What is there to do in and around LAX airport?

I have a long layover

There is an awesome restaurant in the middle of LAX called "The Encounter". It looks like a UFO and the inside is all pycadelic. It has great views of the area, great food, and great ambiance! check it out here: http://www.encounterlax.com/ . Good luck!

There really isn't a ton to do right around the airport, but there are a few possibilities. A previous answerer mentioned Encounter Restaurant, which is a good choice. You'd probably recognize it if you saw it since it is a popular icon of Los Angeles.

Otherwise, if you have enough time to leave the airport, you could go to Dockweiler beach, which is right next to the airport. Part of the beach is right at the end of the runway and you can watch 747's zoom overhead and set off all the car alarms in the parking lot. The only problem is you'd have to take a taxi to get there, and I'm not sure how you'd get back. Okay, so maybe that's not such a great idea.

My final suggestion is the Promenade at Howard Hughes Center. It's a shopping center about 2 miles from the airport (again, you'll need to take a taxi). They have a starbucks, a Nordstrom Rack, a Borders Books, and if you have enough time, a movie theater. Again, you'd have to be careful about getting back to the airport in time. Sorry, I guess most airports are pretty boring places.

nothin.

check out colorado

there's a strip club right outside of the airport- if your into that kinda thing.

otherwise, i dont know.

It's LA, people watch. it's like watching tv.

There is a nice restaurant inside LAX.

Honestly, not too much. LAX is one of the more boring airports I have been in. I had to check out of my hotel at 11 AM-noon time, and by the time I arrived at LAX, I had to wait about 4-4 1/2 hours before finally boarding my departure flight. Maybe it was just the terminal I was in (Southwest Airlines), who knows. I'm also interested in seeing the answers on this topic as I plan on return to LA this September.

Depending how long the layover is.....you can take a cab to the Marina (Marina Del Rey) and spend the day walking around and having lunch at the Cheescake Factory on the beach or getting some excercise by going to Venice Beach -- you can rent bikes in the marina and take the bike path along the beach...as far up as Santa Monica or down to Manhattan beach the other direction. Lots to see and do along the way depending if during the day or not?