5 Walkable Destinations while at the TCM Film Festival
People always ask me what else there is to do around Hollywood when they are visiting - and today I’m answering! If you’re coming in for the Turner Classic Movie Film Festival this April (or really any other time), here are five of my favorite things to do that you can walk to from the festival venues (central to Hollywood and Highland area).
Visit the Larry Edmunds Bookshop- In Hollywood since 1938, this bookshop has ALL things classic Hollywood - and even modern Hollywood now, what with the signed books, events they do, etc. There are biographies, film history books, Los Angeles history books, vintage movie magazines, posters, lobby cards - skip the fake Oscars and get yourself a real Hollywood souvenir!
Have a cocktail on the roof of the trendy Mama Shelter Hotel - formerly the Wilcox Hotel, which Ava Gardner called home for a few months during her early Hollywood career. It’s a SCENE so going during off-hours is best, but the view of the Hollywood sign (and the rest of Hollywood) from the rooftop is worth it. As are the Boujee Fries.
Explore the Hollywood Museum - formerly the Max Factor building, where the Hollywood stars got ready for their closeup! The first floor is devoted to the history of Hollywood and Max Factor, (including the famous blonde, brunette, brownette, and redhead rooms). The basement is a creepy series of sets from horror movies and TV shows, and the two upper floors contain vintage and modern Hollywood memorabilia - there’s a great number of Jean Harlow items currently on display.
Enjoy a yummy Italian dish from Hollywood’s oldest Italian restaurant, Miceli’s. Miceli’s opened in 1949, the same year Hollywood’s ill-fated Pig ‘N Whistle was closing (for the first time) and bought up all of the old Pig ‘N Whistle booths. So when you visit, be sure to keep an eye out for dancing pigs playing whistles carved into the back of the booths!
Take the Old Hollywood Walking Tour - I’m biased! But I firmly believe that a Walking Tour of Hollywood gives you a unique perspective on this little corner of Hollywood - it’s full of hidden gems and stories of how early Hollywood went from a tiny rural farmland to the center of film, fame, and fortune in the early days of the industry. I’d love for you to join me April 12th! (or other days by appointment)
Honestly any of these are really fun things to do to take in Hollywood while you’re here. There’s lots more as well, (Musso & Frank and the TCL Chinese Theatre Forecourt were my honorable mentions for this list). Have a great time, and I hope to see you while you’re here!
