Looking for the best things to do in Long Beach? This diverse coastal city south of LA offers a walkable waterfront, a top aquarium, and charming beach neighborhoods. Locals point to the Aquarium of the Pacific, the historic Queen Mary, the shops and dining of Belmont Shore’s 2nd Street, and the canals of Naples Island.
Things to do in Long Beach
The Waterfront
The Aquarium of the Pacific, Rainbow Harbor, Shoreline Village, and the permanently docked Queen Mary ocean liner.
Belmont Shore & 2nd Street
Long Beach’s beloved shopping-and-dining strip, steps from the beach and the pier.
Naples Island
Canals, waterfront homes, and gondola rides — a surprising slice of Venice in Southern California.
Arts & Nature
The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), the East Village Arts District, and the El Dorado Nature Center.
Things to do in Long Beach at night
Downtown’s Pine Avenue and the East Village lead for bars and dining, with 2nd Street in Belmont Shore and waterfront spots rounding out the evening.
Free things to do in Long Beach
- The beach and the waterfront bike path
- Strolling Belmont Shore and Naples
- Shoreline Village and the harbor
What Long Beach locals actually recommend
The best 2nd Street spots, the quiet beach corners, what’s on downtown — that comes from people who live here. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Long Beach community, real neighbors answer “what should I actually do this weekend?” Join your Long Beach neighbors free →
Fitting it into a day in Long Beach
The best days here mix the well-known spots with the places only locals frequent. What sets Long Beach apart is how close everything sits together. Start near Belmont Shore, work in one of the spots from this guide, and you are minutes from Bluff Park if you want to keep going. Locals often round out a full day out with a detour to the El Dorado Nature Center or a quieter stop at the Naples canals. Because the distances are short, you can improvise as you go rather than lock the whole day down in advance.
More Long Beach guides
Long Beach rewards people who dig a little deeper. These related guides map the same neighborhoods from different starting points: Free things to do in Long Beach, Best restaurants in Long Beach, undefined Long Beach — enough to plan a whole day or two.
Get a local’s take
Guides are a starting point; the current, on-the-ground details come from people who live in Long Beach. Hours shift, favorites change, and residents always know what is genuinely worth it now. Ask Long Beach neighbors directly or join your town community free to hear from real locals.
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Long Beach?
Visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, tour the Queen Mary, shop and dine on Belmont Shore’s 2nd Street, take a gondola ride through the Naples Island canals, and enjoy the beach and waterfront.
What is Long Beach known for?
Its waterfront and the Aquarium of the Pacific, the historic Queen Mary, the Naples Island canals, and diverse, walkable beach neighborhoods like Belmont Shore.
What are free things to do in Long Beach?
The beach and waterfront bike path, strolling Belmont Shore and Naples, and Shoreline Village are all free.
Is Long Beach worth visiting?
Yes — for the aquarium, the Queen Mary, the beach neighborhoods and the Naples canals, it’s one of the most enjoyable coastal cities in the LA area.