Good places for autistic people to hang out?

Question

To clarify: I don't mean meetups with other autistic people. I mean places that an autistic person can go to to have a good time.

I have a friend who's recently entered into his 20s, but he has high functioning autism. He's a bit depressed because he can't do bars/the club/other typical "20s" activities due to the noise and activity level making him too anxious. He has a job and stuff so he's not intellectually impaired he just gets scared?

He does not care for anime manga or marvel. He likes scifi, computers, that type of thing.

franros · Answer

I'd point him toward the Pacific Science Center's IMAX screenings on weekday mornings. They show nature documentaries and space films in that giant domed theater, and the sound is controlled enough that it doesn't feel assaulting. The main exhibit halls are usually dead quiet before noon too, so he can wander through the computer history displays without the school groups showing up until later.

For a more regular hangout, the downtown public library's computer lab on the third floor is a hidden gem. It's got these old iMacs with no time limits, the lighting is dimmer than the rest of the building, and the scifi section is literally right next to it. He can sit there for hours reading or coding without anyone asking him to buy anything or move along.

jolandadieckmann · Answer

The Museum of Jurassic Technology in Culver City is perfect for this kind of thing. It's quiet, dimly lit, and full of strange little exhibits that blur the line between science and fiction, which sounds right up his alley. The whole place has a very specific, calm energy and it's never crowded during weekday afternoons. For a more social but still low-key option, the Echo Park branch of the public library has a solid scifi section and a quiet reading room that's basically empty on weeknights.

vanessa · Answer

if he's into scifi and computers, the Last Bookstore downtown is actually super chill on weekday mornings. the top floor has a whole weird art installation area that's usually dead quiet, and their scifi section is tucked away in a corner with armchairs. no one bothers you there.

also the Griffith Observatory on a weekday afternoon is surprisingly calm. most people go for sunset, so like 2pm on a tuesday it's just a few quiet visitors wandering around. he can sit in the planetarium or just stare at the city view without loud crowds. the bus up there is also pretty empty during that time.

anneliese · Answer

For a computer and scifi guy who gets overwhelmed by noise, the Machine Project in Echo Park is worth checking out. It's more of an art space than a hangout, but they do these weird tech-related workshops and installations that are usually very small and quiet. The vibe is more "tinkering in someone's garage" than a loud social scene.

Another option is the Central Library's science and technology section on the second floor. It's got that old building quiet where you can hear the elevator ding from three floors away, and the scifi section there is actually pretty deep. He can grab a book or just use one of the computer terminals without anyone bothering him for hours.

thekla · Answer

honestly the Museum of Jurassic Technology is a solid rec but if he's in the valley at all the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar is super underrated. it's this giant old building full of antique cars and mechanical music machines, really quiet and you can just wander around at your own pace. no one bothers you and the whole place smells like old wood and motor oil which is weirdly calming.

also if he's into computers the Grid at Hollywood and Highland is usually chill on weekday afternoons. it's this big gaming space but they have a quiet section with couches where people just code or tinker with laptops. staff leaves you alone and the ambient noise is just keyboards and low chatter, not the blasting music you get at bars. tell him to bring his own headphones just in case though

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