3 Days of Downtown Los Angeles
Mention historic Downtown Los Angeles and the words “renaissance” or “revitalized” are seldom far behind. Since the turn of the millennium, Downtown LA has become a diverse, vibrant six square miles studded with world-class hotels and myriad entertainment, cultural, dining and retail attractions beneath its distinctive glittering skyline. Furthermore, as the hub for the city’s urban rail system, DTLA makes a great base for adventures further afield. With its Arts District, Fashion District, Gallery Row, Jewelry District, and even Toy and Flower Districts, not to mention colorful Little Tokyo and Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles rewards visitors with endless attractions in an amazingly compact space.
TAP into Downtown LA. There’s no need to rent a car in DTLA, with so much of the area walkable and served by convenient Metro stations, some of which are tourist attractions in themselves. And Metro’s fare-capping structure means you’ll never need to pay more than $5 a day or $18 a week when using a TAP card (available online, from station vending machines and at many retail partners). Base fares remain at just $1.75 with transfers free for two hours, so get to know DTLA on Day 1 with a whirlwind Metro tour, earmarking places to revisit at your leisure later in your visit.
Start your day and Metro adventure at the historic largest passenger rail terminal in the Western U.S., an architectural marvel that also houses multiple breakfast, brunch and coffee options.
A West Coast take on the time-honored American diner inside the storied Hoxton hotel that serves up unpretentious “come as you are” hospitality... More
If you’re making a slow start after a late flight or long journey, brunch on California-inspired comfort food at this aptly named eatery nestled in the fragrant Flower District.
A 30-acre city within a city offering over 100 retail outlets and restaurants, with dinner options including Japanese, Taiwanese, artisanal pizza and an oyster bar.
Santee Alley is a premier outdoor shoppers’ paradise and a highlight of DTLA’s 100-block Fashion District - a cosmopolitan... More
Located in Little Tokyo, Japanese Village Plaza is a gathering place for locals and a destination for visitors offering distinctive apparel and beauty buys, plus more than twenty mostly Japanese... More
An energized, 30,000-square-foot arcade teeming with eateries of all imaginable incarnations and often exotic beverage and retail outlets, all augmented with dynamic public programming.
Devoted exclusively to art produced since 1940, across all media, MOCA is one of the nation’s most revered permanent collections numbering more than 6,800 works.
The focal point of LA’s historic Chinatown, a magnet for foodies, tourists perusing amazingly affordable trinkets, and fans snapping selfies in front of the plaza’s huge Bruce Lee statue.
LA’s oldest standing residence, situated on the block-long Olvera Street pedestrian market comprising street vendors, eateries, and gift shops in the former center of the fledgling city.
Savor the Spanish-Californian San Laurel restaurant from Michelin-starred chef José Andrés at the Conrad before or after taking in a world-class... More
Dive deeper into DTLA. Now that you’ve got the lay of the land (and the Metro system), it’s time to delve deeper into Downtown LA’s culture, cuisine and retail delights. Soak up contemporary art and inspiration at The Broad; ride the memorable Angels Flight funicular, bask in the Bradbury Building atrium, or enjoy the calm of Grand Park. Along the way, refuel at eateries that are bucket list historic landmarks in themselves, including The Biltmore Los Angeles, Cole’s French Dip in the Historic Core, and its longtime rival, Phillippe's. And, now that you’re well rested from your journey to LA, there might still be gas in your tank for some DTLA barhopping or clubbing.
Savor a century-plus of Old Hollywood grandeur while enjoying breakfast or lunch at a trio of restaurants in elegant hotel surroundings that have hosted numerous Oscar ceremonies.
Join the great French Dip debate between its rival, self-proclaimed originators: Cole’s, home to the oldest pub in LA…
…and Philippe The Original, established in 1908 and at its current location since 1951.
America’s largest membership-based historic preservation organization, the LA Conservancy connects visitors and Angelenos with local history through walking tours and special events.
A 22,000 square-foot readers’ wonderland comprising California's largest new/used bookstore plus comics, records, five art studios, a yarn store and a famed, Instagram-friendly book tunnel.
