There are lots of fun things to do for free when visiting Los Angeles. You could explore Griffith Park, for example, or visit the colorful the Santa Monica Pier. But if you’re a fan of the small screen, you may excited to know that tickets to TV tapings are free, and you might even say that a visit to L.A. isn’t complete without attending at least one taping.
Many of the sitcoms that film in Los Angeles only tape from July to April, but many talk shows and game shows tape year-round (with a break during August). There are many ways to get tickets to tapings of your favorite shows. One of them is to simply visit popular tourist attractions (like the Hollywood Walk of Fame and Grauman’s Chinese Theater and wait to be approached by someone who is handing out tickets (usually for a taping later that same day). And don’t worry, you will be approached.
But if you’re a planner, you can get tickets online in advance. There are several reputable websites for buying tickets, including:
If you want to see a celeb while in L.A., this is a surefire way to accomplish that goal! Note that many studios are not in the heart of the city, so you may need a car to get to the tapings (the exception is CBS, which is very convenient to the Sofitel Los Angeles hotel and all West Hollywood hotels). Insider tip: If you want to see Jay Leno’s show tape in Burbank, there’s a waitlist so you’ll need to plan ahead. But whichever show you choose, you’ll get a kick out of the experience.
–Lesley Bracker
[Photo credit: Sarah_Ackerman/Flickr]
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