Looking for nerdy things to do in Los Angeles? This is your one-stop shop. Once you’ve hit all the expected tourist traps, appease the fandom gods by worshipping at one of these nerdy places in LA.
Shop at the Most Nerdtastic Store You’ll Ever Visit
Designed to look like a British storefront alley, like its namesake Diagon Alley, Whimsic Alley is the ultimate shopping destination for all of your fandom related purchases. They carry geeky goods from fandoms like Harry Potter, Doctor Who, Supernatural, Game of Thrones, and more. They even have a Great Hall where they hold special events like the annual Harry Potter themed Yule Ball!
Visit the Gilmore Girls, Pretty Little Liars, and Friends Sets on the Warner Bros. Studio Tour
If you’re a fan of some of Warner Bros. most popular properties, book a tour at the Warner Bros. Studio. You can visit the Friends stage and take pictures and drink coffee at an exact replica of Central Perk. You can also catch a glimpse of the famous Stars Hollow gazebo and Luke’s Diner from Gilmore Girls, as well as exterior filming locations for Pretty Little Liars. In addition to seeing the sets of some of your favorite shows, you can also admire some of the props and costumes from Harry Potter, Wonder Woman, Batman, and more!
Visit the Bar That Doubled as Fangtasia in True Blood
Alex’s Bar is a must for all True Blood fans. HBO used this punk rock dive bar for the first two seasons of the fantasy horror seasons until they built their own version of the bar. The bar itself was a beloved venue before it was featured as the vampire bar in True Blood with weekly events like geek trivia, karaoke nights, and live cover bands. Enjoy a drink (if you’re over 21) while you take in the fangtastic vampiric atmosphere.
Watch Old and New Classic Films Under the Stars in the Hollywood Forever Cemetery
Spend your next Saturday night watching your favorite film at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Presented by Cinespia, these unique screenings take place nearly every weekend. The featured films include indie favorites, cult classics, horror staples, and more. Some of their former screenings include Clueless, Sixteen Candles, Death Becomes Her, 2001: A Space Odyssey, The Shining, and lots and lots of Hitchcock. Bring a blanket and enjoy some beer or wine while you watch the sun set in the horizon and the latest curated classic light up the movie screen.
Have a Nerdy Themed Cocktail while You Play Classic Arcade Games
I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: the world needs more barcades. Eighty Two is a video game themed bar near Little Tokyo that has a ton of classic and new arcade games. You can play the beloved X-Men sidescroller with three other fellow nerds as you sip on your video game themed cocktails, like a Princess Peach, Power Up, or nOOb. Once you’re sufficiently buzzed and out of quarters, go to outside and gawk at the gorgeous Street Fighter mural in the bar’s parking lot.
Reenact Your Favorite Star Trek Scenes at Vasquez Rocks
Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park is a park located in Los Angeles County. The striking rock outcroppings have been the backdrop for a number of films, but it’s best known for its multiple appearances in Star Trek: The Original Series. It first appeared in the episode “Arena,” serving as the setting for a fight between the lizard alien Gorn and Captain Kirk. It was used multiple times after that and was even used as the planet Vulcan in the 2009 Star Trek film.
Revisit the World of Blade Runner
If you’re a fan of Blade Runner, visit some of the historic locales featured in the 1982 sci-fi classic. You can walk through Union Station, the main metro station in Los Angeles, which was used as the police station in the film. You can also make a stop at the Bradbury Building, one of the oldest buildings in Los Angeles. This magnificent building was featured in the climax of Blade Runner and also appeared in films like The Artist, 500 Days of Summer, and more. With its iron stair-railings, marble flooring, and breathtaking skylight, the Bradbury building is truly a place out of time and well worth a visit!
Go to Hogsmeade and Drink Some Butterbeer
So this one is obvious, but the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios is definite must-do for Potterheads who can’t make it out to the Wizarding World out in Florida. You can get yourself a blended butterbeer, buy all the chocolate frogs you want, pick out a new wand, and enjoy a hearty meal at the Three Broomsticks. If you’re in Los Angeles during the winter, you’ll be treated to Hogwarts during winter time! Around the winter holidays, the Wizarding World transforms. Snow covers the rooftops, decorations grace the storefronts, and the restaurants serve holiday themed food!
If you have a favorite geeky spot in LA, let us know in the comments or @PureFandom on Twitter!
(Image: World Traveled Family)