The original GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE is a wonderfully interactive music experience including videos, touchscreens, recording booths and a collection of GRAMMY Award-related artifacts.
Enjoy free General Admission to this world-renowned collection of contemporary art, including two incredible, immersive Infinity Mirror Rooms by Yayoi Kusama.
A must for history and architecture enthusiasts, this 1893 Romanesque Revival, with its five-story skylit atrium, cage elevators and ornate ironwork, has appeared in multiple movies and TV shows.
A 12-acre green oasis in the heart of DTLA, stretching between The Music Center and City Hall, providing year-round public programming.
Just $1 for a one-way ride (50 cents with a TAP card), this steep, narrow-gauge funicular carries passengers between Hill Street and Olive Street and has featured in over 100... More
This stunning 1927 theatre straddles “then” and “now” with diverse dance nights and concerts enhanced by stadium-quality audio gear, intelligent lighting and panoramic LED displays.
Housed in the former LA Stock Exchange, this 25,000 square-foot venue is a see-and-be-seen nightclub, event space, and host to glamorous award shows and premiere parties.
Indoor/outdoor 21st-floor nightclub with astonishing city views, a sleek contemporary vibe, and adjacent to the Takami Sushi & Robata Restaurant.
Dating back to 1926, a $12-million restoration brings The Belasco’s carefully curated dance nights and live shows firmly into the here-and-now with state-of-the-art sound and lighting.
Take your time. On your third day in DTLA, linger over some of the area’s more involved charms. That might be an unhurried brunch, a visit to an art gallery, a world-class concert, or a sporting event at one of LA's iconic stadiums. Then say farewell to the City of Angels with a leisurely, splash-out dinner at one of Downtown LA’s many destination restaurants, as tasteful as they are tasty.
Award-winning Modern American eatery located in the rectory building of cathedral-turned-event-venue Vibiana, with an extensive weekend brunch menu (including cocktails!)
The slick rooftop restaurant of The Wayfarer hotel is a brunch destination with wide-open views of city streets and towering skyscrapers from its 12th-story perch.
Authentic French bakery and bistro open at 8am with everything on its menu of baked specialties, soups, salads, sandwiches and drinks handmade daily.
Presenting art exhibitions, events, and learning activities in the heart of LA’s Arts District of performance spaces, outdoor murals, eateries and vivacious vibes in a former artist colony.
More than 50 art galleries, museums, theatres, and public art installations all within walking distance of one another, with a Downtown Art Walk every second Thursday from 6-10pm.
A century-old cinema on a six-block stretch that boasts twelve historic movie theatres now beautifully restored to host premieres, concerts, comedy, special events and more.
Frank Gehry-designed architectural jewel that's home to the LA Phil and Los Angeles Master Chorale, renowned for its stunning architecture and extraordinary acoustics.
Overlooking DTLA, this uniquely picturesque hillside home of the Los Angeles Dodgers and host for big-name concerts also offers behind-the-scenes stadium tours year-round.
The storied “Greatest Stadium in the World,” home to the USC football team for over a century, the only stadium that has hosted two Olympiads, and a stately venue for... More
Opened in 2018, with easy access from the Metro E Line, this 22,000-capacity home of Los Angeles Football Club and Angel City FC also hosts concerts, special events and festivals.
Unique multidimensional hub of culinary exploration and extravagant entertainment comprising multiple cosmopolitan concepts on the eighth floor of the adjoining Moxy and AC Hotels.
Middle Eastern feasts intended as a communal experience that everyone at the table joins, with each dish an exotic journey enhanced with gorgeous surroundings and impeccable service.
A singular and brilliant play on contemporary Indian cuisine and culture, imaginatively tailored to the tastes and sensibilities of Los Angeles diners with the spirit of a vibrant cocktail bar.
California cuisine that celebrates the diversity of LA’s mosaic of food cultures and the bounty of SoCal produce, with amazing service and ambient, relaxed indoor and outdoor seating.