Seven things to do and see in Long Beach as IndyCar visits Southern California
Long Beach is just outside of Los Angeles but has many of its own waterfront sites to offer travellers.
As one of the longest continuously running events in IndyCar racing, the track holds so much history as a city track.
Here, Travel News Blitz explores seven things to do and see in Long Beach.
RMS Queen Mary
The Queen Mary’s construction began in 1930 in Clydebank, Scotland with the Great Depression stalling construction on the ship for several years until its maiden voyage in 1936, departing from Southampton, England to New York (retiring in 1967 as an active liner).
The 80,000-ton boat, which is permanently docked in Long Beach, with its 12 decks offers exquisite dining, fascinating tours (including ghost tours) and live music in the glamorous Observation Bar (you can also stay on the boat in nautical rooms and suites in an art deco style).
The Aquarium of the Pacific
As the largest aquarium in Southern California, they are home to over 11,000 animals across 500 different species, with over 100 exhibits and 19 unique habitats in a stunning building inspired by the fluid motion of the Pacific waves.
Outside, there is an expansive Shark Lagoon with shark-touching pools and the Lorikeet Forest, a 5,400-square-foot aviary showing that there are a variety of ways to enjoy the animals native to the Golden State.
Shoreline Village
This area of Long Beach is notable for its coastal buildings with red curved roofs on the waterfront which hosts quirky shops, souvenir stores and restaurants (American, Mexican and Irish cuisine).
Shoreline Village features a carousel and fun zone for kids, live entertainment, a boardwalk (where you can put a lock on a bridge to leave your mark) and mesmerising sunsets to wind your day down after the excitement of visiting these sites.
READ MORE: Seven things to do and see in Bahrain as Formula 1 races at night
Watch the Grand Prix of Long Beach
The 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary street circuit runs down the scenic Shoreline Drive, offering numerous overtaking opportunities on April 13 for the 27 IndyCar drivers racing in 2025 (the track has been the first wins for several drivers such as Michael Andretti, Juan Pablo Montoya, Takuma Sato and Kyle Kirkwood).
The track encircles the Long Beach Convention Center, which houses racing simulators for a tournament for fans, autograph sessions with the drivers and numerous displays during the race weekend (such as the history of the track and motorsport, historic cars, 50th-anniversary celebrations of the track, shops and green technology exhibits).
Long Beach Museum of Art
Located high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, this museum features the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson (an American philanthropist and advocate for public health and women's education) summer home and carriage house, which were both built in 1912
Besides the museum, there are also magnificent gardens, a permanent collection of European and California art and a two-story gallery with changing exhibitions such as Illuminating Decades of California Women Artists.
Laugh Factory
Laugh Factory Long Beach comedy club and museum hosts top comedians performing from all over the world in an approximately 500-seat venue, if you want to sit down and enjoy some comedy.
Top comedians who have performed at this venue include Paul Rodriguez, Dane Cook, Tiffany Hadish and many more, with an average set having four to five people who perform most nights, with other more popular comedians hosting the whole night.
Walter Pyramid
If you’re looking to explore sports in California, the Walter Pyramid is the home of Long Beach State basketball and volleyball with its iconic blue exterior that rises 18 stories above the north campus of the university and can be seen for miles.
The Walter Pyramid is one of four true pyramids in the United States with its most unique feature being its cantilevered seating system mounted on moveable platforms meaning each 81-ton seating platform can be raised hydraulically to expose over 39,000 square feet of beechwood flooring.
Summary
In Long Beach, there are many things to do along the ocean lined with palm trees, from relaxing, walking and shopping to contrast with the more exciting and active atmosphere surrounding the Grand Prix of Long Beach.
Don’t forget to pack your hat, sunglasses and sunscreen with temperatures ranging from 11°C to 23°C in April, with its hot semi-arid climate making it cooler than Los Angeles with the ocean breeze, little rain and sunshine.
READ NEXT: Seven things to do and see in Suzuka as Formula 1 visits this iconic race track
