LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 1, 2016: Grauman's Chinese Theater on Hollywood Boulevard. The theater has hosted numerous premieres and events since it opened in 1927.; Shutterstock ID 384869545; Your name (First / Last): Josh Vogel; GL account no.: 65050; Netsuite department name: Online Design; Full Product or Project name including edition: 65050/Online Design/Josh Vogel/POIs

Shutterstock / Sean Pavone

TCL Chinese Theatre

Top choice


Ever wondered what it’s like to be in George Clooney’s shoes? Find his foot- and handprints alongside dozens of other stars', forever set in the concrete forecourt of this world-famous movie palace, opened in 1927 and styled after an exotic pagoda complete with temple bells and stone heaven dogs from China. Join the throngs to find out how big Arnold’s feet really are, or search for Betty Grable’s legs, Whoopi Goldberg’s braids, Daniel Radcliffe's wand or R2-D2's wheels.

It began as Grauman's Chinese Theatre (the original owner is the Sid referred to next to some imprints) and has shown movies since Cecil B DeMille’s The King of Kings first flickered across the screen in 1927. Since 2013, it's been named, appropriately enough, for Chinese electronics maker TCL.

To see inside, buy a movie ticket or join a half-hour guided tour (adult/senior/child $14/10/8) offered throughout the day (purchase online for best choice of times).


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Hollywood Walk of Fame

0.03 MILES

Big Bird, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe and Aretha Franklin are among the more than 2600 stars of big and small screens and the music industry being sought out…

2. Madame Tussaud’s

0.03 MILES

The better of Hollywood's two wax museums, this is the place to take selfies with motionless movie stars (Salma Hayek, Tom Hanks and Patrick Swayze), old…

3. Dolby Theatre

0.04 MILES

The Academy Awards are handed out at the Dolby Theatre, which has also hosted the American Idol finale, the Excellence in Sports Performance Yearly (ESPY)…

4. El Capitan Theatre

0.05 MILES

Spanish Colonial meets East Indian at the flamboyant El Capitan movie palace, built for live performances in 1926 and now run by Disney. The first flick…

5. Ripley’s Believe It or Not!

0.15 MILES

Life’s pretty strange and it’ll feel stranger still after you’ve visited Ripley’s, where exhibits range from the gross to the grotesque. If shrunken heads…

6. Hollywood Museum

0.16 MILES

For a taste of Old Hollywood, do not miss this musty temple to the stars, its four floors crammed with movie and TV costumes and props. The museum is…

7. Guinness World Records Museum

0.18 MILES

You know the drill: the Guinness is all about the fastest, tallest, biggest, fattest and other superlatives. Frankly it's an underwhelming tourist trap…

8. Hollywood Wax Museum

0.18 MILES

Starved for celeb sightings? Don’t fret: at this museum Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and other red-carpet royalty will stand still – very still – for your…