry, it is one of the neighborhood’s most distinctive cultural destinations.

Location: 6067 Wilshire Boulevard

Best for: Film history, exhibitions, and movie fans

Petersen Automotive Museum

Across Wilshire from the Academy Museum, the Petersen Automotive Museum approaches Los Angeles history through another local obsession: the automobile.

The museum features changing automotive exhibitions alongside its larger vehicle collection, covering everything from design and engineering to motorsports and cars connected to popular culture. Visitors looking to go deeper can also explore the museum’s Vault collection.

Location: 6060 Wilshire Boulevard

Best for: Automotive design, history, and pop culture

The Original Farmers Market

A short distance north of Wilshire, the Original Farmers Market has been part of Los Angeles since 1934, when farmers first began selling produce from trucks at the corner of 3rd and Fairfax.

Today, the market brings together restaurants, food counters, specialty grocers, and shops under one roof. The range of cuisines makes it an easy place to visit for lunch, groceries, dessert, or simply to explore one of LA’s long-running neighborhood institutions.

Location: 6333 West 3rd Street

Best for: Casual dining, specialty food, and LA history

The Grove

Next to the Original Farmers Market, The Grove combines outdoor shopping, dining, and entertainment in one destination.

Its mix includes national and luxury retailers, restaurants, cafés, and an AMC movie theater, making it easy to combine several activities in one trip. The Grove also hosts seasonal events and pop-ups throughout the year.

Location: 189 The Grove Drive

Best for: Shopping, dining, movies, and an afternoon out

Pan Pacific Park

For time outdoors, Pan Pacific Park provides a large green space just beyond The Grove and Original Farmers Market.

The park includes a jogging path, sports fields, basketball courts, picnic areas, playgrounds, and outdoor fitness equipment. It offers a useful change of pace from the museums, stores, and restaurants that define much of the surrounding neighborhood.

Location: 7600 Beverly Boulevard

Best for: Walking, running, recreation, and time outdoors

Exploring Miracle Mile and the Wilshire Corridor

One of the advantages of the Miracle Mile area is how many different kinds of destinations are concentrated around Wilshire Boulevard.

Museum Row provides several major cultural institutions within the same stretch of Wilshire, while 3rd and Fairfax adds shopping, food, entertainment, and outdoor space. That makes it possible to spend a morning at a museum, stop for lunch at the Farmers Market, browse The Grove, or head to Pan Pacific Park without leaving the surrounding area.

For residents of Desmond at Wilshire, these destinations are part of a neighborhood that combines Los Angeles history with everyday access to culture, dining, shopping, and recreation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do near Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles?

Around Miracle Mile, popular destinations include LACMA, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, the Petersen Automotive Museum, the Original Farmers Market, The Grove, and Pan Pacific Park.

What museums are near Wilshire Boulevard?

Miracle Mile’s Museum Row includes LACMA, the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, and the Petersen Automotive Museum, all located along Wilshire Boulevard.

What is there to do near The Grove in Los Angeles?

The Original Farmers Market sits directly next to The Grove, while nearby Pan Pacific Park offers walking paths, recreation, and green space.

Where can I shop and eat near Miracle Mile?

The Grove offers shopping and restaurants, while the adjacent Original Farmers Market has a broad collection of food vendors, restaurants, specialty grocers, and shops.

Is Miracle Mile accessible by Metro?

Yes. Metro’s D Line now serves the Miracle Mile area through the Wilshire/La Brea, Wilshire/Fairfax, and Wilshire/La Cienega stations.