The sixth busiest airport in the world is LAX, also known as the Los Angeles International Airport. LAX features 9 terminals and 132 gates arranged in the shape of a horseshoe! You may simply travel between terminals by taking the terminal shuttle, which operates every 10 minutes and is marked with the blue ‘LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections’ sign.

There are walkways and tunnels connecting Terminals 1 through 8, as well as the Tom Bradley International Terminal, if you choose to stroll. Here are our top suggestions as there are plenty of fantastic things to do at LAX to make the most of your time –

Eat Your Way Through LAX Layover

LAX has it all, from premium international to true local. In fact, LAX has so many fantastic restaurants that we’ve decided to organize them by terminal. Here’s how to survive your long layover on food!

At Terminal 1

A fascinating selection of tacos are served up by Trejos Tacos using unusual ingredients like kale, broccoli, pork belly and asparagus.

• There are also bowls, burritos, and quesadillas available as options. At Cassell’s, you may find more conventional fare like cheeseburgers and patty melts.
• There is also an Urban Market Grab & Go that serves up healthy sandwiches, salads, parfaits, and quick caffeine fixes.

At Terminal 2

Try the amazing Clobster grilled cheddar wrap (it features oysters, and shrimp, in a luscious mint pesto! ), crayfish pancakes, or eggs-and-chips at the seafood Slapfish Modern Seafood Shack. Alternatively – 

• At Built Custom Burgers, you can customize your own burger.  You can select from a variety of meat, turkey, and vegetable selections.
• Pick Up Stix serves cheap Asian comfort food like rivets and egg rolls.

At Terminal 3

At the Delta Terminal LAX (terminal 3), there’s Shake Shack; the fast-food chain serves burgers, fries, and shakes. Add to that –

•  The Earthbar will be your healthy dose if you’re concerned about gaining weight while traveling.
• Try their fruit smoothies, vegan wraps, and gluten-free sandwiches.
• The California-based chain Wahoo’s Fish Taco serves Mexican-style fish tacos and other seafood dishes.

At Terminal 4

For fatty wraps, subs, chocolate-chip treats and homemade orange juice, visit Homeboy Café. Alternatively,

• At Cole’s, indulge in the renowned French dip panini, hot garlic fries, or even spicier Atomic Pickles.
• Visit Campanile, the famed La Brea restaurant by chef Mark Peel’s LAX location, for a somewhat more upmarket experience.
• Real cuisine Daily has tofu, vegetables, and organic menu options if you’d like to stay away from greasy, sugary cuisine.

At Terminal 5

Also known as Jetblue Terminal at LAX, you can’t go wrong with the huge selection of hard cheese and sausages at the Monsieur Marcel Gourmet Market & Bistro if you feel like trying French cuisine during your layover at LAX. On the other hand –

• Farmers Market to Go, a food court featuring a kombucha bar, is also located in Terminal 5.
• You can buy breakfast pizza with sunny-side-up eggs at Ford’s Filling Station.
• Salads, sandwiches, and poke bowls are just a few of the Southern California comfort foods served at Lemonade.
• Even the traveling dogs can get treats from The Dog Bakery!

At Terminal 6

Steak and eggs are available all day long at Fabio Vivani’s Osteria. Flatbreads, pizza, and specialty beverages are available at Point the Way Café, which provides a relaxed dining experience.

At Terminal 7

If you’re in the mood for steak, go over to the B Grill by BOA Steakhouse. And, 

• Avocado toast and Intelligentsia coffee are available at Ashland Hill.
• Tasty Mexican food is served at Loteria Grill, including burritos, enchiladas, and tacos.
• Custom-made pizzas, salads and sandwiches are available at The Marketplace by Wolfgang Puck.

At Terminal 8

The menu at Engine Co. No. 28 features a variety of traditional American fare, including sandwiches, steaks, vegan curry, and caesar salads.

On your layover at LAX Airport, you can savor dishes from the Corona Bar and Grill’s extensive menu that are gluten-free, and a haven for vegans.

Take a Tour of Hollywood 

LAX is about 12 miles from Hollywood, where you can take a tour of the famous studios and walk along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and is one of the perfect things to do around LAX.

You can either take the $8 one-way FlyAway bus service, which drops you off just one block south of Hollywood Boulevard. You can also take a taxi or ride-sharing service and spend several hours taking in the sights, such as the TCL Chinese Theatre and the star-studded Walk of Fame.

Enjoy the Retail Therapy

Given Los Angeles’ reputation as a shopping hub, the LAX airport is a joy for shoppers. The businesses on Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills actually served as inspiration for the Great Hall of the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

While you have a connection, this is one of the best things to do at LAX on a long layover including –

• M. Fredric – This iconic Los Angeles store has a location in Terminal 6 at LAX. Known for its trendy clothing and accessories, Fred Segal offers a selection of designer brands such as Gucci, Saint Laurent, and Givenchy.

