A molten blend of steel, music and psychedelic architecture, the iconic Walt Disney Concert Hall (musiccenter.org) is the home base of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, but also hosts contemporary acts and jazz performances. The 2003 concert hall's star architect, Frank Gehry, played every note to the hilt to produce a gravity-defying sculpture of heaving and billowing stainless steel.
In contrast, the 2265-seat auditorium feels like the inside of a finely crafted cello, clad in walls of smooth Douglas fir with terraced "vineyard" seating wrapped around a central stage. Even seats below the giant pipe organ offer excellent sight lines. Free, one-hour audio guides are available from the grand lobby (bring photo ID), though the best way to experience the hall (and admire the auditorium itself) is to catch a concert by the LA Philharmonic (laphil.org).
