Things to Do in Los Angeles Besides Escape Rooms
Los Angeles has one of the biggest escape room scenes in the country, but a city this size has plenty of other ways to spend an active afternoon or evening with friends. Whether you already booked a room and want to fill the rest of the day, or you are simply looking for something different this time, here is a rundown of the best alternatives to escape rooms in LA, including a sport that is quickly becoming one of the city's favorite new obsessions.
Padel
If you have not tried padel yet, Los Angeles is a good place to start. The sport is a mix of tennis and squash, played in doubles on an enclosed court with glass and mesh walls, which means the ball stays in play even after bouncing off a wall. That single feature makes padel far more forgiving for beginners than tennis, and most first-timers pick up the basic rules and strokes within a single session. LA has seen a wave of new padel clubs open over the past couple of years, from dedicated padel centers to tennis clubs that added a court or two, so it is now easy to find a spot close to almost any neighborhood. Because matches are always doubles, padel works particularly well for a group of exactly four friends looking for something more active than an escape room but less intense than a full workout, and larger groups can simply book two padel courts side by side and run a friendly mini tournament.
Indoor Trampoline Parks
Trampoline parks are an easy pick for groups that want to burn energy without any prior skill. Most LA locations combine open-jump areas with dodgeball courts, foam pits, and ninja-style obstacle courses, so there is enough variety to keep a group entertained for a couple of hours. It is a solid option for mixed groups with different fitness levels, since jumping is low-impact and easy to pace yourself.
Axe Throwing
Axe throwing venues have expanded across LA in recent years, and the format is close to escape rooms in one important way: it is instructor-led, low-stakes, and works well for groups who have never tried it before. Coaches walk new throwers through grip and stance before anyone picks up an axe, and most venues run informal leaderboards, which adds a light competitive edge without requiring any real skill going in.
Bowling
A classic for a reason. LA has both retro-style bowling alleys and newer bowling lounges with better food, cocktails, and lighting than you might expect. Bowling is easy to combine with dinner and drinks afterward, requires zero preparation, and works for almost any group size, which makes it one of the most flexible options on this list.
Mini Golf
Several LA mini golf courses have leaned into elaborate theming, glow-in-the-dark holes, or rooftop views, turning what used to be a simple activity into something closer to an attraction in its own right. It is a low-pressure choice if your group includes people who are not looking for anything physically demanding, and a round rarely takes more than an hour.
Laser Tag
Laser tag arenas around LA range from small indoor mazes to larger multi-level arenas with fog effects and blacklight design. It suits bigger groups best, ideally eight or more, since teams need enough players to make the games feel competitive. Expect a moderate amount of movement, crouching, and ducking behind obstacles, so it is a good middle ground between something purely mental like an escape room and something fully physical like a sport.
Go-Karting
Outdoor and indoor go-kart tracks around LA offer a quick adrenaline fix, usually in sessions of ten to twenty minutes per race. It is one of the easiest activities to turn into friendly competition, since most tracks post lap times, and groups can run several heats back to back to crown an overall winner.
Rock Climbing Gyms
Indoor climbing gyms are a good pick if your group wants something physically challenging but still approachable for beginners. Staff typically run a short safety orientation before your first climb, and bouldering areas do not require ropes or a partner, so people can climb at their own pace while still hanging out together as a group.
Arcade Bars
LA's arcade bar scene has grown well beyond nostalgia cabinets, with several venues now mixing classic games, pinball, and skee-ball with a full bar and food menu. It is one of the most low-commitment options on this list, since there is no booking window or instructor, and groups can drift between games at their own pace while catching up over drinks.
Escape Room Alternatives Rated by Group Size
Choosing between these options often comes down to how many people you are bringing and how much energy the group wants to burn.
- Small groups of two to four. Padel is a strong match here, since the sport is built around doubles play, and a round of mini golf or bowling works just as well if the group prefers something lower-key.
- Medium groups of five to eight. Laser tag, axe throwing, and go-karting all scale nicely to this size, and trampoline parks give everyone enough room to spread out.
- Large groups of ten or more. Laser tag arenas and trampoline parks are usually built to handle bigger crowds, and padel clubs with multiple courts can accommodate several foursomes running matches at the same time.
- If your group wants high energy. Go-karting, laser tag, and padel all deliver a noticeable adrenaline spike, especially once the competitive side kicks in.
- If your group wants something more relaxed. Mini golf and bowling keep the pace comfortable while still giving everyone something to do together.
Planning Tips for Combining Activities
Book ahead for weekend evenings. Popular padel courts, axe throwing venues, and escape rooms all fill up fast on Friday and Saturday nights, sometimes a week or more in advance.
Pair a physical activity with something calmer. An escape room in the afternoon followed by bowling or mini golf in the evening, or padel followed by a laid-back dinner, tends to work better than stacking two high-energy activities back to back.
Check age and group size requirements. Some laser tag arenas and axe throwing venues set minimum ages or require a certain number of players per session, so it is worth confirming before you show up with the full group.
Leave buffer time between bookings. LA traffic can turn a short drive into a much longer one, so building in extra time between an escape room and your next activity avoids a rushed transition.
Compare current listings before booking. Prices, opening hours, and group discounts can vary a lot between neighborhoods in LA, so checking an up-to-date directory before you commit saves both time and money.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the easiest alternative to an escape room for a first-time group
Bowling and mini golf require no instruction and almost no physical effort, which makes them the safest choice if you are not sure what your group will enjoy. Padel is nearly as approachable, since the enclosed court keeps rallies going and beginners usually feel comfortable within their first few rounds.
Do I need experience to try padel
No previous racket sports experience is needed. The scoring system is similar to tennis, but the smaller court and wall rebounds make rallies easier to sustain even for complete beginners, and most clubs rent paddles on site.
How long do these activities usually take
Padel matches typically run about an hour per court booking, laser tag and axe throwing sessions usually last around an hour including instructions, go-kart races run fifteen to twenty minutes per heat, and mini golf rounds rarely take longer than an hour.
What is a good combination with an escape room for a full day out
A common pattern is an escape room earlier in the day followed by something more physical in the evening, such as padel, bowling, or laser tag, so the group gets both a mental challenge and an active outing without either one feeling rushed.
Where can I find current prices and availability for these activities
The most reliable way is to check an updated local directory, since prices, hours, and group booking options change often across LA venues and can vary significantly between neighborhoods.