The Warner Brothers' "VIP Tour" takes visitors on a 3-hour jaunt around the world's busiest movie and TV studio. After a brief introductory film about the history of WB, groups of 12 pile into stretch golf carts for an intimate view of the inner workings of a motion picture and television studio: backlot streets (like the Music Man towns square and the village from Pretty Little Liars), soundstages, a furnishings warehouse. Because nothing is scripted, there's no telling what or who you might encounter—you'll almost certainly whiz by a star or two—and no two tours are the same since you usually aren't allowed to venture where filming is going on. The tour unfortunately has been dumbed down in recent years to hammer blockbuster franchises like Batman and Harry Potter (which wasn't even filmed here), and your guide will not tell you about Casablanca or Bette Davis unless you pester them to. Tours end with a visit to an exhibition where you can post for pictures on the Central Perk set from Friends and re-create camera tricks from The Hobbit. Despite these flippant additions, a visit to one of the most important and storied movie lots on the planet can still be rewarding if you press your guide to consistently show you the historic spots—but it's up to you to do so. Advance tickets are recommended and available online via their website, or by calling 818/972-8687; otherwise, tickets are sold the day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. Note: Photographs may not always be permitted. Children 7 and under are not admitted, you must bring a valid photo ID, and they recommend you show up about 15 minutes before the tour starts.

—Jason Cochran