• Fred Segal – This uppity store has roots in modern Hollywood society, is the face of LA’s laid-back-chic vibe. A pioneer in the designer denim industry, Fred Segal offers the best in carefully picked products, from casual separates to current trends with a cool, eclectic atmosphere.

• DFS Duty Free – DFS Duty Free has several locations throughout LAX, including in Tom Bradley International Terminal. This high-end retailer offers a wide variety of luxury brands such as Chanel, Dior, and Prada, as well as a selection of high-quality liquor, tobacco, and fragrance products at tax-waiver fares.

• Spanx– Located in Terminal 2, Hugo Boss offers a range of high-quality clothing and accessories for men and women. The store features a selection of sleek and sophisticated suits, casual wear, hosiery and accessories such as watches and leather goods.

• New Beauty– Located in Tom Bradley International Terminal (West Gates), Kitson is a popular destination for celebrity-style fashion and accessories. The store offers a range of trendy clothing, jewelry, and gift items, as well as a selection of books and magazines.

• Michael Kors – Located in Tom Bradley International Terminal, Michael Kors offers a selection of luxury accessories and clothing for men and women. The store features a range of watches, handbags, and shoes, as well as a selection of fragrances and jewelry.

• Market 8600 – This cutting-edge, Los Angeles-based shopping destination is based at Terminal 6 and is a go-to for travel needs and trusted brands to help make any flight as comfortable as possible. Personal protective equipment (PPE) and safety items, such as hand sanitizer, gloves, and face masks, are available here.

Partake in Spa Therapy

Xpress Spa is a popular spa therapy provider with multiple locations throughout LAX airport. They offer a variety of services, including massages, facials, and nail treatments. Call them at Phone 310-846-0098.

Be Relax is another spa therapy provider with multiple locations at LAX airport. They offer a range of services, including massages, facials, and reflexology. You can either book a service in advance online or walk-in.

This is one of the excellent things to do in LAX during your layover. You’ll also appear revitalized after a long day of travel!

Relax in a Lounge

What to do in LAX during a long layover? There are more than a dozen lounges at the LAX Airport. Yes, a few of them do have entry restrictions. Though some lounges charge a fee, they open their doors to travelers, regardless of the classes they have opted for.

• You can just offer to pay upfront, try to buy a ticket online, or even enroll in a lounge membership programme like Priority Pass.
• Once you’ve arrived, enjoy your stopover at LAX unwinding in a less noisy environment!

If you have access to an airport lounge, you can relax in a comfortable chair, enjoy some snacks, and catch up on work or watch TV, and is one of the perfect things to do at LAX airport.

Explore the Arts

The LAX Airport is home to a sizable collection of remarkable works of art. Art aficionados can take in stunning paintings and sculptures housed in Terminals 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, and the Tom Bradley International Terminal.

There is always something fresh to see here because the art exhibits are constantly changing. The presence of the FlightPath Museum here will delight aviation enthusiasts. You can take a guided tour and learn about the history of aviation. Additionally, the airport offers live performances and entertainment to amuse visitors while they wait at LAX.

Visit the Beach

You’ll feel fortunate to learn that the Los Angeles International Airport is close to Dockweiler beach, a fairly long stretch of sand . It actually takes 10 minutes to walk to reach this place, once you exit the LAX. 

This is most likely one of the best things to do near LAX if you have less than four hours and are itching for some beach time. Make sure you arrange for a cab or car service to pick you up at the beach in time to travel back to the airport.

If you have time, take a cab to Venice or Santa Monica Beach. You may also drive down to Manhattan Beach, the closest beach that also includes marketplaces and restaurants. 

Enjoy the City’s Hop-On Tour

During your stopover, you may breathe ‘the city of angels’ by taking the Starline Hop-On, Hop-Off tour. It features three routes and over 50 trips, one of which stops at the Concourse Hotel near LAX.

You can get on and off at Marina del Rey, Venice, and Santa Monica if you have four hours or more during the day.

Take an additional loop over to Hollywood if you have the entire day. If you stay on the bus, the duration of each looped guided trip is roughly two hours.

LA City trips provide exclusive bus trips for LAX passengers. The layover trips feature a tour of Los Angeles in addition to celebrity residences and beaches. Pickup takes place at the departure level of the LAX terminal.

Final Words

A layover at LAX airport can be more than just a tedious wait between flights. There are numerous things to do in LAX during layover that can make your layover a memorable experience. From visiting museums and galleries to indulging in some retail therapy or enjoying a delicious meal, there is something for everyone. 

With proper planning, you can make the most of your layover and transform it into a mini-vacation. So, the next time you find yourself with a layover at LAX, consider stepping out of the airport and discovering some of the fantastic things the city has to offer.

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Also read our latest Blog: 10 Best Things To Do on a Layover At JFK

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